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Background: A star driver at JGR since 2008, amassing 56 of his 60 Cup wins there and profitable two Cup titles (2015, 2019). New deal couldn’t be struck after departure of long-time sponsor M&Ms (Mars Inc.). Can be changed by Ty Gibbs, newly topped NASCAR Xfinity champion.
Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, M&M’s Toyota Camry
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: There is probably not a transfer extra anticipated in 2023 than two-time Cup champion Busch becoming a member of forces with longtime proprietor Richard Childress. The largest query mark might be if Busch can take RCR again to being not solely a constant winner but in addition a challenger for collection championships. Reddick definitely confirmed each had been doable at RCR earlier than his sooner-than-expected departure. Busch brings a wealth of expertise and expertise which ought to assist elevate all the group. The draw back is the uncertainty of how Busch will reply to being in a much less aggressive surroundings if issues don’t go in addition to he and the workforce hope.
Nick DeGroot: This might be a large shift for Busch, who began his Cup profession with Hendrick earlier than spending the following 14 years at Gibbs. It should take time for him to get accustomed to his new residence, however RCR gained 4 races throughout the 2022 season and put each automobiles within the playoffs. There are on an upswing and it is the proper time to herald a driver the caliber of Busch. I anticipate to see early struggles, however as soon as they begin profitable, they will not cease. Unlikely in 2023, however Busch is the motive force who might finally elevate RCR to a championship-winning group as soon as once more.
Ty Gibbs – NASCAR Xfinity Sequence to Cup with Joe Gibbs Racing
Background: 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Sequence champion, profitable double digit races (eleven) in simply two seasons in NASCAR’s secondary division. Grandson of Joe Gibbs with 15 begins on the Cup stage, subbing for the injured Kurt Busch. Greatest end of tenth at Michigan. Additionally gained 2021 ARCA title.
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, Monster Power Toyota Supra celebrates his win
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: JGR’s incapacity to maintain Busch in its Cup program, mixed with Gibbs’ speedy success within the Xfinity Sequence, made Gibbs’ elevation to the JGR Cup program a no brainer. Given his so-so efficiency filling in for Kurt Busch at 23XI Racing in 2023, it appears fairly apparent Ty may have an adjustment interval to undergo on the Cup facet. He may have a gifted group round him – Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell – to assist information his transition. I don’t assume profitable a race in his rookie season is out of the query.
Nick DeGroot: Successful in his Xfinity debut was all of the proof I wanted to see from Ty Gibbs. He has the expertise. However his speedy rise has not been with out its missteps, or controversies. Coping with all that, in addition to the tragic lack of his father and now being thrust right into a automotive beforehand occupied by top-of-the-line NASCAR drivers of our time — it is lots of strain for such a younger driver. I imagine he’ll wrestle and go winless at first, however will probably be as much as him for the way lengthy. If he can hold the suitable mindset, the outcomes will observe in due time. If not, he could observe the trail of previous JGR drivers who stagnated as soon as they had been promoted to the Cup stage.
Tyler Reddick – Richard Childress Racing to 23XI Racing
Background: Received three Cup races throughout the 2022 season. Will exchange Kurt Busch who’s stepping away from full-time competitors after being sidelined by a concussion earlier this 12 months. Reddick had been with RCR since 2018, profitable back-to-back Xfinity titled with them earlier than transferring as much as Cup.
Race winner Tyler Reddick, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: This was simply the ‘shock transfer’ of the 12 months, particularly since when it was first introduced, Reddick was becoming a member of the group in 2024 and was nonetheless going to compete for RCR in 2023. Nevertheless, Kurt Busch’s retirement from full-time Cup competitors and Kyle Busch’s transfer to RCR supplied a possibility for Reddick to affix 23XI a 12 months early. He and Bubba Wallace ought to make a formidable pair on the observe for the fledgling workforce. Reddick is a fierce competitor and after the breakout season he had in 2022, he gained’t be trying to accept a step again.
Nick DeGroot: For the primary time since 2013, an RCR driver loved a multi-win season. Reddick gained 3 times throughout the 2022 season, and will have gained much more. And that’s the reason the story of his departure is so shocking, and strange. Initially set to go away in 2024, it was moved up a 12 months because of the hiring of Kyle Busch at RCR and the stepping apart of Kurt Busch at 23XI. Reddick is a driver that could be a risk at every kind of race tracks, and that will not change subsequent 12 months. He’ll win, on each ovals and highway programs. I additionally imagine he’ll put 23XI Racing into rivalry for the title. I do not anticipate rising pains, and wouldn’t be stunned to see on the spot success out of this mix. RCR could have gained a 2x champion in Busch, however in my view, they misplaced a future champion with Reddick’s departure.
Background: 115 Cup begins and no wins, spent the final 12 months working part-time in all three nationwide divisions. A former champion of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Sequence and a winner at each the Xfinity and Truck stage. Can be changing Cole Custer.
Ryan Preece, Crew DGR, Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford F-150 wins
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: One of many extra fascinating strikes of the 12 months, changing Cole Custer – who has gained a Cup race and a mixed 12 wins in Xfinity and Vehicles – with a driver who has no Cup wins and 4 mixed wins in Xfinity and Vehicles. Given the actual fact SHR has had some efficiency struggles as a corporation the previous few years, that is the motive force transfer I most likely anticipate to see least out of when it comes to efficiency change. Preece had three full seasons in Cup and managed a complete of simply two top-five finishes.
Nick DeGroot: That is an fascinating one. Preece is not any stranger to the Cup Sequence, however he is been in a kind of limbo over the previous 12 months with no full-time journey. A confirmed winner at decrease ranges of the game, I feel SHR will permit him to lastly understand his full potential. But it surely stays to be seen how excessive he can rise. Preece is able to turning into a NASCAR Cup Sequence winner, however I am unsure if it’s going to come subsequent 12 months. SHR gained three races throughout the 2022 season, however they had been very hot-and-cold relying on the week. I feel that can proceed subsequent 12 months, however a driver like Preece with one thing to show could also be precisely what they want.
Noah Gragson – NASCAR Xfinity Sequence to Cup with Petty GMS Motorsports
Background: 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Sequence championship runner-up and 13x race winner, changing Ty Dillon as a rookie in 2023. 18 earlier Cup begins with a finest end of fifth (Daytona).
Noah Gragson, JR Motorsports, Bass Professional Outlets TrueTimber BRCC Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: Noah Gragson’s transfer to the Cup Sequence at Petty GMS was already a formidable get for the group and that was earlier than the end-of-the-year announcement that former seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson was becoming a member of the possession group and would drive some races in 2023. With new possession and the addition of crew chief Luke Lambert (becoming a member of Gragson from JR Motorsports), the pairing of Gragson and Erik Jones ought to pay huge efficiency dividends (in addition to being fairly entertaining). Petty GMS is my early favourite for many improved group in 2023.
Nick DeGroot: It was solely a matter of time. Gragson has been profitable races within the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence for the previous three seasons, however 2023 might be a brand new problem for the at all times entertaining driver. Petty GMS did attain Victory Lane with Erik Jones this previous 12 months’s Southern 500, however they’re a midfield workforce. Many will anticipate him to be within the again half of the sector on most weeks, however I am not so certain. Echoing my colleagues’ feedback, I imagine with Jimmie Johnson becoming a member of an already spectacular possession group and a veteran crew chief atop the pit field, Gragson and the No. 42 workforce could shock lots of people in 2023.
Ty Dillon – Petty GMS Motorsports to Spire Motorsports
Background: 202 Cup begins and no wins, transferring from Petty GMS into the No. 77 Spire Chevrolet, which utilized a number of totally different drivers throughout the 2022 season. Former race winner on the Xfinity and Truck stage.
Ty Dillon, Petty GMS Motorsports, Black Rifle Espresso Firm Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: Spire Motorsports had already fielded two fulltime Cup groups however previously has used quite a lot of drivers and didn’t however close to the assets into it as their major workforce with driver Corey LaJoie. The dedication so as to add Dillon as a fulltime teammate, in addition to the addition of different key personnel, exhibits Spire is critical about making an attempt to change into a contender. Having a devoted teammate ought to solely assist LaJoie and Dillon has but been capable of finding an excellent match with a Cup workforce in his profession. The outcomes could not present straight away however I see Spire trending upwards.
Nick DeGroot: Ty Dillon’s time as a Cup driver has been a wrestle, with over 200 begins and little to indicate for it. In equity, he has been driving for lower-level groups, and Spire is not any totally different, apart from being a change of surroundings. If he does lastly discover Victory Lane, will probably be at a superspeedway. In any other case, I anticipate 2023 to be a troublesome uphill climb for this Dillon brother.
Background: Fifth season with the workforce after profitable races at each the Cup and Xfinity stage. Transferring from part-time in Cup to full-time for the primary time since 2018. Two profession Cup wins (2014 at Watkins Glen and 2021 at Indianapolis RC).
Race winner AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
Jim Utter: Allmendinger is coming full circle within the Cup Sequence, returning to fulltime competitors in 2023 with Kaulig Racing, which he has helped construct from the bottom up as an Xfinity Sequence title contender and part-time Cup driver. His win on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Highway Course in 2021 gave Kaulig its first Cup victory. His teammate, Justin Haley, made nice strides in efficiency by the tip of 2022 and having Allmendinger racing with him in 2023 on the Cup facet solely speed up his development. Between superspeedways and highway programs, I see Kaulig within the combine for wins fairly a bit in 2023.
Nick DeGroot: He’ll win, and make the playoffs. Of that I’m virtually sure. Allmendinger and Kaulig Racing have been a harmful mixture lately, profitable over a dozen Xfinity races and even a Cup race at Indianapolis. He almost gained Cup races at COTA and the Charlotte Roval this previous 12 months as nicely. This workforce solely grows stronger as a two-car Cup group, and A.J. proved in his restricted appearances over the previous season that profitable on an oval isn’t out of the query both. His unorthodox profession path in NASCAR has introduced him to a spot the place he may very well be set for his most profitable season but, and an opportunity on the playoffs.
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