Kyle Busch signs with RCR, Will Drive 8 Car in 2023

Live from the NASCAR Hall of Fame, 2-Time NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Busch announced his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing to sign with Richard Childress Racing to drive the 8 Car.

In his announcement Busch thanked his wife Samantha and his two kids Brexton and Lennix for dealing with him always being on the phone. He also thanked Joe Gibbs and all of Joe Gibbs Racing for his time at JGR and he will always cherish their memories over the past 15 seasons. Busch also thanked Rowdy Nation, “You have no idea what your support means to me,” Busch remarked and he’s happy they will follow him wherever he travels in his career.

Kyle Busch announced that he will sign with Richard Childress Racing in 2023 the drive the #8 car. Childress was thrilled that he was able to sign Busch saying that his grandson and driver of the #3 car Austin Dillon set up the meeting. Busch and Dillon are friends, so the meeting was easily made. Childress also handed Brexton Busch, Kyle’s son, a contract to drive for RCR in the future.

Busch also announced that his contract with RCR is multi-year. Childress also exclaimed that the deal is Long-Term. The sponsors for the #8 car next season were not announced in the press conference or announcement video but I assume they will be presented soon. Busch also announced that it is in his contract that he can run the Indianapolis 500 for a Chevy supported team. It has been rumored that Busch has been looking to race in the 500 for some time now so it is no surprise that this is part of his contract.

Now let’s talk about how this affects NASCAR silly season.

Tyler Reddick will not be driving next season in the #8 car. The championship contender signed a deal with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin to drive for 23XI racing. Childress announced that RCR has obtained a 3rd charter and Reddick will race in a 3rd car for RCR next season. Number hasn’t been announced yet, but RCR has rights to numbers like 29 and 33 so we could see a return of one of those two numbers. Childress teased, the details on the 3rd charter will be talked about on a different date.

Kyle Busch Motorsports, Busch’s Truck Series team is currently under the Toyota manufacture. With Busch’s switch to Chevy with RCR, KBM intends to compete in the NASCAR Truck Series next season as a Chevrolet team. This is not wonderful news for TRD as they now need to find a competitive Truck Series team for talented drivers like Corey Heim. Currently KBM fields three full time Trucks with John Hunter Nemechek, Chandler Smith and a third team with part-time drivers. Drivers have not been announced neither how many trucks KBM will run.

Speaking of Toyota let’s talk Joe Gibbs Racing. Who will replace Kyle Busch at JGR in 2023? I see the Xfinity championship contender Ty Gibbs as the likely and only candidate. Gibbs is the grandson of Busch’s former team owner and legendary NFL coach Joe Gibbs. Ty has run in the Xfinity Series full-time this season and has recorded 5 wins this season. Gibbs has also been filling in for the injured Kurt Busch for 23XI Racing in the Cup Series, so he does have some experience in Cup. Gibbs has been decent and does have a top 10 in the past 8 races for 23XI. So, Gibbs is the likely candidate for the JGR 18.

Thus, the biggest free agent has been taken off the board. Kyle Busch has signed with RCR in 2023 to drive the 8 car on a multi-year deal. Reddick will still drive for RCR in 2023 with a 3rd chartered team, KBM will plan on being a Chevy operation next season, Ty Gibbs will most likely be with JGR next season, and Kyle Busch is going to try to find a ride for the 2023 Indy 500.