Kyle Busch formally announced his plans to join Richard Childress Racing beginning in 2023 Tuesday morning. Check out press conference.
Kyle Busch : 2023 | Press conference | Contract
Kyle Thomas Busch (born May 2, 1985) is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner.
| Born | Kyle Thomas Busch May 2, 1985 Las Vegas, Nevada |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
He currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 18 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports. KBM runs multiple trucks in the Truck Series.
Busch is the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series champion. Busch is also a one time WWE 24/7 Champion.
He is the younger brother of 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion and current NASCAR Cup Series driver, and in turn fellow competitor, Kurt Busch.
He is nicknamed “Rowdy” and “Wild Thing” for his driving style, “The Candy Man” due to his longtime sponsorship with Mars, Incorporated, and the self-titled “KFB”.
Kyle Busch 2023
A move once considered unthinkable became reality Tuesday when Kyle Busch announced that he will drive the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing next season.
“This is probably one of the biggest days of my life and my career,” Busch said.
“What a big day,” car owner Richard Childress said.
Busch called his decision to join RCR “a no-brainer” and cited the opportunity to win races as a factor. Busch said it is a multi-year deal.
The 37-year-old Busch made the announcement at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is where his career will be honored once it is complete.
The two-time Cup champion — the only active multi-time Cup champ in the series — will make the move to RCR after having been with Joe Gibbs Racing since 2008.
Busch has scored 56 of his 60 career Cup victories with Joe Gibbs Racing. No other driver has won as many series races in that time. Jimmie Johnson is next with 50 and Kevin Harvick has 49.
Busch has won a total of 146 races in Cup and Xfinity with Joe Gibbs Racing, scoring 90 Xfinity wins with the organization.
Press conference
Tuesday morning began the closing of one and the beginning of another when Busch announced, “I’ll be taking my talents to Welcome, North Carolina,” inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
With those words, years of unsettled differences were officially put aside and relief appeared to overcome the 37-year-old driver as the future of Busch’s racing career was settled after months of uncertainty.
A big revelation from Tuesday’s press conference was that Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, was the one to initiate the conversations to bring Busch to RCR.
The talks between Dillon and Busch allowed them to quash any tension that could’ve remained from Busch and Childress, or Busch and Chevrolet, to open the door for Busch to join the team.
“I was kinda surprised honestly,” Busch said. “When Austin reached out, I was like ‘OK. Well, we probably need to sit down and discuss something first,’ and it was fine. It was easy. Just to feel wanted and feel that they know who I am, what I am.
I mean the accolades speak for themselves in that I can go over there and continue that build to the top. I feel like they are on a good path.”
Contract
Kyle Busch is officially leaving Joe Gibbs Racing after 15 seasons and two NASCAR Cup Series championships with the powerhouse team.
The current No. 18 Toyota driver is in a contract year, and speculation about his future intensified throughout the summer without an announcement.
Finally, we have an official answer: Busch is headed to Richard Childress Racing with a multiyear deal beginning in 2023. And, for the first time since the 2007 season, he’ll be behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.
Busch’s move was first reported by The Athletic on Saturday and confirmed in Tuesday morning’s announcement at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“One team, one owner emerged as the clear choice,” Busch continued about his options over the last several months. “The second I sat down with him, I knew that his company and his people and the culture around there have the ability to compete for championships from day one.”
And when he finally announced he’s going to Richard Childress Racing, he did it à la LeBron James style.
“I’m excited to announce that I’ll be taking my talents to Welcome, North Carolina to drive the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing starting in 2023.”