Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
2022 was nothing short of tumultuous for Kyle Busch. The 2-time Cup Series champion lost his 15-year-long sponsorship and then the team he helped build denied him a contract renewal. But he won’t be lying low, that’s for sure.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Kyle Busch started 2022 thinking he’ll finish his 15th season with Joe Gibbs Racing on a high, and possibly challenge for a third title in the Cup Series for him and the team.
Unfortunately, though, the Las Vegas man endured some bitter blows over the course of the year. Mid-year Mars & Wrigley, the sponsors that led to his famous The Candyman nickname, conveyed to him that they wouldn’t continue funding his racing journey.
But what Busch didn’t know was that this disappointment will snowball into a much bigger one. What followed was a protracted and toxic contract renewal, with a lot of proverbial airing of dirty laundry. Finally, Busch and JGR also finalized their divorce.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 16, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
JGR’s decision drew a lot of ire from all around NASCAR, most famously from Dale Earnhardt Jr., but there was no going back. Since the finalization of his departure, Busch got a place in Richard Childress Racing’s #8 car.
In the off-season, he has been preparing for the next season in full steam with his new team and new car.
His return to Chevrolet, which he last used at Hendrick Motorsports, has given his Rowdy Nation community a lot of optimism. It fully invested them in him and believe 2023 will be the year he gets his mojo back.
The new Kyle Busch post from COTA buoyed fans
Nothing is better for a driver’s confidence than a win. Fans know that, and so does Busch. His recent win at COTA with Austin Dillon Motorsports’ #3 car will be a great foreword for what he is aiming to achieve in 2023.
Brick by brick 🧱 leaving COTA w one in the win column! 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/QgT5UE7T5W
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) December 5, 2022
This is what fans thought of his win at the prestigious track –
Kyle Busch driving a Chevy again. Maybe peace on earth is next 🤔
— Heff Gordon (@HeffGordon69) December 5, 2022
Congrats Rowdy RCR !..good presage of what's to come..let's make this union revered for a long time racers..a lot of greatness in this trio Bravo
— Leandro Machado (@Real_Leandrao) December 5, 2022
Busch has more wins in the #3 than Dale has since 2001. I think it’s clear who’s better https://t.co/yOlIK6Esmw
— Alfa (@AlfaM_37) December 5, 2022
Dude, Dale was the man and my favorite driver ever but you in that iconic 3 is like a great fittin pair of jeans. You we meant to have that # in my mind, wish you would run it
— John Lewis (Ultra Outlaw) (@outlaw_isme) December 5, 2022
So stoked to see lots of wins this coming season! Clean slate.. let’s freaking go!!! 💪🏻 #KFB https://t.co/R19U3kSveR
— Heather aka Bae (@omgitsbae10) December 5, 2022
isn’t even 2023 and already has a dub with RCR. what a 🐐 @KyleBusch https://t.co/hqHbmCDPcA
— Chase (@DeerSlayer518) December 5, 2022
Watch This Story: “Wish I Had Died”: NASCAR Legend Bobby Allison’s Tryst With Tragedy Prompted Shocking Revelation Years After the Devastating Incident
After a discouraging and chaotic 2022, the new year and new season will be Busch’s chance at redemption.
Written by
Edited by
Akash Pandhare