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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – APRIL 03: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Dr Pepper Toyota, waves to fans onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 03, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – APRIL 03: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Dr Pepper Toyota, waves to fans onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 03, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
There might be multiple names that come to one’s mind when someone asks who would see major performance improvement next year. But after an unofficial pole, it seems that fans are looking forward to two drivers specifically next season.
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Darian Gilliam of Black Flags Matter asked, “Give me two drivers that you think will have a major performance improvement in 2023?“
Majority of the answers reflected either, Kyle Busch or Bubba Wallace. Busch has had an unpleasant season so far. Even though he initially made it to the playoffs, he later was eliminated at Bristol after suffering an engine failure. Throughout the season there were also massive doubts lingering about the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s future, many even question if he would be able to continue with NASCAR altogether. However, all of that was answered after, Richard Childress Racing announced that Busch would be driving with them from 2023 onwards.
On the other hand, Bubba Wallace failed to make it into the playoffs. He also struggled at the start of the season, mostly due to his long-standing issues with his pit crew. But thankfully, towards the end of the season, the 23XI racing driver was able to find his mojo back and went on to score his second career win at Kansas, while competing for the owner playoffs with Kyle Busch’s #45 car.
NASCAR fans say Bubba Wallace or Kyle Busch would most likely see massive performance boosts next year
Both drivers are on fresh contracts as they would begin their next season with their respective teams. Wallace signed a contract extension with 23XI, which surely would have played its part in motivating Wallace to perform better. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch made the jump from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing after spending 15 years with JGR.
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FONTANA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Wheaties Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway on February 27, 2022 in Fontana, California. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Fans stated,
Bubba and buescher should show more consistency next year. Especially since we know they can win at non plate tracks
— Jonathan Shelden 🏳️🌈 (@jon_shelden) September 29, 2022
Cup Wise Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez Xfinity Wise Sheldon Creed and Brandon Jones and Truck Wise Derek Kraus and Carson Hocevar
— Hawk Luxxington (@TheLuxxRyder) September 29, 2022
Bubba Wallace and Erik Jones both have won this season and will make the playoffs next season
— Thatguy (@Th4tguyfr) September 29, 2022
Bubba Wallace, he improved all season and I’d not for power steering issues at Bristol would’ve finished in top 10 since he was running up there.
Also Kyle Busch, he’s had a poor year in performance and with a new team there will be growing pains but Kyle turns around teams— Garrett Newlon💉💉💉🏳️🌈 (@GarrettNewlon) September 29, 2022
Kyle Busch because he won't have sabatoged engines this time
— Chase Chastain (@SirKingBoo) September 29, 2022
Bubba and KFB. I think 23XI is really going places and Bubba is putting his stamp that he belongs, and KFB in a new place in still good equipment with yet another chip on his shoulder is going to be a mad man.
— David Rhodes (@NavySubSandvich) September 29, 2022
Judging by the little runs from this last half of the year I feel bubba might grab some decent runs infact I’d say 23XI will improve as a whole
— Yummy (@YummyFromOhio) September 29, 2022
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Who do you think would have the biggest performance gains come next year? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Edited by
Nizamul Haque Bhuyan