With the arrival of Tyler Reddick at 23XI Racing in 2023, it remains to be seen how it will affect Kurt Busch’s position in the team.
Busch is still recovering from the concussion-like symptoms he suffered on Saturday, July 23 in a single-car qualifying wreck at Pocono Raceway. The race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend would mean Busch will have missed 13 races.
Hearing @TylerReddick ‘s contract has been bought out from @RCRracing and he will join @23XIRacing next year. Announcement expected this weekend at @LVMotorSpeedway #NASCAR
— Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer) October 11, 2022
There are rumours that Busch will opt to retire from full-time racing after the 2022 season to focus on his health. However, he still has a contract with 23XI Racing until 2023 and there is an option for an additional year.
Daniel Hemric’s exit has confirmed that this particular feat will be achieved in Xfinity Series
Owner Denny Hamlin has made it clear that it will be Busch’s decision to make when he wants to retire. With all this in light, however, the 2-car team signed Tyler Reddick from Richard Childress Racing. At first, the new addition was set to come in 2024. Instead, he will now join the team in 2023 after buying out his contract.
So, will it mean that Busch has decided to retire? It could also mean that 23XI Racing will add a third car to the team. There were also rumours that they were looking for a third charter. Or they could have a full-time entry without a charter.
Even if Busch decided to retire after this season, Hamlin previously mentioned a contingency plan to replace the veteran that didn’t involve Reddick. And it was believed that the driver to replace Busch would be John Hunter Nemechek.