After 15 years, 56 wins, and two NASCAR Cup series championships, Kyle Busch made it official on Tuesday morning that he will not return to Joe Gibbs Racing after this season.
The announcement came as Busch confirmed his next team will be Richard Childress Racing beginning in 2023. Busch will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet and work with crew chief Randall Burnett.
“RCR has an impressive history in NASCAR and I’m honored that Richard is putting his trust in me to come in and continue to build on that legacy,” said Busch. “Growing up in a family of passionate racers myself, I feel like the culture that the Childress family has built within their organization will be an ideal fit for me.
Burnett is currently paired with Tyler Reddick, who announced in July he will join 23XI Racing in 2024.
Reddick is under contract to remain with Richard Childress Racing next season despite Busch’s arrival. However, details of how Reddick will fit into the picture with Busch taking his car number and crew chief were not revealed.
In joining the Childress organization, Busch returns to the Chevrolet camp. Busch’s first four wins in the Cup Series came driving a Chevrolet for Rick Hendrick from 2005 through 2007. In all, Busch has 21 wins driving a Chevrolet across the three NASCAR national series.
“We’d like to welcome Kyle back to Team Chevy, where he started his NASCAR career,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President, Performance and Motorsports. “As a 60 Cup race winner and two-time champion, he will be a valuable addition to Richard Childress Racing and the Chevrolet line-up. We look forward to working with Kyle starting in 2023.
