NASCAR kicked off the 2023 circuit with a stop this week at the Circuit of the Americas for Goodyear tire testing, which saw two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch debut the new car with a new team.
Perhaps the biggest storyline in the sport for the new year, the 37-year-old Las Vegas native switched to the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing after spending 15 years driving the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Bush spent the last two days on the track in Austin.
“It’s like a new school, meeting new classmates,” Bush said of the transition. “We see what my communication skills are like and then my new team takes the car and makes it go faster.
“I don’t know if there is ever a right time for anything. These are the cards that have been dealt and we are playing them. RCR is such a big name. You assemble the best NASCAR driver in all three streaks – 220-something wins – with the longest team in NASCAR. It’s a fresh start for me at the end of the game.”
NASCAR is gearing up for the Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 5, a scoreless show in Los Angeles ahead of the Daytona 500 headliner on Feb. 19. The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA, now in its third year, is held in March. 26, the sixth race on the calendar.
“We’re thrilled that NASCAR put so much into the Austin weekend,” said NASCAR at COTA Executive Director Brian Hammond. “They bring all the shows to Austin, including truck racing, the Xfinity Series and Cup All-Stars. We have Darius Rooker at the pre-race show. The first signs are encouraging (for a large number of viewers). the first test of the new year because it draws attention to our race.”
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Busch was here with reigning Daytona 500 champion Austin Sindrick and Tyler Reddick, who switched to the No. 45 Toyota in 23XI Racing after a breakout 2022 season with RCR, registering their first three Cup victories and earning a playoff berth.
“Here at COTA, it’s always high,” said Reddick, a 27-year-old Californian. “This is one of the most fun tracks, very difficult. Changes (in teams) mean a lot of new people, new places, different ways of preparing and training. I’m impressed with everything Toyota has to offer. relying on me to improve his road course program.”
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Drivers got to grips with Austin in two days. Among other things, Reddick and Sindrik went to Austin’s specialty store Maufrais for custom-made cowboy hats. Bush said returning to Austin for a third year makes sense.
“It’s very important to expand into new markets, especially here in Austin with a world-class city and highway,” Bush said. “We just announced our new sponsor, Netspend, and this is their home. It is important to choose partners from different parts of the country.
“There were great fans here. Last year’s show was one of the best of the year. A lot was made of that last lap and everything that came next,” with a spectacular victory for Ross Chastain.
Sindrik is back behind the wheel of Team Penske’s No. 2 Ford after his stunning Dayton triumph. He won Rookie of the Year and made the playoffs. He said that the venue and location make the Austin race very special.
“This is the only chance to get on the Formula 1 track,” said the 24-year-old athlete from Columbus, Ohio. “This is a European style track compared to other road tracks we have in the state. It includes many elements and you can easily get distracted. The cool thing about coming here is that COTA is so close to downtown Austin. On some tracks we participate in races. built farther from the cities. I like being close to the city center.”
Busch, an outspoken and controversial figure among fans, has said that his move to RCR is unlikely to change his aggressive demeanor on the track or his “Rowdy” moniker.
“The question is who makes you angry,” he said. “My actions are the result of circumstances and what is happening. All sports need fun, excitement, and I’ve been that guy for a while. This hat is black for a reason. We continue”.
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