Kyle Busch is already showing his effect at his new team Richard Childress Racing, says teammate Austin Dillion.
The two-time Cup Series champion’s 15-year-long association with Joe Gibbs Racing ended with the conclusion of the 2022 season.
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JGR’s loss is RCR’s gain as Busch brings a wealth of experience with him and it will certainly help Dillon for the upcoming season. And while it’s the p0st-season now, Busch has already started showing his influence in the team, says Dillion.
“He is already wearing everybody out about, ‘hey, we’ve got to be ready to go,’ So that fire is definitely there, and that’s what you want to see.” Dillion said
Busch will be driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for his new team, the first time he is driving a Chevrolet since he joined JGR.
While he cannot be with his new team right away, as he has still some obligations with JGR, Busch said that the preparations are already underway for his new team.
“We’ve already started a little bit. My duties say JGR and Toyota — one of them continues through the (awards) banquet, the other one continues through December 31. So we’ll see what happens in the month of December.”
“I had one once upon a time. I’ve been before. Don’t let things completely shock you. Actually, (crew chief) Jason Ratcliff and I, when we were really close and racing for a championship in ’09, him and I went together. So it was fun. I’ve done it before, I’d enjoy doing it again. I’ve just never really I guess had any invites to go.”
With the nature of his departure from JGR, Busch will have a point to prove against them in the 2023 nature. Nevertheless, Busch is a fierce competitor in any case and it will be an interesting season for him and his fans.