For the past couple of days, social media has been abuzz with mixed signals for Alpine F1 and Oscar Piastri. It all started when Sebastian Vettel shocked the world when he announced his retirement at the end of the season. Later on, the Aston Martin F1 team roped in Fernando Alonso to succeed him in their outfit. Naturally, this left a vacant seat at Alpine for 2023. Needless to say, NASCAR was all over the news, making jokes, and even dragging the Kyle Busch contract issue into it.
Between NASCAR silly season and MLB trade deadline, I’m pretty sure I just saw
Kyle Busch to the Boston Red Sox, sending Juan Soto to Stewart-Haas
— Jackson Todd (@_JTodd14_) August 1, 2022
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@jeff_gluck All we need now to complete the trifecta is for JGR to announce Kyle Busch is coming back and for him to deny it. #nascar #F1 #indycar
— José O. (@Arxenio) August 3, 2022
@KyleBusch #F1 pic.twitter.com/coOldCLouo
— Jeremy Bullard (@Jbullard1982) August 3, 2022
First Palou, then Piastri.
Just need a rushed JGR-Kyle Busch announcement to come out now.
— DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin) (@DannyBTalks) August 3, 2022
The French constructor was quick to announce that Oscar Piastri would join. However, the driver later tweeted that he had not agreed to sign for the team in 2023. This news comes on the back of a contract dispute between Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, and McLaren Racing.
In light of all this, the news and subsequent clarifications triggered a social media storm. Suffice to say, NASCAR fans joined the party with Busch, who has an uncertain future.
Is the Kyle Busch situation similar to the Alpine and Oscar Piastri saga?
It is safe to say that their situations are completely different. Busch is in this position because his long-time sponsor M&M’s is leaving NASCAR entirely. In a sport like this, few drivers can last in the Cup Series without a sponsor. So Kyle Busch has to really hunt for a sponsor to back him for the 2023 season.
what if JGR announces Kyle Busch is coming back next year and Kyle shortly after states that he isn’t lol
— Alex (@newgayden) August 2, 2022
I hope they do this on purpose. At this point. Let's go @KyleBusch.. ultimate troll. Lol https://t.co/Gi0XtvlQPA
— The Heel Crew Chief (@isimpaint) August 3, 2022
I’m just gonna straight up not believe the first team that “officially” announces signing Kyle Busch for 2023. #NASCAR
— Matthew Burroughs (@MJBurroughs) August 2, 2022
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Joe Gibbs is going to announce an extension and Busch will pop up on here to say he’s not signed anything and he’s looking to run the Indy 500. With McLaren
(This is not true, folks. Don’t blow up the Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs or McLaren accounts) https://t.co/6r6QlVH2NW
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) August 2, 2022
One big question on everyone’s lips is, will be reunited with Joe Gibbs Racing, or will he seek other pastures? Without a doubt, his first priority is to try and stick with JGR, who have been with him for most of his career.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Former NASCAR Driver Kyle Petty Shuts Down Kyle Busch
In the possible event that he and the organization cannot look eye-to-eye on contract details, there are plenty of options available. One potential destination is Stewart-Haas Racing, especially considering that Aric Almirola is stepping back from full-time racing.