Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the few teams on the NASCAR grid to have drivers committed to the team for years and years. Kyle Busch clocked in 15 years at the team while Denny Hamlin completed 18 years. However, that is soon going to be a tale of the past.
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Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing completed a long and protracted, yet unsuccessful contract negotiation this season. The announcement was made mid-season. Busch would be let go by the team at the end of the season. The racer gave the team 15 seasons of brilliant and mostly unwavering performances. Including their first Cup Series (and then their second too). It was possibly a decision based on a multitude of reasons beyond the racer’s control.
Busch is now 37 years old. It is also evident that his performances have dipped in the past few seasons. But the biggest reason, and most probably the one that made their decision easiest – Busch was no longer ‘The Candyman’. Mars Wrigley, the parent company of M&M, had been Busch’s primary sponsor for 15 years. However, they decided to end that relationship as “There’s a bit of a shift in our sports marketing strategy. Our consumer base is very distributive.”
Busch was told that he is going to be team-less AND sponsor-less at the end of 2022. He eventually did manage to find a suitor for his services. Richard Childress Racing, one of the longest-running teams in NASCAR decided to take him on board, starting in 2023.
For a 2-time Cup Series champion and someone who has consistently churned out good performances, it was an obviously disappointing turn of events. But Busch will be looking to give his best to RCR.
Where will the money come from for Kyle Busch?
Recent developments signal he has a new sponsor in Lenovo. Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal announced it through a tweet –
.@RCRracing confirms to SBJ that @Lenovo will be one of @KyleBusch's sponsors next year in the NASCAR Cup Series. pic.twitter.com/jgwA5KXj2J
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) November 17, 2022
Fans had their opinions about the $10 billion company’s decision to sponsor –
He’s just showing how durable Lenovo computers are
— Ben Eskwivel (@_asac_schrader) November 17, 2022
Photo checks out, that is very much what ThinkPads look like after a few thousand miles. https://t.co/ucjcYLNrQI
— What good are notebooks? (@Zaack23) November 17, 2022
W moment except the picture.
I think it's to show the crappy quality of Lenovo products.
Still, could be a good paintscheme. https://t.co/y2c4Ff5OAF— All3nnnn 🇵🇦❤🤍💙 (@All3nnnn123) November 17, 2022
My work computer is a Lenovo Rowdy Edition nowI https://t.co/Rf74cZJCD4
— Phil Clark (parody) (@phil_clark) November 17, 2022
you wrong for that pic lol
— 𝙇𝙪𝙠𝙚 ⚡️ (@LukeMotorstar) November 17, 2022
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Quite the picture choice there Adam. Fantastic journalism! https://t.co/JbwPiyLhze
— Ralph Hutchison (@RHutchison51) November 18, 2022
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Busch will be hoping the picture chosen for his sponsorship announcement doesn’t signify how his time at RCR is going to materialize.
Do you think Busch’s time with Richard Childress Racing will be fruitful? Let us know in the comments below.