JGR Team President Provides Crucial Kyle Busch Update: “It’s Not for Lack of Interest..”

Perhaps the biggest question and concern in all the NASCAR community right now, and especially in the Toyota camp, is this: Will Kyle Busch renew his contract after 2022 with Joe Gibbs Racing? Or will he go to a different team, a different manufacturer?

This was something that JGR team president Dave Alpern recently addressed. And from what he said, seems like Toyota and JGR fans can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.

“We’ve been pretty consistent since last season, we want Kyle at the #18 car and that’s our plan,” Alpern said.

“It’s not for lack of interest,” he added. “It’s just trying to get everything put together so those will probably happen in parallel… we’re hoping to get something decided here in the very near future.”

As for the process of finding Busch another sponsor, a replacement for Mars Inc., Alpern conceded that the process is taking “a little longer” than what they had anticipated.

Regardless, it seems JGR will get the deal done since, before Alpern, team owner Joe Gibbs had also emphasized the positive talks with their driver about his future at his team.

WATCH STORY: Team Owner Joe Gibbs Vows to Confront NASCAR Over Kyle Busch Sanctions in Richmond

If Kyle Busch leaves Toyota, it’d be an unacceptable scenario

There’s no denying that if Joe Gibbs Racing lost Kyle Busch, it’d be a big disaster not only for the team but also for the Toyota family. It is something that Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson recently emphasized.

“If nothing else, I can’t envision any other scenario. Any other scenario is just unacceptable,” he said.

Having said that, Wilson added that the situation isn’t entirely in their hands. That it will take Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Kyle Busch to reach a common ground.

“We can’t control everything, and I’ll leave it at that.”

Also Read: Chase Elliott Reveals Major Concern About NASCAR’s Future: “We’re Going to End Up Swallowing Our Pride”