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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 04: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 04, 2022 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 04: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 04, 2022 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Reality be what it may be, on the surface, to an outsider, the reason why Kyle Busch had to leave Joe Gibbs Racing was because of the lack of a sponsor. His longtime sponsor Mars Inc. announced their coming departure from the sport earlier this season.
And as a result, JGR simply couldn’t find Busch a fitting sponsor.
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Now, although the driver’s financial demands (at the start) did play a role in this failed sponsor quest, Busch’s personality too could’ve been a factor in signing a big enough brand to support the #18 driver.
With that said, when the two-time Cup champion’s current teammate, Christopher Bell, recently penned a new long-term deal with JGR, one of the things that Coach Gibbs said, could be now interpreted as a subtle dig at his soon-to-be former driver.
“If you want a poster child for someone that knows how to treat sponsors, it’s Christopher Bell, honestly,” Gibbs said.
Christopher Bell signed a long-term deal with Joe Gibbs Racing to remain in the No. 20 car earlier in 2022.
"If you want a poster child for someone that knows how to treat sponsors, it’s Christopher Bell, honestly." – Joe Gibbs@Sportsnaut https://t.co/rkborkXIej
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) October 14, 2022
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Joe Gibbs emphasizes how hard he worked to keep Kyle Busch
In a recent interview, Joe Gibbs opened up on the efforts his team put in to keep Kyle Busch at JGR post the 2022 season. The legendary team owner also made a point that Busch will certainly pose a threat to them as well as other teams, such is his talent.
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“I just think we worked hard trying to get everything done there. We couldn’t. I think he’s found a home, and I’ll be willing to bet he’s going to be after it next year, and he’s going to want to win a bunch of races,” Gibbs said.
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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Gibbs revealed that he did talk to his #18 driver, emphasizing that he is really “pulling for him” and his family.
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“The rest of his racing career – this guy is going to win a bunch. We know that. He’s a great competitor,” he added.
