via Getty
HAMPTON, GA – JULY 11: Kyle Busch, #18 Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Skittles Gummies looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 race on July 11, 2021 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
via Getty
HAMPTON, GA – JULY 11: Kyle Busch, #18 Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Skittles Gummies looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 race on July 11, 2021 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
It comes as no surprise that Kyle Busch is not that good at taking in compliments. Well, looking at his current situation, he can’t be exactly blamed. With a lack of sponsorship and the subsequent uncertainty surrounding his 2023 season, Kyle Busch has a lot going on at the moment.
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Currently, Busch is in the last year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing. And it looks like he would not be able to get a deal with them next year. This is because his longtime sponsor, M&M’s, announced they would not be coming back with his #18 Toyota ride next year.
On September 9, 2022, the MVP index shared their analytics of Kyle Busch setting a social pace. This was something that Busch and NASCAR enthusiasts weren’t expecting. MVP is a software company that measures and conducts valuation for the sports and entertainment industry. And the MVP index is a social media index that measures the sponsorship potential of an athlete.
Throughout @NASCAR's 2022 regular season, @KyleBusch led all eventual playoff participants by generating $2.66M in total post value. Read our latest report to learn how other drivers compared and what it all meant for sponsors, among other unique insights.https://t.co/5k5aVSudwf
— MVP (@MVPindex) September 8, 2022
So, when MVP shared that Kyle Busch generated $2.66 million in total post value during NASCAR’s regular season, Kyle Busch couldn’t believe it. Of course, he is currently facing a lack of sponsorship and it is not easy to believe these analytics at the moment. Surprised by the revelation, Busch left a four-word savage reply below the tweet.
So I AM marketable 🤔
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) September 8, 2022
Although Busch is ‘surprised’ about how marketable he is, it could actually be true. Since the news of him leaving Joe Gibbs Racing surfaced, Busch is known to be in talks with some other teams for his 2023 season.
Who are the front-runners for Kyle Busch in 2023?
Adam Stern recently reported that Kyle Busch is in talks with 23XI Racing, Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Kaulig Racing, and Stewart Haas Racing. Although 23XI and RCR seem to be the front-runners at the moment. But no confirmation has been made yet and Busch says that he had planned to take a decision by next week.
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The 2015 and 2019 Cup Series champion had earlier shared how difficult the situation has been for him. In a post-race interview at Watkins Glen, he said; “It’s been hard as hell. It’s been a lot of sleepless nights figuring out what your future is and all that sort of stuff… I’m a racer and I’ve only ever known how to race, nothing else.”
However, Busch has been trying his best to stay optimistic. In another interview, he said that the last few months have been stressful. But he added that this stress provides him an edge over others.
WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Driver Market: Bubba Wallace Confirms Rumors as Kyle Busch Expresses Desire to Take a Pay Cut
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He revealed; “The stress of the last two or three months is like going through the Round of 8. So, I’m already living it. I’m already there. These bozos haven’t been there yet. They’re only going to feel it for three weeks, I’ve dealt with it for three months, bring it on.”
