
via Getty
DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry, during qualifying for the Daytona 500 on February 16, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

via Getty
DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry, during qualifying for the Daytona 500 on February 16, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Earlier, Kyle Busch finally closed out the saga that is his 2023 NASCAR Cup Series future. To be precise, he has officially signed up with Richard Childress Racing, driving the #8 car.
So, he will partner with Austin Dillon, but this is not goodbye to Tyler Reddick because Reddick will compete for RCR in a third charter for the 2023 season.
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Of course, like with any other NASCAR driver, Busch needs a sponsor. However, the driver and team owner Richard Childress revealed that they will take care of that at a later date.
Naturally, this led to a guessing game about who will be Busch’s sponsor for the 2023 NASCAR Cup season. One thing is for sure, it is the end of an era as Kyle Busch will close his Joe Gibbs chapter.
What prompted the Rolex and Kyle Busch link up at RCR?
During the special announcement, Childress confessed that he forgot to give Busch a signing-on bonus. He then proceeded to take out a watch case and asked Busch, “Can you hold my watch”.

Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY SportsThe watch is reportedly worth $45,000 and is a Rolex Daytona. This was actually a reference to an old altercation between them. Some fans also took it as a small sign that Rolex could sponsor Kyle Busch for next season.
Sponsored by Rolex
— Jason Vickers (@jayvick187) September 9, 2022
Handing him the wristwatch and soon, the door keys https://t.co/3Jrx8RoIvX
— Phil Spain 🤫 (@philenespanol) September 9, 2022
Hope Richard Childress seals this deal by giving Kyle Busch a watch https://t.co/w2tlDiVYqG
— Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) September 9, 2022
Hold my watch https://t.co/hwZjBS9B7Q
— Bryan Page (@BryanPage_9) September 9, 2022
Now, this announcement is a clear indication that the 2011 Truck Series incident is just water under the bridge. Both parties have forgiven each other and will look forward to working together soon.
Until then, Busch will be focused on seeing out his Joe Gibbs Racing contract until the end of the 2022 season. Without a doubt, he will want to leave the team on a high note, hopefully with his last title with them.
Please let Rolex be the main sponsor!!
— Kyle Lawler (@lawler_77) September 9, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: What Is the Kyle Busch Rule?
@ROLEX should sponsor @KyleBusch and @RCRracing #HoldMyWatch
— Andy Guthormsen (@AndyGuthormsen) September 10, 2022
Kyle Busch Rolex 8 is gonna be sick
— Dan DiOrio (@hqspider) September 13, 2022
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@DanielKriete4 @SpotterBrett @FreddieKraft can anybody explain to my how Toyota turned its back on the driver who made Toyota what it is today ? Also @KyleBusch to @RCRracing would be great but having Rolex watches sponsorship him would be awesome . #holdmywatch.
— inthehandsof (@realzporkchop75) September 11, 2022
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Then from 2023 onwards, a new chapter opens in his NASCAR Cup Series career. If we’re being honest, the trio of Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, and Tyler Reddick could be a mouth-watering line-up.
Admittedly though, Reddick is only sticking around for one year before he heads to 23XI Racing in 2024.
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