Who Can Replace Kyle Busch at the Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series Team?

Following the NASCAR race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch announced his Xfinity retirement. Admittedly, he will still be there in the Cup Series and the Truck Series. However, his Xfinity days are over, and he is slowly easing back from his duties, as age begins to catch up.

Now, the Joe Gibbs Racing team’s Xfinity division has to work hard to look for his successor. They have already confirmed Brandon Jones and 2021 rookie sensation, Ty Gibbs. However, there is still one seat left to be filled at JGR, and the contract stipulation is five races. Conventional wisdom suggests that the other three Joe Gibbs Racing Cup drivers may be an option, as well as some JGR-affiliated teams.

Who is the best fit for the vacant JGR seat, replacing Kyle Busch?

If Joe Gibbs Racing is continuing with its 5-race plan, Bubba Wallace could be a decent option. The move also makes sense, because 23XI Racing is closely associated with JGR. Furthermore, Bubba Wallace will be more than eager to get as much extra seat time as possible. It also helps that co-owner Denny Hamlin could try to use his influence to get a deal done.

Contestant number two is Truck star John Hunter Nemechek, who shone in 2021. Nemechek stunned many when he elected to drop down to the Truck Series from a non-competitive Cup Series ride. However, it soon became an inspired move, as he made an instant impact in the series. In fact, he won five races, clinched the regular-season points championship, and made it to the Championship 4.

The next driver on the list is Chandler Smith, who enjoyed a great Truck Series campaign in 2021. In fact, he clinched two wins and was rewarded for it; he earned a second full season in the NASCAR Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports. Considering that 2021 was his rookie season, he will appreciate more racing time and the Xfinity Series is the best bet for him.

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Who else can replace Kyle Busch?

If the team is looking for experience, then look no further than Christopher Bell. He last raced in the Xfinity Series in the 2019 season. When Bell raced for Leavine Family Racing in 2020, Xfinity starts were limited. However, after his promotion to the JGR team, he earned more Xfinity Series starts, winning at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Finally, the team could pursue older options to replace Kyle Busch, namely his veteran JGR teammates. While Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin have not been at Busch’s level, they could be willing to fill in from time to time in 2022.

READ MORE: Kyle Busch Looks Back on his Xfinity Series Career After Retirement