The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season is still a little ways from the first green flag, however, it’s fun to make some way too early predictions for the upcoming season right? We all know the Daytona 500 will have some fireworks, but how big of fireworks? Will it be a first career win, or maybe the first Daytona 500 for a veteran? Could we see a big team struggle, it’s definitely possible, but which one? I’m uberly excited to get the 2023 NASCAR season underway, so why not make some way too early predictions? Did I mention it’s the 75th anniversary of the sport we all know and love also?
2023 NASCAR Season Starting With a Bang!
We all know or at least you should know if you are even a semi-adamant NASCAR fan that the season always starts off with the Daytona 500. In the past, we have seen repeat winners, first-career wins, and even for some legends a career-long battle to win this race. It’s almost a guarantee that you will see some fireworks to start the season. I’m predicting this year won’t be any different. However, this year you’re going to see either a career-first win or a first-time Daytona 500 winner.
The betting odds aren’t even out yet but I’m sure we’ll see the typical names at the top. However, there is one driver I have a feeling won’t be near the top but could shock some. He is a two-time series champion and has started the “Great American Race” seventeen times to no avail. This year could be different though, he’s on a new team and one who has experience putting veteran stars in victory lane at Daytona. Kyle Busch in his new number eight Camaro could quite possibly surprise a ton of people. I understand he had three-time winner Denny Hamlin as a teammate and still couldn’t win. However, something seems different this year for the veteran.
I know u guys have been waiting for this one…
Bring on a new era. ?
?: https://t.co/ADSqvzWGbo pic.twitter.com/PbPDWCbFdf
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) December 8, 2022
He’s getting to be the “Rowdy” his fans have come to know and love. With very little to no interference from ownership, I have a feeling. That feeling of freedom could be exactly what Kyle needs to finally park his ride in victory lane after the Daytona 500. I also know it’s Daytona and anything can happen but what bigger surprise could start off the 2023 NASCAR season?
JGR Struggles
What better way to follow up “Rowdy Busch” than with the team he just left? Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the pillars of success in the sport. We all know the saying that goes “the bigger they are the harder they fall” right? Well, that could very well be the case for the coach’s team at least for this year.
With the subtraction of Busch, that leaves a team of Bell, Hamlin, Truex, and rookie Ty Gibbs. While Bell is coming off of a championship four appearance and an overall solid season. The other two cup series veterans were kind of un-impressive last season. Whether it be the season-long feud with Ross Chastain for Hamlin. Or the late race miscues that cost Martin a few times either way everyone within the sport wasn’t expecting the season we saw. One went winless all season and the other went winless the second half of the season. So, we will see how season two with the next-gen car treats the elder veterans in the JGR stable.
The big question mark will be how will Ty’s exposure to the next-gen car help him in adapting during his rookie season. The 2022 Xfinity Series champion had a great season last year and wrapped it up with the trophy. However, while he showed a few flashes of consistency, he was underwhelming filling in for the injured elder Busch brother at 23XI racing. Yes I know he was a sub-driver, but still, I would’ve liked to see more out of him to think he was going to be a super impressive rookie this year. This could be the year three out of four of the coach’s drivers go winless during the 2023 NASCAR cup series season.
Part 2 Coming Soon
Listen if you’re still reading this far, I’m impressed and super grateful. I’m going to split my way to early 2023 NASCAR Cup Series predictions into two articles. It’s the off-season a man has to do what he has to do. However with that being said, what are some ways to early predictions of yours? Or even what do you think so far of mine? I’d love to know your opinion, so make sure you comment and let me know!
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