Denny Hamlin reveals what made Kyle Busch reject the 23X1 Racing’s deal to sign him

Denny Hamlin reveals what made Kyle Busch reject the 23X1 Racing’s deal to sign him

Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch and, Denny Hamlin

Kyle Busch, to the disappointment of many TRD and JGR fans, has decided to call an end to his Toyota partnership. The veteran has announced signing a new deal with Richard Childress Racing that will see him pilot the No:8 Camaro ZL1 from the start of the 2023 season.

Kyle Busch was on his way out of Joe Gibbs Racing as the top Toyota team’s management was struggling to secure a long-term sponsor for him. But none expected Toyota to give up on their two times cup champion. Fans expected to see him race for a second team, the manufacturer has on the grid, the 23X1 Racing.

The team which is owned by Kyle Busch’s JGR teammate Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan had been one of the front runners to land the veteran. But even Hamlin couldn’t offer a persuasive contract to his teammate that will see him teaming with TRD as he decided to move out of the organization.

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Also read: Jeff Burton predicts an underdog to win the 2022 NASCAR cup series

Denny Hamlin explains why Kyle Busch didn’t sign with 23X1 Racing

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch

Denny Hamlin pointed out that the future economic model of NASCAR teams is uncertain. They are headed for a drastic change in the future.  He added that the unknown change means the teams can only project what they hold right now in the present scenario.

“We can’t predict the future and what the economic model of owning a NASCAR team will look like in the future. We only know what it is today. That may change in the next few years. It may not, but all we can do is project what we have now,” Denny Hamlin said.

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Denny Hamlin pointed out that since Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are contracted to the team to race in 2024 the team only offered Bush a short-term deal. He added since they couldn’t guarantee him a long-term contract Kyle Busch chose the other way.   

“We knew that in 2024, we have Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace part of our team. Now, did we inquire about a short-term still with Kyle and next year, yes, possibly? But I think that Kyle wanted more long-term stability. That doesn’t mean that it didn’t guarantee him that he could be at 23XI long-term,” Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin pointed out that the 23X1 Racing team couldn’t offer long-term security Kyle Busch was hoping for. That is understandable. He added that the uncertain economic model is the thing that is holding back the 23X1 Racing team from acquiring one or two more charters to race in the future.

“I just think that we weren’t able to give those long-term securities that he was looking for, which I totally understand. I would love to be a three-, or four-car team in the future, but the economic model has to support it. There were just no guarantees because I can’t look in the crystal ball and know that I will be able to afford it years from now,” Denny Hamlin explained.

Should Denny Hamlin have offered Busch a long-term deal?

Also read: Kyle Busch is all set “get back to victory lane at Bristol,” his first race for JGR since signing the RCR deal  

Also read: How Austin Dillon helped his grandfather to land Kyle Busch, in the No:8 RCR car?