“There were opportunities on the table for him to stay,” A disappointed Toyota on Kyle Busch’s switch to Chevy
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Kyle Busch and Richard Chilldress
Kyle Busch without any doubt is the best driver to ever pilot a Toyota ride in NASCAR. The two times cup champion who has more than 200 wins in the NASCAR national series with Toyota to the3 disappointment of all associated with the team has decided to join forces with their rivals starting from 2023.
Kyle Busch will drive the Richard Childress Racing No:8 car, taking it over from Tyler Reddick, as his contract to drive the No:18 car of Joe Gibbs Racing runs out at the end of this season. JGR failed to replace Kyle Busch’s current sponsor M&M who will exit the sport, at the end, of 2022 with a suitable replacement, which prompted his return, to Chevy, after 15 years.
Toyota is not just losing the legacy they have made with Kyle Busch, the driver. The team is also missing out on the legacy they created along with t Busch family. Kyle Busch Motorsports, the veteran’s Truck series outfit, will be another loss for the team as it has provided great opportunities to their young drivers to make a mark in the racing.
Kyle Busch will be missed by the entire TRD garage as they are now bestowed with replacing him with the right driver. Getting Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs’s grandson, to drive the No:18 might not cut it for the fans as it might prompt some further issues. Now TRD Chief David Wilson has come forth expressing his and the manufacturer’s thoughts on the veteran’s exit.
Also read: “So disgusted you refused to get it done,” JGR fans react to Kyle Busch’s move to RCR
Find out what TDR chief David Wilson had to say about Kyle Busch’s exit
TRD chief David Wilson acknowledged that they have always been in the middle of discussions regarding Kyle Busch’s contract extension and the veteran had the opportunity at the table to continue driving for them. He added that their valiant effort didn’t count as they couldn’t get the final deals done while RCR did.
“We have absolutely been right in the middle of it. I have been right in the middle of it. We made a valiant effort to try and keep Kyle Busch in our family, and I’ll simply say that there were opportunities on the table for him to stay in a Toyota with our family,” David Wilson said.
“But ultimately, it takes two parties. It takes two to tango, as they say. Ultimately, we weren’t able to get it done, and Richard Childress and Chevrolet were,” David Wilson added.
The Toyota Chief went on to say that he will forever be proud of the success they had with Kyle Busch’s truck outfit KBM. He pointed out that the venture wouldn’t have been successful if not for Toyota. He added that though it’s a tough situation for them they are carrying there self in a respectful manner.
“I’ll forever be proud of the success that we shared with Kyle and Kyle Busch Motorsports. That could not have happened without Toyota and the support that we brought to the table every year. So, it’s a tough situation but again, as a manufacturer in the sport, we’re always going to [carry] ourselves in a respectful manner. That’s worked out for us over the years, and I’m proud overall of all of that,” says David Wilson.
David Wilson went on to say that they are not going to minimize or make the damages following Busch’s exit light. He explained that team Toyota is disappointed with the final outcome but acknowledged that they will cherish the memory they made together in the last 15 years.
“I’m not going to minimize what happened today or make light of it [and] it’s tough too because candidly, it’s a sad day for Team Toyota. Certainly, we are disappointed that we’re not going forward,” added David Wilson,
“You look back over the past 15 years, and you look at what we did together, we’ve had so many moments with Kyle Busch, and they will be a part of our shared legacy for all time. What’s the saying? A moment lasts for seconds, but memories last forever,” explained David Wilson.
What are your thoughts on Kyle Busch’s RCR move?
Also read: Why did Kyle Busch ditch No:18 JGR Toyota to join the No:8 RCR Chevy team?
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Justin P Joy
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