Ty Gibbs breaks into Cup with two different 23XI cars (2022)
Join me throughout this year as I take a look at when some of the sport’s biggest stars drove some unusual cars! (Presented in no particular order).
Why? When Kurt Busch found himself suffering from concussion-like symptoms, doctors would not clear him to return for the rest of the 2022 season. For a replacement, 23XI turned to their Toyota brethren Joe Gibbs Racing, tabbing Xfinity Series driver Ty Gibbs has a replacement.
How successful were they? Gibbs would struggle somewhat, posting a single top-ten in fifteen races split between the 23 and 45.
What was the aftermath? Ty Gibbs made his full-season Cup debut with his family team in 2023, winning Rookie of the Year in the process. 23XI would hire Tyler Reddick away from RCR to drive the 45 full-time, becoming the team’s biggest championship threat.
Ranking on the Strange-O-Meter? 2 “boy he looks young” comments out of 10—the only oddity was the strange driver swap between the 23 & 45.
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