Joe Gibbs Racing makes Kyle Busch plans clear

Any thoughts of Kyle Busch leaving Joe Gibbs Racing and the No. 18 car were put to rest Thursday by JGR president Dave Alpern, who said that, unless something unexpected happens, they plan to re-sign the NASCAR driver.

#NASCAR … The president of Joe Gibbs Racing reiterates that the team plans on signing Kyle Busch to a contract extension and plans on keeping Ty Gibbs in Xfinity next season. https://t.co/4PVI99e1AF

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 8, 2022

“We’ve been pretty consistent since the end of last season, which is we want Kyle to be in the [No.] 18 car and that’s our plan,” Alpern said. “We’re still working on sponsorship, and as much interest as there is in our sport, these take a long time. And admittedly, this one’s taking a little longer than we thought.

“It’s not for lack of interest. It’s just trying to get everything put together. So those will probably happen in parallel. And, again, we’re hoping to get something decided here in the very near future.”

Mars, which sponsors the No. 18 car, will end its sponsorship of the team, prompting concern about Busch’s future.

Busch has been JGR’s most successful driver, winning 56 of his 60 wins with them, so there is just no way is he getting away anytime soon.

Great to see #RowdyNation out here at the Rush County Fair in Indiana pic.twitter.com/4Gs4MZT34D

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) June 30, 2022

“We have every intention [of re-signing Busch],” Alpern said. “… The plan is we feel confident there’ll be a good partner on that car for next year. And, again, the hope is that Kyle Busch will be in it.”

https://twitter.com/thbsports/status/1545480858659954689

{CBSSports.com}