Sponsorship is what keeps NASCAR teams racing and drivers in their race cars. It’s a reason why Kyle Busch is no longer going to be in the #18 for Joe Gibbs Racing after 2022. Mars, who had M&M’s on the car, is leaving NASCAR after the season and suddenly there wasn’t enough money to keep Kyle on the team.
Now that Busch is heading to Richard Childress Racing and piloting the #8 Chevrolet, the hunt is on to find sponsorship for that car. Busch may have found one in the most unlikely of places, a light-hearted Twitter exchange.
Sling’s Twitter account responded to a post from the USA Network asking between Busch, Ross Chastain, and Joey Logano who hands out full-sized candy for Halloween. Given he’s still an M&M’s driver for about a week, Sling said, “If the Candyman doesn’t hand out full-sized candy bars, we have a problem.” Busch jokingly retorted with, “If u don’t @sling me a sponsorship, we have a problem” along with a laughing emoji.
If u don’t @sling me a sponsorship, we have a problem. 🤣 https://t.co/kfjHJFH6Gr
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) October 26, 2022
That joke appeared to open the doors for a potential sponsorship opportunity as a day later, Sling’s account responded that they want to keep in touch about 2023 and until then, Sling is donating $8,888 to Kyle and Samantha Busch’s Bundle of Joy Fund which raises awareness for in vitro fertilization and to provide grants for people who want to have a baby and need to conceive via IVF. Kyle, Samantha, and the Bundle of Joy Fund expressed their gratitude to Sling’s offer.
& people say social media is all negative? 🧐
Appreciate u for proving them wrong @Sling. Me, @SamanthaBusch, and @bundleofjoyfund appreciate the support! Now lets get Rowdy together in ‘23. 👀 https://t.co/xAO2nWchZr
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) October 28, 2022
Wow!! Thank you so much! We are beyond grateful for your support to the BOJ!!! 🙌🙌 #infertilityawareness #infertilitysupport #ivf https://t.co/KvozHNnZRv
— Samantha Busch (@SamanthaBusch) October 28, 2022
We are so grateful for this donation! Our success reflects the generosity of donors like @Sling that make it all possible, and together we are providing critical funding for people trying to conceive. https://t.co/Bv5s8JX3iz
— The Bundle of Joy Fund (@bundleofjoyfund) October 28, 2022
Obviously, many things can happen between now and the start of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. Sponsorship deals don’t typically happen this fast and this informally anymore and I’m sure corporate needs to study and sign off on this. While there’s still a long way to go before we’ll see a #8 Sling Chevrolet on the track, it’s at least a positive first step.