Nascar Returns To The Los Angeles Coliseum For A Non-Points Race
Busch Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum circa Getty Images
The Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum returns. The stadium turned into a mini 0.25 mile short track for this weekend from February 4th-5th. This pre-season event was previously held at Daytona from 1979-2021. In 2022, Nascar decided to move the non points exhibition race to the Los Angeles Coliseum for the first time. But what are some highlights before the season starts?
Joey Logano Busch Clash Win In 2022 circa Getty Images
What is new for Nascar for the 2023 Season
Although this is a pre-season race, silly season played a role during the 2022 season and the off-season during the winter.
Kyle Busch moved from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing after the 2022 season. Busch will now be driving a Chevy, a manufacturer he used previously in 2005-2007. Also, he will have brand new sponsors and number he will be piloting for this season. Busch will be piloting the number 8 car for 2023. Joining Busch this season is Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, BETMGM, 3Chi, Leveno, and Alsco. His teammate for this season that will be new for Busch is Austin Dillion.
(Image found on Kyle Busch’s Twitter via National Croissant Day) https://twitter.com/KyleBusch/status/1620130934808010752/photo/1
Speaking of Kyle Busch, his older brother Kurt Busch retired after the 2022 season unexpectedly. Kurt’s final appearance was his crash at Pocono during qualifying. During Kurt’s time off, Ty Gibbs took over his ride for the rest of the 2022 season. When Nascar went to Las Vegas during the playoffs, Kurt Busch made the announcement that he will be retiring after the season and will be an ambassador for Monster Energy and Toyota. Taking over Kurt’s ride is Tyler Reddick. Reddick left Richard Childress Racing from the 2022 season and will now be a part of the 23XI.
With Ty Gibbs performance from substituting for Kurt Busch in the Cup Series and winning the 2022 Xfinity Title, earned him a Cup ride for the 2023 season. Taking over Kyle Busch’s old ride from Joe Gibbs Racing. Gibbs will be piloting the number 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry this season.
A tweak of change in the Stewart Haas Racing team. Cole Custer will not be piloting the number 41 in the Cup Series, taking his spot as Ryan Preece this season. Custer will remain in the Stewart Haas Racing but for the Xfinity Series.
During the off-season, it was announced by Kevin Harvick that he will be retiring after the 2023 season. Harvick's tenure in the Cup Series for 22 years will be remarkable. Some notable highlights during Harvick’s career were winning the 2007 Daytona 500, the 2014 Nascar Cup Series Championship, and the 2020 Regular Season Championship.
Jimmie Johnson returns to Nascar as a part-timer and also a team owner. Johnson now owns a Nascar team called Legacy Motor Club taking over Richard Petty GMS Racing. Johnson is known for winning the 7x Cup Series Championship tied with Dale Sr and Richard Petty (Most of all time).
