Erik Jones might not have made the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, but that’s not going to stop him from throwing a wrench into everyone’s plans by winning the opener at Darlington.
After a wreck-laden race at Daytona to wrap up the Cup Series regular season, NASCAR has increased the damaged vehicle repair clock from six to ten minutes for the playoffs, giving teams an extra four minutes to fix their wounded cars or face retirement.
Hoping to help 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup owner playoffs, Bubba Wallace and the #23 team will switch to the #45 vacated by the injured Kurt Busch. Ty Gibbs, who had been filling in for Busch, moves to the #23.
An hours-long rain delay and a crash that took out the entire field didn’t stop Austin Dillon from leapfrogging Martin Truex Jr. for the 16th and final spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Florida and summer really is not a fun combination for race fans.
Alex Bowman’s crew chief Greg Ives will step away after the 2022 NASCAR Cup season to focus on family but remain involved with Hendrick Motorsports as a “middle man on different projects.”
Daniel Suárez will remain with Trackhouse Racing Team for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series, while Aric Almirola puts off retirement for now as he signs a multi-year deal to stay with Stewart-Haas Racing.
Besides returning to Front Row Motorsports for the 2023 NASCAR Truck Series, Zane Smith will enter the Daytona 500 and run some Cup and Xfinity Series races.
Kurt Busch’s concussion, which has kept him out of the race car since July, has withdrawn his NASCAR Cup playoff waiver as he will skip the start of the postseason.
NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon will once again return to the driver’s seat as he enters the Porsche Carrera Cup North America race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, teaming up with his old crew chief Ray Evernham.
A week after signing Ryan Blaney to a multi-year contract extension, Team Penske has done the same for Joey Logano.
After ballast fell off his car during NASCAR Cup practice at Watkins Glen, Cody Ware’s crew chief Billy Plourde, car chief Jamie Edwards, and engineer Steven Gray have been suspended for the next four races.
Mike Rockenfeller’s first foray into the NASCAR Cup Series ended with a thirtieth at Watkins Glen, but it was “wild experience” as he overcame a spin and ran as high as third on pit strategy.
In winning Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity race and Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen, Kyle Larson has swept a NASCAR weekend for the first time.
Despite crashing out his NASCAR Cup Series début, Kimi Räikkönen found the racing to be “good fun” and added “we’ll see” about future races. His team Trackhouse Racing plans to run the #91 in 6–8 races in 2023.
Kurt Busch’s Pocono concussion will now force him out of the #45 23XI Racing Toyota for the final two races of the regular season at Watkins Glen and Daytona. Ty Gibbs remains in the car.
Ryan Blaney will remain with Team Penske for many seasons to come as he signs a multi-year contract extension.
