The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season has delivered on one front that was promised by NASCAR after the introduction of the Next Gen cars – competition. Even after 16 races done, no one can definitively point to a clear-cut favorite to win it all, something that two-time champion Kyle Busch alluded to on Friday.
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Although Busch is tied with William Byron on three wins each, he surely isn’t taking anything for granted, considering this has been a season defined by inconsistency.
Busch’s stance stands in sharp contrast to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recently made quite a bold prediction for the playoffs and the ultimate champion at the end of the season.
Kyle Busch speaks his mind about the favorite to win the 2023 season
Ahead of the Nashville race, Kyle Busch was asked whether he considered himself a contender for the championship. Busch gave a very thoughtful answer, saying, “Honestly, last year the No. 22 (Joey Logano) won the championship, and he came out of nowhere. They were terrible through the summer, and it kind of looks the same right now. So, anything can happen.”
Busch continued, “That’s why it’s hard for me to answer that question: are you a championship-caliber team? Well, yeah, but I think there are probably 12 others. There are a lot more unknowns with the Next Gen car and how you go to these racetracks and with just how sporadic finishes can be and people running into each other.”
Not surprising, considering Denny Hamlin spoke along the same lines last week, thinking that most drivers this season, including himself, have just not put in those consistent performances to separate themselves from the crowd.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s bold prediction on who will take it all
Unlike Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, Dale Jr. had quite the opposite emotion earlier this week. The two-time Daytona 500 winner had some pretty surprising picks for the championship 4 and who he believes will take the ultimate prize. Earlier this season, Dale Jr.’s top 4 picks included Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Martin Truex Jr.
On this week’s podcast episode, Dale Jr. changed that, and made his final pick, saying, “I’m gonna go with Truex, Denny, Byron, Blaney. Bell is out, Byron is in. My champion is Ryan Blaney. I still feel good about that choice.”
A strong top 4 by Dale Jr., but leaving out Kyle Busch, who has, for most periods, looked like the old Kyle Busch? One can only think what the two-time Cup Series champion has to say about this.
Or maybe he will give his response in Phoenix at the end of the year.
