2023 Nascar Cup Series

[NaBUru38]

2023 Nascar Cup Series schedule:

• Feb 5: Clash at the Coliseum
• Feb 16: Daytona Duels

• Feb 19: Daytona 500
• Feb 26: Fontana
• Mar 5: Las Vegas
• Mar 12: Phoenix
• Mar 19: Atlanta
• Mar 26: Austin
• Apr 2: Richmond
• Apr 9: Bristol dirt
• Apr 16: Martinsville
• Apr 23: Talladega
• Apr 30: Dover
• May 7: Kansas
• May 14: Darlington
• May 21: All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro
• May 28: Charlotte
• Jun 4: Gateway
• Jun 11: Sonoma
• Jun 25: Nashville
• Jul 2: Chicago
• Jul 9: Atlanta
• Jul 16: New Hampshire
• Jul 23: Pocono
• Jul 30; Richmond
• Aug 6: Michigan
• Aug 13: Indianapolis
• Aug 20: Watkins Glen
• Aug 26: Daytona

• Sep 3: Darlington
• Sep 10: Kansas
• Sep 16: Bristol
• Sep 24: Texas
• Oct 1: Talladega
• Oct 8: Charlotte roval
• Oct 15: Las Vegas
• Oct 22: Homstead
• Oct 29: Martinsville
• Nov 5: Phoenix

So Chicago replaces Road America, and the All-Star Race moves to North Wilkesboro.

Very strange that Sonoma clashes with the 24 Hours of Le mans (remember the Garage 56 project).

[NaBUru38]

Driver changes:

Kyle Busch leaves Joe Gibbs and joins Richard Childress (which expands to three cars). Ty Gibbs is expected to replace him at JGR.

Noah Gragson replaces Ty Dillon at Petty GMS.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

2023 Nascar Cup Series schedule:

Very strange that Sonoma clashes with the 24 Hours of Le mans (remember the Garage 56 project).

Did anyone really expect that active Cup drivers would be racing at LM?? I pretty much figured on Vette or other GM drivers in the car, whoever is not running. Possibly the Vette guys could be loaned to a GTE-Am effort IF Corvette racing sells the cars but they do sell the older things so there's a chance there. And whoever from Caddy doesn't make the entry list could be used. But Cup drivers, was never convinced there. Think we will see Rick and chad and others from Hendrick on site but they're running the car.

[Alfisti]

I kind of thought Jimmie Johnson would be a shoe in and possibly Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott might be up for it. Kyle and Chase have zero chance now, who knows with Jimmie.

That street race means I now have a new most hated "track" and not a wheel has turned yet.

[broadrun96]

I think you will see the non-entered Vette drivers in it since there's not GTE-Pro and a few guys sitting around that weekend now with good track knowledge

[Alfisti]

Would make a lot of sense. I wonder if Boris Said might be a go-er. I'm unashamedly a big fan of the man.

Or the Dinger. No idea what his plans are for next year.

[broadrun96]

Jimmie Johnson going back to Cup. As part owner of Petty GMS. He'll get a third car at select events starting at Daytona

https://racer.com/2022/11/04/johnson...nascar-return/

[Alfisti]

So... Richard Pettys name is gone. LEGACY M.C. the new mane. Suppose RP has to hang up the hat, guess he'll still be there in some capacity.

And JJ in the #84. Suspected that might be the case. Let's hope the number brings him more success than it did Kyle Busch!

[chernaudi]

Two biggest news notes: Harvick confirms retirement plans for the end of this season, and Larson will attempt to do the double in 2024 as he'll attempt the Indy 500 next year.

[broadrun96]

With Arrow McLaren, wonder who they think is moving on or if they'll actually run 4 for Indy in 2024. Claimed 4 cars as of now with Hendrick Cars on Larson's car

https://racer.com/2023/01/12/larson-...arrow-mclaren/

[rustyfan]

Not sure why, but to me Harvick hanging it up feels different compared to other drivers retiring. Might be due to him replacing Dale Sr. and taking that victory at Atlanta in just his third start, helping a lot of people heal - me included - after what happened at Daytona.

I'll be rooting for Harvick to pick up a win or two during the 2023 season to close out a long, successful career in style.

[broadrun96]

He feels like the last of the Winston type racer, feels like he has been in Cup for forever.

[Alfisti]

Absolutely, I genuinely cannot recollect the detail of many races before Kevin was thrust into the huge gaping hole left by Dales tragic death.

I'm trying to work out in my head who the longest running active Cup driver will be when Harvick retires. Keselowski and KFB are who I'm thinking, is that really the case or is my memory up to it's usual standards?

[broadrun96]

No, think you would be right there. was trying to think if Truex was same time or touch later and then there's the balding sliced dbag but think he's younger than them

[gomick]

Denny Hamlin started in 2005 - ROTY in 2006...

[Alfisti]

Crikey, getting old. Snot nosed kids are the elders!

And they're all younger than me... makes me a Dinosaur I guess.

[broadrun96]

Pastrana trying to make the 500 with 23XI

https://racer.com/2023/01/17/pastran...mpt-with-23xi/

I would guess he'll make the field but to the rear

[NaBUru38]

The Clash at the Coliseum is this Sunday night.

[broadrun96]

New rules announced, and think a few here will LOVE the first one (from Racer)

"Another change will be noticed this weekend at the L.A. Coliseum, as the cars will have mufflers on them. NASCAR tested the configuration last week at Phoenix, working to reduce the noise of the car for the overall fan experience and, notably, for those standing directly next to it in the garage."

* There will be no stage breaks at the road courses except for the standalone events in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Xfinity Series

* The damaged vehicle clock in the Cup Series will be seven minutes. It was previously six minutes and then extended to 10 minutes for the NASCAR playoffs.

* Wet-weather tires will be available at the following races: L.A. Coliseum, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Martinsville Speedway, Milwaukee, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro, Phoenix, and Richmond. NASCAR officials expressed it will be a work in progress with using wet weather tires to cut down on rain delays.

Rain tires for the short tracks as well now, could be interesting at Martinsville.

[fieldodreams79]

There is now also the "Ross Chastain Rule", which is appropriate:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...0jeHUh33icvgj4

[broadrun96]

Seems fair enough

[Adam43]

It was fun that once, but it’s best to put a stop to it.

[Alfisti]

Agreed.

So any predictions on who is going to run well this year? Logano surprised me by winning the Cup last year given how disappointing Ford were relative to Chevy (and to a lesser degree Toyota). Though in #22's case he was consistent and under the radar a fair bit.

I can see Reddick flying if Toyota can provide him a decent motor. I somehow have lost faith in Toyota this last couple of years though: when I see Hamlin, Truex and Busch struggling I think it's telling. They're all very decent drivers even if not everyones favourites.

Keen to see if Gragson can keep his cool and make his mark. Bit of a punk but a handy wheel man in the making!

[fieldodreams79]

It's always gonna be Chase or no one for me. I can tolerate Larson enough.

Still weird seeing Harvick as the old man. Wonder what Morgan Sheppard is doing today.....

[broadrun96]

Wonder where Dave Marcis is racing today