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End-of-season goodbyes: 2022 edition
By Steve Luvender | Published: November 2, 2022 10
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
NASCAR crowns a new champion Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Oftentimes, lost in the merriment of Championship Weekend, it's easy to forget the last race weekend of the year also marks the final chapter of some familiar sights in the sport. Here's the 2022 edition of NASCAR's curtain call.
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No. 48 crew chief Greg Ives
After eight seasons atop the pit box for Hendrick Motorsports, Greg Ives will move on from his role as crew chief for Alex Bowman's No. 48 car at the end of the 2022 season. Ives announced in August he intends to work in another role within the Hendrick Motorsports organization. Blake Harris will depart Front Row Motorsports and lead the No. 48 team on race day in 2023.
After eight seasons atop the pit box for Hendrick Motorsports, Greg Ives will move on from his role as crew chief for Alex Bowman's No. 48 car at the end of the 2022 season. Ives announced in August he intends to work in another role within the Hendrick Motorsports organization. Blake Harris will depart Front Row Motorsports and lead the No. 48 team on race day in 2023.
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No. 3 crew chief Justin Alexander
Austin Dillon's crew chief, Justin Alexander, will move to a new role at Richard Childress Racing following the season's conclusion. All of Dillon's four Cup Series wins have come with Alexander as crew chief, including the 2018 Daytona 500. Former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Keith Rodden will return to the pit box with the No. 3 team in 2023.
Austin Dillon's crew chief, Justin Alexander, will move to a new role at Richard Childress Racing following the season's conclusion. All of Dillon's four Cup Series wins have come with Alexander as crew chief, including the 2018 Daytona 500. Former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Keith Rodden will return to the pit box with the No. 3 team in 2023.
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Truck Series sponsor Camping World
When the Truck Series champion is crowned Friday, it'll be the last time the trophy reads Camping World Truck Series. Following the outdoor giant's 14-year run as title sponsor, Craftsman returns as the series' namesake.
When the Truck Series champion is crowned Friday, it'll be the last time the trophy reads Camping World Truck Series. Following the outdoor giant's 14-year run as title sponsor, Craftsman returns as the series' namesake.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
2022 rookie stripes
Peel off those yellow bumper stripes. Harrison Burton, Austin Cindric and Todd Gilliland will run their final races as rookies Sunday. In 2022, Burton and Gilliland netted two top-10 finishes apiece, while Cindric impressed with a Daytona 500 victory and an appearance in the playoffs.
Peel off those yellow bumper stripes. Harrison Burton, Austin Cindric and Todd Gilliland will run their final races as rookies Sunday. In 2022, Burton and Gilliland netted two top-10 finishes apiece, while Cindric impressed with a Daytona 500 victory and an appearance in the playoffs.
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Logan Riely | Getty Images
M&M's as a sponsor
Following Sunday's race at Phoenix, Mars Inc., will leave Joe Gibbs Racing after a long run as anchor sponsor of the No. 18 car and a familiar, colorful presence in the sport for years. Kyle Busch's car will sport a special paint scheme commemorating memories created with fans.
Following Sunday's race at Phoenix, Mars Inc., will leave Joe Gibbs Racing after a long run as anchor sponsor of the No. 18 car and a familiar, colorful presence in the sport for years. Kyle Busch's car will sport a special paint scheme commemorating memories created with fans.
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Ty Dillon at Petty GMS
A one-year stint as Driver No. 42 will come to a close Sunday for Ty Dillon, who's headed to Spire Motorsports in 2023. In 2022, the 30-year-old scored a lone top-10 finish at the Bristol dirt race in April. Noah Gragson will take over driving duties at Petty GMS, moving up with crew chief Luke Lambert.
A one-year stint as Driver No. 42 will come to a close Sunday for Ty Dillon, who's headed to Spire Motorsports in 2023. In 2022, the 30-year-old scored a lone top-10 finish at the Bristol dirt race in April. Noah Gragson will take over driving duties at Petty GMS, moving up with crew chief Luke Lambert.
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Tyler Reddick at Richard Childress Racing
The end of the 2022 season closes the curtain on Tyler Reddick's time at Richard Childress Racing. Reddick and RCR won the Xfinity Series championship in 2019 before graduating to the Cup Series. In 109 Cup starts for RCR, Reddick scored three victories, four poles, and 41 top-10 finishes. The 26-year-old moves to 23XI Racing -- a year earlier than initially planned -- next season to drive the No. 45.
The end of the 2022 season closes the curtain on Tyler Reddick's time at Richard Childress Racing. Reddick and RCR won the Xfinity Series championship in 2019 before graduating to the Cup Series. In 109 Cup starts for RCR, Reddick scored three victories, four poles, and 41 top-10 finishes. The 26-year-old moves to 23XI Racing -- a year earlier than initially planned -- next season to drive the No. 45.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing
After 15 seasons, two Cup Series championships and 56 race wins at NASCAR's highest level, Kyle Busch's time at Joe Gibbs Racing comes to a close Sunday at Phoenix, the sunset of undoubtedly one of the most successful pairings in recent history. Busch moves to Richard Childress Racing in 2023, replacing Tyler Reddick in the No. 8 car; it'll be the first time 'Rowdy' has raced a Chevrolet since 2007.
After 15 seasons, two Cup Series championships and 56 race wins at NASCAR's highest level, Kyle Busch's time at Joe Gibbs Racing comes to a close Sunday at Phoenix, the sunset of undoubtedly one of the most successful pairings in recent history. Busch moves to Richard Childress Racing in 2023, replacing Tyler Reddick in the No. 8 car; it'll be the first time 'Rowdy' has raced a Chevrolet since 2007.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Kurt Busch as a full-time driver for 23XI Racing
While he won't drive the 23XI Racing Toyota that bears his name Sunday, Kurt Busch announced last month that he won't compete full-time in 2023. The elder Busch brother made his first Cup Series start in 2000 at age 22. In his 776 races at NASCAR's top level, the 2004 series champion earned 34 victories and 339 poles, winning races for greats Roush Racing (now RFK Racing), Team Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing and 23XI Racing. Busch sustained a concussion in July at Pocono Raceway and hasn't raced since.
While he won't drive the 23XI Racing Toyota that bears his name Sunday, Kurt Busch announced last month that he won't compete full-time in 2023. The elder Busch brother made his first Cup Series start in 2000 at age 22. In his 776 races at NASCAR's top level, the 2004 series champion earned 34 victories and 339 poles, winning races for greats Roush Racing (now RFK Racing), Team Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing and 23XI Racing. Busch sustained a concussion in July at Pocono Raceway and hasn't raced since.