2023 Season Storylines

First of all, I apologize for my lack of consistency on adding posts. Covering motorsports full-time would be an amazing opportunity but for now I have to work around my 8-5 grind. :)

Four races into 2023, here are the trending storylines this year so far.

Busch is Back

It didn't take long for Kyle Busch to remind everyone that he isn't going away. Fontana saw that cheeky checkered-flag bow again in victory lane. Busch has leaned into his trademark confidence with RCR styling him in some serious equipment. Not that anyone was really surprised though. Both RCR and Kyle Busch had motivation to prove they were champion-level caliber after tense contract terminations in 2022 brought the pairing together. In fact, what was shocking was the empathy this seemingly "underdog" team elicited from fans across the nation. Busch was cheered at Fontana and long-time haters have softened on him, expressing their happiness to see him run well. Many fans apparently sympathized with Kyle after he was given the boot from JGR. 

Hendrick Dominates

Hendrick Motorsports hasn't just been collecting pole awards- they've been converting into long-run speeds and dominating performances on track with all four drivers. Bowman holds a streak of top fives, Larson leads most laps led at 270 and Byron has two wins including the 1-2-3 HMS sweep at Vegas.

Hendrick has also dominated a different storyline -- Chase Elliott fractured his leg (left tibia) while snowboarding in Colorado the Friday before Las Vegas. Debate immediately ensued on NASCAR's waiver policy for injuries and playoff implications as well as contract clauses to prohibit driver's off-track activities. Drivers overwhelmingly sympathized with Elliott and backed his decison saying he wasn't taking any more risks than any if them do week in and week out. Accidents happen, but you can't stop living life. There was a buzz of interesting rumors on who would be filing the Napa #9 seat. Josh Berry, a contracted JRM Xfinity driver was the official replacement pick for speedway races with Jordan Taylor from IMSA filing the seat for COTA.

Elliott is expected to return to competition after six weeks of rehab which places Talladega as the comeback track. Commentators have little doubt he will win his way into the playoffs with the anticipated waiver intact though he will be without a points cushion to fall back on. Coming off of a similar injury, albeit a racing one in 2015, Kyle Busch had a run for the remainder of the season which couldn't have ended better for him. He took home the championship title.

Parity Previews

Trackhouse A Threat

Coming off a hot season last year, it was uncertain whether Trackhouse could continue their streak of success. Well so far they have and show no signs of cooling off.

RFK Revving

Whatever held RFK back last year is no longer relevant. Keselowski and Buescher are showing up with some serious speed.

SHR has me SMH

SHR's performance has been disappointing with Harvick doing the heavy lifting. He had Phoenix under control with 10 laps to go when a late caution strategy call on restart gave the hard-fought lead back to Hendrick. 

Spire is Inspired

Corey Lajoie is having some great momentum. He scored a top 5 at the Duels and a top 15 at Fontana. It'll be interesting to see what stats he is able to stack up this year but it'll be more than pennies.

23XI, Reddick's Redemption

Reddick and his new team really struggled to get a race together. Plagued with car issues, track incidents and all kinds of bad luck they were off to a slow start but showed a promising glimmer that things are turning after a P3 finish at Phoenix.

Weird Weather

Normally drivers enjoy the early season time getting away for the West coast swing to find vacation-worthy weather. Not this year. Not even close. Fontana had snowfall. Vegas was nearly a rain out and with qualifying cancelled they were relegated to the provisonal grid rules for starting positions. CBell wasn't complaining though.

Most Memorable Soundbytes

Speaking of Bell, my favorite driver comments from the season in no certain order are...

Bell's dry sarcasm @ The Clash after being spun around. "This is fun, we're having fun". 

Kyle Bush's wry observation @ Fontana. "Points, points, points, just throw um away. Burn um all up"

And Chastain whining on the pre-race dial-in @ Vegas. "Hey Ross Chastain, it's Boyer and the boys in the booth. Ya got me? "Ooooh noooo, don't talk to me..." 

Auto Club Au Revoir

NASCAR is changing - with firsts also come lasts. The race at Auto Club this year was the last at the 2 mile track as nearly 90 percent of the land was sold the day after. The remainder of the property is slated to be reconfigured to a short-track that would be completed as early as 2025. Fittingly, there was another farewell at Fontana that day. A meme-worthy tragedy in the form of a cat that joined the racing cars in the oval until meeting its untimely demise. Nothing was said on live broadcast but the black feline will go down into immortality. RIP Mittens

@Mere.Bernhard