The End of the 2023 Season Marks the End of…
The end of every season is bittersweet, not only because racing takes an extended break but also because the end of every year brings the end of certain fixtures, partnerships, and personalities that fans have grown to love. Sponsors leave, teams fold as new ones form, crew chiefs and other key figures switch positions, and drivers change seats or retire from the sport. It’s a lot to keep track of when the next season begins, along with changes to the schedule. But more than that, some of the changes mark the end of an era.
This coming weekend at Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR is set to crown the champions of the Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series. As the excitement of championship weekend builds, here are just a few things that will mark their end.
We’re parting ways with two stalwarts of the Craftsman Truck Series, Kyle Busch Motorsports and GMS Racing, as they make their final appearances at Phoenix Raceway this Friday. Both teams, with connections to the Cup Series, are exiting the series—Kyle Busch Motorsports, with its impressive 100 race victories and series championships in 2015 and 2017, has been sold to Spire Motorsports; while GMS Racing is shutting down its Truck Series operations following Legacy’s transition to Toyota.
Legacy Motor Club, guided by seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, will part ways with Chevrolet. After a history of victories with the Chevy Bowtie gracing the cars, the organization is making a switch to Toyota starting in 2024. This Sunday at Phoenix, cars No. 42 and No. 43 will race under the Chevrolet banner for one last time.
The iconic No. 4 car, famous for being decked out with the Busch beer logo, will take to the track for a final race with Stewart-Haas Racing. After this event, the well-known sponsor will shift its allegiance to Ross Chastain’s car at Trackhouse Racing in 2024.
Live Fast Motorsports will draw its final lap. With Spire Motorsports acquiring the charter of the No. 78, the upcoming race at Phoenix marks the conclusion of the team’s journey. Since its inception, the team has seen co-owner BJ McLeod often at the helm. Looking ahead to 2024, Spire Motorsports is set for Zane Smith to pilot the car in a venture alongside Trackhouse Racing.
Following a five-season partnership, which includes two seasons at the Cup Series level, Justin Haley and Kaulig Racing are preparing for their last dance. Haley is set to join Rick Ware Racing for the coming season, and Daniel Hemric will make his return to the Cup Series, taking the wheel of the No. 31 car for Kaulig Racing.
This Sunday marks Ty Dillon’s last race with Spire Motorsports. His tenure behind the wheel of the No. 77 car concludes after a year, paving the way for Carson Hocevar to take over in 2024.
Bristol Motor Speedway will say goodbye to the arduous task of creating multi-levels of clay and dirt for Easter Weekend’s dirt race as the track returns to concrete for both races in 2024. This will also mark the end of the beloved “Choose Drone,” which came into play because the dirt track would not support painted lines.
We say goodbye to the worn-out racing surface at North Wilkesboro, which hasn’t seen new asphalt since 1981. The track is set for a re-pave before the 2024 All-Star Race in May.
We offer a warm farewell to Aric Almirola as he steps away from Stewart-Haas Racing. Since taking control of the No. 10 Ford in 2018, Almirola has been a steadfast presence on the team. He declared last week that Phoenix would mark the end of this chapter of his career. His future plans remain under wraps, but his second-place finish at Martinsville is a testament to his enduring competitiveness. There is talk that we will see Almirola with a part-time schedule next year in the Xfinity series, but nothing is concrete as yet.
And last but certainly not least, we bid a fond farewell to the legendary Kevin Harvick, an undeniable future Hall of Famer, as he gears up for his final start. At the age of 25, Harvick filled the enormous gap left by the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 2001, and he racked up a stunning win only three starts later. Spanning a career over 23 years, Harvick has amassed 60 Cup Series victories, 47 Xfinity Series wins, two championships, and 14 Craftsman Truck Series wins. Known as ‘The Closer’ for his clutch finishes, Harvick is poised to cross the finish line for the last time. Luckily, fans don’t have to say goodbye completely, as Kevin is set to join FOX Sports at the start of the 2024 season to provide race commentary alongside Mike Joy and former teammate Clint Bowyer.
By Laurie White
