Kyle Busch’s seventh-place finish in Sunday’s championship finale marked his final race at Joe Gibbs Racing after a celebrated 15-year tenure that included two championships (2015 and 2019) and 56 of his career total 60 victories and finished in the top-10 in the championship 11 of his 15 seasons with the team.
He finished seventh in his final outing with JGR on Sunday – driving a No. 18 Toyota whose paint job included images of his time celebrating all the success he shared with the team over the course of his tenure.
Busch has signed to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing beginning in 2023.
“It’s been a long road and I owe a lot of my success to Toyota Racing. I wouldn’t’ be where I am today without your support through the years. You guys will always be family to me, but I look forward to seeing you in my rearview come Daytona next year.”
His day started on a very sad note as the team announced that Coy Gibbs vice-chairman and COO at Joe Gibbs Racing had passed away overnight. Busch could be seen shedding tears on the grid prior to the race.
“Words can’t describe this day. Today was already going to be tough enough but it’s even more gut wrenching now. Heartbroken.” He posted on Twitter just before the race.