Silly Season 2023

Hate to see him step away under this kind of circumstance, but he’s doing what’s best. Apparently he hasn’t ruled out making a few more appearances though, so it’s not completely a “goodbye.” Kurt’s been such a great addition to NASCAR for so long, and nothing will ever diminish that!
 
Good to see Kurt putting health first while solidifying a future with 23XI. The prospect off him doing some one offs is…encouraging if for no other reason as a validation of his recovery.

Now I think I’ll be joining Lisa in an “ugly cry”.
 
and just like that 1.) the last driver that raced Dale Earnhardt has stepped away 2.) Kevin Harvick is the last of the Winston Cup drivers left standing. Call me crazy but reading Kurt's announcement it sounded to me like he's "stepping away to let his brain heal while 23XI gets their guy in the 45 and lets get the car safer, maybe I'll think running full time in 2024." I could be way off base but there was no retired for good, never getting in a car definitive declaration. Either way, I enjoyed Kurt in the latter half of his career, a former Cup Champion and Daytona 500 champion... he had a good one. It stings to see him not go out on his own terms and to get hurt in this car, I hope he finds great success in whatever he decides to do next.
 
Sad for Kurt, but he obviously made the right decision. I despised him in his early years due to his immature childish behavior (like his brother still exhibits). Shortly after an attitude adjustment from Jimmy Spencer and possibly discussions with NASCAR/sponsor/owner, he found a way to control his outbursts. Actually was happy for him with his last couple of victories. Wishing Kurt the best. He REALLY needs to be a mainstay in the announcers booth for either Fox or NBC.
 
It sucks to hear Kurt talk about his struggles with balance and vision. I hope he gets back to a place where he can race a car again eventually if he so wishes, but just getting closer to 100% in day-to-day life is good to hear. He’s done an admirable job at turning his life and career around throughout the past several years.
 
Kurt went from being the villain of NASCAR to one of the most likeable guys. It sucks to see him go, although he didn't rule out returning part time. He's still relatively young so if another opportunity presents itself in the future, he'll probably take it as long as health permits.
 
It's remarkable to see how Kurt has turrned around his life. I remember the days when he couldn't hold onto a seat at Roush, SHR, Finch, just about every place he went those days. His TV interviews were always a sight, losing his temper and screaming at cameras etc. and talking about having to see sports psychologists. He was probably the most hated driver on the track in those days (Jimmy Spencer called him "Rubberhead") and his personal life was a mess.

Many years ago, I even remember one sportswriter saying (unbelievably) that someone needed to have called Child Protective Services on the Busch parents in early years because the boys turned out so badly that they had to have been treated poorly as kids!!!

He's managed to completely turn his life around since then and now is one of the most revered if not THE most revered driver on the track. It's the most remarkable turn around for any driver I've seen since I've been following NASCAR and I have a lot of respect for him for that. I wish him only the best going forward and the best part is that we may still get to see him race now and then.

Now then NASCAR, about this car that's been finishing off CUP drivers' seasons, championship hopes and careers....
 
aunty dive said:
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Looking at RFK racing today, it's hard to believe that they were once that kind of powerhouse. I doubt there was ever a team with that many top drivers before then and there certainly hasn't been since then. I kinda wish NASCAR were still allowing 5 car teams.

It was good to see "Da Biff" still out there running the Daytona 500 this year though.
 
Conover said:
Sad for Kurt, but he obviously made the right decision. I despised him in his early years due to his immature childish behavior (like his brother still exhibits). Shortly after an attitude adjustment from Jimmy Spencer and possibly discussions with NASCAR/sponsor/owner, he found a way to control his outbursts. Actually was happy for him with his last couple of victories. Wishing Kurt the best. He REALLY needs to be a mainstay in the announcers booth for either Fox or NBC.
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Jimmy Spencer had nothing to do with Kurt's change in attitude, just for what it's worth. That was back in 2003, and Kurt was still "old Kurt" into the early 2010s.
 
Wonder where Monster goes now....Does it stay with 23XI or perhaps to another team? Maybe with Ty Gibbs to the 18? Like to see HMS scoop him up, Larson would look pretty sweet in Monster Colors on the 5.
 
Jorge De Guzman said:
Wonder where Monster goes now....Does it stay with 23XI or perhaps to another team? Maybe with Ty Gibbs to the 18? Like to see HMS scoop him up, Larson would look pretty sweet in Monster Colors on the 5.
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Ty Gibbs will be cheaper to sponsor than Kurt, so Ty gets Monster for the 18 and the leftover savings goes toward increasing Deegan's funding to go full-time Xfinity. That's my prediction.
 
Jorge De Guzman said:
Wonder where Monster goes now....Does it stay with 23XI or perhaps to another team? Maybe with Ty Gibbs to the 18? Like to see HMS scoop him up, Larson would look pretty sweet in Monster Colors on the 5.
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Only if they pay more the Ashoc does for Chase
 
kkfan91 said:
Only if they pay more the Ashoc does for Chase
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is Ashoc with Pepsi Co? I was on the HMS website this evening and saw they are no longer a partner with HMS which if true, I didnt know that.
 
Boy, posts like these make me question the effectiveness of sponsoring a Cup car. I don't recall hearing of Ashoc before this thread. From the context, I assume they make energy drinks.

It could be I don't remember because if I learned what they did, I promptly tuned them out since I'm not in the market for energy drinks. Most likely, it's my attention span and my memory.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Boy, posts like these make me question the effectiveness of sponsoring a Cup car. I don't recall hearing of Ashoc before this thread. From the context, I assume they make energy drinks.

It could be I don't remember because if I learned what they did, I promptly tuned them out since I'm not in the market for energy drinks. Most likely, it's my attention span and my memory.
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Well, on the other side of the coin, I had never heard of Ashoc at all until they sponsored a Cup car, so maybe that means it works, but I'm not in the market for energy drinks either.
 
FLRacingFan said:
I imagine Austin Hill getting a couple of runs this season is an indicator they’d like him in Cup soon, whether that’s full-time or expanded part-time next season. Sneaking into the final four next month wouldn’t hurt his case.
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Creed has also shown great speed recently. RCR is sitting pretty for the future with him and Hill.
jws926 said:
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I hope Haas succeeds in convincing Harvick to continue after 2023. Probably need some more safety upgrades though.
 
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