To The Front in 2023: Who Has a Breakout Year?

With the 2023 NASCAR season a handful of days away from kicking off, who is poised to have a breakout, or even career year? This article will pick two drivers from each series who seem to be knocking on the door of that next big step.

NASCAR Cup Series:

Tyler Reddick: During the off-season, Tyler Reddick officially completed his move from Richard Childress Racing to 23XI Racing and the #45 Toyota. Reddick had a career year in the #8 car for RCR, winning 3 times and ultimately finishing 14th in the final standings. 

Reddick’s move to the Toyota camp and 23XI in 2023 could be huge, as both cars (driven by Bubba Wallace and Ty Gibbs) last season showed flashes of speed. With the loss of Kurt Busch as a driver, Reddick and crew chief Billy Scott could be a lethal combination for the field. A round of 4 placement could be a possibility right away.

Ryan Preece: Towards the end of 2022, Ryan Preece was signed to replace Cole Custer in the #41 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing. Preece spent the 2022 season in an “on call” scenario with Stewart-Haas Racing, but this included multiple starts in all 3 of NASCAR’s top series. Driving for David Gilliland Racing in the Truck Series, Preece scored 1 win and had 9 Top 10’s in only 10 series starts with minimal truck experience.

Fast forward to the 2023 Clash at the Colosseum, and Preece has already proved he was the best option for the 41 car, as he led 43 laps before fuel pump issues took away his chances. Both the 41 car and Preece (whose last full-time Cup season was with JTG-Daugherty Racing in 2021) have a lot to prove, but could play spoiler in the playoffs with some luck. 

NASCAR Xfinity Series:

Kaz Grala: Grala finally gets a well-deserved full-time opportunity in 2023, as he has signed to drive the #26 Toyota for Sam Hunt Racing. One of the few stand-alone Toyota teams entering the new season, Sam Hunt Racing’s #26 car showed bursts of speed last season, despite a revolving door of drivers. The same could be said for Grala, as he drove for Alpha Prime Racing, Big Machine Racing, Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, and had one start for Hunt during the season.

Despite the multiple teams, Grala still managed to produce consistent results (including a Top 5 at Watkins Glen) in mostly underfunded equipment.  Grala surprisingly only has 44 Xfinity Series starts dating back to 2018, but can carry the momentum of 10 career Top 10 finishes and decent equipment into the new season. A solid Top 15 points finish is certainly attainable.

Also, watch for the 26 car on road courses….Grala is a strong performer on these tracks, and could sneak away with a win.

Brandon Jones: Brandon Jones returns to the Chevrolet camp in 2023, this time replacing Noah Gragson in the #9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. While a consistent playoff contender in his five seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing, Jones always seemed to be the low-man on the totem pole. Jones could potentially burst on to the scene this season, as he slides behind the wheel of a car that won 8 times in 2022, while also gaining championship-caliber JR Motorsports crew chief Jason Burdett on the pit box. Jones also brings long-time sponsor Menards with him.

The combination of Jones and Burdett could make an immediate impact come Daytona, as both driver and crew chief have proven performance on superspeedways. Jones and the 9 crew could easily slide into the Round of 4, especially considering how Jones’ season ended in 2022, and the championship-caliber team placed around him.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series:

Christian Eckes: Eckes, a Toyota driver since 2018, moves to Chevrolet and the #19 NAPA AutoCare entry for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing to start the new season. Eckes who has spent the better part of his career thus far as part of a multi-truck team, could benefit greatly moving to a team where he can be the focus. While Eckes and his former ThorSport team did finish 8th in the final standings, Eckes is still searching for his first career victory. 

The McAnally-Hilgemann team nearly made it into the playoffs last season with driver Derek Kraus. The new combination could pay off in the form of a first win for both driver and team. While a Round of 8 placement is likely a year or so away, it is certainly possible we will see the 19 truck up front throughout the season.

Hailie Deegan: Deegan could be one of the bigger surprises in 2023, as she joins long-time truck team ThorSport Racing to drive the #13 Ford. ThorSport, which also switches back to Ford this season, is an excellent home for Deegan to develop her talents more. 

Since joining the Ford development program, Deegan has only collected 3 Top 10’s in 46 career starts with the David Gilliland Racing. Joining ThorSport could provide just the shot in the arm her career needs, as she will have 3-time series champion Matt Crafton to lean on for advice, as well as teammates Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski. 

Deegan is also being paired with veteran crew chief Rich Lushes. Lushes comes over from the #99 ThorSport team, where he guided Ben Rhodes to the championship in 2021 and 2nd in 2022. If the team builds around Lushes and Deegan correctly, a record season could be in the books, with a win not out of the question mid-season.