2023 NASCAR Cup Series

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series was the 75th season for NASCAR professional stock car racing in the United States and the 52nd season for the modern-era Cup Series. The season started with the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 5.^[1] That race was followed by the Daytona Duel qualifying races and the 65th running of the Daytona 500 (the first points race of the season) on February 19, both at Daytona International Speedway.^[2] The season ended with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway^[3] on November 5.^[4]

This was the final season for 2014 champion and Stewart–Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick, who announced his plans to retire at the end of the season on January 12, 2023.^[5] This was also the first season since 1999 without 2004 champion Kurt Busch, who announced on October 15, 2022, that he would retire from full-time Cup Series competition.^[6] On August 26, 2023, Busch announced his complete retirement from the Cup Series.^[7]

Following the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, Martin Truex Jr. of Joe Gibbs Racing clinched the regular season championship.^[8] Ty Gibbs, also of Joe Gibbs Racing, won NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors after Noah Gragson was suspended and released from Legacy Motor Club in August 2023.^[9] Prior to the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville, Chevrolet claimed its 42nd Manufacturers' Championship.^[10] At season's end, Ryan Blaney of Team Penske won the 2023 championship.^[11]

^ "Busch Light Clash will return to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2023". NASCAR. June 12, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
^ "Daytona 500 – 2023 – Daytona International Speedway". Daytona International Speedway. International Speedway Corporation. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
^ "UPDATE Phoenix to Host 2023 Championship Weekend". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
^ Long, Dustin (June 15, 2022). "NASCAR moving closer to release of 2023 schedule". NBC Sports. Comcast. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
^ Albert, Zack (January 12, 2023). "Kevin Harvick to retire after 2023 NASCAR season". NASCAR. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
^ "Kurt Busch out for rest of season, will not compete full-time in 2023". NASCAR. October 15, 2022. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^ Albert, Zack (August 26, 2023). "Kurt Busch announces Cup Series retirement, ending career with 34 victories". NASCAR. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
^ Cain, Holly (August 26, 2023). "Chris Buescher wins regular-season finale at Daytona; Wallace makes playoffs". NASCAR. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
^ "2023 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Standings". TobyChristie.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
^ "Chevrolet clinches NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championship". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
^ Albino, Dustin (November 5, 2023). "Ryan Blaney gets hot at right time to win 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship". NASCAR. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.

[2023Clash-1] "Busch Light Clash will return to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2023". NASCAR. June 12, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

[Daytona500-2] "Daytona 500 – 2023 – Daytona International Speedway". Daytona International Speedway. International Speedway Corporation. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

[SeasonFinale-3] "UPDATE Phoenix to Host 2023 Championship Weekend". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

[2023Schedule-4] Long, Dustin (June 15, 2022). "NASCAR moving closer to release of 2023 schedule". NBC Sports. Comcast. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.

[Harvick-5] Albert, Zack (January 12, 2023). "Kevin Harvick to retire after 2023 NASCAR season". NASCAR. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.

[KurtBusch-6] "Kurt Busch out for rest of season, will not compete full-time in 2023". NASCAR. October 15, 2022. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.

[7] Albert, Zack (August 26, 2023). "Kurt Busch announces Cup Series retirement, ending career with 34 victories". NASCAR. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.

[8] Cain, Holly (August 26, 2023). "Chris Buescher wins regular-season finale at Daytona; Wallace makes playoffs". NASCAR. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

[9] "2023 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Standings". TobyChristie.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

[10] "Chevrolet clinches NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championship". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

[11] Albino, Dustin (November 5, 2023). "Ryan Blaney gets hot at right time to win 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship". NASCAR. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.

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