23XI Racing currently fields Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick on a full-time basis in the NASCAR Cup Series; however, there is a third, part-time entry that is available as the organization prepares for Kurt Busch to become medically cleared to compete in racing.
Busch said last week that he is making progress and that the next steps are to bang out 300 to 400 laps in a car to see if his body can withstand the pressure. If so, he could be making a return to the Cup Series sooner rather than later.
However, there is another driver that has been rumored to possibly run a few races in the No. 67 car for 23XI Racing. It is also a familiar face that fans of NASCAR and racing, in general, will know.
Related: 23XI Racing responds to Bubba Wallace’s comments of needing to be replaced
23XI Racing linked to former NASCAR driver for a few races in 2023
Travis Pastrana drove the No. 67 car for 23XI Racing in the 2023 Daytona 500 and brought home an 11th-place finish as the second-highest Toyota driver behind Christopher Bell. It was an impressive performance by Pastrana in his NASCAR Cup Series debut.
Denny Hamlin, the owner of 23XI Racing, talked about the 39-year-old driver after the event and only had good things to say about his serious commitment. However, Hamlin did say Pastrana does not have any more races with the organization.
It doesn’t mean Pastrana can’t return eventually and Hamlin even left the door open for him to return to 23XI Racing at some point. Perhaps, that could happen during the 2023 NASCAR season.
The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi talked about the possibility of Pastrana running the Daytona 500 and that more races could be down the line for the racing legend.
“There may not just be a Daytona component in this (for Travis Pastrana). I’ve heard that there may be a few other races possibly this year and that’s good. You’re talking about somebody who brings in a lot of attention from a demographic of fans who maybe doesn’t necessarily pay attention to NASCAR. You want to get more eyeballs on your sport, this is certainly a good way to do it.”
Jordan Bianchi on Travis Pastrana’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series
Nothing is guaranteed but it sounds like Pastrana could make a return to the Cup Series at some point during the 2023 season. Hamlin did not close the door and there are a few tracks that would be fun.
Perhaps, the racing legend could try to run the Chicago Street Course as it would get more eyes on one of the biggest NASCAR races of the entire year. It is the first time the Cup Series will be racing on a street course.
It will be interesting to see if he does return for a few races this season. Hopefully, there is an answer soon and it involves a scenario where Pastrana is behind the wheel of a stock car again.