When the 2023 racing season starts next month for NASCAR, the two Rookie of the Year candidates are old foes and very familiar with each other.  Former Xfinity Series drivers Noah Gragson and the 2022 Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs.

While both Gragson and Gibbs have driven cars in the Cup Series, they both fall under the limit set by NASCAR and will qualify as rookies of the year.

Last season, Noah Gragson drove the number nine car for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series; along with a few races in the Cup Series with Kaulig Racing.  This season he will drive the number 42 car for Legacy Motor Club.  Last season Gragson won a total of eight races.

Ty Gibbs remains with Joe Gibbs Racing where he drove the number 54 car in the Xfinity Series to the championship; this season he replaces Kyle Busch but will continue with the 54 car instead of the 18.  Gibbs drove the 23XI Racing number 45 car last season when Kurt Busch was sidelined by a concussion.  Gibbs racked up seven Xfinity Series wins last season.


In the Xfinity Series, Sammy Smith and Parker Retzlaff move up from the Craftsman Truck Series.  Smith will drive the Joe Gibbs Racing number 18 car; while Retzlaff is joining Jordan Anderson Racing where he will drive the number 31 car.


The Craftsman Truck Series has a full class of Rookie of the Year candidates this season with Rajah Caruth, Daniel Dye, Nick Sanchez, Jake Garcia, and Bret Holmes.  Caruth and Dye will drive for GMS Racing,  Sanchez will drive for Rev Racing, with Garcia and Holmes driving for Bret Holmes Racing.