The first batch of full-time competitors for the 2023 Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) campaign has been officially announced, and things are looking pretty competitive for the series’ third season.
Alongside the previously announced part-time drivers of Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, and Helio Castroneves, the series announced a batch of four full-time competitors on Tuesday, all of which have a current or prior affiliation with NASCAR.
Brad Keselowski, a 35-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as a champion in NASCAR’s top-two divisions, will make his SRX debut in the season-opening event at Stafford Speedway, before competing for the championship.
“I’ve been watching the SRX series on TV over the years, and given our limited practice and qualifying time in motorsports now, this provides another outlet to gain track time and better my craft,” said Keselowski. “The addition of ESPN and the return of Thursday Night Thunder is a huge plus as the series continues to deliver its exciting product to fans at home. This is an incredible opportunity for me to compete and I’m excited for it to kick off this summer.”
Hailie Deegan, who is set to contest her third full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will compete full-time in the Superstar Racing Experience, after running select races in the series over the last two years.
“I can’t wait to be running the full SRX Series. Ever since I did my first SRX race I’ve been hoping that the schedule would work out to where I could race in it full-time,” said Deegan. “Coming back to the SRX Series is already exciting as it is, but being able to run the full series makes it that much better. Going into this year I was hoping I had no conflicts and could participate in the whole season.”
Bobby Labonte, one of the inaugural full-time drivers in the Superstar Racing Experience, will return to the series for another full-time season in 2023 after points finish of third and fifth place in 2021 and 2022.
“It’s quite an honor to be invited back to the SRX Series for a third year,” said Labonte. “Everybody has done a great job making the series more popular every year. We had a good run last year, won a race, and contended for the championship. I am really excited to be competitive again this year, and compete for the 2023 series championship.”
Ryan Newman, who finished runner-up in the Superstar Racing Experience championship to Marco Andretti in 2022, will return for a second full-time season, as he’ll look to repeat his success from Stafford Speedway when the series gets underway in July.
“I am honored to be competing in the SRX Series again this year,” Newman said. “Last year was a great experience, and the trip for me and my girls to victory lane in Stafford will always be remembered. Being back on Thursday Night Thunder with Tony will be special as well.”
