Kyle Busch’s Unexpected Journey at Richard Childress Racing
Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, found himself in an unexpected position three years ago as negotiations with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) faltered. Despite a 15-year tenure and two titles with JGR, the 2023 season saw Busch without a firm contract, leading him to explore other options. Among these was Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a team with whom he shared a history of tension. Nonetheless, Busch put aside old grievances and signed a three-year deal, entering 2025 as a key figure in RCR’s bid for glory.
A Year of Near Misses and Challenges
The 2023 season was a rollercoaster for Busch, marked by a winless streak that stretched to 57 races. This streak is particularly surprising given his prowess and the close calls he had. Busch recounts two races where victory was tantalizingly close, just a few inches away from his grasp. "It’s just tough," he admits. "With all the cars being more equal, you’re fighting for hundreds or thousandths of inches." The tight competition underscores the high stakes and the fine margins that often decide winners in NASCAR.
Rebuilding Momentum and Confidence
Brad Keselowski, another NASCAR champion and one of Busch’s fiercest rivals, offers insight into the challenges of a winless streak. Keselowski, who broke his 110-race winless run last year, emphasizes the importance of consistent performance. "Having consistent good cars is such an enabler for a driver—it pushes you to make those moves that quite often differentiate between winning and losing," Keselowski says. "And when that is lost for a period of time, it’s extremely difficult to recover." Confidence, he adds, is not something that can be regained overnight; it requires a series of strong performances to rebuild.
RCR’s Support and Commitment
Despite the tough season, Richard Childress Racing has stood by Busch. Teammate Austin Dillon, the grandson of team owner Richard Childress, played a crucial role in recruiting Busch to RCR. Dillon believes Busch is not only learning but also thriving in his new environment. "I think Kyle is learning a lot over the couple of years that he’s been with us," Dillon says. "I think he’s a happier person, personally." The high standards Busch sets for himself remain unchanged, and Dillon is confident that Busch will bring his best to the track. "He’s a champion of our sport," Dillon adds, highlighting Busch’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
Randall Burnett: Steadfast Crew Chief
Kyle Busch’s crew chief, Randall Burnett, remains a constant in the team’s efforts to return to victory lane. A veteran crew chief known for his composure, Burnett acknowledges the challenges faced in 2023. "We went through some tough times—especially the mid-part of the season—we had a lot of stuff not go our way, not pan out for us," he says. The early part of the season was particularly tough, with poor performance on short tracks. However, Burnett and Busch have been working tirelessly to improve. "Obviously, he’s Kyle Busch, he wants to win a lot of races," Burnett notes. "And he should be winning a lot of races. It’s up to us to get him back in victory lane."
Looking Ahead to the Daytona 500 and Beyond
As Busch enters the 2025 season, the looming shadow of his winless streak adds a layer of urgency to his goals. "You’ve got to win, right?" Busch emphasizes. "And unfortunately, we weren’t able to win last year. So being able to get back to victory lane, being able to build on some consistency, getting those top five, top 10s, getting that number higher than what it was this year is definitely paramount." The Daytona 500, a race that has eluded Busch in 19 attempts, presents a prime opportunity to turn things around. "Earlier in the year would be better, but it’s always a long year, and you got to fight it out every week," Busch says. With a dedicated team and a champion’s mindset, Busch is poised to make 2025 his year.
