Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 63 career victories, has gone more than two years without a race win, sparking widespread discussion about the reasons for his recent struggles. AJ Allmendinger, connected through Kaulig Racing’s technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), has shared insights pointing to challenges within Busch’s team rather than the driver himself as the cause behind this winless stretch.
Busch’s last triumph occurred at the 2023 Enjoy Illinois 300, marking his third victory since joining RCR. Despite occasional flashes of strong pace, the 40-year-old veteran has only managed two top-five finishes in the current season, highlighting a noticeable decline in consistent front-running results. This downturn has led to speculation, but according to Allmendinger, the issue lies primarily with the handling and feel provided by the No. 8 crew.
AJ Allmendinger Identifies Team Dynamics Affecting Busch’s Performance
AJ Allmendinger explained that the root of Kyle Busch’s recent performance difficulties stems from a lack of “feel” in the team’s setup and operations. Allmendinger emphasized that the entire Chevrolet contingent, including top teams like Trackhouse Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, remains in a constant search for better speed and performance. Allmendinger noted changes within Busch’s team, including personnel shifts such as Randall Burnett’s departure, which have contributed to their current struggles:
“They’re just lacking feel, and you know, at times, we’re just generally trying to find more speed. Just as a group. You know, if you base us off of Trackhouse at times, and then obviously, Hendrick Motorsports, which is, you know, that’s the pinnacle on the Chevy team and always will be. So, you know, they’re definitely, we’re all in search mode a little bit, but I think on their group, and obviously, there’s turnover now, with Randall [Burnett] leaving.” – AJ Allmendinger
This explanation underscores that the challenges Busch faces are less about driver ability and more about team adjustments and ongoing development efforts to regain competitiveness.
Kyle Busch’s Recent Race at Kansas Spotlights His Struggles
At the Kansas Speedway race, Busch began deep in the field, starting 29th, but showed signs of steady improvement by climbing to finish 19th after a taxing 273 laps. Despite making progress, he admitted this was insufficient to challenge for a win or a top-10 finish. Busch remains determined to break this winless streak, targeting the upcoming race at the Charlotte Roval as a key opportunity to return to victory lane.
“The entire No. 8 Chevrolet team worked throughout the race to make adjustments to make us competitive today. We made forward progress, but it just wasn’t enough to get us where we needed to be to contend for a victory this afternoon at Kansas Speedway. This race is in the books, and our attention is now on securing that first win of the season next weekend at the Charlotte Roval.” – Kyle Busch
Busch’s experience with RCR is significant, having made 93 starts with the team in the Cup Series. Prior to joining RCR, he had driven exclusively for Hendrick Motorsports, where he made his NASCAR debut, and Joe Gibbs Racing, where he won his two championships.
Team Changes and Their Impact on Busch’s Pursuit of Victory
The dynamics within Richard Childress Racing have evidently played a role in Busch’s recent form. The departure of key crew members like Randall Burnett has led to a period of adjustment that has affected the team’s ability to find the right setup and feel for their cars. This situation aligns with Allmendinger’s observations that the team is in a phase of “search mode,” attempting to rediscover the winning formula.
This transitional phase has coincided with Busch’s winless stretch, illustrating how shifts behind the scenes can directly influence on-track results. Even with top-tier equipment and a championship-winning driver, the delicate balance between driver skill, team cooperation, and technical performance remains critical in NASCAR.
Looking Ahead: The Challenge to End the Drought
Kyle Busch’s lengthy wait for another victory has placed increasing pressure not only on himself but also on the No. 8 Chevrolet team to address the technical and strategic obstacles that have hampered their competitiveness. With high expectations from fans and the NASCAR community alike, the upcoming races, especially on challenging tracks like the Charlotte Roval, will serve as a testing ground to see if Busch and his team can snap this streak.
Busch’s extensive career, including his record number of wins among the 2025 Cup Series drivers, makes the current dry spell all the more notable. As the season continues, how RCR adapts to recent changes and refines their approach will be crucial if Busch hopes to return to the top step of the podium.
For motorsport fans and observers, the evolving story of Kyle Busch’s quest to end his winless run remains one of the more intense and uncertain narratives in NASCAR this year.
