Austin Dillon wants to see his teammate Kyle Busch end his winless streak as soon as possible, urging Richard Childress Racing (RCR) to prioritize Busch’s success. Earlier this week, Busch’s crew chief, Randall Burnett, announced he would leave RCR at the end of the season to join Trackhouse Racing, working with Connor Zilisch, who will be promoted to a full-time NASCAR Cup Series ride in 2026.
Burnett will stay with RCR for the final five races of the season in an advisory role, while Andy Street steps in as an interim crew chief. Street has experience winning in the Xfinity Series, offering hope for improvement. During a media session at the Charlotte Roval on Saturday, Dillon made it clear he is fully backing Busch and wants to see him win again soon.
“I think the main focus for RCR is to get Kyle Busch, a two-time champion, back to the winner’s circle in any way possible, to make him happy and to make the rest of the organization happy, and to go fast because that’s what we want in the end.”
Austin Dillon, NASCAR driver
“We all want to go fast and win races, and that’s where we think we should be. So, we’ve got to make the best hire for both, for whatever Kyle needs and RCR needs from a competition standpoint to be competitive each and every weekend with the No. 3 [Dillon’s car] and the No. 8 [Busch].”
Austin Dillon, NASCAR driver
Kyle Busch’s Winless Streak Overshadows a Distinguished Career
At 40 years old and in his 21st full-time NASCAR Cup Series season, Kyle Busch is in an unusual slump. Despite having 63 Cup victories in his career, Busch has not won a race in his last 88 starts. This marks the longest winless stretch of his professional racing journey, raising concerns about when he might return to the top step of the podium.
Dillon acknowledged the challenges Busch faces, emphasizing that the veteran driver’s skills remain intact despite the recent results.
“It’s funny, you go through a little bit and everyone feels like you forget how to drive, and that’s not the case, I mean, Kyle’s Kyle Busch, he’s always going to be one of the best to ever do it. We’ve just got to give him the best shot at doing it on Sundays.”
Austin Dillon, NASCAR driver
Potential Transitions Loom for Dillon and Busch at RCR
The difficulties have affected Dillon as well, with only one win this season and an early exit in the playoff Round of 16. Meanwhile, Richard Childress Racing’s development pipeline includes promising young drivers Jesse Love and Austin Hill, who are seen as potential replacements for Busch and Dillon in the near future.
Dillon hinted that both he and Busch could be approaching the end of their driving careers, possibly making way for fresh talent by 2027. He also suggested that his future could involve a greater leadership role within the organization started by his grandfather, Richard Childress.
“I think my grandfather does a good job of trying to take my input and the group of leadership that he has there to make the best decisions.”
Austin Dillon, NASCAR driver
At 80 years old, Richard Childress remains at the helm of RCR, but Dillon’s growing influence within the team could foreshadow his eventual transition from the driver’s seat to management. Outside of racing, Dillon has been developing other ventures, including ownership of a professional bull riding team in North Carolina, which might signal a gradual shift away from full-time racing.
What Lies Ahead for Kyle Busch and RCR
The urgency in Austin Dillon’s call for stronger support to enhance Kyle Busch’s comeback efforts indicates that the team recognizes the importance of ending Busch’s prolonged winless run. With crew chief changes and RCR’s focus on boosting competitiveness, the next few races could prove critical for Busch’s return to form.
As promising young talents ready to join the Cup Series, the 2026 season may mark a turning point, potentially serving as a farewell year for seasoned drivers Dillon and Busch. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch’s ability to regain victory lane remains a vital factor for RCR’s success in the immediate future, fueling the team’s determination to maximize their performance every weekend.
