Kyle Busch entered the new NASCAR season under pressure after a winless 2025 campaign that ended with him 21st in the Cup Series standings, missing the playoffs for the second year in a row. Driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Busch has now gone 93 races without a victory but is aiming to break that streak with a win at the Daytona 500. His strong performance in earning the pole position for the race signals a potential turnaround.
Kevin Harvick Highlights Importance of Busch’s Competitiveness
During Fox Sports’ live broadcast of Harvick’s Happy Hour at Daytona, Kevin Harvick praised Busch’s return to form, emphasizing the significance of his success for the sport. Harvick also praised team owner Richard Childress, noting his longstanding contribution and dedication to NASCAR.
“I think that Kyle Busch being competitive and winning races is really important to our sport. But I’m really happy for Richard Childress. Richard Childress is somebody who has meant so much to this sport… He just has such a legacy in this sport. And I know how hard he works to make those cars fast.”
— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and commentator
Challenges Faced by Busch and His Team Last Season
Harvick acknowledged that both the team and Busch had to overcome multiple problems in 2025. The Richard Childress Racing squad struggled with car speed, and Busch himself made several mistakes on the track that limited their success. Harvick pointed out the difficulties Busch faced in avoiding spins, wrecks, and errors during pit stops, which hampered their results.
“You have to not spin out, you have to not wreck, and when that wasn’t happening, they were making mistakes on pit road. So they have a lot to clean up. But what happens is, you get in those positions where you’re somewhat desperate. … So I think he just has to take a deep breath.”
— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and commentator
Adapting to the Changing Racing Style and New Season Success
Busch is adjusting to a new era of NASCAR racing that demands more finesse rather than aggressive handling of the car. This change has been essential for gaining competitiveness. So far in the 2026 season, Busch’s qualifying performance, including narrowly beating Chase Briscoe to claim the top qualifying spot at Daytona, shows promising progress.
“I think it’s something that Kyle has to be able to be comfortable with and get what he wants out of that car,”
“But the first thing they have to have is speed. Well, guess what? They showed up at the Daytona 500 with speed. And I think that’s dangerous for the rest of the field.”
— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and commentator
The Road Ahead and Busch’s Contract Year Pressure
With 2026 being a contract year for Busch, the pressure to perform is high. Nonetheless, Harvick expressed confidence that Busch still has what it takes to succeed and make an impact in the Cup Series once again. His pole position start at the Daytona 500 is a clear statement that Busch remains a serious threat to his competitors at Daytona International Speedway.
“It’s a contract year for Kyle Busch, and I believe that he can still get it done.”
— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and commentator
