On the latest episode of the Happy Hour podcast, NASCAR expert Kevin Harvick discussed Kyle Busch’s challenges during the 2025 Cup Series season. Harvick pinpointed the introduction of the NextGen cars as a major factor behind Busch’s ongoing difficulties in performance.
Since switching to Richard Childress Racing and competing with the seventh-generation NextGen car, Kyle Busch has struggled to find his previous form. Busch’s performance has declined notably, with only four wins behind the wheel of the new car and missed playoff appearances in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Notably, Busch has been unable to secure a victory since the 2023 Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway, where he last stood atop the podium.
Most recently at the 2025 Enjoy Illinois 300, Busch experienced a spin during the race and finished in 22nd place. Reflecting on this run and Busch’s wider season struggles, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick said:
“Uh, you know, I think their cars are just off. I think that Kyle, being Kyle, wants to push it faster, further than make things try to go faster. And when you do that in this car, you spin out. Um, so, you know, he’s just—he’s had a—he’s in a tough spot right now where the cars are performing.”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Expert
“And it seems like he goes overboard almost on a weekly basis. Um, you know, with the spinouts and and things that have happened because there’s just no—there’s no cushion there. Yeah. And you can’t make the thing do more than it’ll do. And you know, that’s hard because he’s not been programmed that way for his whole career,”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Expert
Impact of NextGen Cars on Kyle Busch’s 2025 Season Performance
Earlier in August 2025, Harvick openly attributed much of Kyle Busch’s decline to the handling characteristics of the NextGen cars during the Happy Hour podcast. Since joining Richard Childress Racing in 2023 and driving their #8 Chevy Camaro ZL1, Busch has encountered persistent challenges adapting to the new vehicle dynamics.
Before this transition, Busch built a remarkable career with Joe Gibbs Racing, piloting the #18 Toyota. He recorded 56 victories, 206 top-five finishes, and 304 top-ten results over 528 starts, along with 29 pole positions. Busch also captured two Cup Series championships during his time at Joe Gibbs Racing. This stark contrast in recent performances highlights how the switch to the Richard Childress Racing team and the new car generation has affected his competitiveness.
Kevin Harvick further explained Busch’s difficulties by stating:
“I think his car has totally disrupted everything that’s made Kyle Busch good. Everything that made Kyle Busch good up until this Gen 7 car was the fact that he could drive it over the limit, save the car, and he could tell you every single thing that you needed to put in the car to make it go fast.”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Expert
Kyle Busch’s Current Standings and Upcoming Opportunities
As of now, Kyle Busch ranks 20th in the Cup Series points standings with a total of 585 points. Throughout the 28 races this season, he has achieved eight top-ten finishes and two top-five results, notably at the Chicago and Circuit of the Americas venues. Despite these efforts, Busch has yet to clinch a win during the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Busch is preparing for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Bristol Motor Speedway. Having already secured eight wins at Bristol in his career, he remains determined to break his winless streak and capture his first victory of the season on this familiar track.
Challenges and Prospects for Kyle Busch in the Changing NASCAR Landscape
Kyle Busch’s ongoing struggles underline the significant challenges some drivers face adapting to the NextGen car era, where traditional driving styles and strategies may no longer translate to success. His aggressive approach to pushing the limits, effective in previous car generations, has led to increased incidents like spinouts and errors under the new regulations.
Harvick’s insights emphasize the tough adjustment period for Busch, who now navigates a vehicle that limits how aggressively he can push without risking loss of control. The 2025 season continues to be a test of his ability to recalibrate driving techniques to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving Cup Series environment.
