As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, veteran driver Kyle Busch, a two-time series champion at age 41, is eager to return to victory lane and capture the 64th win of his career. Since joining Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2023, Busch has encountered obstacles adapting to the NextGen car, leaving him without a win since the 2023 Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. His recent candid comments reveal the ongoing difficulties he and RCR face in regaining their competitive edge.
Transition to NextGen Car Has Hampered RCR’s Performance
Busch’s move from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) to Richard Childress Racing coincided with a broader challenge for the team, which has struggled to master the NextGen vehicle introduced in 2022. RCR’s performance declined, with Busch missing out on Playoff appearances in consecutive seasons and teammate Austin Dillon also falling short in the crucial final Playoff rounds before the latest Chase format return. Meanwhile, rival organizations like JGR, Team Penske, and Hendrick Motorsports have excelled with the new car platform.
Busch Candidly Addresses the Team’s Technical Setbacks
Speaking with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Busch described the early promise with RCR and how the team’s initial confidence in handling the NextGen car diminished over time.
“Fast cars cure all. When I went to RCR, we went to Fontana, we won our second race,”
Busch said, highlighting that the team initially had an advantage in understanding the new vehicle.
He added,
“I just kind of feel like over time, we lost a little bit of that where other people have made their cars better. I talk to other drivers, and they’re like, ‘My car doesn’t drive like that.’ I’m like, ‘Well, that’s what I’ve got.’”
?Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
This disparity in car handling reflects the technical challenges RCR faces compared to competitors optimizing their setups on the NextGen chassis. Legendary team owner Richard Childress himself has acknowledged these struggles, expressing frustration after a disappointing run at Dover Motor Speedway in July.
Richard Childress Confronts Team’s Difficulties Head-On
Following the lackluster performance at Dover, Childress spoke frankly over the team radio, capturing the urgency to improve.
“Gotta get some race cars. We are in trouble, period.”
?Richard Childress, Team Owner
This blunt message was accompanied by a serious discussion in the RCR shop, where Childress committed to taking whatever steps necessary to resolve the performance problems. Austin Dillon’s crew chief later confirmed the team’s determination to find solutions to their setbacks.
Team Adjustments Signal Hope for Improvement
Despite slow progress through last season, Busch remains cautiously optimistic about potential improvements within RCR. He explained,
“The teams have learned and adapted and done things that are just better than others,”
and added,
“You would say, ‘Well, how can you do that? It’s a Lego car. Everybody buys all the same stuff.’ Trust me, you can work on these Legos a little bit to make yours better than the next guy’s.”
?Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
In an effort to turn things around, RCR made significant off-season changes, appointing Jim Pohlmann, a successful crew chief from Justin Allgaier’s O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series team, to work with Busch. Additionally, Andy Street has taken on the role of Performance Director, aiming to enhance the team’s technical and strategic capabilities.
Upcoming Season Opener Will Test RCR’s Progress
The 2026 season is set to begin with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 4, a race delayed due to snow but highly anticipated as a first real test for RCR’s revamped lineup. With Busch and the new leadership team eager to demonstrate growth, the NASCAR community will be watching closely to see if the changes translate into competitive speed and better results on race day.
