Kyle Busch, the No. 8 Chevrolet driver for Richard Childress Racing, is facing immense pressure as the NASCAR Cup Series approaches the final six races before the playoffs begin. The Las Vegas native is working to close the points gap and earn a position among the top 16 drivers who will compete in the postseason. With the regular season winding down, Busch remains hopeful yet cautious about his chances in the Kyle Busch <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR playoff chase.
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has experienced a challenging season, currently enduring one of his longest winless periods. Despite a strong start in 2023 – claiming three victories in the first 15 races – he has not reached victory lane since joining RCR. Missing last year’s playoffs, he now faces the daunting task of overcoming a points deficit to extend his run into 2025.
Busch Explains the Points Strategy for Making the Playoffs
Addressing the challenge ahead, Kyle Busch shared a strategic approach to collecting points over the final races. He believes that through smart, calculated racing and consistent performance, he can climb the standings. Busch emphasized the value of earning stage points by staying near the front in each event.
“I think you can, if you’re smart, play it the right way, and keep yourself up front to get those stage points. In these races, yes you can do it. Now we go back to the ovals where it’s a little more evenly separated between the competition. There is a slight chance that somebody outside of the playoffs will win, and you have to start all over again.” —Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
He also laid out the target points per race he needs to achieve to join the playoff field before the regular season concludes with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
“The task at hand right now is to knock off eight points per race. If you look at it, divide 40 points into six races. That’s going to be somewhere around the seven-to-eight-point range per race that you need to have in order to put yourself in the playoffs on points,” added Kyle Busch.
Comparing Road Course Skills with Shane van Gisbergen
NASCAR recently returned to the traditional oval tracks after two road course events in Chicago and Sonoma, where Shane van Gisbergen dominated with consecutive wins. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch made progress with a top-five finish and a top-10 showing during those weekends. Despite those results, Busch admits that matching van Gisbergen’s road course expertise is a formidable challenge.
At Sonoma Raceway, Busch reflected on the skill gap between himself and the Trackhouse star, noting the road course mastery van Gisbergen has developed over many years.
“I mean just the longevity of it all but we’ve also had others that have been here that have grown up just doing that as well so I don’t know. He’s just really, really good. He has the heel-toe method I know.” —Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
“So, for me to try to figure that out it would be until my retirement before I’m even 10% as good as he is at it, so that’s out the window,” added Kyle Busch jokingly.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Races and What’s at Stake
As the NASCAR Cup Series moves closer to the playoff round, Busch and his team aim to maximize points gains over the remaining six races. The battles on oval tracks like Darlington Raceway will be crucial for drivers trying to secure or improve their playoff status. Fans can watch Kyle Busch and his team compete next at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20 at 2 p.m. ET, hoping to see him edge closer to a playoff berth.
The outcome of these final regular-season races will shape the playoff landscape and could determine whether Busch extends his streak of playoff appearances amid a highly competitive field. With every point gained or lost, the tension rises for Busch in his pursuit of another NASCAR championship run.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. CONCORD, N.C. — On Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing shared that he will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season ends.
Q. Will Kyle Busch retire?
A. Kyle Busch announced that he isn’t thinking about retiring anytime soon and has renewed his contract with Richard Childress Racing until 2026.
