Kyle Busch’s difficulties in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series have kept him from reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive year, highlighting the intense competition and adaptation needed in the new era of the sport. Despite his reputation as one of NASCAR‘s elite drivers, Busch, driving for Richard Childress Racing, has not found victory since his June 2023 win at Gateway and has only amassed four wins since the introduction of the Gen-7 car.
Once known for his aggressive racing style that secured many wins, Busch’s approach now leads to spins and missed opportunities. This season, he has managed only a few top-five finishes and eight top-ten results, a significant decline for the two-time Cup Series champion as the Next Gen car reshapes driving dynamics.
Kevin Harvick Connects Busch’s Struggles to the Gen-7 Car’s Limitations
2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick recently addressed Busch’s performance issues during his Happy Hour podcast, asserting that the new Gen-7 model has fundamentally changed the conditions that previously played to Busch’s strengths. Harvick explained that Busch’s ability to push cars beyond their limits and his deep technical knowledge were critical to his past success but are no longer effective in the current standardization.
I think this car has totally disrupted everything that has made Kyle Busch good,
Harvick said.
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. He knew the springs, he knew the shocks, he knew everything that was going on, not gonna happen in Gen-7 racing.
Previously, Busch’s strong technical feedback allowed him to tailor his car setup to his aggressive driving style, balancing risk with control. The Next Gen car’s design, however, restricts such extensive customization, limiting driver input and making Busch’s usual tactics less effective.
Harvick Details How Busch’s Winning Drive Leads to Overdriving Mistakes
Harvick highlighted that Busch’s intense motivation to win may actually be hindering his performance under the demands of the updated car and race conditions. Busch’s past ability to push limits without consequence now results in errors that reduce his competitiveness.
I think for Kyle, he’s in a position to where he knows he wants to win, and he knows everyone wants him to win, he knows he needs to win, he knows in those positions where he can win and then he pushes it over the edge.
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 Cup Series Champion
According to Harvick, Busch’s defining characteristic was the skill to slightly overextend while maintaining control, a balance that the Gen-7 car no longer supports. This gap between Busch’s instincts and the capabilities of the new car leads to his frequent mistakes on track.
What Lies Ahead for Kyle Busch in a New NASCAR Landscape
The transformation brought by the Gen-7 car challenges Busch to reconsider his racing tactics and adapt to a style less reliant on aggressive vehicle control and more on precision within tighter constraints. Harvick’s observations raise the question of how effectively Busch can modify his approach to remain a top contender in this new competitive environment.
As the sport continues to evolve with standardized equipment, Busch—and other drivers accustomed to harnessing extensive setup control—face a critical juncture where the ability to adjust may determine their future success. How Busch manages this transition could influence not only his career trajectory but also the broader dynamics of NASCAR racing in the years to come.
