Kyle Busch recently shared that he experiences greater respect at Richard Childress Racing (RCR), even though the team has not been as competitive as his previous team, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Busch believes this change in perception has followed his move to RCR in 2023, reflecting a shift in both his environment and how fans and analysts view him.
After a long and successful tenure of more than ten years with Joe Gibbs Racing—where he earned two NASCAR Cup Series championships and 56 race victories—Busch felt immense pressure to constantly perform at the highest level. At JGR, winning was not just an ambition but an expected outcome every time he competed.
Busch acknowledged the clear difference in expectations between his former and current teams. He said,
“It just automatically flipped because I changed teams,”
Kyle Busch said.
“Now I’m in a different spot, and let’s call a spade a spade — we’re less competitive and not up front as much. So you’re just going with the flow and trying to work on things and make things better. And I guess for some reason, people respect that more,”
he added.
The atmosphere at Joe Gibbs Racing was intense and unforgiving, as Busch described:
“At Gibbs, you’re expected to win — like, if you’re not winning, then what are you doing?”
During his time at JGR, his passion and frustration during difficult races sometimes contributed to a negative image. Fans often referred to him as NASCAR’s “black hat,” portraying him as a villain who openly displayed his emotions. This reputation contrasted sharply with how he is viewed at RCR.
At Richard Childress Racing, the dynamic is different. Although the team has not consistently contended for victories, Busch says the expectations have shifted to appreciating the effort of improving a mid-tier team. Rather than being criticized for not winning, his dedication to building competitive performance has earned respect from fans and observers alike.
Busch’s current performance numbers show the challenges faced this season. He ranks 15th in the drivers’ standings with 501 points and has yet to secure a win. Over 23 races in 2025, he has recorded only two top-five finishes and seven top-10s, underscoring the team’s struggle to compete at the very front.
Kyle Busch Aims to Secure Playoff Position in Final Three Races
With the 2025 regular NASCAR Cup Series season winding down, Kyle Busch is determined to grab a win in the remaining three races to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Despite facing difficulties this year, he remains optimistic, citing his strong history at all the upcoming tracks.
First on the calendar is Watkins Glen, a favorite road course for Busch where he has celebrated two wins, achieved in 2008 and 2013 while racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. He will then race at Richmond Raceway, a venue where Busch holds six career victories. The final race of the regular season is at Daytona, where he has one career win but believes the current RCR Chevrolet car has strong potential.
During an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Busch remarked:
“I’ve won at all those places, so let’s go do it again.”
He added, “Watkins Glen is probably my favorite road course. Richmond is statistically one of my best racetracks. Daytona has been one of our best racetracks since I’ve been at RCR with Team Chevrolet,” he added.
If Busch manages to win any of these remaining races, it will mark his first trip back to Victory Lane since June 2023, when he won the Enjoy Illinois 300—his sole Cup Series victory with RCR so far. Last season was particularly difficult, as Busch missed the playoffs for the first time in 19 years due to a lack of wins and insufficient points accumulation.
Busch’s persistence and belief in his team’s capacity to improve reflect his resilience and determination to return to championship contention, making the final races critical for his 2025 campaign.
