Kyle Busch has provided insight into why Richard Childress Racing (RCR), once a frontrunner in NASCAR, has lost its competitive advantage. The two-time NASCAR Cup champion discussed his ongoing winless streak and highlighted the changes required for the team to regain its former success.
Busch’s last victory in the NASCAR Cup Series came in June 2023 at Gateway, marking his third win during the 2023 season early in his tenure with RCR. Since then, he has gone over 90 races without a win, the longest drought of his career and a sharp departure from his previous record of winning at least one race each season for 19 consecutive years.
Kyle Busch Explains RCR’s Decline in Competitive Edge
On January 31, during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Busch reflected on RCR’s initial early success. He explained that in those first races with the team, they had a thorough understanding of their car’s performance and knew exactly which adjustments would improve it.
“I feel like at that time with RCR, having the experience and the know how of developing this car, they were a little bit ahead of all of the rest of the teams of knowing what did what, knowing what changes did what. … Over time, we lost a little bit of that where other people have made their cars better,” Kyle Busch said.
Despite those early advantages, Busch pointed out that other teams have progressed, improving their vehicles, while RCR has struggled to maintain its earlier expertise in car development.
Recent Close Calls and Overall Performance Challenges
Busch has experienced several narrow defeats over the past two years. In 2025, he finished just fractions of a second behind the winner at Daytona, and a week later at Darlington, he was edged out by Chase Briscoe in a close finish while contesting for the lead late in the race.
Last year, Busch’s top results included three fifth-place finishes at the Circuit of The Americas, Chicago Road Course, and the season finale at Phoenix. Alongside ten top-10 finishes, these performances helped him finish 21st in the final points standings for the 2026 season, reflecting ongoing challenges for both Busch and RCR.
Kyle Busch to Compete in His 20th Cook Out Clash
Kyle Busch is set to appear in the 48th Cook Out Clash on Monday, February 2, marking his 20th participation in this event. He has previously won the Clash twice, in 2012 and 2021.
In the 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Busch finished 15th among a 23-car field, trailing the winner Chase Elliott by more than a lap. The event’s practice sessions, qualifying rounds, Last Chance Qualifier, and the main race were postponed to Monday due to snowfall on Saturday.
The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series regular season will begin with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025, offering Busch and RCR new opportunities to confront their performance issues.
Context on the NASCAR Season and Other Key Figures
While NASCAR continues facing unpredictable challenges such as weather-related postponements, key figures like Chase Elliott have been reflecting on their own growth despite uneven campaign results, and executives prioritize fan safety amid disruptions.
This period marks a critical phase for Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing as they seek to close the gap with competitors who have advanced their car technology and strategies. Overcoming this long winless streak will be essential for Busch to reestablish himself as a consistent winner in the series.
