Richard Childress expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team following their 11th-place finish at Dover Motor Speedway last Sunday. Childress communicated over the radio, stating bluntly,
“Gotta get some race cars. We are in trouble. Period.”
Kyle Busch Reflects on Challenges Faced by Richard Childress Racing
One week after Childress’ remarks, Busch addressed the media prior to Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, acknowledging the ongoing difficulties for Richard Childress Racing. Although Busch was traveling and not present at the race shop much that week, he expressed confidence that several important discussions occurred among the team’s leadership. Busch described the situation as involving a plethora of issues impacting the team’s competitiveness.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Busch said,
“I can only speculate, but I’m sure there were plenty of meetings this week,”
He added that RCR president Mike Verlander and Childress likely met with the engineering staff to review current challenges, improvements, and possible solutions.
“It’s not one thing. There is a plethora of issues, and it’s not just RCR issues either. We gotta figure it out, though.”
Addressing Multiple Factors Behind Team Struggles
When asked whether the difficulties stemmed from Chevrolet or Next Gen car factors, Busch responded simply, “D, all of the above.” The team’s struggles have spanned various areas, contributing to inconsistent performance. Historically, Busch’s time with Richard Childress Racing has been marked by uneven speed and occasional in-race errors.
Kyle Busch’s Recent Performance and Playoff Prospects
A two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Busch claimed three victories within his first fifteen races at RCR. However, since his win at Gateway in June 2023, he has not returned to Victory Lane, marking the longest drought of his Hall of Fame career. He also missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2012, and with just five races remaining in the 2025 regular season, Busch is currently 39 points behind the cutoff for postseason qualification.
At the upcoming Brickyard 400, Busch will start from 12th position. This race holds significance, as he has won there twice previously. Securing a win at Indianapolis may be crucial for his chances to reach the playoffs this year.
The Path Forward for Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing
With multiple issues affecting the team, the coming weeks will be critical for Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing to improve performance and contend for a playoff spot. Leadership meetings and engineering efforts point to a focus on identifying and addressing weaknesses. As Busch competes at the Brickyard 400, both the driver and team will look for turnaround momentum to end their winless stretch and regain competitiveness.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch has confirmed he will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series ends. This announcement was made on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Why did Kyle Busch restart 4th?
A. He didn’t collide with Ross Chastain or Kyle Larson and only lightly touched the wall. Therefore, we decided he wasn’t part of the incident. This is why he could restart from his original position.
