Kyle Busch recently experienced a significant Kyle Busch crew chief change when Randall Burnett, his crew chief since 2023 at Richard Childress Racing (RCR), announced his departure to join Trackhouse Racing for the 2026 season. Burnett will move to support rookie Connor Zilisch during his first full-time Cup Series campaign. In the meantime, Andy Street has stepped in as Busch’s crew chief for the remainder of the current season.
Despite the sudden shift, Busch expressed confidence in RCR’s leadership, emphasizing his reliance on team owner Richard Childress and team president Mike Verlander to guide the organization through this transition.
Kyle Busch’s Perspective on the Crew Chief Transition
Busch highlighted the importance of trusting the decision-makers within the organization while acknowledging that the race team belongs to them and not solely to him. He said,
“There’s got to be a greater plan with Richard (Childress) and (Mike) Verlander, so relying on those guys to make some good, educated decisions and calls and things of what they want to do and how they want to see the structure. You know, it’s their race team, not mine, but I want to obviously be a part of a winning team, and we are working towards that.” — Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
This sentiment reflects Busch’s desire to contribute to a winning environment, even as he navigates the recent changes in his crew chief staff and aims to return to the winner’s circle after a challenging period.
Outside Opinions on the Crew Chief Change and Busch’s Performance
Denny Hamlin, Busch’s former teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, weighed in on the necessity of this change. Hamlin believes both Busch and his team required a fresh start to improve results.
“I think he needed a change. I think all parties need a change. Certainly, Kyle’s going through it right now. The performance is not there. I am a believer that Kyle Busch still has the ability to go win races.” — Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Busch’s performance struggles are evident, as he has been winless since June 4, 2023, and failed to qualify for this year’s playoffs. After 31 races, he stands 21st in the driver standings with 631 points, having recorded two top-five finishes and eight top-10s so far this season. Despite these difficulties, Busch remains under contract with Richard Childress Racing through 2026, ensuring he will continue behind the wheel of the No. 8 car for the foreseeable future.
Expert Predictions About Busch’s Winless Streak and Future
On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour Podcast, NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass discussed Busch’s ongoing winless streak and his potential to emerge victorious again, though not necessarily with RCR. Pockrass also mentioned Spire Motorsports as a possible option should Busch seek a new team.
“I think Kyle Busch wins again. I just don’t know whether it’s at RCR or not. And look, I think Spire would like to have him and see what they can do with him. He can’t be happy, and if they continue to run the way they’ve been running, he’ll want to leave.” — Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Insider
Busch has managed only two top-10 finishes since his P10 result at Sonoma earlier this year, including an eighth-place finish at Darlington Raceway. His next opportunity comes at the Bank of America ROVAL 400, a 109-lap race scheduled for Sunday, October 5, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This event will be broadcast on USA Network starting at 3 pm ET, with live radio coverage available via PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Implications for Busch and Richard Childress Racing’s Future
The Kyle Busch crew chief change reflects a critical moment for both the driver and his team, as they seek to break through a challenging streak. While the move aims to inject new energy and strategy into Busch’s campaign, the questions about long-term success and cohesion at RCR remain. Trusting the leadership of Richard Childress and Mike Verlander will be essential as they steer the course forward. Busch’s ability to regain winning form will likely influence his career trajectory and team decisions in the coming seasons.
Today @CLTMotorSpdwy I asked @KyleBusch with a one year contract now what might @RCRracing do to support him with a crew chief that works for him in 2026… pic.twitter.com/xlWEVKznGe
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) October 4, 2025
After a disappointing season for Kyle Busch, @KevinHarvick and @bobpockrass discuss what his future might look like. pic.twitter.com/88rSVkn0Gv
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) October 3, 2025
