As Richard Childress Racing prepares for the upcoming event at Kansas Speedway, the team is hopeful for a strong weekend, especially given Austin Dillon’s affinity for the 1.5-mile tri-oval track. However, Kyle Busch Kansas struggles threaten to overshadow the positive outlook for RCR as Busch continues to face challenges that have persisted into the 2025 NASCAR season.
Kansas Speedway has historically been a venue where Richard Childress Racing has performed well, earning notable wins and consistent top finishes. The team’s overall experience on this circuit makes it an important stop on the NASCAR calendar, which raises expectations for a competitive showing from the entire squad.
Within RCR, two contrasting narratives are unfolding. Austin Dillon, despite an inconsistent season, comes into Kansas with encouraging momentum thanks to his strong history at the track. With six top-10 finishes at Kansas—more than at any other 1.5-mile track—Dillon has demonstrated a particular skill on this dirt-smooth tri-oval, including a noteworthy victory earlier in the year.
In stark contrast, Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and one of the sport’s most successful drivers, has yet to reach victory lane in over two years. His 2025 season reflects ongoing struggles, with only eight top-10 finishes to date, marking the lowest top-10 count in his entire Cup Series career. Busch’s underwhelming performance this season poses a significant challenge for RCR’s overall goals at Kansas.
Examining Kyle Busch’s Ongoing Challenges Within Richard Childress Racing
In recent years, the partnership between Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing has yielded a relatively sparse record. Over the last two seasons, the team and driver have combined for just seven top-five finishes in the Cup Series, raising questions about the factors behind Busch’s diminished results.
Busch himself has addressed the issue candidly, acknowledging the challenges they face and emphasizing the team’s efforts to improve car performance. Speaking to Fronstretch, Busch outlined the complex nature of their difficulties and the ongoing search for solutions:
“I can only speculate, but I’m sure there were plenty of meetings this week. I’m not there every day and I was actually traveling every day this week, so I didn’t have a whole lot of time to be at the race shop with anybody. So, [Mike] Verlander and Richard [Childress], I’m sure, had plenty of meetings with our engineering team and guys in order to try to go over a plan of like, okay, what can we do? Where are we at? What’s next? What have we improved on? What else can we improve on?”
– Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
“And where can we fill some of these gaps that we seem to be having when we go to these racetracks. So, it’s not one thing. Plethora of issues, and it’s not just RCR issues either. So, got to figure it out.”
– Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
Busch’s comments reveal a multifaceted set of problems rather than a single cause for the team’s difficulties, highlighting the competitive complexity within NASCAR and the struggles RCR is currently trying to overcome.
Upcoming Crew Chief Change Adds Uncertainty to RCR’s Future
Adding to the tension surrounding Busch’s performance, Richard Childress Racing faces a significant change heading into the 2026 season. Randall Burnett, Busch’s current crew chief, will depart RCR to join Trackhouse Racing, where he will partner with young driver Connor Zilisch. This transition introduces additional uncertainty for Busch and the team as they aim to regain a winning rhythm.
The upcoming departure of a key team figure like Burnett signifies a potential shift in dynamics and strategy for Busch moving forward, making the Kansas weekend a crucial moment for RCR to assess its current competitiveness and set a course for improvement.
Why Busch’s Kansas Performance Matters for RCR’s Weekend Outlook
Kyle Busch’s track record and experience mean his struggles at Kansas could disproportionately affect Richard Childress Racing’s overall results. While Austin Dillon’s solid history at the track provides hope for a strong showing, Busch’s ongoing issues have the potential to limit the team’s success on race day.
Given Busch’s decorated career and status among the current Cup Series drivers, his inability to consistently challenge for wins places extra pressure on RCR to deliver through its other competitors like Dillon. The outcome at Kansas could also influence momentum and morale as the team approaches the final part of the NASCAR season.
As RCR and Busch work through these challenges, the Kansas weekend represents a pivotal opportunity for reflection and adjustment. The team’s efforts to optimize car performance and address multiple areas for improvement will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. What happens at Kansas could foreshadow Busch’s trajectory for the remainder of 2025 and set expectations for the changes coming in 2026.
