Kyle Busch’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, already on track to be the most difficult of his career, deteriorated further during the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. A collision with Carson Hocevar at turn one on the first lap slammed Busch’s No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet into the wall, causing substantial damage and forcing him several laps behind the field.
Despite the early crash, Busch managed to continue the race, though his chances for a strong finish vanished as he worked to overcome both the damage and lost position.
2025 Season Marks Steep Decline for Busch
Unless something remarkable occurs in the final four races of the season, Busch is set to finish 2025 with just eight top-10 results in 36 starts, marking a career-low in that category. For comparison, last year’s campaign ended with 10 top-10 finishes across 36 events. Beyond his limited high placements, Busch is on pace to record one of his poorest average finishes in Cup Series history. Prior to Sunday’s race, his average finish stood at 18.3, matching his 2024 mark but likely to worsen sharply after the latest setback. Only his rookie season in 2005, with an average finish of 21st, compares unfavorably.
This season’s difficulties have weighed heavily on Busch and the No. 8 team, with many observers considering 2025 as one of the least successful periods in what has been a Hall of Fame worthy career so far.
Broadcast Highlights the Dramatic Opening Moments
The chaotic start at the Roval was captured live on the USA Network broadcast, with commentator Steven Taranto noting,
“You’ve got to get through there safely, which everybody does…except Kyle Busch!”
The remark was shared widely as an example of unintentional humor amid Busch’s tough year. Taranto tweeted,
“Cup race at the Roval begins with Kyle Busch in the wall in the opening corner. Unintentional comedy by the USA broadcast. A comic outcome, already, in what has been the worst year of Busch’s…”
Steven Taranto, NASCAR commentator.
Busch’s Challenges in Context and What Lies Ahead
Kyle Busch’s difficulties this year contrast starkly with the successes of other NASCAR Hall of Famers like Mark Martin, also hailing from Busch’s region. As the 2025 season nears its conclusion, the pressure mounts on Busch and his Richard Childress Racing team to change course and salvage what remains of their campaign.
With four races left on the schedule, Busch and his crew face an uphill battle to reverse the downward trend, restore confidence, and improve results before the season ends.
Cup race at the Roval begins with Kyle Busch in the wall in the opening corner.
"You've got to get through there safely, which everybody does…except Kyle Busch!"
Unintentional comedy by the USA broadcast. A comic outcome, already, in what has been the worst year of Busch's… pic.twitter.com/IeYsc8dnNm
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 5, 2025
