Kyle Busch is enduring another difficult season in the NASCAR Cup Series, as the 40-year-old driver from Las Vegas, Nevada, struggles to regain his former dominance. Despite being two years removed from his last race win and six years past his second Cup Series title, Busch’s performance has sharply declined, highlighted by only one top-10 finish since early July.
On Sunday night at the Bank of America Roval 400 in Charlotte, Busch was involved in a high-profile incident, crashing into the wall at the very first corner. This mishap added to a season filled with setbacks for Busch and forced fans to watch anxiously as the race unfolded. The broadcast underscored the moment with the comment,
“You’ve got to get through there safely, which everybody does…except Kyle Busch!”
Collision With Riley Herbst Sparks Retirement Debate
Later in the same race, Busch’s contact with Riley Herbst resulted in Herbst spinning and sparked renewed calls questioning Busch’s future in racing. Herbst’s team radio message bluntly stated,
“Maybe (Kyle Busch) should retire”
, reflecting increasing frustration within the sport. This criticism carries extra weight considering Busch was recently rumored to be replacing Herbst at 23XI Racing starting in 2026.
Busch finished the race in 34th place, just ahead of former rival Brad Keselowski. The outcome was yet another disappointing finish during a weekend expected to mark a turning point after Andy Street took over as Busch’s crew chief, replacing Randall Burnett at Richard Childress Racing.
Uncertainty Looms as Busch Looks Toward 2026
Despite the tough ending to the 2025 season, Busch’s camp remains hopeful for improvement with new leadership on his team. The struggles this year, however, amplify questions about his longevity in the sport. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the changes at Richard Childress Racing can help revive Busch’s competitiveness next season.
As one of NASCAR’s premier drivers, Busch’s challenges underscore the evolving dynamics within the Cup Series and the uncertainty facing veteran racers in a rapidly changing field. The Kyle Busch retirement debate now mixes performance concerns with the expectations of a new racing era set to begin soon.
