Kyle Busch’s 2024 season has been one to forget. Despite being a two-time Cup Series champion, Busch has yet to win a race this year and currently finds himself 93 points adrift of the playoff cutoff. With only two races remaining in the regular season, his chances hinge on securing a victory at either Daytona or Darlington. As Busch strives to reverse his fortunes, he also faces a significant challenge beyond his current performance issues.
Busch’s debut season with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) last year saw him achieve notable success, including three wins. However, his performance has since declined, resulting in a 45-race winless streak. This current slump represents one of the most challenging periods in Busch’s racing career. A victory could not only revitalize his season but also help him extend a record previously held by the legendary Richard Petty.
In the 2024 season, Busch has struggled significantly. Despite securing three top-five finishes and seven top-ten finishes, his consistency has been lacking, and he has suffered five DNFs (Did Not Finish). These issues reflect broader problems at Richard Childress Racing, and Busch’s attempts to address these challenges, including increased simulator time and crew changes, have not yet yielded positive results. As a result, Busch is at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Busch shared his frustrations with Associated Press journalist Mark Long, expressing his disappointment. “It seems like the harder I work … the worse we are at the racetrack,” he said. Busch trails Bubba Wallace by 93 points and Ross Chastain by 94 points, making his playoff hopes precarious. The possibility of missing the playoffs after 12 consecutive years highlights a potential turning point in his career.
Busch currently holds the record for the most consecutive years with a win, a streak that began in 2005. This record, previously set by Richard Petty, has been a point of pride for Busch. Despite his current struggles, he could still extend this record if he wins during the playoffs, regardless of whether he qualifies for them.
Busch has also been dealing with a wrist injury from the Brickyard 400, but this has not deterred him from aiming to extend his record. “You try to keep it going as long as you can,” Busch said. “You want to set that year mark as high as you possibly can, just to try to not let anybody ever get there again. Look at how many years it stood for Richard Petty before I was able to get it.”
Nonetheless, making the playoffs is a higher priority for Busch than extending his consecutive yearly win streak. With this in mind, can Daytona offer a solution to his current problems?
Winning after a 45-race drought is no small feat. Busch acknowledges the need for significant changes at Richard Childress Racing. His car’s lack of speed and persistent issues both on and off the track have compounded his difficulties. However, a victory at Daytona could turn the season around for Busch.
Achieving this victory will not be easy. Busch has won at Daytona only once, in 2018. The competitive nature of the race and the need for a bit of luck make this a challenging task. Busch will need to contend with other drivers who are also fighting for a spot in the playoffs. A surprising move, similar to what Austin Dillon achieved in past races, might be necessary to secure a win.
NASCAR is unlikely to be lenient with drivers, and any mistakes could be costly. However, Busch remains hopeful. With competitors like Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Austin Cindric, Michael McDowell, Justin Haley, and Erik Jones already having secured victories, Busch sees no reason why he cannot also find success. In a recent interview with NBC Sports, Busch reflected on what it will take to win, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and smart racing. “We know we’re not doing the best right now, so we’re all trying to strive to get better and put ourselves in the spots that we all want to be in,” he said. “It’s not due to a lack of effort. I know that. There’s plenty of hard work going around. It’s just a matter of being a little bit better at it, being a little bit smarter at it, and trying to make the most of it.”
Busch also stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. “It’s just a matter of taking a strong mental approach to it and being able to have the mindset of a champion and to go out there and take the good days when you can get the good days and try to let go of the bad ones when they happen but learn from them and move forward.” This attitude could be crucial in helping Busch achieve a much-needed win at either Daytona or Darlington.
The NASCAR fanbase is eager to see Busch not only make it to the playoffs but also extend his remarkable streak of consecutive yearly victories. As he battles through a challenging season, Busch’s determination and skill will be tested. Whether he can overcome his current struggles and secure a win remains to be seen, but his pursuit of both playoff qualification and record extension continues to drive his efforts on the track.
“Despite Injury, Kyle Busch Breaks Richard Petty’s 47-Year-Old Record: ‘The Harder I Work, the Worse We Are'”
