Kyle Busch recognizes the significance of the 2025 season for both himself and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and is optimistic about the team’s progress. In a conversation with former NASCAR driver and current FOX Sports analyst Kevin Harvick, Busch shared his thoughts on RCR’s current state.
“We’re in a much better place than last year,” Busch said. “I want to give credit to everyone at RCR, ECR Engines, and the new personnel who joined us. They’ve all worked extremely hard during the offseason to improve our car builds, track setups, and race strategies. We’ve also made significant advancements in our software and simulation tools, which are helping us deliver better results on race day. These improved processes throughout the week are making a real difference at the track.”
Busch’s performance this season reflects that progress. Through five races in 2024, he has secured three top-10 finishes—a significant improvement compared to only one at the same point last year. During the recent Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Busch was close to claiming his first victory since the 2023 season. However, Christopher Bell overtook him in the final laps, earning his second consecutive win while Busch settled for a fifth-place finish.
Reflecting on the race, Busch acknowledged Bell’s skill and patience. “He was faster than me and did a great job waiting for me to make mistakes,” Busch said, according to NASCAR.com. “Once I made two mistakes in a row, that was it. I was making things tough on him, but he handled it well. At that point, he had fresher tires—I’m not sure if his car was better, but he was definitely a bit quicker.”
Now in his third season with RCR after spending 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) from 2008 to 2022, Busch faces heightened scrutiny following a challenging 2024 season. Questions about his future with the team grew louder after JGR driver Martin Truex Jr. announced his retirement. Despite the speculation, Busch remains focused on improving performance and delivering results for RCR.
