Kyle Busch is on a mission to break his 63-race winless streak, but Martinsville Speedway stands in his way. Since leaving Joe Gibbs Racing in 2022, Busch has struggled at the ‘Paperclip,’ but he’s determined to turn things around in the 2025 Cook Out 400. However, that’s easier said than done.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Busch is willing to take an unconventional approach to find success. While he has had a few promising performances this season, he’s eager to return to victory lane—even if it means taking risks. At this point, he has nothing to lose.
Martinsville Speedway, known as the ‘Half Mile of Mayhem,’ has been a Cup Series staple since 1949. However, NASCAR’s short-track package in the Next Gen era has made passing difficult, even on tracks known for close racing. Denny Hamlin, a five-time Martinsville winner, has been vocal about these issues, emphasizing how parity has created a level playing field that limits passing opportunities.
Busch has experienced these struggles firsthand, failing to finish in the top 10 in his last six races at Martinsville. Now, he’s prepared to shake things up. Speaking to Frontstretch’s Stephen Stumpf, Busch revealed, “The four times I’ve been here in an RCR car, we haven’t been very good at all. Let’s just try something entirely different. Completely out of left field.” He hinted that crew chief Richard Boswell, formerly with Stewart-Haas Racing, might bring valuable insights from last year’s SHR Ford setups.
Stewart-Haas Racing had some success at Martinsville in 2024, with Ryan Preece and Chase Briscoe securing top-10 finishes. Meanwhile, Busch finished 16th, and his RCR teammate Austin Dillon placed 34th. Dillon later finished seventh in the Xfinity 500, and Busch noted his teammate would likely stick to a similar setup. However, Busch is opting for a different approach after finishing 28th in that race.
With a 12th-place starting position, Busch knows he must be strategic to gain track position. A strong pit strategy could be the difference-maker, as passing on track is difficult. “Pit road is very important. Whether it’s a speeding penalty or a pit crew mistake, it can be costly,” Busch explained.
Busch is in a tough spot, with some questioning his future in the sport. But he isn’t ready to give up just yet. Can he break his winless streak at Martinsville, or will his struggles continue?
