Kyle Busch’s performance this season with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has been below average, especially when compared to his previous successes.
Kyle Busch was once a formidable force at this track, but this year he has only achieved five top 10s and two top 5 finishes.
NASCAR veteran Kyle Petty recently criticized Busch’s performance, comparing it to the situation of Kyle Larson, who had drastically different results due to a team change.
Petty argued that the difference in organizational support has transformed Busch from a front-runner to a mid-major contender.
This raises a pressing question: is it time for Busch to once again consider a team change in an attempt to revive his career?
The Role of organizations in shaping drivers
Kyle Petty was blunt in his assessment of Kyle Busch’s current struggles: “Kyle Busch. Where is Kyle Busch? I don’t know.
He started very strong last season, so I thought he was pretty good.” “When you go from Gibbs to Childress, the organization becomes a winner and then disappears,” Petty explained on NASCAR’s YouTube channel.
He noted that Busch’s move from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) was far from smooth and stands in stark contrast to Kyle Larson’s career trajectory.
Petty likens it to Kyle Larson’s development after moving to Hendrick Motorsports. “The organization made Kyle Larson a better winner,” Petty noted.
“The organization turned Kyle Busch from a competitive, winning driver into a guy who only raced eighth, ninth and 10th.” Larson, who had moderate success with Chip Ganassi Racing, found his rhythm at Hendrick Motorsports, winning 20 races since 2021.
In contrast, Busch’s performance at RCR has been a shadow of its former self.
Busch and Larson’s contrasting fortunes highlight the important role that team dynamics and support play in a driver’s success.
Petty concludes that “Kyle Busch made his own fortune at RCR Racing,” suggesting that Busch’s current problems are not just a matter of personal performance but also reflect his organizational decisions. Is it time for Busch to rethink the direction of the team to return to winning ways?
Can a switch in the team save Kyle?
Kyle Busch’s career with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) was one of success, with numerous wins and two NASCAR Cup Series titles.
However, his move to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) for 2022 was not as successful.
While Busch was a consistent leader with JGR, he was unable to enjoy the same success with RCR, raising questions about his future with the team.
In an interview with FrontStretch, Busch said he would consider returning to a top team like JGR or Hendrick Motorsports if the opportunity arose.
He said: If I’m welcomed (at JGR), I’ll definitely come back. If Hendrick welcomes me, I’ll go again.
Nevertheless, Busch remains loyal to RCR for now, explaining: “So we’re trying to build this program and make RCR great again.” His current contract with RCR runs until the end of next season, and with Martin Truex Jr. retiring, there’s speculation that Chase Briscoe might fill the vacancy at JGR. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t the end of Rowdy’s story.
Busch has other options at hand that are feasible for him.
Teams like 23XI and Wood Brothers Racing could make good use of his expertise and reap big rewards. However, rumors suggest Wood Brothers Racing is more likely to choose Justin Haley.
However, Busch needs to focus on the issues that have plagued him at RCR, especially the pit crew issues.
He can’t just ignore incidents like the Daytona 500, where the pit crew made mistakes like loosening lug nuts.
How do you think the rest of the season will go for Rowdy?
