Kyle Busch’s future with Richard Childress Racing in NASCAR is coming into sharper focus as speculation grows about his plans beyond his current contract, which is set to expire after the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Recent comments from team leadership and insider discussions indicate that Busch is likely to remain with RCR through at least 2026, and possibly further into the future.
Insights From Team Leadership Point to Extended Tenure
Kyle Busch joined Richard Childress Racing in 2023 and has quickly become a core part of their NASCAR Cup Series team. While his existing contract concludes after the 2025 season, industry observers have questioned whether he might test the free-agent market or stick with RCR. This topic became a focal point on the latest episode of the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast, where Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic discussed the matter in detail after speaking with RCR team president Mike Verlander.
During the podcast, Bianchi relayed insights from Verlander that strongly suggest an ongoing partnership between Busch and Richard Childress Racing:
“I talked to the team president, Mike Verlander, I asked him about Kyle Busch. Is Kyle Busch likely to return in 2026? Mike told me, ‘I don’t see Kyle racing anywhere else.’ So, reading between the lines, it seems like Kyle is going to be returning there and RCR is at least, at a minimum, going to pick up his option. I actually think that Kyle’s future with RCR is probably going to go beyond just another year and apst 2026.”
—Jordan Bianchi on Kyle Busch’s future with Richard Childress Racing
Evaluating Free Agency Alternatives and Recent Performance
The current landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series suggests that Busch may not have many superior alternatives if he were to become a free agent soon. While there could potentially be an opening at Spire Motorsports, experts agree that a move there would not represent a clear step forward for Busch, given his stature as one of NASCAR’s top drivers.
Looking at the 2025 season so far, Busch’s stats show that he remains competitive, securing 244 points, with four top-10 finishes, one top-5, and leading 62 laps over twelve races. However, he has not captured a NASCAR Cup Series win since his victory at the Enjoy Illinois 300 during the 2023 campaign and missed the playoffs last year. Despite this, the No. 8 car has demonstrated solid speed, allowing Busch to remain in contention, currently ranked 13th in laps led and 15th in average finishing position with an 18.1 average.
Competition and Contract Situations Limit Move Options
Other prominent teams, including 23XI Racing, Hendricks Motorsports, and Joe Gibbs Racing, are not expected to offer realistic opportunities for Busch in the immediate future. 23XI Racing plans to keep rookie Riley Herbst, while most drivers at Hendricks and Joe Gibbs Racing are under contract or in line for renewals, reducing the likelihood of a major seat opening. Given these realities, RCR stands out as the best fit for Busch to continue his career in the coming years.
Furthermore, all indications are that retirement is not part of Busch’s current considerations, making an extension with Richard Childress Racing a logical and highly probable outcome at this stage.
The Road Ahead for Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing
With the Cup Series season progressing and Busch’s contract situation gaining industry attention, continued collaboration between Busch and Richard Childress Racing appears likely. The combination’s performance, team stability, and the absence of more advantageous free-agent opportunities create a strong case for an extended partnership. As further details emerge, the developments around Kyle Busch’s future with Richard Childress Racing in NASCAR are set to remain closely watched across the motorsports world.
