Kyle Busch’s struggles at Richard Childress Racing in 2025 have become a focal point as the NASCAR Cup Series enters its final dozen regular-season races. Busch, a two-time series champion, sits just above the playoff cutline, and the pressure is mounting as emotional and performance challenges converge ahead of Sunday’s race in Michigan.
Longtime NASCAR observer Jeff Burton, who raced for RCR for nearly a decade, recently emphasized Busch’s situation on the “NASCAR: Inside The Race” program. Burton signaled that all eyes should be on Busch, highlighting the significance of the moment both for the driver and the team.
The Road from Joe Gibbs Racing to RCR
Busch’s journey took a pivotal turn after Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) chose not to renew his contract following the 2022 season, instead filling his seat with Ty Gibbs, team owner Joe Gibbs’ grandson. While Busch experienced victory early during his inaugural year with RCR, capturing three race wins, his performance tailed off as he was eliminated in the first playoff round and settled for a 14th-place finish in the standings for 2023.
Troubles continued into the 2025 season. Busch has yet to earn a Cup win this year, a first in his full-time career, and missed the playoffs for only the second time since he was a rookie in 2005. His season currently mirrors that challenging debut campaign, sitting in 20th position with just one top-five and four top-10 finishes so far.
On-Track Struggles and Mounting Pressure
Former crew chief Steve Letarte highlighted the unique patience Busch has shown during these tumultuous times, stating that public composure has prevailed even as mechanical woes and lackluster practice results take their toll. Letarte noted that with Busch perched barely above the playoff threshold, the situation remains precarious for both the driver and Richard Childress Racing as each result carries amplified significance.
Burton offered insight into why Busch’s journey at RCR deserves attention:
“No. 1, he just had a contract extension [through the 2026 season]. No. 2, we’ve talked about Denny Hamlin and his speed that he still has at this time in his career, and that’s confidence-building. I’ve been there, I’ve done this, so I can put myself in Kyle Busch’s shoes,”
—Jeff Burton, Cup Series veteran
“He hasn’t exhibited that speed… but the truth of the matter is he hasn’t had the success over the last three or four years that we’re accustomed to seeing from Kyle Busch,”
—Jeff Burton, Cup Series veteran
Efforts Amidst Adversity
Busch’s performance slide since leaving JGR has led many to analyze both his and RCR’s current state. The winless streak has now stretched to 71 starts, underscoring just how striking the drought has become for a driver previously synonymous with winning.
Despite these challenges, Burton maintains that Busch is still working to elevate RCR to compete against powerhouses like Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and Hendrick Motorsports:
“Kyle Busch is trying to take RCR to the fight to Joe Gibbs Racing, take the fight to Penske, take the fight to Hendrick and it’s hard, it’s difficult and he’s doing it in a way that instead of fighting for a championship, at the moment he’s fighting to see if he can contend for a championship,”
—Jeff Burton, Cup Series veteran
Burton also remarked,
“That’s draining emotionally, that’s difficult. This is a brutal sport: this sport, you love it and at the same time it’ll rip your heart out,”
—Jeff Burton, Cup Series veteran
The Emotional Toll and Playoff Stakes
Even as the numbers look grim, the path to redemption remains straightforward: Busch needs just one win over the closing dozen races to secure a playoff berth. The tension of that single opportunity amplifies emotional strain for everyone involved.
“We’re watching Kyle Busch try to take RCR [and] try to take himself back to where they both have been and with the pressure of just making the playoffs,”
—Jeff Burton, Cup Series veteran
Burton described the compelling nature of this battle, saying,
“I love it as a fan, and I hate it as a competitor because I know how difficult it is. I know how emotionally draining it can be, but that’s what sports are, and so Kyle Busch, to me, and that story of RCR, that’s going to be compelling through these summer months,”
—Jeff Burton, Cup Series veteran
What a Victory Could Mean in 2025
Should Busch claim a win—possibly this weekend at Michigan—the intense pressure would ease, allowing both driver and team to refocus on playoff preparation. The scenario emphasizes not just the competitive demands on Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing, but also the emotional resilience that will define their 2025 campaign.
As the Cup Series heads into a critical stretch, the outcome of Kyle Busch’s struggles at Richard Childress Racing in 2025 will serve as a potent example of the unpredictable, emotionally charged nature of top-level NASCAR competition. All eyes remain fixed on what unfolds for Busch, RCR, and their playoff ambitions in the coming weeks.
