Kyle Busch has weighed in on the recent debate regarding Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s temporary role as crew chief, voicing strong criticism of NASCAR’s current suspension system. During a pre-race interview at Pocono Raceway, Busch shared his perspective, highlighting the effectiveness of modern communication technology and questioning the purpose behind suspending crew chiefs, firmly inserting himself into the center of the Kyle Busch on Dale Earnhardt Jr. crew chief controversy.
Busch emphasized that his remarks were not a personal attack on Dale Earnhardt Jr., but rather a critique of the system itself. The 40-year-old explained that despite being suspended, crew chiefs still manage to communicate effectively with their teams, which makes the enforcement seem pointless. He suggested that having Dale Earnhardt Jr. fill in on the #88 JR Motorsports pit box ultimately feels more like a publicity move than a genuine necessity, referencing the advanced technology now present in NASCAR.
“This has nothing to do with any animosity towards Dale Jr. I’m referencing how silly the suspensions for cc (crew chief) are these days with all the technology they have to stay in contact with their teams. I’d say the same thing if JG (likely Jeff Gordon) went on an HMS (Hendrick Motorsports) box as a cc.”
— Kyle Busch, Driver
The relationship between Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been complicated over the years, particularly since the late 2000s. At that time, Dale Earnhardt Jr. replaced Busch at Hendrick Motorsports, prompting Busch to continue his career with Joe Gibbs Racing. Those events led to notable on-track clashes, though both drivers are reportedly on good terms today.
Busch, now in his 21st full-time NASCAR Cup Series season as the RCR driver, remains a mainstay of the sport, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved on to focus on team ownership after his 2017 retirement. He is now a co-owner of JR Motorsports, sharing leadership with Rick Hendrick and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt-Miller.
Kyle Busch’s Recent Challenges on the Track
While his comments about crew chief suspensions drew the spotlight this weekend, Kyle Busch’s recent performance in Mexico City also made headlines. Competing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Busch suffered a disappointing early exit after a multi-car crash just eight laps into NASCAR’s inaugural event at the circuit. The incident not only derailed his own race, but also involved other drivers including Kyle Larson, who had ventured off-track with him.
After he exited his Chevrolet at the track, Busch addressed the mistake candidly:
“I went to the brakes and just ice. Maybe it was a little bit too heavy of a brake spike. Just turned around backwards and spun out backwards. Hate it for all the guys that got involved because it was, obviously, purely my fault. I don’t know what I could have done differently.”
— Kyle Busch, Driver
He also provided further details on his actions leading up to the accident:
“I broke at the 10 marker. It’s not like I was trying to break at the six. I was in trouble for a good second or two, and then I was like, ‘I am going to nail some people so I better turn around backwards, and at least try to soften the blow.”
— Kyle Busch, Driver
This incident deepened Busch’s recent struggles, especially following his failure to reach the NASCAR postseason last year. The DNF in Mexico City pushed him outside the top 16 in the standings, jeopardizing his chances to return to the playoffs. As he prepares for the upcoming Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway, the sense of urgency has grown for the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
NASCAR Calendar and the Road Ahead
Fans can watch the 160-lap race at the Tricky Triangle live on Amazon Prime, with the event scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET this Sunday. The stakes are high for Busch as the Pocono race marks the last opportunity to secure crucial points before the In-Season Challenge begins at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway.
As Kyle Busch continues to address both competitive and regulatory hurdles in his career, his outspoken criticism of the crew chief suspension process and his recent mistakes on the track keep him at the forefront of NASCAR discussions. With figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, Rick Hendrick, and Kyle Larson remaining central in the narrative, the outcome of the next few races could shape not only Busch’s season but also ongoing debates about the role of technology and discipline in modern racing.
