The Richard Childress and Kyle Busch partnership has experienced a dramatic arc from past conflict to renewed collaboration, most recently celebrating their third NASCAR Cup Series win together at World Wide Technology Raceway in June 2023. Once adversaries after an infamous 2011 altercation, Childress and Busch have managed to move beyond old disputes, now positioning themselves as strong contenders within NASCAR’s elite ranks.
History of Tension and a Surprising Reconciliation
More than a decade before joining forces, Richard Childress and Kyle Busch clashed following a Truck Series event at Kansas Speedway in 2011. The heated encounter began after Busch and RCR’s then-rookie Joey Coulter competed aggressively for fifth place. According to reports from the time, Childress confronted Busch in the garage, passed his watch to grandson Austin Dillon, and punched Busch, who ducked to shield himself. The incident resulted in a $150,000 fine for Childress, though he was spared suspension. Busch, for his part, chose not to pursue legal action against Childress following the altercation.
Their professional relationship shifted after Busch concluded a 15-year tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing and signed with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2023. Discussions ahead of that season served as the first steps toward reconciliation. Following another No. 8 team victory in Madison, Childress addressed how both he and Busch had matured, emphasizing that their previous clash was firmly in the past.
“Yeah, we put that totally behind us. We talked about it. That was one of the first things we talked about. That’s history. We’ve both grown a lot. I know I’ve grown up. I’ve grown older, but I’ve grown up, too. There’s an old song out there, ‘I’m still growing up but I’m getting older,’”
—Richard Childress, Team Owner
Richard Childress’s Winning Legacy and Ambitions for the Future
Richard Childress began his motorsports career in 1969, eventually founding RCR and steering the organization to the top of the sport. Childress’s notable alliance with Dale Earnhardt produced six NASCAR Cup Series championships and 67 wins between 1986 and 1994. Over time, RCR expanded operations to compete—and win—in all three major NASCAR series: Cup, Xfinity, and Truck. The organization has amassed over 250 victories across these divisions, and Childress remains determined to build upon this record with Busch as part of the team.
After joining RCR, Busch delivered victories at Fontana, Talladega, and Gateway, indicating the duo’s new potential. The team owner has shared his optimism and satisfaction with Busch’s performance and work ethic since the start of their collaboration.
“He’s such a pleasure to work with. … I want to keep Kyle here, and hopefully we can end his career when he gets ready to,”
—Richard Childress, Team Owner
“You know, we won a lot with Harvick, won a lot with Earnhardt. Our plan is to win a lot with Kyle and not only be a contender for that championship. If we make the final four, we’ll have a shot at winning it for sure,”
—Richard Childress, Team Owner
Kyle Busch’s Recent Performance and the Road Ahead
Busch’s first season with RCR saw him claim three race wins. However, since that initial surge, his performance has slowed, with only one top-five finish in the first 16 races of the 2025 season and an ongoing 74-race winless stretch. Despite this recent drought, Busch remains under contract with RCR for at least another year, and both parties are optimistic about future success.
This evolving partnership between Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once defined by a public feud, now stands as an example of how professional growth and mutual respect can transform rivals into allies. As NASCAR continues to evolve, many eyes remain on the pair to see whether their collaboration will yield more victories and potentially a championship, echoing Childress’s storied past with legends like Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick.
