Kyle Busch RCR short track struggles have become a critical storyline as NASCAR’s 2024 season reaches a pivotal stage, with tension mounting inside Richard Childress Racing following a challenging stretch and questions swirling over playoff prospects. As crew chief Randall Burnett addresses the team‘s underlying issues, the organization is under increasing pressure to deliver results that match its pedigree.
Evaluating RCR’s Struggle to Compete on Short Tracks
Within the high-intensity climate of NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing finds itself at a crossroads, confronting obstacles that go beyond routine race-day setbacks. Kyle Busch, celebrated for his fierce competitiveness, now faces persistent hurdles that have shifted the spotlight to the team’s foundational strategies. As other squads adapt and innovate, RCR is in the midst of organizational introspection, with management, technical staff, and drivers forced to reevaluate every aspect of their operation.
The grind of the racing schedule, filled with alternating moments of hope and disappointment, has prompted key figures at RCR to acknowledge the need for structural reform. Under the leadership of Randall Burnett, Busch’s crew chief, scrutiny has intensified over the program’s ability to transition from progress to breakthrough. Burnett’s assessment comes at a time when RCR has recruited external technical experts, including John Claus Meyer and Boswell, tasked with reworking internal protocols and rejuvenating the culture of problem-solving within the team.
Emphasizing the process of change, Burnett has highlighted the fresh perspectives brought in by these outside voices as instrumental in challenging deeply rooted routines. However, the desired improvements, especially at short track circuits, remain difficult to attain.
“I feel like we’ve made some improvements on the short tracks. I still don’t think we’re anywhere near where we need to be at the short tracks on the 8 car.”
—Randall Burnett, Crew Chief
This honest reflection underscores the significance of short track performance, which is essential for foundational playoff points and overall momentum. While Austin Dillon’s No. 3 car has shown signs of life, the No. 8 team piloted by Busch continues to be hampered by qualifying setbacks, inconsistent pace during long stints, and difficulty transforming promising setups in practice into race-day speed.
“It was nice to bring in John Claus Meyer and Boswell, it’s been working at other teams, and just see the process and the day-to-day operations… how we can improve what we’re doing here at RCR. So, I think that has been a big help for us.”
—Randall Burnett, Crew Chief
Despite specific strides at places like Phoenix, these improvements have not led to uniform success across similar tracks. Burnett’s recognition of broader difficulties signals that issues in setup, communication, and adaptation are still not fully resolved.
“I feel like our short track program, still for the 8 car at least, is our weakest link of all the tracks we go to… So, still working on that program for sure.”
—Randall Burnett, Crew Chief
These admissions paint a clear picture: Busch and the No. 8 team remain solidly mid-grid in recent races, often unable to capitalize on favorable strategies or moments of opportunity. This exposes a gap with rival organizations, especially as NASCAR’s format gives limited time to fine-tune cars before race day, making every technical misstep feel particularly costly. The continued lack of wins for both Busch and Austin Dillon underscores a broader struggle at RCR, not limited to a single car or driver but affecting the whole team’s competitive stature.
Adaptation and Accountability in a Changing NASCAR Landscape
The resilience of the partnership between Busch and Burnett has been apparent even as frustrations mount. Throughout the turbulent run, Busch’s approach has been professional, his focus unwavering despite a dry spell in top-five and top-ten finishes. Both driver and crew chief have maintained trust in each other, finding ways to contend with adversity while holding themselves and their team to high standards.
Behind the scenes, Burnett is working to convert the influx of new technical knowledge into tangible improvements on race day. The infusion of experience from figures like Boswell and John Claus Meyer was intended to bring a results-oriented mindset, and the academic analysis of every facet of performance has started yielding incremental benefits. However, with high stakes and expectations, these steps have not yet delivered a sustained turnaround, especially in the fiercely competitive world of short track racing.
As the NASCAR field grows tougher and more technically advanced, RCR’s path forward demands more than just honest evaluation—it requires the immediate transformation of lessons learned into consistent speed and race-day excellence. Whether these ongoing efforts will pay off before the cutthroat playoff phase is an open question, but the urgency is clear.
Kyle Busch’s Transition to RCR and the Burden of Expectations
Kyle Busch’s move to Richard Childress Racing in 2023 was one of NASCAR’s landmark shifts, intensifying attention on both driver and organization. Departing Joe Gibbs Racing, where he became a two-time champion over fifteen years, Busch entered RCR with the weight of an impressive track record and high hopes for revitalizing the team’s historic success. His own sense of pride and connection to the new team came across soon after joining.
“It’s an honor to race for Richard Childress, our partners, and team Chevy fans,”
said Busch.
“I feel like my family and I have found a home at RCR, and it means a lot that Richard continues to put his trust into me. My chapter at RCR is not yet complete, and I know we are building something special here. I remain focused on adding more wins and a championship to our collective resumes, and I want to thank Richard for the steps he is taking to help put all of the necessary pieces into place to give us a legitimate shot at a championship.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver
The first year delivered immediate rewards, with Busch securing three wins and setting a new Cup Series record by prolonging his streak of consecutive seasons with at least one victory. But that momentum has not lasted. Moving into his second full campaign with RCR, Busch is enduring the lengthiest winless drought of his Cup career, a streak untouched since the 2023 season. Flashes of performance, such as top-five results on the Chicago Street Course and at COTA in 2025, have not been enough to mask the challenges, particularly when it comes to short tracks. For a driver accustomed to regular victory lane appearances, this stretch is a stark departure from expectations.
This lack of consistency has hinted at deeper operational issues within RCR. The organization, once synonymous with championship pursuits, is engaged in its own search for a return to NASCAR’s upper echelon. Pressure has mounted from within and outside the team as each race brings further scrutiny, and the looming playoffs sharpen the focus on every flaw.
The Road Ahead: Stakes Intensify for Busch and RCR
With the playoff chase intensifying, all eyes are on whether Busch and the No. 8 crew can harness their collective experience and newfound technical expertise to reverse their fortunes where it matters most. As the organization’s championship legacy and Rowdy’s drive continue to define their aim, upcoming races, especially those on short tracks, represent more than just another set of challenges—they are litmus tests for the progress made during a season filled with soul-searching and adaptation.
If improvements translate from the workshop to the track in time, RCR and Busch could yet script a memorable turnaround. Otherwise, lingering weaknesses on short tracks may threaten their postseason ambitions and force the team into a prolonged period of recalibration. For now, the intensity and pressure inside the RCR camp remain, the winless run a constant reminder that renewed glory in NASCAR requires not just effort but results when it counts most.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. Pressing escape will shut down the window. In Concord, North Carolina, Kyle Busch revealed he will stay with Richard Childress Racing. He’ll drive the No. 8 Chevrolet until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, as announced Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Where is Kyle Busch going in 2026?
A. CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season ends. He shared this news with RCR on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Will Kyle Busch retire?
A. Kyle Busch has decided to continue racing by signing a new contract with Richard Childress Racing, keeping him with the team until 2026. He’s not considering retirement yet.
