Something unexpected happened after the latest NASCAR Cup Series race. Richard Childress, the longtime leader of Richard Childress Racing, spoke out on the radio with a message that raised eyebrows. His words were short, but they made a strong point. The team is facing a real problem, and time is running out. With Kyle Busch still outside the playoff line and the season moving fast, questions are growing. What did Richard Childress say—and why does it matter now?
Key Highlights
Richard Childress said on the No. 8 team radio: “We are in trouble, we have got to get some race cars, period.”
Fans responded with a mix of support and criticism, calling out RCR’s recent struggles.
Kyle Busch is 39 points below the playoff cut line with five races left.
Childress emphasized his continued belief in Busch and plans for future improvements.
RCR is ramping up engineering efforts to compete in a more technical Cup Series environment.
Richard Childress Lets Loose
Richard Childress’ post-race comment was brief, but it hit hard: “We are in trouble, we have got to get some race cars, period.” Delivered on team radio following another underwhelming performance by the No. 8 car, the statement reflected a deeper frustration that’s been brewing within RCR.
Childress is known for being direct, but this was more than venting. It was a public admission that the team’s cars simply aren’t competitive enough right now. The timing couldn’t be more crucial, as Kyle Busch sits on the outside looking in with the playoffs approaching.
From Kyle Busch's radio: Richard Childress was frustrated on the cooldown lap after Busch had to fight through traffic just to get an 11th place finish. Not happy with what RCR's bringing to the track.
"Gotta get some race cars. We are in trouble. Period." pic.twitter.com/g5w1uKS87r
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) July 21, 2025
The words struck a chord because they weren’t calculated—they were real. And that honesty lit a fire across the fanbase.
NASCAR Fan Reactions: Frustration Meets Reality Check
NASCAR fans quickly responded to the outburst, with reactions ranging from sarcastic jabs to serious concern about the direction of Richard Childress Racing.
“Hell nice to see he finally sees it,”
one user posted in response to the radio clip, highlighting the sentiment that RCR’s performance issues have been obvious for a while.
Some fans took a humorous tone, suggesting fixes like,
“1 new exec = at least 8 hp,”
a nod to the organizational reshuffling that helped turn things around at Legacy Motor Club.
Others weren’t joking, pointing to the fact that aside from peaks during the Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt eras, RCR has mostly failed to match elite teams in sustained performance.
The fanbase seems split: some appreciate Childress owning up to the problem, while others are asking why it’s taken so long to acknowledge what’s been plain to see on the track.
Richard Childress and Kyle Busch: Still Aligned—For Now
Despite the frustration, Richard Childress has made it clear that he still believes in Kyle Busch. “He and I are both alike in one area that we don’t like to lose; we want to win races,” Childress said in a recent interview. “I still think that Kyle will win him a championship, and we want it to happen at RCR. That’s our plans.”
Busch, who joined RCR in 2023 and signed an extension this year, returned the praise, saying, “I give a lot of credit to Richard and him believing in me and giving me the opportunity.” But he also noted that their early speed advantage may have been diminished due to rule changes. “There were definitely some things that came down that they didn’t like us doing,” Busch admitted, hinting at a shift in technical dynamics since his arrival.
Even as the playoff window narrows, there’s no apparent rift between driver and owner—just a shared urgency to perform.
RCR’s Engineering Evolution: A Turning Point?
Childress pointed to the increasing complexity of the modern Cup Series car as a factor in the team’s struggles. “This car is a lot different. It’s so engineer-driven that we’re stepping our engineering up more, and I’m excited about the future,” he said.
That future will need to arrive quickly if RCR wants to stay relevant in 2025. With Busch 39 points out of the playoff grid and just five races remaining in the regular season, there’s no time left for incremental changes. The team needs speed—and it needs it now.
Whether engineering upgrades can deliver that boost in time remains to be seen, but the leadership has acknowledged the issue, and for many fans, that’s the first necessary step.
News in Brief: Richard Childress’ Radio Outburst Draws Strong Fan Reactions
Richard Childress’ radio comment about the No. 8 team—“We are in trouble, we have got to get some race cars, period”—sparked fan discussion and renewed scrutiny of RCR’s competitiveness. Childress later reiterated his belief in Kyle Busch’s ability to win a title but acknowledged that the current car demands stronger engineering. Busch, currently 39 points out of the playoff picture, has five races to either win or gain enough points to qualify. Fans continue to question RCR’s trajectory, though both Childress and Busch remain committed to turning things around.
