Kyle Busch backup car Iowa crash surfaced as a central storyline at Iowa Speedway after Busch, representing Richard Childress Racing, suffered heavy damage to his primary car during Saturday’s practice for the Iowa Corn 350. The crash, which occurred as Busch pushed his No. 8 Chevrolet around the short track, now poses a considerable challenge for both driver and team as they work to prepare a backup vehicle ahead of Sunday’s main race.
Busch’s Practice Crash Leaves RCR Scrambling
While running a strong practice session and laying down the second-fastest lap time in his group, Busch encountered trouble as his car lost traction entering Turn 1. After snapping loose, his Chevrolet made hard contact with the SAFER Barrier, resulting in significant damage and forcing the team to return to the garage.
The crash left the car beyond immediate repair, requiring the team to pivot quickly to a backup car. For Richard Childress Racing, this sudden shift demands rapid coordination across their full-time NASCAR Cup Series crews. Both the No. 8 and No. 3 teams are expected to pitch in as they ready a replacement vehicle overnight for Sunday’s high-stakes event.
Busch’s Reaction and Reset for Sunday
In the aftermath of the wreck, Busch reflected on the unpredictable nature of the track conditions and the challenge of regaining confidence behind the wheel. He said,
“Felt really good about the changes that we made there, came out of Turn 4 really hot and heavy and hard on it, and went off into Turn 1 with too much trust, then overcorrected it and smacked the fence. Just not real sure how to find more trust or when you feel something good in one corner, it’s not there in the next.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver
Busch acknowledged the strain the situation places on his team, especially as they come together to build and prepare the backup car.
“Obviously, it’s tough for the guys, hate it for the guys. Everybody at RCR, especially the No. 8 crew. I’m sure we’ll rely on some of the No. 3 car guys to prepare the backup car overnight and get us into the race tomorrow,”
Busch stated.
“Obviously, we had decent speed, just trying to work on up to it and try to get consistently better and better with laps, so that’ll be about the same thing we have to do tomorrow.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver
Addressing his confidence post-crash, Busch remarked,
“I was probably built up to about 70 to 80 percent trust, now I’m down to zero. So, I’ll have to try to build that up lap by lap.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver
High Stakes for Busch Ahead of Iowa Corn 350
The timing of this setback is especially problematic for Kyle Busch, a Las Vegas native, as he is seeking a critical win to qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Without a victory since 2023, Busch faces Sunday’s 350-lap race with a significant disadvantage, starting from the back and racing with a car quickly prepared overnight. The demands on Richard Childress Racing and the heightened uncertainty add pressure as the team readies for the Iowa Corn 350.
The event is set to air on USA Network at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 3, where Busch’s effort to rebound from adversity and secure a playoff spot will be closely watched. The outcome of this weekend could hold major implications for Busch’s season and Richard Childress Racing’s campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series.
