Kyle Busch crashes in Iowa practice during the opening session for the NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa Speedway, as ongoing handling difficulties plague his team. The incident unfolded just as the session was getting underway, highlighting the persistent performance issues faced by the No. 8 car and Richard Childress Racing in the 2025 season.
The afternoon took a dramatic turn when Busch, ranked third on the practice timing sheet, lost control heading into turn one after adjustments aimed at improving the car’s rear stability. Despite his speed, these changes proved troublesome, causing him to over-correct and collide forcefully with the outside wall, leaving the RCR crew with a significant setback just ahead of the race.
Richard Childress and the Quest for Speed at RCR
As the NASCAR Cup Series continues at Iowa Speedway, the ongoing search for more pace at Richard Childress Racing—commonly referred to as RCR—has become a focal point. Several weeks prior, team owner Richard Childress expressed frustration over team radio, underscoring his dissatisfaction with the lack of improvement. The situation reached a boiling point as handling issues persisted, leading directly to Busch’s crash during this critical practice session.
Kyle Busch Explains His Perspective After the Crash
Reflecting on the incident, Busch offered insight into the car’s unstable behavior and his experience during the crash.
“We came in to make changes to get the rear of the car more secure,”
—Kyle Busch, Driver, as reported by TNT Sports. He continued,
“Literally anywhere I would push just a little bit harder, I would feel rear chatter. I felt really good about the changes that we made there.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver.
He added,
“Came out of turn four really hot and heavy. Went off into turn one with too much trust.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver. Describing the sequence, Busch said,
“Chattered the right rear, over-corrected and smacked the wall. Not real sure how to find more trust or when you feel something good in one corner, it’s not there the next.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver. Addressing the impact on his crew, Busch remarked,
“It’s tough for the guys. I hate it for the guys.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver.
Aftermath and What Lies Ahead for Busch and RCR
The severe crash forced the No. 8 team to switch to a backup car, which will be used for the upcoming race. Notably, Busch will only get his first experience in the new vehicle during the race itself, putting additional pressure on both the driver and crew. As Busch and Richard Childress Racing regroup for the main event, questions remain about whether continued adjustments will yield the boost in performance that the team desperately needs in this tense, emotionally charged 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign at Iowa Speedway.
