As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs near, Kyle Busch has offered vital Austin Dillon playoff strategy advice to his fellow Richard Childress Racing (RCR) teammate. With Busch out of this year’s championship fight but holding years of experience as a two-time champion, his perspective is expected to shape RCR’s approach as Dillon prepares for his playoff challenge.
Drawing on his tenure competing through NASCAR’s elimination rounds, Busch highlighted that calculated decisions are imperative to playoff survival. Busch succinctly shared his core message for navigating the high-stakes races ahead:
“You’ve got to reach your potential each week, you know, whatever that potential may be,”
—Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
The champion further explained how drivers must tailor their race strategies based on their weekly prospects.
“If you feel like you’ve got a shot to win, you’ve got to go for the win and maybe strategize your race that way. But if you don’t, then you’ve got to strategize your way for picking up stage points.”
—Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
Busch’s guidance reflects the challenge drivers face balancing aggressive efforts for victories with gathering steady points to avoid elimination. This insight comes from his years spent navigating the pressure and unpredictability of the playoff format, where adaptability is required at every event.
Evaluating Dillon’s situation, Busch did not ignore the difficulties posed by current standings.
“He’s a little deeper in the point scaling, so that’s a little bit of a hindrance,”
—Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Entering the playoffs, Dillon is placed 15th, trailing the cutline by just two points and lacking the runway of playoff points held by front-runners Kyle Larson and William Byron, who lead with 26 playoff points each. This seeding presents distinct hurdles as Dillon faces elimination pressure from the very beginning.
Team Support and Lessons from a Challenging Season
Kyle Busch reflected on his own 2025 season, acknowledging a year of narrow misses that ultimately kept him outside the playoffs. Busch described RCR’s tough luck in races where the cars were competitive, especially at superspeedways. Even so, the spirit of teamwork within the organization has remained strong throughout the season.
Before Dillon secured his playoff berth with a win in Richmond, he expressed his intent to help Busch reach the postseason as well:
“We want to go help our teammate Kyle Busch try and lock himself in. This is the last opportunity to get into the NASCAR Playoffs.”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Now, as the focus within Richard Childress Racing shifts solely to Austin Dillon, Busch’s championship guidance will be an important asset. With all hopes on Dillon to carry RCR’s playoff ambitions, the advice of a proven champion could be the difference as the team aims to navigate the difficult rounds ahead and challenge powerhouse drivers like Kyle Larson and William Byron for the title.
Looking ahead, Dillon’s ability to leverage strategic insight and maintain composure will not only determine his own fate but could define RCR’s entire season, showcasing the ongoing value of veteran experience in NASCAR’s demanding playoff environment.
