The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been turbulent for Richard Childress Racing, with the spotlight now on Kyle Busch crew chief rumors that suggest Randall Burnett could exit the team once the year concludes. As Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet struggles for consistent speed, speculation about Burnett’s future grows, signaling further changes could strike the RCR garage.
Questions Surround Randall Burnett’s Role at RCR
Randall Burnett first joined Richard Childress Racing in 2017, working his way through several technical assignments before taking on the role of Kyle Busch’s crew chief in 2023. Their on-track partnership has produced three race victories and consistent top-10 finishes, but ongoing difficulties in short-track races and qualifying have led to mounting frustrations for both the team and fans alike.
In a bid to address these weaknesses, Richard Childress Racing has already begun restructuring its competition department. John Klausmeier has arrived as the new technical director with a mandate to reinforce the team’s struggling sectors. Against this backdrop, the notion of Burnett’s potential departure from RCR is being taken seriously by many observers.
After a lackluster 2024 performance and an underwhelming start to the new season at Daytona, Busch and Burnett enjoyed several promising finishes early in 2025. Their P7, P5, and P8 results seemed to point to a turnaround, but a succession of disappointing outings at tracks like Las Vegas, Homestead, Talladega, Texas, and Kansas derailed the team’s momentum. Even with signs of improvement, Busch failed to capitalize when it mattered, and in the final five regular-season races, not only did he finish P16 or lower, but he also never led a lap. That lack of late-season success left Burnett partially accountable, as one win would have likely ensured a playoff berth for Busch.
Potential Candidates to Succeed Burnett
If Burnett does depart, speculation about who might fill his shoes is already circulating among fans and analysts. Among the leading contenders is Rodney Childers, the experienced Stewart-Haas Racing crew chief well-known for his championship-winning partnership with Kevin Harvick. Childers’ accomplished background has positioned him as an attractive candidate for several major Cup Series teams with openings in the coming year.
Alternatively, if Richard Childress Racing opts for a more budget-conscious direction, Brian Pattie emerges as another viable option. Pattie has prior experience working with Kyle Busch in the Truck Series, and some believe this history could translate well to the Cup level, making for an interesting reunion if selected.
Despite recent struggles alongside Busch, Randall Burnett retains a strong reputation in the sport, particularly due to his pivotal role guiding Tyler Reddick to the Xfinity Series title in 2019 and a playoff campaign in 2022. Should he move on from RCR, industry observers expect he would not remain a free agent for long.
Kyle Busch’s Future Also Under the Microscope
This swirl of rumors and uncertainty also extends to Kyle Busch’s own tenure at Richard Childress Racing. While his contract is in effect through the end of the 2026 season, the outcome of Burnett’s situation could influence Busch’s willingness to remain at RCR long-term. Reports suggest Busch and Burnett have developed a strong working relationship, with Busch potentially hesitant to continue without his crew chief by his side.
For now, however, there has been no official announcement regarding the future of either Burnett or Busch at RCR. Both men appear focused on ending the current season on a high note. NASCAR enthusiasts, including those closely following Jesse Love Jr.’s efforts to secure an Xfinity Series championship run with RCR, will be watching closely for updates. The true impact of these changes may only become clear as the offseason approaches, keeping the rumor mill active throughout the NASCAR community.
NEWS; Randall Burnett to leave RCR after 2025. Kyle Busch to finally have a new Crew Chief for 2026 after being together for 3 seasons with minimal results. pic.twitter.com/o9OQM8rsFb
— NASCAR Central (@NSCR_Central) September 19, 2025
