Randall Burnett is set to leave his position as crew chief for Kyle Busch at Richard Childress Racing, marking a key development in the ongoing Kyle Busch crew chief exit story. Burnett will take on a new challenge at Trackhouse Racing Team, guiding 19-year-old Connor Zilisch, who is expected to become a full-time Cup Series competitor in 2026.
Burnett, currently leading the No. 8 Chevrolet team, has been with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) since 2020. His tenure includes four race victories with Tyler Reddick and three with Kyle Busch. Burnett’s earlier experience with JTG Daugherty Racing, now called Hyak, also saw him working with A.J. Allmendinger. Despite their earlier successes, the Busch and Burnett partnership has not delivered wins or playoff berths in the past two seasons, prompting the latest move.
Connor Zilisch’s Promising Path to the Cup Series
Connor Zilisch, the youthful talent who will join Trackhouse Racing full-time, has already demonstrated impressive racing chops. At just 19, Zilisch has secured nine victories so far this season and is on pace to potentially match the NASCAR Xfinity Series single-season win record, a milestone originally achieved by Kyle Busch himself.
Zilisch will be stepping into the seat currently held by Daniel Suarez, beginning in 2026, and racing alongside teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. His initial forays into the Cup Series have shown potential, recording a best finish of 11th place at Atlanta among three starts this year.
Implications for RCR and the Road Ahead
With Burnett’s departure finalized, Richard Childress Racing has yet to name a replacement to oversee the No. 8 car and spearhead Kyle Busch’s efforts. The shift leaves RCR at a pivotal juncture, requiring a strong leadership selection to boost performance following recent winless seasons.
Burnett’s move is significant for both organizations: Trackhouse Racing looks to build around Zilisch’s momentum as a rising star, while RCR is tasked with stabilizing its crew leadership for future NASCAR Cup Series campaigns. Fans and industry watchers alike will closely observe how both teams fare amid these major changes.
