With the announcement of Randall Burnett’s departure from Richard Childress Racing for a new role with Trackhouse Racing in 2026, the Kyle Busch crew chief search at RCR is now in full swing. After a stalled partnership with Burnett, Busch finds himself looking for the next leader who could reignite his career in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Burnett Begins New Chapter, Leaving Big Shoes to Fill at RCR
The split between Kyle Busch and Randall Burnett became official on September 23, when Burnett was named as Connor Zilisch’s crew chief for Trackhouse Racing. Burnett will start this new position next season as Zilisch replaces Daniel Suarez behind the wheel. Burnett, widely respected despite flying under the radar, has racked up six wins as crew chief for both Kyle Busch and Tyler Reddick in just two years, and also steered AJ Allmendinger to a standout Cup year back in 2016. Now, he’s paired with Zilisch, who has made waves with 10 victories in just 30 Xfinity Series starts, signifying a promising partnership ahead.
A Stalling Partnership: Busch’s Recent Challenges at RCR
The chemistry that once defined the Burnett-Busch duo has faded, with the last race win together dating back to June 2023 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Gateway. The last lap Busch led was at Kansas Speedway in May, highlighting his current struggles. Now at 40, Busch is staring down one of the lowest-performing seasons of his storied career, including minimal top-five finishes, laps led, and a dip to 22nd in the points standing. This downturn is a far cry from the expectations set when he signed with RCR, especially given how other veteran drivers like Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and Denny Hamlin have remained competitive well into their 40s.
Optimists argue that age does not signal the end for elite NASCAR drivers, with strong support teams reigniting late-career performance. Rumors swirled on social media about Busch switching to another top team, such as replacing Ty Gibbs, but Busch is expected to seek a resurgence with RCR’s No. 8 car next season, where he remains under contract.
Internal and External Options for the Next Crew Chief
The hunt for Busch’s new crew chief opens various possibilities. While promoting RCR’s internal talent is the likely conservative move, several high-profile names could reshape the team’s future. Here’s a closer look at the realistic and bold candidates being considered in the Kyle Busch crew chief search.
Rodney Childers: Top Free Agent with Championship Pedigree
Rodney Childers stands out among available candidates. After parting ways with Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of 2024 and a brief stint at Spire Motorsports with Justin Haley, Childers finds himself without an active Cup role. The resume is formidable—37 wins and a championship as Kevin Harvick’s crew chief. Childers is recognized for managing strong personalities and leading teams through competitive eras. RCR’s technical director, Johnny Klausmeier, has past links to Childers from their SHR days, which could ease a transition. For a team needing a bold move that inspires Busch and the fan base, Childers may be a prime candidate to receive a call.
I can’t imagine Kyle Busch going out like this,
Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Cup Series Driver
It’s bad for everything. It’s bad for the sport. It’s bad for him.
Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Alan Gustafson: A Familiar Face from Busch’s Early Years
Alan Gustafson was Busch’s original full-time Cup crew chief back in 2005, working together at Hendrick Motorsports for three seasons and achieving three wins plus a top-five points finish in 2007. Their tenure ended when Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined Hendrick, sending Busch to Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite their early split, Gustafson has fondly recalled their early days working together, noting that with the benefit of hindsight, both might have achieved more as a team. Now, Gustafson is still employed as the crew chief for Chase Elliott at Hendrick, though their success has recently dimmed, with just two wins in the past three seasons and reduced prominence in the playoffs. For RCR to lure Gustafson away from a longstanding alliance at Hendrick and get him onboard as Busch’s crew chief would involve significant hurdles, yet the chemistry and shared experience might make this a compelling long shot if circumstances change.
I always enjoyed working with Kyle,
Alan Gustafson, Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief
I was certainly very young in my career, and we both had a similar steep learning curve at the time and trying to figure out how to do our jobs. I feel like our team wasn’t very good then, we were learning together. If we had known what we were doing, we could’ve done a lot better. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Alan Gustafson, Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief
Johnny Klausmeier: Technical Director with Cup Experience
A more accessible in-house solution for RCR could be Johnny Klausmeier. He brings six years of Cup crew chief experience, including a strong playoff run with Aric Almirola in 2018. While his previous drivers, like Almirola and Chase Briscoe, are regarded for steady, mild-mannered personalities, Klausmeier faces scrutiny as the current technical director during a challenging period for RCR. However, under his oversight, Austin Dillon managed a win and playoff berth this season—an achievement that outpaces many peer organizations. With direct involvement in RCR’s technical program, Klausmeier could represent a seamless transition for Busch and serve as a stabilizing force for the team.
Nate Troupe: Promoting from Within Could Offer Continuity
Nate Troupe, currently the lead engineer for Busch’s No. 8 team, emerges as a potential first-time crew chief. Troupe’s NASCAR journey began as a race engineer for drivers like Paul Menard and Casey Mears before dedicating six years to the No. 8 program. Promoting Troupe would maintain continuity and, as someone deeply ingrained in RCR’s processes, create an opportunity for stability. While elevating an engineer with no prior crew chief experience carries risk, organizations often favor this route to limit disruption.
Mardy Lindley: Developing Young Talent in Lower Series
At 53, Mardy Lindley represents an unconventional choice: a first-time Cup crew chief at an age when many transition to executive roles. Lindley’s recent work with JR Motorsports has seen him guide Sam Mayer to seven wins and oversee Connor Zilisch’s rapid ascent in the Xfinity Series. The jump to crew chief for a veteran such as Busch introduces questions about compatibility, as skills honed working with fledgling drivers may not easily translate to a high-profile, late-career Cup contender in need of a championship push. Still, Lindley’s accolades developing rising stars could appeal if RCR opts for a creative shakeup.
The Broader NASCAR Landscape: Rising Stars and Team Dynamics
The shifting crew chief scenario for Kyle Busch unfolds amid significant developments across the NASCAR field. Corey Heim’s dominant performance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, with nine wins and more possibly ahead, has driven speculation about imminent promotion, especially after Legacy Motor Club’s charter agreement with Rick Ware Racing. At only 20, Gio Ruggiero has also impressed observers with three top-six results in his last five races for TRICON, signaling that the Cup Series could soon receive an influx of promising young talent. These changes further underscore the urgency for RCR to make a bold, forward-thinking decision in its crew chief appointment to keep pace with evolving competitive dynamics.
What the Next Steps Mean for Busch, RCR, and the Cup Series
The coming months promise scrutiny as RCR narrows the search for a new crew chief in the high-profile Kyle Busch crew chief search. Whether RCR goes with a proven winner like Rodney Childers, takes a flyer on a returning partnership with Alan Gustafson, or selects a talented internal figure such as Johnny Klausmeier or Nate Troupe, their choice will set the tone for Busch’s attempt at a comeback. The decision not only impacts the trajectory of a future Hall of Famer but also signals how RCR positions itself within the competitive NASCAR landscape, where organizations are rapidly adapting by blending established names with emerging talent. Busch’s next crew chief will play a pivotal role in shaping his legacy and the fortunes of Richard Childress Racing as they aim for a return to victory lane.
