Kyle Busch will see a major shift in his racing support as Randall Burnett departs Richard Childress Racing to become crew chief for Connor Zilisch at Trackhouse Racing in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This Kyle Busch crew chief change comes after Burnett has served alongside Busch since 2023, with his next chapter bringing experience to a young Trackhouse team beginning in 2026.
Randall Burnett’s Departure Opens Door to New Leadership for Busch
Randall Burnett, who has been an integral member of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) since 2017, has worked with notable drivers such as Tyler Reddick, A.J. Allmendinger, and most recently, Kyle Busch. Burnett’s leadership was instrumental during the early stages of his partnership with Busch. Together, they claimed three wins in their first fifteen races. But since triumphing in June 2023 at Gateway, the No. 8 car has not returned to Victory Lane. This performance dip resulted in Busch missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, a rare occurrence for the veteran driver.
The transition means Busch will have a new crew chief for the 2026 season. Burnett, in turn, is moving to Trackhouse Racing to join the debut Cup campaign of 19-year-old Connor Zilisch. Trackhouse Racing confirmed Burnett’s appointment as crew chief for Zilisch, who is currently dominating the Xfinity Series with nine wins and is leading the playoff standings.
Connor Zilisch Prepares for Cup Debut with Trackhouse
The addition of Randall Burnett as crew chief comes as Connor Zilisch prepares to make his Cup Series debut in 2026. Zilisch has already shown significant promise, aiming to secure the 2025 Xfinity Series championship. His rapid rise has been fueled by key guidance and timely interventions along his journey.
“Through every moment, the good and the bad, there were many times I questioned why I left school, I left my friends to make this commitment to go to the Cup Series and try to chase a dream of racing in motorsports. I never knew what was ahead of me,”
Zilisch said last month.
“There were times five years ago where I thought I was just going to go to college and live the life of a normal kid. Kevin Harvick asked my dad, ‘What’s your plan with this kid?’ My dad was like, ‘Well, he’s going to race for another year or two and then he’s going to go to college.’ Kevin told my dad, ‘You can’t do that.’ So, first of all, thank you to Kevin.”
— Zilisch, Driver
“There’s a lot of people that have been a part of this journey with me. I have way too many people to thank. … Today is a really, really special day for me. I never thought this day would come, and it certainly feels good.”
— Zilisch, Driver
Trackhouse Racing’s 2026 lineup will include Cup veterans Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen alongside Zilisch, establishing a blend of experience and youth. While Zilisch’s car number for the 2026 season awaits announcement, the organization is counting on Burnett’s knowledge, gained across years in various NASCAR divisions, to help shape Zilisch’s entry into the Cup Series.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The shift in leadership for Kyle Busch as Randall Burnett moves to Trackhouse Racing signals a significant transition for both teams. Burnett’s move represents a strategic investment by Trackhouse in the development of Connor Zilisch, who is viewed as a rising talent in NASCAR. As Busch adapts to a new crew chief and Zilisch prepares to take his Cup debut with Burnett’s support, the 2026 season is set to be a pivotal period for both drivers and their teams within the NASCAR Cup Series.
NEWS: Welcome to The House, Randall Burnett!
He joins as @ConnorZilisch's crew chief for 2026. pic.twitter.com/cbrVi9vcIs
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) September 23, 2025
