NASCAR driver's team prepares for crew chief change. [Image Source: CLOUDINARY]
Richard Childress Racing has appointed Andy Street as the new crew chief for Kyle Busch’s No. 8 team, making this a notable Kyle Busch crew chief change that comes just before the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL race. This decision follows Randall Burnett’s announcement that he will depart for Trackhouse Racing after finishing the 2026 season with RCR, though he will not stay with Busch through the end of the current Cup series campaign.
Street Steps Into Cup Crew Chief Role for Busch
With Randall Burnett preparing for a move to work alongside rookie Connor Zilisch in Trackhouse Racing from 2027, RCR opted for a midseason transition on the pit box for Kyle Busch. Andy Street, a longtime member of the Childress operation with significant experience in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, is set to guide the No. 8 Chevrolet for the rest of the 2025 season. RCR has not outlined any crew chief plans for 2026 at this time.
Street’s record as an Xfinity crew chief is notable, having led the team in 167 races and collecting eleven wins. He was instrumental in Austin Hill’s run to last year’s Championship 4, and helped Myatt Snider achieve his sole victory in the NXS.
Burnett’s Continued Role with RCR
Despite stepping aside from his crew chief duties with Busch before season’s end, Burnett remains part of Richard Childress Racing for now. According to RCR, he
Image of: Kyle Busch
“will continue contributing in a support role with the organization through the end of the season.”
The team has stated that further details about future competition roles will be released in due course.
Street’s Cup-Level Experience and Recent Performance
Andy Street is not new to the Cup garage this year. He was crew chief for the part-time No. 33 entry in seven 2024 Cup races, working with both Austin Hill and Jesse Love. Street guided Hill to a ninth-place finish at the Chicago Street Course, which marked the best result for that car this year. Street’s reputation for developing emerging drivers and building competitive Xfinity teams now takes center stage as he takes over for a high-profile veteran like Busch.
Challenges Ahead for Kyle Busch and RCR
Busch, one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, faces a difficult season as he currently holds 22nd place in the Cup standings—his lowest rank in his career to date. The No. 8 Chevrolet has finished 16th or worse in nine of the last ten races, and Busch has not seen victory lane since Gateway in June 2023. RCR’s decision for this Kyle Busch crew chief change comes at a challenging moment, suggesting the organization is seeking new direction as the season continues.
What Lies Ahead for the Team
The organization has stated that information about the next steps and further announcements on future competition roles will be shared later. As Street takes leadership of Busch’s crew, attention will be on how this change might influence the remainder of the 2025 season and whether it can spark improvement for both Busch and Richard Childress Racing. With Burnett set to join Trackhouse Racing and Connor Zilisch in the future, multiple team lineups in the Cup series are poised for significant transformations in the seasons ahead.
