At Saturday’s media session at the Charlotte Roval, Austin Dillon emphasized the urgent need for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) to address Kyle Busch winning challenges, as teammate changes and ongoing streaks have hindered recent success. With Randall Burnett departing RCR at season’s end and an interim crew chief now in place, Dillon highlighted the importance of efforts to help Busch, a renowned driver, return to his winning ways.
Leadership Shifts Create Uncertainty for Busch
Kyle Busch, a standout in NASCAR with 63 Cup victories, is currently experiencing the longest winless stretch of his Cup career, entering Charlotte with 88 consecutive starts since his last success. This downturn comes amid significant team changes, as crew chief Randall Burnett will leave RCR after the season to join Trackhouse Racing for Connor Zilisch’s upcoming full-time Cup Series campaign in 2026. Until then, Burnett will serve as an adviser for the remaining five races, while Andy Street, recognized for his achievements in the Xfinity Series, assumes interim duties as crew chief.
During his remarks, Austin Dillon reaffirmed his commitment to boosting both his and Busch’s performances.
“I think the main focus for RCR is to get Kyle Busch, a two-time champion, back to the winner’s circle in any way possible,”
Dillon said,
“to make him happy and to make the rest of the organization happy, and to go fast because that’s what we want in the end.”
— Austin Dillon, Driver
Dillon also addressed the mindset within the team as they adjust to this challenging situation.
“We all want to go fast and win races, and that’s where we think we should be. So, we’ve got to make the best hire for both, for whatever Kyle needs and RCR needs for from a competition standpoint to be competitive each and every weekend with the No. 3 [Dillon’s car] and the No. 8 [Busch],”
he stated. — Austin Dillon, Driver
Pressure Mounts to Reverse Downturns
As a seasoned competitor, Busch’s struggle to claim a victory has sparked questions about performance and adaptation. Reflecting on perceptions from fans and industry insiders, Dillon said,
“It’s funny, you go through a little bit and everyone feels like you forget how to drive, and that’s not the case,”
while adding,
“I mean, Kyle’s Kyle Busch, he’s always going to be one of the best to ever do it. We’ve just got to give him the best shot at doing it on Sundays.”
— Austin Dillon, Driver
Dillon’s support for Busch highlights the competitive drive within RCR, as both seek to end their respective droughts and return their cars—No. 3 and No. 8—to the front of the field. The next steps for RCR include finding a permanent solution for the crew chief position and strengthening their competition strategy, so both drivers can contend for wins consistently.
Looking Ahead to Major Team Changes
There is speculation that 2026 could mark the final racing season at RCR for both Busch and Dillon, as young talents Jesse Love and Austin Hill advance through the team’s system. With Dillon winning only once this year and exiting early from the playoff Round of 16, the future of RCR’s primary Cup drivers appears increasingly uncertain. This shift, combined with Kyle Busch winning challenges, has intensified the urgency for the organization to identify long-term replacements and leadership.
Beyond the track, Dillon may be preparing for roles off the circuit. There is talk that he could eventually step into a leadership position within RCR, potentially succeeding his grandfather, Richard Childress, the 80-year-old NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner. Dillon explained his grandfather’s approach, noting,
“I think my grandfather does a good job of trying to take my input and the group of leadership that he has there to make the best decisions,”
—Austin Dillon, Driver. Dillon’s involvement with a professional bull riding team in North Carolina may hint at expanding his pursuits as his driving career moves toward its next stage.
With crew changes, emerging drivers, and the quest to overcome a historic winless run, Richard Childress Racing faces a pivotal period. The outcomes of these decisions will likely determine the legacy for both Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon, shaping RCR’s direction in the highly competitive world of NASCAR Cup racing.
