Austin Dillon has responded strongly to speculation surrounding crew chief adjustments involving the No. 8 team, pushing back on persistent rumors about potential Kyle Busch crew chief changes at Richard Childress Racing (RCR). As RCR makes internal decisions regarding the NASCAR Cup Series, their focus remains on helping Busch return to victory lane and enhancing team performance.
RCR Alters Crew Chief Lineup for Kyle Busch
RCR has introduced Andy Street as the interim crew chief for Kyle Busch, following the decision for Randall Burnett to step aside from his former position. This adjustment arrives as Busch prepares to compete in his 90th NASCAR Cup race without a win, with the upcoming challenge at Charlotte Roval adding pressure to the team’s efforts. The organization is grappling with the right leadership and direction to spark a strong finish to the racing season.
Speculation Surfaces on Short-term Moves and Future Plans
Following the announcement of Street’s interim role, some fans speculated RCR could be considering short-term staffing changes, aiming to find the best long-term fit for Busch and the team. When veteran journalist Claire B. Lang pressed Austin Dillon on this topic, Dillon reiterated the team’s commitment to winning. He emphasized that the team and organization intend to support Busch and ensure the right competitive environment.
“I think the main focus for RCR is to get Kyle Busch a two-time champion back to winner circle in any way possible to make him happy and to make the rest of the organization happy to go fast because that’s what we want in the end we all want to go fast and and win races and that’s where we think we should be.
“So we 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 three and the eight.”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR driver
Bumpy Season for Busch and Playoff Struggles
Kyle Busch has not found victory since last year’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway, marking a significant drought for the veteran driver. This season, Busch failed to make the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades, ending a remarkable run of postseason participation. Busch’s performance in 2024 shows moments of competitiveness—with two top-5s at high-profile tracks like Circuit of the Americas and the Chicago street race, along with six other top-10 finishes—but the win column remains empty.
Dillon Praises Busch’s Legacy and Stresses Team Support
Dillon continues to stand by Busch, highlighting his talent and determination as RCR works on aligning both the No. 3 and No. 8 cars for greater results. Dillon made clear in his interview with Lang that Busch is still regarded as one of the sport’s premier drivers and deserves every opportunity to showcase that ability each race weekend.
“Kyle’s Kyle Busch. He’s always going to be one of the best to ever do it. We just got to give him the best shot at doing it on Sundays,”
Austin Dillon said.
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR driver
Looking Toward the End of the Season
With five races left in the current year, Kyle Busch looks to break his winless streak and reestablish his place as a top contender. Despite a challenging qualifying result—28th for the Bank of America ROVAL 400—Busch vows to take bold approaches in hopes of turning his season around. His two-year contract with RCR runs through 2026, giving both the driver and team time to find the right competitive balance as they continue their search for wins and consistency.
As the season draws to a close, the changes within the RCR camp, particularly around crew chief roles, show a determination to maximize performance for all involved. The landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series remains dynamic, with Kyle Busch crew chief changes illustrating how teams adapt in pursuit of returns to the winner’s circle. All eyes are on RCR, Andy Street, and Busch as the year winds down, looking for signs that these moves will produce the results the organization—and their passionate fans—hope to see.
On a 2026 crew chief for @KyleBusch @RCRracing @austindillon3 was quite clear and spoke more like a company leader….. pic.twitter.com/7lZ75dTICj
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) October 5, 2025
