Kyle Busch’s struggles NASCAR season continued in dramatic fashion during the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL, intensifying concern among fans and professionals throughout the racing community. On Sunday, Busch went off track on the very first lap, spun in Turn 1, smashed into the wall, and suffered damage severe enough to require immediate repairs, reflecting the tough period he has faced over the past two seasons with Richard Childress Racing.
Early Setback at Charlotte Leaves Busch Dejected
Busch began the race in the 28th position and barely made it past the opening turn before disaster struck. The two-time Cup champion’s right side took a heavy hit, forcing him to the garage for significant repairs. Despite returning to the race, he finished a distant 34th, trailing eight laps behind the leader. The unexpected mishap amazed Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team, who expressed his disbelief on the Door Bumper Clear podcast:
“I literally could not believe it when it was the first lap, it was behind us, so in your peripheral I see something happen,”
Kraft said, Door Bumper Clear podcast.
“I look down, ‘There’s no f*cking way this guy’s crashed again.’”
Kraft, Door Bumper Clear podcast.
Frustration Mounts Amid Season-Long Setbacks
Busch blamed another driver for the incident, stating,
“We’re junked. The 77 wrecked us.”
As his struggles in 2024 persist, Busch appears to be looking ahead to the next season, with 2025 shaping up to be just as challenging. Currently outside playoff contention for the second consecutive year, he finds himself ranked 22nd in points, with no victories since June of the previous season and only 62 laps led throughout the year.
Tommy Baldwin, Rick Ware Racing’s competition director, voiced the shared empathy many in the sport feel for Busch:
“You’ve got to feel so bad for Kyle,”
Baldwin said.
“I know we can laugh, we can break his chops a little bit, but I think the whole racing community feels bad right now for Kyle Busch.”
Baldwin, Rick Ware Racing.
Racing Community Stands by Busch Despite Ongoing Hardship
While fans and colleagues alike consider Busch a future Hall of Famer based on his historic accomplishments, his recent career with Richard Childress Racing has been marked by constant misfortune. The sequence of on-track problems, from accidents to lackluster results, has left many wondering how such a decorated driver can catch a break.
Freddie Kraft summed up the situation with deep concern:
“We have fun with it on here, but the guy is literally one of the best race car drivers that ever lived and he’s just in, I don’t know what to call it,”
Kraft said.
“Like, every session you watch, practice, qualifying, something is going wrong.”
Kraft, Door Bumper Clear podcast.
Outlook Remains Uncertain as Busch Fights for Answers
Although Kyle Busch’s reputation and skills are undisputed, the persistence of mishaps and underperformance during this NASCAR season leaves the future uncertain. As both his team and fellow competitors watch his ongoing struggle unfold, the racing community continues to hope that one of its greatest champions can break free from this difficult run and return to form.
