Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed the upcoming Kyle Busch crew chief change at Richard Childress Racing during the most recent episode of his podcast, offering insights on the transition involving Jim Pohlman. As Pohlman prepares to take over for Randall Burnett in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, Earnhardt Jr. reflected on what such a move means for the teams and people involved.
Pohlman’s Return to RCR Marks a Significant Transition
On the latest installment of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. discussed Jim Pohlman’s decision to join Richard Childress Racing as crew chief for the #8 car in the 2026 season. Previously, Pohlman handled crew chief duties for Jr. Motorsports’ #7 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series, managing multiple key roles since his earlier stint with RCR in 2022.
Richard Childress Racing offered Pohlman the opportunity to return and serve as Kyle Busch’s crew chief, replacing Randall Burnett after the upcoming 2025 Cup Series campaign. This decision not only reunites Pohlman with his former organization but also signals a crucial adjustment for RCR as they look to improve performance in NASCAR’s top flight.
Reflecting on the implications of this transition, Earnhardt Jr. candidly spoke about the challenge of replacing someone as experienced as Pohlman:
“It is hard to replace a guy like Jim. I told Jim I wanted him to stay, but I knew that he had this opportunity and that it was great for him to go and hear it out, right?”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., Former NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Earnhardt Jr. further emphasized Pohlman’s familiarity with the RCR environment, suggesting that the move could be a natural fit considering his previous time with the team:
“Um, he’s worked at RCR before, so he knows that environment. He would know himself whether that’s a comfortable environment for him. He’s been there. And, uh, you know, he made the choice to go, and I love it. I think, you know, it’s tough to replace him.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., Former NASCAR Cup Series Driver
JRM Faces a Void as Pohlman Moves Up
Jim Pohlman’s tenure at Jr. Motorsports leaves behind a strong legacy, particularly with the #7 Chevrolet driven by Justin Allgaier. Together, they secured multiple victories and celebrated the 2024 Xfinity Series championship, raising the bar for the organization. Allgaier, along with teammates Carson Kvapil in the #1 car, Sammy Smith piloting the #8, and rising young driver Connor Zilisch in the #88, have benefited from the organizational depth brought by JRM’s leadership.
While Pohlman’s upcoming departure will undoubtedly be felt throughout Jr. Motorsports, Earnhardt Jr.’s team has continually demonstrated resilience by fielding competitive entries across their stable of drivers.
Announcement Brings Change for Busch and RCR
The official announcement from Richard Childress Racing signaled a significant shift for Kyle Busch and the #8 Chevy Camaro ZL1 as they prepare for Pohlman’s leadership beginning in 2026. Randall Burnett, who has served as Busch’s crew chief, will complete his final season with the team in 2025.
Kyle Busch has faced challenges since joining RCR, enduring a winless stretch in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Once a frequent fixture in Victory Lane, Busch has seen his long-held streak of annual wins and postseason appearances come to an end, underscoring the sense of urgency and hope sparked by the crew chief change.
Pohlman Credits Earnhardt Jr. and JRM for His Opportunity
As he looks ahead to taking on the challenge of leading Busch’s Cup Series effort at RCR, Jim Pohlman took a moment to acknowledge the major influences in his career thus far. He was quick to recognize the impact of both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jr. Motorsports, highlighting how critical they have been in providing the foundation for this new role:
“Justin is the guy that put me on the map. Without JRM, this opportunity doesn’t exist. It’s very hard to leave Justin; he’s a great friend and has been a friend for a long time. We’ve won an ARCA championship, we’ve won an Xfinity championship – hopefully, we’re going to win two. To walk away from the possibility of winning three in a row was very heavy on my mind.”
– Jim Pohlman, Incoming RCR Crew Chief
Pohlman’s remarks reflect the emotional intensity behind this move, citing the tough decision to leave a potential “three-peat” with Allgaier and JRM for a new challenge at RCR and the Cup level.
Kyle Busch’s Recent Performance Highlights Team’s Need for Change
Currently, Kyle Busch sits outside the top 20 in series standings, holding the 22nd position with 681 points. His 2024 season has so far included nine top-ten finishes and just two top-fives from 34 starts, indicating the need for fresh leadership as RCR looks to return to competitive form in the Cup Series.
With the upcoming Kyle Busch crew chief change, the organization aims to revitalize the #8 Chevrolet and get the two-time Cup Series champion back to contending for victories and playoff berths.
What This Means for RCR and Jr. Motorsports Moving Forward
The decision to move Jim Pohlman from Jr. Motorsports to Richard Childress Racing as Kyle Busch’s crew chief marks an important shift for both organizations. RCR gains a leader familiar with their culture and equipped with recent championship experience, while Jr. Motorsports prepares to fill one of its most crucial roles for the future. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on how this transition impacts team performance, driver success, and the ongoing narratives within NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity series.
