Kyle Busch, competing with Richard Childress Racing in the No. 8 Chevrolet, wrapped up the NASCAR Cup Series 2025 season ranked 17th overall, after another year of challenging results. This Kyle Busch 2025 season review looks at the stats, teamwork, pivotal races, and what might change in 2026 as the two-time champion seeks to return to contention.
Season Summary: Missed Wins and Glimmers of Strength
Busch’s 2025 campaign closed at Phoenix with a strong fifth-place finish, equaling his best of the year. Despite missing the playoffs for a second straight season—a rare occurrence in his career—he found late momentum, collecting three top-10 finishes in the final 10 races. He faced these hurdles working with two different crew chiefs: Randall Burnett led for most of the races, then Andy Street took over for the final stretch. After three years together, Burnett announced his transition to another team for 2026, paving the way for a new direction under Jim Pohlman next year.
Race Highlights: Standouts at Road Courses and Ovals
While Kyle Busch is known for his dominance on oval tracks, the 2025 season saw his best single-day showing at a road course: the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. Starting eighth, he led the pack on six occasions, tallying a season-best 42 laps at the front before falling behind Christopher Bell and ultimately finishing fifth. Other notable events include front-row starts at Talladega Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway, and another fifth-place result at the Chicago Street Race. His spring stretch featured three consecutive top-10s at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Austin road course, and Phoenix.
Performance by the Numbers
Busch completed the year with zero wins, though he notched three top-five finishes and reached the top 10 on 10 occasions, leading 88 laps in total. He impressed with reliability—recording just two DNFs, a mark bettered by only Tyler Reddick among full-time drivers. Although his average finish of 17.9 fell short of expectations for a champion, it marked a slight improvement over the previous year’s average of 18.3. For a driver with 34 Busch Light Pole Awards in his career, the 2025 stats suggested progress but not a full return to form.
Team Changes and the Path Ahead
The off-season brings major changes for the No. 8 Chevrolet team. With Randall Burnett’s departure, Andy Street stepped in to finish the year, and Jim Pohlman is set to take the helm as crew chief for 2026. Pohlman brings a strong résumé, having led Justin Allgaier to the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series title and played a role at RCR in the development of the Next Gen car. The team is also undergoing a technical overhaul, with RCR’s former technical director Mike Dillon becoming more involved to boost performance across the board.
Kyle Busch’s Perspective and Determination
Reflecting on the challenge of reclaiming race-winning form, Busch shared his perspective:
“There’s still a building process that’s got to take place to get us to that avenue. Being most consistent each and every week and finishing consistently in the top five is the easiest way to prove that you’re capable of your next win. So we’ve got to get to that point first.”
— Busch, Driver, on returning to winning form with Jim Pohlman in 2026.
Looking to 2026: Confidence Amid Change
Despite a year lacking wins, frustration has not swayed Busch’s commitment to the sport or his team. The 40-year-old driver, who remains the winningest competitor in national NASCAR series history, maintains his focus on improvement. The mix of new leadership under Pohlman, the technical upgrades involving Dillon, and the evident drive of the No. 8 team suggest that 2026 could offer a fresh chapter. Busch previously tasted victory at Gateway in 2023 after a commanding performance, and he is determined to find that form again as the next season approaches.
The ongoing reorganization within Richard Childress Racing and addition of seasoned personnel could provide Busch with the tools to not only return to the playoffs but also challenge at the front of the field. For fans and followers, the Kyle Busch 2025 season review symbolizes both the grit required to overcome adversity in NASCAR and the enduring potential of a proven champion eager for redemption.
