Kyle Busch faced ongoing difficulties at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, voicing frustration with his car’s handling and performance as the event unfolded. Despite early position gains, Busch and his No. 8 team continued their recent struggles in a season where strong results have been hard to come by, highlighting the focus keyword: Kyle Busch struggles at COTA.
Early Hope Fades as Car Loses Performance
Starting in 30th position, Busch was able to advance several spots in the opening laps, but the promising start soon unraveled. As Stage 1 progressed, the handling of Busch’s car deteriorated, making it increasingly difficult to maintain pace with the competitors ahead. Opting not to pit during the first 20 laps, he finished Stage 1 in 17th place. The lack of improvement left Busch with few answers for his crew.
“It fired off a little better than yesterday, so I was optimistic about it and was protecting the tires, but protecting the tires did not earn me anything on the back end. So, I don’t know what to tell you,”
Busch communicated over his radio, expressing his uncertainty—Steven Taranto.
His frustration intensified as he added,
“I can’t stop, I can’t turn, I can’t go.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver
COTA Once a Strong Track Becomes a Challenge
This race at COTA stood in stark contrast to Kyle Busch’s previous success at the same track. Since joining Richard Childress Racing, he boasted an average finish of 5.3 at COTA, his best on any road course since 2023. Busch had led a race-high 42 laps at COTA just last season and finished in the top five. However, replicating that form proved difficult amid the current season’s rough start.
Winless Streak and Qualifying Setbacks Continue
Busch entered the weekend searching for a breakthrough to end a winless stretch dating back to June 2023. His hopes that COTA might be the turning point were challenged early when he had trouble finding speed in qualifying, starting him deep in the field. As the race reached Stage 2, his position as a serious contender looked increasingly unlikely, with the No. 8 car still off the pace.
While a significant portion of the race remained, the outlook for Busch and his team was grim. The persistent struggles suggest that both driver and crew will have to search for answers to regain their former strength, not only at COTA but throughout the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series season.
What This Means for Busch and His Team
For Kyle Busch, a driver accustomed to contending at the front, Sunday’s performance at COTA underscores the challenges facing the No. 8 team. With the NASCAR Cup Series season still young, there remains time for adjustments, but the pressure continues to mount as Busch and Richard Childress Racing strive to recapture their winning formula and reverse a difficult start.
Kyle Busch is frustrated with his car and sounds like he's at a loss as to what to do when he and his crew debrief under yellow.
"It fired off a little better than yesterday so I was optimistic about it and was protecting the tires, but protecting the tires did not earn me… pic.twitter.com/dnGeYs7XCa
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) March 1, 2026
