Kyle Busch Calls RCR’s Struggles a “Plethora of Issues”
Veteran Driver Breaks Silence Amidst Team’s Performance Woes
The relationship between **Kyle Busch** and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is facing unprecedented strain, with the team grappling with consistent mechanical failures and a notable lack of speed. Owner **Richard Childress**’s public frustration has now been met with a blunt assessment from his star driver.
Mounting Disappointment in 2025
After a promising 2023 season that saw **Kyle Busch** secure three victories and revitalize the No. 8 Chevrolet program, his 2025 campaign has hit a significant roadblock. Through 21 races, the team has yet to visit victory lane, with **Busch** managing only two top-five and seven top-ten finishes. The initial optimism has waned considerably.
“We Are in Trouble. Period.”
Following an eleventh-place finish at Dover Motor Speedway, a track where he has previously celebrated three wins, **Richard Childress**’s exasperation boiled over on team radio. Crew chief **Richard Boswell** later confirmed **Childress** demanded tangible improvements, not just promises, after the Dover event.
Heartbreak for Kyle Busch and RCR at Dover. A tough pill to swallow for the team looking for momentum. #NASCAR @KyleBusch @RCRracing pic.twitter.com/xxxxxxxxxx
— NASCAR Talk (@NASCARTalk) [Date]
Busch Speaks Out on Team’s Challenges
When questioned about the situation ahead of the Indy race, **Kyle Busch** offered a candid perspective. He admitted to not being present daily at the race shop due to travel but suggested that significant internal discussions were likely occurring. “I can only speculate,” **Busch** stated, “but I’m sure there were plenty of meetings this week.”
RCR’s new president, **Mike Verlander**, appointed in early 2025, is spearheading an operational review. Following **Childress**’s outburst, **Verlander** and **Childress** have reportedly held numerous strategy sessions with the engineering department to identify and address performance deficiencies, not only at RCR but across the Chevrolet Next Gen car platform.
“So, you know, **Verlander** and **Richard**, I’m sure, had plenty of meetings with our engineering team and guys in order to try to go over a plan of like, okay, what can we do? Where are we at? What’s next? What have we improved on? What else can we improve on? And where can we fill some of these gaps that we seem to be having when we go to these racetracks? So, there’s a — it’s not one thing. There is a — word plethora.”
—Kyle Busch, Driver, No. 8 Chevrolet
**Busch** summarized the team’s predicament succinctly, describing the issues as a “plethora of issues.” He emphasized that the problems extend beyond RCR itself, stating, “And it’s not just RCR issues either. So, um, got to figure it out.”
The Plea to Rekindle a Fierce Rivalry
Meanwhile, veteran driver **Brad Keselowski** has expressed a desire to reignite the intense rivalry he once shared with **Kyle Busch**. The two drivers have a long history of on-track battles and heated exchanges dating back to 2010.
During a pre-race interview, **Keselowski** remarked on their current situations. “You know, he’s (**Kyle Busch**) got his things that he’s going through. We got the things we’re going through,” he said. “I would love to rekindle that rivalry because, in my eyes, what that would mean is that we’re competing each other for wins.” **Keselowski** added, “I always tell our people, like, you know, you have disagreements throughout the year, like you don’t get in a fight over 15th place finishes.”
**Keselowski**’s own 2025 season has been challenging, with no wins or pole positions through 21 races, placing him 27th in the standings. He noted, “When he’s up front, I’m not up front, vice versa. So, you know, I’d love to see that rekindled because I think it would mean we’re both running really well.” Both drivers’ playoff hopes appear slim, making a renewed rivalry a distant prospect for now.
