Jeff Burton used to drive for Richard Childress Racing from 2004 to 2013, making him an expert in the inner workings of that organization. That’s why, when asked if there’s one driver he’s watching in the final 12 regular-season races, Burton didn’t hesitate: Kyle Busch of RCR.
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After Burton named his pick on last Monday’s NASCAR: Inside The Race, Steve Letarte remarked that Busch had been very patient with the organization, at least in public. The former crew chief was impressed since Busch could easily be losing his mind, given their struggles in practice and the mechanical issues.
Letarte pointed out that Busch was just two points above the playoff cutline and asked why his co-host was focused on him. Burton had several reasons for this.
“No. 1, he just had a contract extension [through the 2026 season]. No. 2, we’ve talked about Denny Hamlin and his speed that he still has at this time in his career, and that’s confidence-building. I’ve been there, I’ve done this, so I can put myself in Kyle Busch’s shoes,” said the 57-year-old who has won 21 Cup Series races in his career.
“He hasn’t exhibited that speed… but the truth of the matter is he hasn’t had the success over the last three or four years that we’re accustomed to seeing from Kyle Busch,” added Burton.
Indeed, there has been a slide in performance ever since Joe Gibbs Racing refused to renew Busch’s contract after the 2022 season. JGR opted to replace him with Ty Gibbs, the grandson of the team owner. Busch has not been the same kind of racer he was during most of his tenure with JGR.
He had a strong start in his first season with RCR, winning three races. But he failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs, ultimately finishing a disappointing 14th in the 2023 standings.
Then the floor caved in for Busch last season
In 2024, Busch went winless for the first time in his full-time Cup career and missed the playoffs for only the second time (the first time he missed the playoffs was in 2005 during his rookie season). Busch finished 2024 in 20th place, tying his worst season result, which had come in 2005.
The two-time Cup champion is winless this season, with just one top-five and four top-10 finishes. He is also now at 71 straight starts without a win heading into Sunday’s race at Michigan. Even so, Burton is bullish on Busch.
“Kyle Busch is trying to take RCR to the fight to Joe Gibbs Racing, take the fight to Penske, take the fight to Hendrick and it’s hard, it’s difficult and he’s doing it in a way that instead of fighting for a championship, at the moment he’s fighting to see if he can contend for a championship,” said Burton.
“That’s draining emotionally, that’s difficult. This is a brutal sport: this sport, you love it and at the same time it’ll rip your heart out,” he added.
It may sound simplistic, given that Busch is riding a long winless streak. But all he needs is one win in the next 12 regular-season races to make the playoffs.
“We’re watching Kyle Busch try to take RCR [and] try to take himself back to where they both have been and with the pressure of just making the playoffs,” Burton explained.
“I love it as a fan, and I hate it as a competitor because I know how difficult it is. I know how emotionally draining it can be, but that’s what sports are, and so Kyle Busch, to me, and that story of RCR, that’s going to be compelling through these summer months,” he went on to add.
Burton’s point is spot on. If Kyle wins — especially if he does so Sunday at Michigan — then the pressure is off and he and RCR can shift their full focus to the playoffs.
