Kyle Busch’s time at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has been anything but predictable. After spending 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion made a shocking move to RCR in 2023—one of the biggest team switches of the modern era. He kicked off his tenure strong, securing three wins in his debut season with the No. 8 team. However, 2024 was a disaster, as he failed to win a single race and missed the playoffs for the first time in two decades.
Now, heading into the final year of his contract, Busch is making it clear: RCR needs to deliver competitive cars if they want him to stick around long-term.
Kyle Busch’s Conditions for Staying at RCR
Speaking to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Busch laid out what he expects from RCR before considering a contract extension. His message was simple: If they’re not winning, he’s not staying.
🚨 Busch’s key demand:
💬 “I would say you gotta win, right? Unfortunately, we weren’t able to win last year. So, being able to get back to Victory Lane, being able to build on some consistency—getting those top-fives, top-tens, getting that number higher than what it was last year—is definitely paramount.”
Busch also reflected on how tough 2024 was, particularly during the summer stretch, where DNFs and poor finishes destroyed his playoff hopes.
💬 “Had a rough summer last year, had a lot of DNFs in that stretch that kind of brought us outside the playoff rank and being able to get ourselves in contention. So, definitely want to have a lot better sense of all of that. Earlier in the year would be better, but it’s always a long year, and you’ve got to fight it out every week.”
Translation? If RCR doesn’t improve quickly, Busch won’t hesitate to look elsewhere.
RCR’s Response: “We’re Doing Everything to Keep Kyle”
While Busch’s future remains uncertain, RCR isn’t taking any chances. His teammate Austin Dillon, who also happens to be the grandson of team owner Richard Childress, addressed the situation directly.
💬 “For us at RCR, we just have to put maximum effort in every week to deliver the best product, and that’s the best we can do. Try and give maximum effort every weekend, put him in the best position we can, and we’ll see where all the chips fall at the end.”
Dillon believes Busch wants to finish his career with RCR, but he also knows the pressure is on to keep him happy.
💬 “I think he’s enjoyed his time at RCR and wants to be at this organization to the end, I hope.”
While Dillon’s optimism is clear, it’s also evident that RCR understands the risk of losing its most valuable driver if things don’t improve in 2025.
Could Busch Leave RCR? If So, Where Would He Go?
If RCR fails to give Busch a winning car, where could he go?
🚗 Hendrick Motorsports? Highly unlikely, as they already have a stacked lineup with Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman.
🚗 Joe Gibbs Racing? A return to JGR is not impossible, but Toyota has already moved forward with Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs in key roles.
🚗 23XI Racing? If Denny Hamlin’s team expands, Busch could land here, reuniting with Toyota while avoiding a direct return to JGR.
🚗 SHR’s Successor Team? If a new team rises from the ashes of Stewart-Haas Racing, Busch could be a prime veteran candidate to lead it.
While it’s too early to predict where Busch might land, 2025 is a make-or-break season for his relationship with RCR.
Final Thoughts: Will Busch Stay or Go?
🛑 Why Busch might leave:
- RCR hasn’t delivered a consistently competitive car.
- Busch isn’t willing to waste his final years struggling in mid-pack.
✅ Why Busch might stay:
- RCR is making serious off-season changes to improve performance.
- Dillon and Childress want to build around him and will likely offer a lucrative contract extension.
One thing is clear: Kyle Busch isn’t interested in nostalgia—he wants wins. If RCR can’t give him a car that can compete, don’t be surprised if Busch is in a different ride in 2026.
What do you think? Will Kyle Busch stay with RCR, or will he make another shocking move? 🤔💭👇