Kyle Busch Faces Another Setback at Richmond — Can He Turn It Around at Daytona?
It’s been a season of frustration for NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch. Despite a couple of solid finishes and flashes of brilliance, Busch has yet to find the consistency that he needs to become a serious contender for a title. And his performance at Richmond this past weekend only added fuel to the fire of criticism — a race where mistakes and misfortune compounded for Busch, leaving many to question his playoff chances heading into Daytona.
A Forgettable Night at Richmond
Kyle Busch’s night at Richmond was nothing short of forgettable. The race started off with trouble, as Busch immediately complained about his car’s handling, claiming it “felt broken” and was prone to spinning out. From there, things only got worse. According to Jeff Gluck, NASCAR insider for The Athletic, Busch’s night became a series of unfortunate events.
“Kyle Busch, we talked about it’s a great night for RCR, Kyle Busch had like, I don’t know what was going on,” Gluck said during The Teardown podcast. “He started off the race and he was immediately like, ‘You guys got this thing wrong and it feels broken and it wants to spin out.’ And then he was like a wrecking ball. I mean, he was hitting people left and right. He took out both Chases, because he took out (Chase) Briscoe, and then in the same wreck he took out Chase Elliott.”
Busch’s aggressive, error-filled driving led to a wreck that collected a whopping 12 drivers and took many out of contention. The night was riddled with mistakes, starting with a pit road violation that cost him valuable track position early on. “He had the moment there where he sped on pit road from sections 1 through 10,” Gluck added. “Like every section or whatever.”
The Lack of Consistency
The race at Richmond was just another in a long line of performances for Busch that have lacked the consistency he needs to challenge for wins. Although he has managed a couple of top-five finishes and a handful of top-10 finishes, there hasn’t been anything close to the dominance fans have come to expect from a driver of his caliber.
“Can we just really quick? How about the fact that Austin Dillon has two wins over the last basically two seasons and Kyle Busch has zero?” co-host Jordan Bianchi pointed out during the podcast, highlighting the stark contrast between the two drivers’ seasons. Dillon, Busch’s teammate at Richard Childress Racing (RCR), has had a much more successful year in terms of wins, while Busch has yet to find victory lane.
A Teammate’s Success but No Answer for Busch
While Busch struggled, his teammate Austin Dillon emerged as one of the weekend’s biggest success stories. Dillon secured a solid result that kept RCR hopeful of securing both cars in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Busch’s finish of 16th at Richmond didn’t do much to inspire confidence, though it was technically an improvement over his previous few races. For a driver with so much experience, it was a tough pill to swallow, especially when comparing his performance to that of his teammate.
“It was just like, dude,” Gluck said. “Then his teammate wins, but I still feel like he’ll have a chance next week. Wouldn’t it be something if RCR got both cars into the playoffs after the year they’ve had? RCR gets both cars in, eliminating a Hendrick car or a 23XI car or all of RFK.”
For RCR to get both of their cars into the playoffs would be a remarkable achievement, especially considering the ups and downs both drivers have experienced. But with the season winding down and playoff spots on the line, Busch knows he needs to step it up in a big way.
Daytona: A Final Shot at Redemption
With the playoffs in sight, all eyes are on Daytona, where Busch will have one final chance to secure his spot. A win at Daytona could completely change the course of his season, and although his Richmond race was a disappointment, Busch is more than capable of turning things around on the high banks of Daytona.
Despite his struggles, Busch is still one of the most experienced and talented drivers in NASCAR, and no one is counting him out just yet. “There’s a whole lot of work to be done for that to occur,” Gluck noted, but Busch certainly has the capability to make it happen.
For Busch, Daytona may be the last shot at turning around what has been a disappointing season. His history on restrictor plate tracks, like Daytona, could provide him with the boost he needs to secure that coveted playoff spot.
Conclusion
Kyle Busch’s performance at Richmond was another chapter in a season full of frustration and inconsistency. The wreck that took him out of contention, coupled with a pit road mistake and some lackluster driving, made it a night to forget. But with Daytona on the horizon, Busch still has a chance to redeem himself and secure a spot in the NASCAR playoffs.
The pressure is on as the season winds down, but with his skill and experience, Busch is more than capable of making a dramatic comeback. Fans, insiders, and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can finally find the consistency he’s been searching for — and if RCR can make their playoff dreams come true.
