The two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch struggled in 2024, failing to win a race for the first time in 20 years. He also missed the playoffs, a shocking outcome for a driver with more than 200 career wins across NASCAR’s top three series. Now, heading into the final year of his contract with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), questions loom over his future. Can RCR deliver a car that allows Busch to return to Victory Lane? Or will the 38-year-old seek opportunities elsewhere?

However, Austin Dillon, Busch’s teammate and the driver who helped recruit him to RCR, recently addressed the issue. Dillon cleared the air on Rowdy’s true feelings, offering insight into how Busch really feels about his time at RCR and the road ahead.

Austin Dillon addresses Kyle Busch’s RCR future

Kyle Busch has never been one to hide his emotions. His aggressive style and outspoken nature have made him one of the sport’s most polarizing figures. But after a winless 2024 season, many wondered if frustration was creeping in at Richard Childress Racing. However, Austin Dillon paints a different picture. Speaking about Busch’s experience at RCR, Dillon shared that the veteran driver is actually happier than people might think.

In a candid conversation with Bob Pockrass, Dillon said, “Yeah, I think. You know Kyle is learning a lot. I think over the couple years, that he’s been with us on, I think he’s a happier person. Personally, I like being around Kyle… He’s a champion of our sport. So, for us at RCR, we just have to put in maximum effort every week to deliver the best product and that’s now the best we can do… But I think he’s enjoyed his time at RCR and wants to be a part of this organization to the end, I hope.” With Austin Dillon potentially getting more control over the workings of RCR, his word might just be the show of faith RCR needed to demonstrate for Busch. 2024 didn’t go his way, but he hasn’t just lamented over a lost season. He put himself out there in the off-season, going back to his racing roots.

Busch himself has remained optimistic despite his struggles. In a recent interview with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, he acknowledged the difficulties of 2024 but expressed confidence in bouncing back. “You know, you gotta win, right? And 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… is definitely paramount,” Busch said.

While Busch remains hopeful for 2025, it’s impossible to ignore how much his career has changed since leaving Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Busch spent 15 years with JGR, winning two Cup Series titles (2015 and 2019) and securing 56 of his 63 career Cup wins with the team. However, after the departure of longtime sponsor M&M’s, JGR couldn’t secure a replacement, leading to Busch’s shocking exit at the end of 2022.

At RCR, Busch showed early promises, winning three races in 2023. But 2024 was a disaster, with zero wins, only five Top 5s, and a disappointing 20th-place finish in the standings. RCR has since made key internal changes, including modifying its engineering department and pit crew. Busch has acknowledged these changes, hoping they will help turn things around. However, if 2025 doesn’t show improvement, Busch could be looking for a new home once again.

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Dillon’s $3 million mistake still haunts Richard Childress

While Kyle Busch’s struggles have dominated headlines, RCR’s financial situation has also been a point of contention. Richard Childress recently revealed how a controversial incident involving Austin Dillon at Richmond cost the team over $3 million. Notably, Dillon secured a dramatic win at Richmond in 2024, but the way he achieved it sparked major controversy.

In the final laps, he made an aggressive move that sent Joey Logano into the wall and took Denny Hamlin out of contention. NASCAR ruled that the move was excessive and penalized Dillon. While the victory stood, he was stripped of playoff eligibility and handed other sanctions. The penalties had a significant financial impact. Richard Childress didn’t hold back his frustration while speaking on The Dale Jr. Download.

“The whole thing, that deal [Martinsville], and Richmond cost us over $3 million. It isn’t always about the money but… it’s real money. But those two things, and I’ll never get over Richmond. I’ve seen it happen so many times, so many times I’ve seen those things happen. And the same two guys [Logano, Hamlin] involved in it is the same two culprits, but it came down to who had the most power who could get in NASCAR’s ear the hardest, and they came down on us the hardest,” Childress told Dale Jr.

The penalty not only cost Dillon a shot at the playoffs but also significantly impacted RCR’s end-of-season payout. Instead of finishing in the Top 16, Dillon ended the year in 32nd place. The difference in payout between those positions was substantial. For RCR, the Richmond penalty is a lesson learned the hard way. The team now faces the challenge of bouncing back in 2025, both competitively and financially. Busch’s performance will be a key factor in their success, but so will Dillon.