All eyes are on Kyle Busch! The game is on for the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion to prove his mettle again. Speculation is rife about Rowdy losing his touch, given his 2024 misery. As Busch encountered 8 DNFs, logged only 10 top-ten finishes, and failed to crack the playoffs, it’s an understatement to say the winless season stung for Rowdy. Yet his cheerleaders are still loud and strong – including Dale Earnhardt Jr.

That is because the 26-time Cup Series race-winning veteran knows what a phenomenon Busch is. He has trumped Richard Petty’s 200 race wins – boasting a rich arsenal of 231 trophies from all three NASCAR tiers. And the hunger for more medals is still alive, as Dale Jr. believes.

The flame is still burning in Kyle Busch

Well, the failures must have made big gashes in Kyle Busch. Through 19 full-time Cup Series seasons, Busch has never gone winless. He also never recorded less than 13 top-ten finishes. For the first time since 2012, Busch failed to crack the postseason playoffs. Granted, the 63-time Cup Series race winner has faced seasons not up to his lofty standards. Busch’ only’ won a single race in 2012, 2014, 2020, and 2022. Yet that might be a paradise for other smaller race teams in NASCAR. So 2024 dismally shattered Busch’s high standards – which gives him all the more reason to buckle up and get back on track.

That is what Dale Earnhardt Jr. ardently believes – that once a Rowdy, always a Rowdy. It may just be a matter of time before Kyle Busch comes roaring back to Victory Lane. Dale Jr. admitted as much in a recent Dale Jr. Download episode: “I just can never count out Kyle Busch, you just can’t…He has to be the most motivated guy out there. He does not like losing, and he certainly doesn’t like breaking streaks.”

His words offer hints of the burning conviction underneath – like Busch’s words about Daytona in a recent Richard Childress Racing video. Busch claimed that he deems himself “a failure” as he still has not clinched a Daytona 500 trophy. Dale Jr. also emphasized fiery motivation, deducing from Busch’s comments in interviews. “You’ll hear the comments where you can tell through what he’s saying, that those things matter. To go winless last year…I think he feels like he’s gotta prove it all over again. So he’s going to be super determined.”

Kyle Busch’s last winning streak was at the start of 2023 when he seized three race wins. Dale Jr. believes RCR will see a reignition of that glory soon. “I would think Richard Childress Racing gets the two wins needed.” Dale Jr. also feels that Busch has a few solid years left in the sport. “He’s got 2-5 years before the decline – it is evident.” Junior’s belief in Rowdy becomes more evident after the pre-season campaign Busch embarked on, with race wins at both the Tulsa Shootout and Chili Bowl Nationals, competitions he was new at.

Now Kyle Busch is already devising a good plan for 2025. He has the faith of Dale Jr. and a big sponsor.

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Extending support for Rowdy

Kyle Busch may have fallen into a bad streak in the Cup Series. However, his energy is no less – the 39-year-old racer debuted at the Chili Bowl Nationals for the first time. He won back-to-back races at the Tulsa Shootout, seizing the trophies to a Winged Outlaw Heat race as well as a Non-Winged Outlaw heat race. This signaled a marvelous start to the year, and also bountiful race results later in the season. So Busch has already roped in his earlier sponsor, Rebel Bourbon, on board for the 2025 NCS campaign. The beverage brand first joined forces with RCR and Busch in 2024 for a three-race schedule.

This time, Rebel Bourbon will be the primary sponsor for the No. 8 Chevrolet in multiple races. Philip Lux, brand manager for the company, is joining forces with the massive Rowdy fanbase. “We can’t wait to keep the excitement going in 2025 after connecting with thousands of Rebel, Kyle Busch, and RCR fans last season who have a rebellious spirit and live against the grain.” Torrey Galida, RCR president, also trumpeted this partnership. “The authentic connection between Rebel Bourbon and RCR allows us to showcase our shared core values and celebrate our rebel spirit. We are excited to expand their program during the 2025 season and look forward to building on the established momentum.”

Now all that Kyle Busch needs to do is rebel against the dismal streak of 2024. We are eagerly looking forward to Rowdy taking us places this year!