Compared to last season, Kyle Busch has had a fair bit of success at Richard Childress Racing. But that doesn’t mean all is well at for the 2-time Cup Series champion. While the #8 driver had three wins in the first half of the season, his recent outings have been far from perfect.

With the regular season in the past, as we head into the crucial playoff rounds, Busch’s slump and RCR’s inconsistency raise concerns for ardent KB fans. To add to the fans’ worry, a recent playoff analysis has the “Rowdy” staring down the abyss, favoring his former rival, Ross Chastain over the 2019 Cup Series champion.

Kyle Busch gets snubbed as the playoff action heads to Darlington

Unlike his grim 2022 season where he finished 13th with just 1 win to his name, 2023 so far has treated the “Rowdy” pretty well. While the RCR driver is heading into the playoffs with three stellar wins, bad luck and inconsistency have plagued the driver, raising pertinent questions about his playoff chances.

Though the #8 driver steered clear of the wreck, finishing a decent top 10 at the 7th spot, GoPRNLive ruled out “Rowdy” Busch’s playoff chances. Sharing his take on the popular channel, the analyst even gave Busch’s former adversary and Trackhouse Racing star, Ross Chastain a winning chance at Darlington while the 2-time champion got snubbed miserably.

“The last one was probably the hardest for me because yes, I’m reaching above the cutline right now, Kyle Busch has been pretty weak here over the last handful of races, Ross Chastain hasn’t had a whole lot although I think he can do a whole lot in Darlington this week,” said Brad Gillie as he brutally downplayed the RCR driver’s chances to get past the playoff rounds.

Watch This Story: Kyle Busch makes blunt 5-word confession after heartbreak from Richard Childress 

Elder Busch’s bittersweet retirement announcement

Trending

Denny Hamlin Puts NASCAR System Under Scrutiny for Ross Chastain’s Playoff Disruption

“I’m Not Doing It”- Denny Hamlin Confesses the Only Condition That Would Bring Carl Edwards Back to NASCAR

Bubba Wallace’s Insider Warns Tony Stewart’s Mentee Against ‘Enemy’ Kyle Busch in 2-Words

Months After Suspension, Joe Gibbs’ Veteran ‘Chokes Up’ On Fulfilling 7-Year Long Redemption

NASCAR Rumor: Noah Gragson to Steal Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR Legacy From Tony Stewart’s Star, Claim Fans

The Busch brothers are one of the most iconic duos the sport of NASCAR has ever produced. The brothers together boast a whopping record of more than 120 wins. While the elder, Kurt Busch was the first to claim the throne when he won the 2004 Cup Series championship, fate had different plans for him.

A qualifying session gone wrong in 2022 at The Ticky Triangle ended the 23XI Racing driver’s career prematurely. Coming into the turn, the #45 Toyota lost traction as it slid right into the wall with the rear end of the car receiving the impact. The sheer impact of the crash had severe repercussions as Busch later developed serious concussive symptoms.

After a rather eventful race at Daytona, NASCAR nation had to bear another shocking news. Busch who was looking to make a grand return had to retire unable to shake off the effects of his injury. “My body is just having a battle with Father Time,” said Busch who was accompanied by his younger brother who sat back to let his brother announce his decision.

“I’ve had arthritis ever since I can remember. My gout has flared up where I can barely walk in some days. Just pushing to get through physical therapy and continuing to work out,” added the driver. The driver even shared a montage of his career-defining moments, making this one an emotional rollercoaster for fans.

READ MORE: Kyle Busch Reveals Painful 3-Word Tradition With Brother as a Champion Leaves the NASCAR World