The 2024 season flagged off on a gloomy note for Kyle Busch. After on-track trouble at the Bluegreen Vacations duel, he had to resort to a backup car. But the Great American Race had more woes scripted for his racing experience. After a P6 finish in the first stage, Busch was slapped with a safety violation penalty for having too many crew members over the wall. But another situation threw a wrench in his plan to break the 20-year-old winless drought at the Daytona 500. In the 133rd lap, the lug nut on his front tire came loose, and sparks flew before the next pit stop. This technical setback got the #8 team crew into the bad books of Richard Childress. Ahead of the Atlanta race, a major crew overhaul was mandatory, but RCR efforts may have been in vain.

Kyle Busch spills the beans on RCR’s recruitment troubles

Last Sunday, Kyle Busch suffered the consequences of a loose wheel. But with his incredible talent as the winningest racer, he managed to finish 12th while leading 12 laps. At this crucial juncture, the RCR team had to make pit crew changes. Kyle Busch’s team will now have a new jackman, Garrett Crall, in place of Josh Sobecki.

However, the rest of the pit crew has been difficult to fill in. Kyle Busch recently spoke to Fox about this ordeal. “We were trying to redo a few different positions over the offseason, and some of the talent we were scouting, talking to and giving offers to, they declined them and went somewhere else.”

Busch further emphasized the distance factor. “Especially with where RCR is based and where they’re at, it’s a long drive to get up to Welcome (North Carolina) to pit-stop practice sometimes three and four times a week, whatever it might be.”

Kyle Busch also talked about the wrath of team owner Richard Childress. But strong words can only go so far when there is a dearth of people. “I know that [pit-crew coach] Ray [Wright] and all the guys there in the pit crew department are working super hard. Trust me, they’ve heard it – not from me, but from Richard week in and week out. Their ears are bleeding, but I know they’re trying and I know they’re working hard.”

When Kyle Busch faced on-track troubles at the Daytona 500, Richard Childress did not mince words for the crew. “Crew guys get your head out of your a** and stop f***ing up,” Childress rebuked.

But this is not the only time Kyle Busch faced technical hiccups on the track.

Loose tires followed Busch from the pre-RCR era

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In 2022, when Kyle Busch owed allegiance to Joe Gibbs Racing, he fell prey to a similar dilemma. At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a loose tire defined his race. The front left wheel came loose and rolled off the car on lap 229. Busch had to rebound from this ordeal and managed to swerve into 3rd place. 

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However, the situation was bleak for Busch’s No. 18 Toyota pit crew. NASCAR suspended crew chief Ben Beshore, jackman Derrell Edwards, and tire changer Michael Hicks for four races. The reason cited was Section 10.5.2.6 infraction (loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle during an event).

Hopefully, RCR’s team shake-up will work in Kyle Busch’s favor as he heads into the Atlanta race.