Kyle Busch Slyly Hints at Reaping the Fruits of Andy Petree’s ‘Planned’ RCR Departure

Registering a win in NASCAR requires a lot of planning and tough decisions need to be made. It is not about who is to be blamed for the failures, but rather who can be slated for the successes. As it requires a collaborative effort, striking the right chords is essential. Richard Childress Racing was in a tough position early in the season, where it had to take the call on, bringing in the right people. We heard Richard speaking about it for the better half of the year and now Kyle Busch also confirmed the same and fortunately; the reshuffle has worked in RCR’s favor.

The assimilation of Kyle Busch in RCR hasn’t been easy. Although RCR had a good run last year and made it to the playoffs, it was a tough nut to crack this time around. Busch won 3 races in 2023 and finished 14th. But he still hasn’t been able to register a win this year. With the growing problems in his car, he was desperately rooting for a change. That change came in the form of the Competition Director. The 55-year-old legacy team let go of its veteran crew chief, Andy Petree, as he announced his retirement mid-season.

Kyle Busch said, at the time, that he loved and respected Petree, but some changes happened for the good. “Change sometimes lends itself to an open opportunity, hopefully for the better…I respect the hell out of Andy, and what he’s done and what he’s done in this sport and the legacy that he holds.”

Ever since, the team has been enthused with new energy, as promised by Richard Childress. The speed of the car returned post-Olympic Break, and both NCS entries of RCR have been in contention for the wins. In the pre-race press conference at Darlington Raceway, Busch gave major credit to the decision to shake up the key personnel. “Just a lot of hard work and everybody really pulling together and a few changes personnel-wise behind the scenes.”

“A lot of that’s been from the April/May timeframe of just conversations of processes and procedures that we need to improve on and work on we’re starting to see the fruits of that labor now,” Busch said, quotes via Cup Scene. It is the last race of the regular season left now. Busch nearly missed the victory lane in Dayton, last weekend.

One Parker Retzlaff tried to push Harrison Burton aside and leapfrog for the win. However, his plan backfired, and neither he got the win for himself nor did Kyle Busch. However, the veteran does not blame the rookie driver and he also will not let any of that happen this weekend if he finds himself in the same position.

What is the strategy for Kyle Busch at Darlington?

There is only one strategy for the Cook Out Southern 500, and that is “We’re going to go there with the best car we can and try kick their butts and get a win,” Kyle Busch admitted. The two-time Cup Series Champion does not believe in going into a race, thinking he cannot win. “You can use that as a distraction or a motivation tool,” Busch said. The #8 driver is all-in for the finale and will not back down without a fight. There is a lot at stake with a 12-year NASCAR Playoffs streak.

“We’ll look to make that our motivation,” the champion affirmed. There are a lot of drivers struggling in the bubble. Since Kyle Busch is 19th, points-wise, that is not just a playoff possibility for him. But a win is all it will take to get to the top-16. He had a 7th-place finish in May 2023 at the same track, his best record since his big move to RCR. He is hopeful that he can make it, and we wish him the best.

What’s your prediction? Let us know in the comments below.