Kyle Busch’s Struggle at Phoenix Catches Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Attention as RCR Go Cold Again

2024 started well for Kyle Busch, who currently sits at the 11th spot. The Rowdy army has been ecstatic to see the Richard Childress Racing Chevy driver, who has already finished once in the top 5. However, after a couple of brilliant runs, bad luck has caught up to the #8 RCR driver. While he started as one of the fastest on the track, he didn’t even make the top 20 in his last 2 cup races.

Reflecting on the “hot and cold” situation of RCR, Dale Earnhardt Jr gave his take, saying that he’ll be paying close attention in the coming races before he passes his verdict.

Reflecting on these ebbs and flows, Junior in his podcast said, “Interesting to see Kyle Busch struggle this past weekend, I thought that was obviously you know we expect Kyle Busch to run really well, I know that RCR is going to be hot and cold sort of team but I bring it up as to say, me personally, I’m going to be watching Kyle a little closer to see if this is just a blip or a fluke or if this is a trend that this team has lost a little bit from last year. I’ll pay attention to that going forward in the next several races.” 

As Dale Jr. said, the #8 RCR would be smoking hot one week, carrying speed, and cold the very next week. For instance, Busch was extremely fast in Atlanta and came agonizingly close to winning, ultimately finishing a close 3rd, behind Ryan Blaney and Daniel Suarez. However, the very next week, he was nowhere at the top in Las Vegas, his home track.

However, being an eight-time Bristol winner, a comeback cannot be ruled out, perhaps even a win. And looking to ensure the best for Busch, RCR is shuffling up the lineup again.

Richard Childress shuffles the #8’s pit crew again ahead of Bristol

Following the season-opening race at Daytona, the pit crew was swapped, and it was done once again after Las Vegas. Now as we get to Bristol for the half-mile track, Childress is making more changes again.

As reported by Bob Pockrass, Pit crew members from previous weeks are returning to the crew. Josh Sobecki, who started the year as the jackman, and was replaced after one race at Daytona, is back. Michael Russell, who was left out at Phoenix for another crew member, is back on as the front tire changer. Finally, Shiloh Windsor, who was the front tire changer last week, becomes the rear tire changer.

If things fall in place and Busch gets his win at Bristol, he will move up the all-time wins list at the track and join Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Cale Yarborough for second on that list. Now, if that’s not impressive, then what is?

READ MORE: Richard Childress Facing Painfully Contrasting Results as Kyle Busch Still Struggling With Pit Issues