Richmond looked like Kyle Busch‘s best chance this year yet. Owning six career Cup wins at the 0.75-mile asphalt short track, the winningest driver may snap his 43-race winless streak. Yet his team’s endless shenanigans are coming in the way. Richard Childress Racing washes up against technical issues every week, and this week was no exception as well.

The Cook Out 400 race was unique this year – NASCAR introduced softer, high-wear option tires to use alongside the primary ones. However, Busch’s team managed to scrape out further challenges for the driver than was initially expected.

The 63-time Cup-winning driver was already in a bad position to begin with. As if the pressure of missing the playoffs was not enough, Kyle Busch incurred a wrist injury during the qualifying race at Richmond Raceway. He wore a white brace around his hand to still make it to the race, but it seemed like the RCR No. 8 team was making things difficult for him.

After qualifying 12th, Kyle Busch lingered around his spot for most of stage 1. Then, when pit stops ensued on lap 184 on stage 2, Busch’s team switched to option tires but got stuck with another dilemma.

Bob Pockrass updated that situation on X, “Long stop for Kyle Busch. They had to re-jack the car to tighten a wheel.” This happened even after the team roped in a new race engineer this weekend, Jack Lynch, who has previously worked with Busch.

The delay dropped Busch to 17th place by the end of stage 2, which Daniel Suarez won. His staggered pace due to miserable team efforts countered his initial expectations about the race. For the first time in a points-paying race, NASCAR had introduced option tires for drivers to use alongside prime tires. “That was probably our biggest thing. That was our biggest struggle,” Kyle Busch said. “If we can close that gap up, I felt pretty good on the (primary tire).” However, the race held different struggles in store for him.

The No. 8 RCR team had shuffled its crew several times this year. Things started in Las Vegas when a pit crew slip-up dropped Busch from 2nd place to a 26th-place finish. A pit road penalty made things even worse. After chaotic pit problems in the Daytona 500, the No. 8 team shuffled its pit crew heading into Atlanta, like several other times. But things did little to help.

NASCAR fans empathized with Busch’s continuous streak of misery, observing RCR’s faults in slowing down the stellar driver.

NASCAR community bashes RCR yet again

Busch’s slow pace prompted fans to rage at his lackluster team’s efforts. Earlier this year as well, fans were furious. After Kyle Busch encountered his fifth DNF of the season at Pocono, they blamed RCR. This time around as well, they are convinced about the culprit.

One fan suggested his future course of action: “Dude should just buy himself out of his contract.” Although there have been rumors of Rowdy joining some other team. But as things stand, Kyle Busch has a multi-year deal with Richard Childress Racing. Busch shifted gears to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro and will do so till 2025. While the contract details remain under wraps, it’s clear Busch and RCR are aiming high.

Fans clearly crave more competitiveness and always have their eyes on their favorite drivers. This fan, frustrated with RCR’s winless streak, even offered a bold suggestion, “RC needs to sell the team.” But with Austin Dillon’s recent win, that frustration might have turned to satisfaction. Perhaps now, this fan is feeling a change of heart.

Others were painfully reminded of the fact that Kyle Busch had been facing this almost every week now. Before Richmond, he finished outside the top 25 in both Indianapolis and Pocono, knocking up against unexpected issues. So one fan unequivocally pointed fingers at the RCR team: “You cant make this up bro…” Another fan empathized with Busch: “Kyle deserves better, man 😭” However, now with the No. 3 standing with a dominant win, and a place in the playoffs, the speculations around the team and management’s shortcomings aren’t valid.

Clearly, the NASCAR community feels for their favorite Busch’s continued streak of sadness and wishes the best for him. Now either it’s Richard Childress who would need to revamp his team efforts or it’s Kyle Busch himself who needs to up his game.