For the first time in two decades, Kyle Busch found himself without a victory in the NASCAR Cup Series. Since he entered the sport as a rookie in 2005, Busch had always managed to win at least once each season. He even celebrated remarkable years with as many as eight wins, a feat he achieved twice (in 2008 and 2018). With two Cup Series championships to his name(2015 and 2019), Busch is a legend of the sport.

His streak of 19 seasons with at least one win created an impressive record, and he had high hopes of extending it into 2024. However, this year didn’t unfold as he had hoped. The drop in performance led to the family’s absence from a major event recently and fans asked his wife, Samantha Busch, about it on social media.

Absence of Samantha and Kyle Busch at NASCAR Awards 2024 banquet

The NASCAR Awards Banquet is a yearly event that celebrates the champions from the three national series: Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks. Established in 1981, this ceremony has become a cherished tradition, honoring legendary drivers over the decades, including notable figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. And, as luck would have it, the Busch’s were absent from the event.

When a fan on Instagram asked about the Busch’s absence from the banquet, Samantha Busch replied on her story, “You only go if you make the playoffs.”

The performance that fans and critics alike had come to expect from him took a surprising turn, leading to a season that included the fewest top-five finishes (5), top-ten finishes (10), and laps led (230) in his career. Adding to the disappointment, he finished with an average position of 18.3, which was his worst result since his debut year when he averaged 21.0, all culminating in him missing the playoffs.

In a sport that demands excellence, Busch faced a tough chapter, challenging not just his skills but his resolve as he looked ahead to reclaiming his dominant spot in the series. However, while his achievement is no mean feat, Busch also knew a time would come when the streak ended and admits how hard it was for him to keep it going. “But honestly, for there being guys that are at 17 (years) and one guy was at 18, and now one guy at 19, it’s hard to put that many good years like that together in a row. It’s difficult,” Busch said.

Kyle Busch’s 2024 season, which marks his second year behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, was a period of personal growth.

What’s the future for Kyle Busch?

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Kyle Busch‘s journey over the past two years has been filled with considerable changes. He began his racing career at Hendrick Motorsports, where he spent three years before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) for an impressive 15-year run. During those 18 seasons, he achieved remarkable success, winning 60 races and clinching two NASCAR Cup Series championships.

After the 2022 season, his time with JGR came to an end, and the Las Vegas native found himself with Richard Childress Racing. While he reflects on the end of his record-setting time with a sense of loss, he also recognizes that it offers him a new perspective on his accomplishments and what lies ahead.

“I would have much rather it has been — if I’m going to run six, seven more years — it last 25, 26 years, and just make it a mark that will never be achievable, right? But unfortunately, those things didn’t happen. Things changed for me a couple of years ago, and I was grateful to be able to extend the streak last year and make it my own.”

Throughout his career, Busch has enjoyed a solid track record of success, and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) looks to be making moves for him this offseason. Crew chief Randall Burnett will be back to lead the No. 8 team, Keith Rodden, a seasoned crew chief and competition director, has been named the vice president of competition for the team. Joining him are former leaders from Stewart-Haas Racing, John Klausmeier and Richard Boswell. Klausmeier will take on the role of technical director, while Boswell steps in as the new crew chief for the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet, driven by Austin Dillon.

Despite Busch’s struggles in 2024, there’s a sense of hope that he can kick off a new winning streak in 2025. With the fresh leadership and teamwork at RCR, fans are eager to see what the new season brings. Do you think Kyle Busch will bounce back?