Kyle Busch is not having his best season. The once-dominant driver has yet to claim a victory in this year’s Cup Series. In fact, this could be the first season since 2005 that Busch finishes without a regular-season win. To add insult to injury, the #8 Chevy driver was lapped by rising stars like Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell during the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS).

RCR’s failure to create a competitive setup and address pit crew issues has played a significant role in Busch’s dismal performance. Once a powerhouse, RCR had pinned its hopes on Busch after its tenure with Dale Earnhardt Sr. But what can a painter do without a good paintbrush?

Such is Busch’s plight this season. With over a 45-point deficit, can Rowdy bounce back and propel RCR into the playoffs? With Andy Petree gone, the newly appointed Competition Director of RCR, Keith Rodden, believes it’s possible.

Petree’s successor already taking charge and addressing the issues Head-On

RCR’s current struggles have been highlighted by their inability to provide consistent performance. Keith Rodden, the newly appointed VP of Competition at Richard Childress Racing (RCR), shed some light on the situation. For those who don’t know, Rodden, the 43-year-old American stock car racing crew chief who works for Richard Childress Racing in an administrative role, previously served as a crew chief for RCR on Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Addressing his team at RCR and weighing in on their potential on June 26th, Keith Rodden said, “We have a lot of talented men and women at RCR and DCR. And we know that we can put a winning product out there. We were able to win three races with Kyle [Busch] last year on the eights.” This comment underscores the team’s confidence in their capabilities despite this season’s setbacks.

He further noted the existing pit crew’s inconsistency as a major issue. “We had a few times when Austin was in a position to win on the three. And it just didn’t happen.” The implication is clear: while the drivers have shown potential, the supporting elements have faltered. This season, pit crew errors and car performance inconsistencies have prevented Busch and his teammates from capitalizing on their opportunities.

On this note, the incident with Supercars champion, Will Brown at the Sonoma Raceway, is worth paying attention to. The Supercar champ was forced into an early exit at Stage 2 owing to electrical issues with the Chevrolet Camaro. The Ringer had to head back to Australia in a disappointing fashion after his first-ever NASCAR attempt was thwarted by RCR engine woes.

The RCR official further acknowledged these issues, stating, “We need to be able to give the drivers consistent cars that they can go out there and show their talent with. And then we need to bring them back to the racetrack and improve on them and improve on the product.” This focus on continuous improvement is essential for RCR to turn its season around. The team recognizes that they have the talent and resources. Now, they just need to execute it flawlessly.

With the NASCAR season approaching its critical final stretch, Kyle Busch is 45 points shy of the playoff cut. With eight races remaining, Busch’s chances hinge on high-stakes performances across a variety of tracks. By analyzing his historical data at these venues, we can get a clear picture of his potential to close the gap and secure a playoff spot.

Busch’s tryst with odds

Nashville Superspeedway and Pocono Raceway are crucial for Busch’s playoff bid.

• Nashville, with its 1.33-mile D-shaped oval, has seen Busch secure an average finish of 13.7, including leading 76 laps across three races. His steady performances here suggest he can rack up valuable points. Pocono, known for its unique triangular layout, has been even more favorable for Busch.
• With an average finish of 15.0, one win, and 123 laps led in the last four races, Pocono presents a solid chance for Busch to claw back some points. Consistent top-10 finishes at these tracks will be vital for keeping his playoff hopes alive.

On the street and road courses, Busch’s recent form gives mixed signals.

• At the Chicago Street Course, a rare beast in NASCAR with its tight turns and urban backdrop, Busch finished impressively in fifth place during his only outing. This strong performance indicates potential for another top finish.
• However, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, another road course with a storied history, has been more challenging for Busch, with an average finish of 22.3. Improving his performance here will be essential, as every point counts in this critical stretch.

The high-speed, high-risk superspeedways, Michigan International Speedway and Daytona International Speedway bring their own brand of unpredictability.

• Michigan, a two-mile D-shaped oval, has not been kind to Busch, with an average finish of 26.7. Despite this, his best finish of seventh shows he can perform well on his day.
• Daytona, known for its dramatic races and pack racing, offers Busch an average finish of 14.6 with three top-10 finishes in recent races. A strong finish here, possibly even a win, could be a game-changer in his playoff quest.

Finally, the short tracks like Richmond Raceway and the tough old Darlington Raceway could be decisive.

• Richmond, a three-quarter-mile oval, has been a stronghold for Busch, boasting an average finish of 10.3 with five top 10s in his last seven races. This is where Busch needs to maximize his points.

• Darlington, with its unique egg-shaped layout and challenging turns, has been more difficult, with an average finish of 20.9, but his third-place best finish indicates potential. Solid performances on these tracks could solidify his playoff bid.

Overall, Kyle Busch has had an impressive performance on the upcoming tracks. All he needs is unhampered consistency, backed by a winner. This would surely put RCR and the #8 team in the playoffs. But all these are subject to big “ifs,” as If Keith Rodden and RCR as a whole would be able to back up their claims or not.