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Kyle Busch shuffles around pit crew again ahead of Food City 500 at Bristol

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 3/15/24

A new week means new changes to the pit crew for Kyle Busch. Richard Childress Racing is shuffling up the lineup again. After Daytona, there was a swap. Then there was a swap after Las Vegas. Now, we’re getting more changes for the No. 8 NASCAR Cup Series team.

This doesn’t seem as extreme of a change. However, pit crew members are returning to the crew who were taken out in previous weeks, guys moved from one position to another. It’s a bit of a mess.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports noticed the changes and posted them on Twitter/X.

Josh Sobecki, who started the year as the jackman and was replaced after one race at Daytona, he is back on the jack. Michael Russell was left out at Phoenix for another crew member and is back on as the front tire changer. Finally, Shiloh Windsor who was the front changer last week moves to the rear changer.

Kyle Busch crew shuffle for this week (according to the roster): Josh Sobecki, jackman for Daytona, back on the jack. Michael Russell, front changer who didn't do the car at Phoenix, back on the front. Shiloh Windsor, front changer last week, doing rear tires this week.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 15, 2024

Chemistry matters a lot in NASCAR when it comes to pit crews. Guys knowing how to work together in an efficient and effective manner is important. However, with all of these changes, I’m not sure there is any cohesion or chemistry on this team.

Kyle Busch has had issues on pit road. However, that’s not the sole cause of his troubles in 2024. They likely wouldn’t make these changes if they didn’t believe they were going to work. We will have to wait and see how the new crew configuration works out for Rowdy.

Kyle Busch could make history at Bristol

Now, let’s just go ahead and say that Busch and his new crew work really well together this week. He gets a fast car in qualifying, starts up front, has a solid race – in fact, let’s just go ahead and say he wins.

Now, seeing Rowdy win at Bristol wouldn’t be too shocking. He has eight checkered flags in the Cup Series alone at the track. But what would that ninth win mean for Busch and his legacy?

With a win at Bristol, Busch can move up the all-time wins list at the track and join Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Cale Yarborough for second on that list. Those three are tied with nine a piece, and wouldn’t Busch’s name look fitting next to that trio?

Kyle Busch needs to get pit road figured out. Especially this weekend. If you have a bad stop or have to serve a pass-through penalty, you’re going to be down a lap, two laps, three laps, or more. A solid top-5 finish could go a long way to getting this No. 8 team back on track.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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