
For Kyle Busch, the 2026 season might just be do-or-die. Perhaps there is more pressure on Richard Childress Racing, though. Busch is not coy or evasive about how he feels at RCR. He wants to win. He wants to win now. Perferably, he wants to win another championship, too.
Since that three-win season in 2023, Kyle Busch and RCR have fallen off a cliff. Everyone else gets faster, and the Childress cars pretty much stay the same. Austin Dillon has managed two wins at Richmond since Busch's last win at Gateway in 2023. So, why can't the No. 8 team get the job done?
During media day earlier this year, Busch spoke about his situation with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. Rowdy clearly wants one thing - to win.
"No, I don't really worry. It kinda is what it is," Busch said to Pockrass. "You know, I've always told Samantha the same thing, you can't worry about things you can't control. All you can do is go out there and do what you can do and the good Lord will take care of the rest. If I'm here in the future, great, if I'm not..."
The driver went on about what he wants to see on the performance side of things. Richard Childress Racing has to bring him faster cars, and crew chief Jim Pohlman might be a big factor in that.
"I think just the competitive nature in me, obviously, you got to get back to Victory Lane," Busch continued. "It's all about winning races, it's all about being able to capitalize on those days and having a good team around you, and you win from top to bottom. So, looking forward to seeing what Jim has for us and what we can do with that."
Can Richard Childress Racing give Kyle Busch what he wants and needs in his race car? New crew chief Jim Pohlman is talented and respected in the garage. But will he be able to right the ship and get the No. 8 team to Victory Lane? A lot is riding on this season, not just for Busch, but for RCR as well.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!