Kyle Busch Extends Deal with Richard Childress Racing Through 2026

Kyle Busch will remain behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing through the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The news was confirmed at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of the track’s big event weekend.

Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, first joined RCR in 2023. Since then, he has started 84 races for the team, scoring three victories, 16 top-five finishes, and 31 top-10s.

Before joining RCR, Busch spent 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he built an impressive career and earned the 2015 and 2019 Cup titles. For more details on his career achievements, you can explore his profile on NASCAR’s official website.

Right now, Busch sits 17th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, only seven points outside the playoff cutline as the regular season continues. He has not won since 2023, but he has played a key role in shaping RCR’s direction.

During the offseason, Busch helped guide changes within the team, including the promotion of Mike Verlander from executive vice president at Stewart-Haas Racing to president at RCR. Torrey Galida moved from his role as team president to become vice chairman, while John Klausmeier was brought on as technical director and Richard Boswell started leading the No. 3 team as crew chief for Austin Dillon.

Austin Dillon, now in his 12th year driving for his family’s organization, has posted an average finish of 18.4 so far, which is an improvement of over four positions compared to his 2024 performance. Dillon appreciates working with Busch, describing him as a hard worker who is always focused on reaching victory lane.

He shared that Busch brings fresh ideas to team meetings and is always willing to help other drivers with questions, making the group stronger overall. For more insights into team dynamics in NASCAR, check out this research paper from MIT Sloan.

The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is a highlight for Busch, who won the event back in 2018. He will be competing again in this year’s 600, scheduled for Sunday, May 25, at 6 p.m. ET.

The big Sunday night race will air on Prime Video and will also be broadcast across PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, giving fans several ways to tune in.

While Busch and Dillon continue their partnership at RCR, the organization benefits from Busch’s experience and competitive drive. RCR, founded by Richard Childress, has a long history in NASCAR, earning over 200 wins and 16 championships. Learn more about the team’s legacy on RCR’s official history page.

Busch’s presence on the team since 2023 has brought additional knowledge and a desire to push the group’s performance higher.

Busch’s latest deal means he will chase more Cup Series trophies with RCR at least through 2026. He is committed to adding wins and is focused on helping the team return to the top tier of NASCAR.

Fans and competitors will be watching closely this season and beyond, as Busch works to boost his win total and help lead RCR to further success. For the latest updates on NASCAR standings and schedules, visit the official NASCAR standings page.