The way Kyle Busch’s recent seasons have unfolded, there are several questions raised about his move to Richard Childress Racing from Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023. Which is kind of obvious. It’s been more than 70 races since Busch won his last race. And this is “Rowdy” we are talking about, the Cup Series’ winningest active driver.
However, back in 2023, the RCR move looked promising. Busch was set to take his JGR form to Richard Childress’ team and join an elite group of drivers who have won NASCAR championships with multiple teams. Like Dale Earnhardt Sr did, winning his first for Rod Osterlund and then the other six for RCR. Or how Tony Stewart won with both JGR and his own Stewart-Haas Racing.
And back when Busch was making the move, he was already a two-time champion with JGR. And getting his third with RCR was the plan. However, he did not take inspiration from NASCAR greats. Rather, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of two NFL legends, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
What Did the RCR Move Mean to Kyle Busch?
So, if you recall, the 2022 season had just concluded was Joey Logano was crowned the champion. And Busch hadn’t had his best season, just one win and a 13th-place finish. And the news of his move to RCR was already out. But despite his sub-par season, Busch was pumped!
It was the award ceremony for that season, where the Las Vegas native came flaunting his two championship rings. He probably wanted people to know that Logano’s not the only driver with multiple championships. And at the ceremony, Busch was already picturing his third! And this time with RCR.
Folks, Busch is a big NFL fan, and that’s where he took inspiration from. Brady and Manning are two quarterbacks who have won championships with multiple franchises. Brady won six titles with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers. And Manning has one each with the Colts and the Denver Broncos. And Busch wanted to do the same. The last one to do it in NASCAR was Stewart.
And speaking about this at the awards ceremony, Busch had said, “It’s kind of maybe a blessing in disguise, honestly, where it might just be a time for a fresh start…I’m kind of looking at it as the Tom Brady-Peyton Manning aspect, where they left great teams, great organizations, where they won championships, and they went on and were able to win championships somewhere else. So I’d like to think that I still have that opportunity to be able to do that with RCR.”
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And for the first season with RCR, it looked like he might pull it off with the three wins. However, he ended it in a P14. And from there, things have just gone downhill. The 2024 season was Busch’s worst one in NASCAR ever.
However, in 2025, he’s had a few close chances to bag a win. And with most of the season still left, Rowdy fans are keeping their fingers crossed and hopes high.