Sports
Sources: Collier back to Lynx on supermax deal
Napheesa Collier signs supermax contract to return to the Lynx
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Why Kyle Busch should find a new NASCAR Cup Series team for 2026
TL;DR
Kyle Busch is struggling with Richard Childress Racing, sitting 24th in points and with a winless streak over 100 races. With his contract up, a move to a new NASCAR Cup Series team for 2027 seems necessary.
Key points
- Kyle Busch is 24th in NASCAR Cup Series points.
- He has a winless streak of over 100 races.
- Busch has only two top-15 finishes this season.
- Richard Childress Racing is struggling for speed.
- Spire Motorsports is a potential new team for Busch.
Richard Childress RacingSpire MotorsportsKyle Busch
Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team for Richard Childress Racing are struggling. Through eight races, Busch sits 24th in the point standings with a 46-point deficit to the Chase bubble. The driver of the No. 8 car's winless streak has reached 100-plus races and has four straight finishes outside of the top-20 spots. In a contract year, it is time for the Richard Childress Racing driver to make a decision.
Busch has to leave Richard Childress Racing and find a new NASCAR Cup Series organization to start 2027. Busch hasn't finished in the top-10 spots through nine races and only has two top-15 finishes at Daytona International Speedway and Circuit of the Americas. Meanwhile, his teammate, Austin Dillon, has a best finish of 12th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Richard Childress Racing is really struggling, and while Busch hasn't been performing well, the talent still exists. Busch won three races in his first season with Richard Childress Racing, with only eight top-5 finishes in 2024, 2025, and the start of 2026. The NASCAR team is struggling for speed, and it hasn't been trending in the right direction.
It is fair to wonder if teams will question Busch's ability in the NextGen car, but Spire Motorsports would be an excellent fit. Busch drives for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Truck Series, and the organization is rising in the Cup Series. Whether it's Spire Motorsports or another team, it is just obvious that change is needed.
Busch is a two-time Cup Series champion who is struggling to finish in the top-15 spots at an age where most drivers are in their prime. It is hard to believe that Busch simply lost all of his talent in the Cup Series, especially after winning three races in the No. 8 car during the 2023 NASCAR season before steadily losing speed.
The partnership between Busch and Richard Childress Racing started better than anyone could have expected, but it is obvious that both sides need a reset. Busch has to find a new NASCAR organization in the silly season process, or he risks wasting the end of his Cup Series career running in 20th place every week.
More: Ty Gibbs joins Dale Earnhardt on prestigious list after win at Bristol
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Why Kyle Busch should find a new NASCAR Cup Series team for 2026
Q&A
Why is Kyle Busch considering leaving Richard Childress Racing?
Kyle Busch is considering leaving due to poor performance, currently sitting 24th in points and experiencing a winless streak exceeding 100 races.
What are Kyle Busch's recent race results in the NASCAR Cup Series?
In the last nine races, Busch has not finished in the top-10 and has only two top-15 finishes, indicating significant struggles.
Which team could Kyle Busch potentially join for the 2027 NASCAR season?
Spire Motorsports is suggested as a potential fit for Busch, as he already drives for them in the Truck Series and they are improving in the Cup Series.
