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Amid Austin Dillon Getting the Worse of Kyle Busch Effect, HMS Legend Names Richard Childress’ Successor

Published 06/23/2023, 5:51 PM EDT

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“Will you hold my watch?” the world of NASCAR is familiar with the phrase. It is through these words opened a gateway to an unexpected partnership, between Richard Childress and Kyle Busch. And there is no denying in the fact this partnership was the most unexpected and is turning out to be the most successful partnership in the process.

Kyle Busch as Richard Childress Racing driver is surely reaping results for both the driver as well as the team. With three victories already to his name, Busch is on the verge of regaining the long-lost glory days for Richard Childress Racing. But is it just the No.8 Chevrolet driver who deserves all the credit? Had it not been for Austin Dillon, who had found the perfect replacement for 23XI Racing bound Tyler Reddick, the world of NASCAR, would have missed out on exceptional teamwork.

However, Busch’s incredible finishes are casting a shadow on Austin Dillon’s track life. But it seems Steve Letarte has a different set of opinions when it comes to this debate,

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Steve Letarte divulges how a winning Kyle Busch could affect Austin Dillon

Although it was Richard Childress, who initially was skeptical about signing Kyle Busch to his team. But it was his grandson Austin Dillon who had approached his grandfather and coaxed him to sign Kyle Busch to their team. Whether the decision was a wise one or not, the results in the ongoing season can do the talking. 

But the apparent question that arises at this point, is whether Kyle Busch’s top-5 finishes are creating a negative impact on the owner’s grandson Austin Dillon. The No.3 so far has been limping in the race, while his teammate is leagues ahead of him and surely a title contender. Even Nate Ryan raises this question on NASCAR on the NBC podcast to Steve Letarte.

However, the veteran crew chief would love to differ from the popular opinions. He retorted to the host, “Kyle Busch is dang close to the single-digit greatest to have ever done it. Top-10, top-15. Is Austin Dillon as good as Kyle Busch, absolutely not. Austin Dillon will he admit he is a race car driver, hopefully not.”

He added, “He needs to have the swagger as he can do it. But Austin Dillon has won the Daytona 500. He’s won the Coke 600 and he brought Kyle Busch to RCR. I know what you are saying and I think the fans look like Austin Dillon’s getting the raw end. In my opinion, I think the industry says this just cemented what Austin Dillon’s going to be doing for the rest of his life.”

Watch this Story: After Kyle Busch Debacle, Ex-Daytona 500 Winner Accuses Joe Gibbs Racing In Fresh Sponsorship Conundrum

Following the footsteps of Grandfather: Could that be the possible fate of Austin Dillon?

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But the former Hendrick Motorsports veteran also revealed the next possible plans that could be the future of Richard Childress’ grandson. Perhaps to fill in the shoes of his grandfather. Even Letarte reinforces this notion in the conversation with Nate Ryan.

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He asserts the fact, “He is going to finish out a great driving career for however many years that he chooses that to be and then I finally found somebody that has RCR swagger. We finally found the guy to fill the impossible shoes of RC.”

“I think comparing anyone to Kyle Busch is reckless. It’s just unfair to ask anybody to do what Kyle Busch was going to do. That’s like saying William Byron won only seven and Jeff Gordon won 92. It’s just really unfair I think to compare,”  Letarte added.

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Austin Dillon is sure to learn the tricks and the crafts by driving beside Kyle Busch and having him as his teammate. As a team both the drivers surely support each other and is evident from their on-track chemistry. But to compare both the driver is surely comparing chalk and cheese. While Kyle Busch has already asserted his dominance on the tracks, Austin Dillon still has a long way to go to earn wisdom from Busch as well as his grandfather.

Read More: Hendrick Motorsports Insider Reveals Why Rick Hendrick Fired Kyle Busch; Unearths Boss’ 7-Word Statement for the Former Driver

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Written by:

Ayantika Maitra

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Ayantika Maitra is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. It was initially Formula 1 that made her fall in love with the world of motorsports. But quickly, the raw and unfiltered nature of NASCAR is what led her to build an affinity for the Stock Car Racing Series.
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Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal