Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has 63 cup victories, putting him ninth on the all-time list. Lately, though, the veteran driver has hit a rough patch, with no wins since 2023 and finishes that haven’t matched his storied resume. Fans know how a timely shake-up can spark a turnaround.

Just look back to 2020 when Busch parted ways with longtime crew chief Adam Stevens after five seasons and two titles together, a move that stemmed from Busch pushing for fresh dynamics on the team. That kind of reset often brings new energy and strategies, helping drivers rediscover their edge. Richard Childress Racing just delivered the kind of update that could shift momentum for Busch, especially coming right on the heels of pointed advice from retired star Kevin Harvick. It’s the boost many have been hoping for as the playoffs heat up.

Crew chief shake-up at RCR

Richard Childress Racing and Randall Burnett are parting ways at season’s end, with Andy Street, who’s currently the crew chief of RCR #21 Austin Hill in the Xfinity series, stepping in as crew chief for Kyle Busch’s No. 8 team starting this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This change follows Burnett’s upcoming role as crew chief for Connor Zilisch at Trackhouse Racing in 2026, marking a natural transition after Burnett’s eight years at RCR, where he guided the No. 8 to three wins with Busch since 2023.

As the team stated, “With Richard Childress Racing and Randall Burnett parting ways at the end of the season, RCR has decided Andy Street will step in as crew chief of the No. 8 team with driver Kyle Busch effective this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Burnett will continue contributing in a support role with the organization through the end of the season.” Street, who brings experience from engineering roles within RCR, offers a familiar yet refreshed perspective to help Busch navigate the remaining races.

With Richard Childress Racing and Randall Burnett parting ways at the end of the season, RCR has decided Andy Street will step in as crew chief of the No. 8 team with driver Kyle Busch effective this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Burnett will continue contributing in a…

— RCR (@RCRracing) October 1, 2025

The timing aligns closely with Kevin Harvick’s recent comments on his Happy Hour podcast, where he highlighted Busch’s struggles, including a 19th-place finish at Kansas. Harvick said, “Kyle Busch had another miserable weekend. But I think he’s right. I think that Kyle needs a fresh start, too, with somebody else to just kind of reset.” He added, “We all want to see Kyle Busch win,” emphasizing how a new crew dynamic could reignite the 40-year-old’s performance, much like past shifts that helped veterans bounce back in competitive slumps.

While crew changes like this often signal efforts to steady the ship, bigger questions about leadership at RCR have bubbled up online. These whispers forced the team to step in and clarify the situation directly.

RCR squashes Childress retirement talk

Social media lit up with talk that Richard Childress, the 80-year-old team owner, might step away after the 2025 season, leaving fans wondering about the future direction of the organization he built from the ground up. Childress started as a driver in 1969, running his own car in the Cup Series before retiring from behind the wheel in 1981 to focus on ownership. His hands-on approach turned RCR into a powerhouse, but recent seasons have tested that legacy, with the team managing just one victory this year from Austin Dillon amid broader performance dips.

RCR didn’t let the speculation linger, issuing a firm denial that put the focus back on racing. “This is not accurate. Richard Childress is not planning to retire following the end of the season,” the team stated on social media, addressing the rumors head-on and reassuring supporters that Childress remains committed.

This response echoes how teams handle off-track noise, much like in 2022 when Childress navigated scrutiny over ammunition donations through his board role at Ammo Inc., showing his involvement extends beyond the track but always circles back to stability at RCR.

Looking ahead, the team hinted at more to come without fueling further guesses. “Additional information regarding future competition roles will be shared at a later date,” RCR added, suggesting structured plans for roles that could impact drivers like Busch. This comes at a time when transitions, such as Burnett‘s move to Trackhouse, highlight how personnel shifts keep operations fresh, drawing from Childress’s long history of adapting since founding RCR elements in the late 1960s.