Kyle Busch has a notable history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), with three Cup Series wins and ranks fourth all-time in laps led with 1,134, showcasing his strong performance on the flat, one-mile track. There, he has recorded several top-10 finishes and poles, demonstrating consistent competitiveness. Let’s just say that despite what happens for the rest of the season, Busch has made Loudon one of his stronger tracks on the calendar. But, well, as you know, 2025 hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, even at his best tracks.

Sunday’s race at the NHMS was supposed to be a chance to reset, regroup, and maybe snag some much-needed momentum, until things went sideways early. Now, with frustration mounting, Busch and Richard Childress Racing have their eyes locked on Kansas for redemption.

Kyle Busch is hopeful of a victory lane return

For Kyle Busch, the Mobil 1 301 started with a tough practice where he was placed 34th with 30.417 seconds. Then came his qualifying run in 24th place in the No. 8 Chevrolet, trailing the leaders by over a second. Safe to assume that the struggles started from the very beginning and seeped in on Sunday’s race, as Busch explained, “The No. 8 Chevrolet struggled with no lateral as the race began today at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.”

Well, Busch was referring to a lack of lateral grip or side-to-side traction crucial for maintaining speed through turns on Loudon’s flat, one-mile oval. This handling issue severely hampered his ability to stay competitive. Things worsened when Busch got caught up in a multi-car crash early in Stage 2, inflicting significant front-end damage that compromised his car for the remainder of the 301-lap contest.

Despite the Richard Childress Racing team’s best efforts to repair the damage and bring the car back forward, the No. 8 fell well short of a strong finish, highlighting the misfortune that defined Busch’s day. “We got caught up in the crash early in Stage 2 and battled front-end damage the remainder of the race,” Busch explained in a post-race interview, underscoring the team’s resilience amid adversity, as he eventually finished 30th.

Looking ahead, Kyle Busch remains focused on breaking his winless skid, which now sits at 87 races, with the last victory in Gateway in June 2023, which has extended through the 2025 season. Kansas Speedway represents a prime opportunity for redemption, but that might come with its own challenges. “Our focus remains returning the No. 8 to victory lane, and we hope to do just that next weekend at Kansas Speedway,” he said, setting his sights on the 1.5-mile track.

During his last outing in May 2025 at Kansas, the 40-year-old finished 21st after starting 35th, and before that in September 2024, he started third but could only manage a 19th-place finish. Overall at the track, he holds an average of 17.0, while his average start sits at 17.1. Beyond that, he has two wins.

As a Richard Childress Racing (RCR) driver, Busch has continued to perform well despite challenges, using his extensive experience on the 1.5-mile oval to guide his team’s efforts. His best result as an RCR driver has been 7th in 5 races, and he will be looking to return to his winning form. And we hope he really does!

Kyle Busch could lose a key member

Kyle Busch’s 2025 season has been a frustrating struggle as he searches to end a two-year winless streak, the longest dry spell of his Cup career. Compounding Busch’s challenges, a significant shakeup looms. Crew chief Randall Burnett, who has been with RCR since 2017 and Busch’s trusted crew chief since 2023, is reportedly set to leave the team at the end of the season.

This departure could mark the end of a notable chapter for Busch, adding uncertainty to an already difficult campaign. Fans and insiders are speculating that Rodney Childers may replace Burnett. Other names in the mix include Brian Pattie, who has worked well with Busch in the Truck Series. Some fans have even suggested Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s name.

Despite eight top-10s and a pair of top-five finishes this season with 2 DNFs and 62 laps led, the No. 8 team has been unable to convert speed into wins, which could be the main reason behind the departure. Busch himself, however, remains committed, emphasizing shared responsibility within the team to improve performance and results. “We have a way to get up front, but we’re working hard to get back in the mix on Sundays,” highlighting the collective effort needed to regain competitiveness.

Busch, who has averaged an 18th-place finish in 2025, will probably view this year as below his usual standards. For a driver with championships in 2015 and 2019, being mired in mediocrity is uncharted territory. And with his contract running through 2026, the pressure is mounting to turn things around before time runs out on what’s left of his prime. The next few months could define whether Busch’s relationship with RCR continues or ends in a high-profile split.