The 2023 NASCAR season has been a rollercoaster for Kyle Busch. After spending 15 years driving a Toyota with Joe Gibbs Racing, he now finds himself behind the wheel of RCR’s Chevrolet Camaro. Amid ongoing struggles with his new team, Kyle Busch recently opened up about his feelings toward his former coach and team boss, Joe Gibbs.

Kyle Busch and Richard Childress have had their share of turbulence in the past. Even culminating in a physical brawl when Richard Childress punched Busch several times. This altercation followed a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway, triggered by Busch’s on-track behavior. Despite having admitted to moving past that incident, the 2023 season has shown signs of tension brewing once again.

Kyle Busch opens up about seeing former coach Joe Gibbs on the racetrack amidst a grueling postseason

Kyle Busch’s move from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing was met with high expectations. Many believed that Busch could regain his lost edge and compete for the championship once more. He had shown promise with victories at the Auto Club and Talladega and a second-place finish at COTA earlier in the season. However, the consistency needed for success remained elusive.

At the final race of the first round in the playoffs at Bristol, his performance took a nosedive, resulting in a 20th-place finish. Busch pointed to issues with his Chevrolet Camaro as the primary reason for his struggles. Indirectly putting the spotlight on his team’s shortcomings. In a post-race interview with NBC Sports, he voiced his frustrations, saying, “We just didn’t have any front turn, any front grip in the beginning of the run. And then we didn’t have any rear grip in the later [part] of the run. So man, could never just go anywhere, could never make ground.”

Amidst all this ongoing drama within his team, Kyle Busch recently spoke with Alex Weaver and shared his thoughts on encountering his former coach and team owner, Joe Gibbs, at the racetrack. When asked what it’s like to see Joe Gibbs in this new context, Busch started his response with a three-word confession, “Awkward. very awkward. But like the crew guys and stuff like that, you know, are on the #54 car. You know, I’d go up to them, talk to them every once in a while. My car chief, Nate, I’ve always been super close with him. And so, just you know, seeing those guys, still at the racetrack they’re going about their work and their job and I am just not there.”

Watch This Story | Kyle Busch Exposes Richard Childress Flaws as He Beats His Arch-Nemesis Joey Logano

Although Busch’s remarkable start with RCR this season has gone cold. He still thinks that it’s his responsibility to help the team develop further.

Busch aims to take RCR to the forefront of NASCAR

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While the tension between Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing continues to simmer, Busch remains committed to helping revitalize the team’s fortunes. His move from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing marked a significant transition, akin to a top-tier draft pick in NASCAR.

Busch’s decision to join RCR was motivated by a desire to contribute to the team’s development and resurgence. Busch told Racer.com, “I was coming over there to help rebuild and bring an organization back to its forefront. I’m still working on that every day. I wouldn’t say that we’ve found the recipe yet that’s going to take us to that level, but I think each week we continue to build on that. It is a building process.”

He also emphasized his proactive approach to influencing the team’s practices and data sharing. A departure from the team’s previous methods. Busch’s efforts aim to accelerate RCR’s journey back to NASCAR prominence. “Things don’t happen overnight. The way we are doing things and what I’m asking for out of practices or data and things like that. I continue to try to get more and more of that because they just never really did any of that beforehand and didn’t really share a whole lot of that with their drivers beforehand. I like to be in on a lot more than what they’re kind of used to.”

READ MORE: Can Kyle Busch Change His Playoff Storyline at Texas?

Do you believe Kyle Busch can lead Richard Childress Racing to greater heights? Also, let us know your predictions for the first race in the Round of 12 at Texas in the comments below.