For over two decades, NASCAR fans have grown accustomed to seeing Kyle Busch in Victory Lane. His fiery competitiveness, relentless drive, and knack for performing under pressure have defined his career. Yet, in recent months, something unprecedented has been brewing: the number “0” next to Busch’s win column has remained stagnant longer than most in the sport can remember. Each race has carried with it a mix of anticipation and frustration, anticipation of when Busch might remind the field why he’s a two-time Cup champion, and frustration when near-misses continue to pile up.

The conversation has shifted from “when will he win again?” to “can he even snap the streak this season?” Within Richard Childress Racing (RCR), where Busch now races, this stretch carries weight far beyond individual achievement. And as the playoff picture comes into sharp focus, teammates and insiders are beginning to see how the situation is reshaping dynamics inside the garage.

“It flips the momentum”: Austin Dillon is backing Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch’s current drought has become one of the most talked-about storylines of the season. For a driver who has built a career on consistency, averaging multiple wins each year since 2005, going deep into the schedule without reaching Victory Lane is glaring. His last win dates back to 2023, and the prolonged gap has left both fans and analysts questioning whether RCR has been able to fully harness Busch’s championship-caliber skillset since his high-profile move from Joe Gibbs Racing.

These struggles have unfolded while the competition tightens at the mid-tier level. Several drivers have leveraged late-season runs to secure playoff spots, raising the stakes for Busch and RCR. It’s not just about pride; playoff berth opportunities carry both financial and reputational ripple effects for the entire organization. That’s where teammate Austin Dillon has stepped in with candid remarks, reframing Busch’s skid not as an individual battle but as a pivotal moment that could redefine RCR’s season. “It’s a game changer for RCR if we get two cars in the playoffs and just flips the whole momentum of where we’re at as a company,” Dillon stressed.

“So yeah… I’ll be helping all I can.” Dillon explained the importance of RCR escaping the narrative of “almost there” seasons that haunt the team’s year-end reviews. “It’s what we do it for,” he said. “We get to our Christmas luncheon and hear, ‘It was a good year, but not a great year.’ We need to make it a great year. If we could get both cars a win this year, it flips everything. That’s huge.” Support inside the garage often becomes most visible on superspeedways, where teamwork frequently dictates outcomes. Dillon signaled he’s ready to play the role of tactical protector.

“I think the trustworthiness… if I can be there for him… that gives him a feeling of comfort,” Dillon noted. “Maybe I’m the one burning the fuel, where he can save behind me. That could make the difference in the right situation.” This backing from a teammate comes at a critical juncture. Busch has shown flashes of speed running up front in several races, but circumstances like late cautions, track position battles, or pit strategy have undermined his finishing results.

Dillon’s words acknowledge that sometimes the missing link is not talent or pace, but trust in team execution and the ability of two cars to work in sync. That sentiment reframes Busch’s drought as more than a slump; it’s about organizational momentum and the need for a collective push if RCR wants to punch above its weight against powerhouse teams like Hendrick Motorsports or Team Penske.

Brad Keselowski reflected on the old rivalry with Kyle Busch

The story of Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski is one woven deeply into NASCAR’s modern fabric, a rivalry that once boiled over into memorable on-track battles and verbal exchanges. Keselowski’s famous 2010 Bristol declaration labeling Busch “an a–“ captured the public imagination and exemplified the fierce competition the pair brought to every race. Yet, as time has passed, Keselowski has provided a candid reassessment of what that rivalry means today, particularly in light of Busch’s ongoing winless streak.

Keselowski explained that both drivers always fueled their rivalry being contenders: “You cannot have a rivalry if the two drivers are not running in the top 10. It’s not a rivalry. It’s just a petty argument at that point.” The longstanding feud, rooted in high-stakes battles for wins and championships, now finds itself on hold because neither Busch nor Keselowski has been consistently competing at the front of the pack in recent seasons.

Keselowski acknowledged that their relationship has seen “more lows than highs,” but he hopes the rivalry will rekindle, saying, “I would love to see that rekindled because it would mean we’re both running really well.” Their rivalry represents more than personal animosity; it symbolizes what drives NASCAR’s most compelling narratives: two drivers pushing each other in pursuit of victory. Despite the competitive distance, the two have found surprising moments of camaraderie off-track.

Earlier in 2025, they teamed up for a nostalgic, lighthearted NASCAR commercial that acknowledged their past while hinting at a future where rivalry could give way to mutual respect, if not friendship. Busch said that filming together felt “weird” at first but ultimately “really good,” suggesting that while the competitive heat may have cooled, the mutual recognition of each other’s talents remains intact.

In the context of Busch’s current struggles, Keselowski’s reflections add another layer of understanding. The absence of Busch at the sport’s front alters not only his career but also the dynamic rivalries that have shaped NASCAR’s recent history. Keselowski even suggested a “rivalry rule” where fights and conflicts should be reserved for drivers competing for wins and not those running in the middle or back of the pack.

In the wake of Busch’s longest winless streak, stretching over 80 races, the question of relevance takes center stage. For Keselowski and Busch, the intensity of rivalry hinges on performance. Until Busch breaks his drought and returns to consistent top-10 finishes, the rivalry remains dormant, a reflection of the larger performance challenges both drivers and their teams face.