In NASCAR, every driver hits rough patches at some point, but when it hits someone ranked ninth all-time in Cup wins with 63 victories and two championships, the chatter piles up fast. Kyle Busch, once a dominant force who claimed titles in 2015 and 2019, is now enduring his longest winless streak of 88 races after joining Richard Childress Racing in 2023. This slump has sparked endless talk about his future and team dynamics. Amid it all, his teammate Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, stepped up to address the noise.

Dillon, fresh off his own 2025 Richmond win that marked his sixth Cup victory, knows the pressure of racing for legacy while pushing for performance. But with Busch sitting at 21st in points this season, showing just two top-fives, the speculation around crew changes and exits has intensified. Dillon’s take offers clarity on supporting a legend through tough times, cutting through the rumors to show what’s really at play inside RCR.

Austin Dillon shut down exit speculation

Austin Dillon made his stance crystal clear when pressed on rumors suggesting RCR might groom a young crew chief to eventually phase out Kyle Busch after a year. He emphasized, “I think the main focus for RCR is to get Kyle Busch back to the winner’s circle in any way possible to make him happy and to make the rest of the organization happy to go fast because that’s what we want in the end. We all want to go fast and win races. We got to make the best hire for both, you know, for whatever Kyle needs and RCR needs from a competition standpoint to be competitive each and every weekend with the three and the eight.”

On a 2026 crew chief for @KyleBusch @RCRracing @austindillon3 was quite clear and spoke more like a company leader….. pic.twitter.com/7lZ75dTICj

— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) October 5, 2025

This comes against the backdrop of Busch‘s crew chief, Randall Burnett, departing at season’s end, with Andy Street stepping in temporarily to salvage the final 5 races. Dillon’s comments highlight RCR’s commitment to Busch, who signed through 2026, amid a season where the No. 8 team led only 62 laps total.

Pushing back on conspiracy theories about dumping Busch, Dillon added, “Best possible fit for Kyle Busch and RCR to give us the best foot forward next year to be more competitive as an organization.” The rumors stem from RCR’s internal shifts, including speculation that prospects like Jesse Love or Austin Hill could rise by 2027, but Dillon stressed prioritizing Busch’s return to form.

This aligns with Busch’s own frustrations, as he noted after the crew change, “Obviously, I mean, we’re not getting the results, right? Results are what matter. We’re in a performance-based business and not getting the results. It’s got to fall back on someone.” Busch’s words underline the team’s self-reflection, especially after a 2023 debut in RCR with three wins that faded into back-to-back winless years.

Dillon wrapped up by affirming Busch’s skill, saying, “Yeah, for sure, I mean, you don’t—it’s funny, you go through a little bit, and everyone feels like you forget how to drive, and that’s not the case. Kyle’s Kyle Busch; he’s always going to be one of the best to ever do it. We just have to give him the best shot at doing it on Sundays.”

This defense echoes the garage’s respect for Busch, who holds the most wins by an active driver, but it also spotlights RCR‘s need to elevate engineering and personnel. With five races left in 2025, including recent highlights like an eighth at Darlington, Dillon’s outlook points to optimism for 2026 if the right hires click.

As rumors swirl beyond RCR’s walls, insiders are already eyeing where Busch might land if things don’t turn around. One team in particular has caught attention for its potential interest.

Insider eyes Spire for Busch

NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass stirred the pot by naming Spire Motorsports as a squad keen on Kyle Busch amid his RCR struggles. This speculation arises from Busch’s dip, marked by just one top-10 in the last 11 races since Sonoma, fueling talks of a fresh start despite his contract. Spire, expanding its footprint, sees Busch’s experience as a boost to build around.

Pockrass stated outright, “I think Spire would like to have him and see what they can do with him.” This reflects Spire’s ambition, having grown from a part-time outfit to a multi-car team with charters, aiming to compete higher up the grid. The interest ties into Busch’s proven track record, but it hinges on his unhappiness at RCR, where poor results have prompted changes like the crew chief swap.

He added, “I think Kyle Busch wins again, I just don’t know whether it’s at RCR or not.” This uncertainty stems from Busch’s reported commitment for 2026, yet questions linger about long-term fit, especially with challenges in attracting top crew talent wary of short stints. If performance stalls, a move to Spire could reignite Busch’s career, much like his 2023 RCR jump after 15 years at Joe Gibbs Racing.