Kyle Busch to Leave Richard Childress Racing After 2025 Season: Official Announcement Leaves Fans Puzzled
In a move that has shocked the NASCAR world, Kyle Busch will part ways with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) after the 2025 season. The official announcement, made jointly by Busch and the team, has left fans confused and speculating about what triggered the early decision and what lies ahead for the two-time Cup Series champion.
Busch joined RCR in 2023 following a high-profile exit from Joe Gibbs Racing. While his debut season showed promise with multiple wins, the 2024 campaign proved to be a struggle. Busch failed to secure a victory and finished outside the top 15 in the standings, marking his worst full-season performance in years.
The statement released by RCR described the parting as a “mutual decision,” thanking Busch for his contributions and wishing him well in the future. Busch echoed the sentiment but gave little insight into what his next move might be. A cryptic post on social media, reading “News at 18:51 on Monday,” referencing his iconic car numbers (18 and 51), has only added to the intrigue.
Industry insiders suggest that performance issues, internal tensions, and looming sponsorship questions may have played a role in the decision. Some are already speculating that Busch could be eyeing a return to Joe Gibbs Racing or potentially joining a rising team like Trackhouse Racing in 2026.
With one season remaining in his contract, all eyes will now be on Busch to see if he can go out on a high note with RCR—or if his focus is already shifting to his next chapter. As fans scramble to make sense of the announcement, one thing is clear: Kyle Busch’s future remains one of NASCAR’s most talked-about mysteries.
