NASCAR driver Kyle Busch talks the switch to RCR; Getting less boos at NASCAR races
In the 2022 season, NASCAR champion Kyle Busch was driving the No. 18 at Joe Gibbs Racing. However, plans for 2023 were cloudy as the team struggled to find a sponsor for the next season.
Eventually, Busch was forced to look outside of Joe Gibbs Racing for the first time in 20 years. He ended up landing a ride in the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing.
So far in 2023, Busch has collected 3 wins over 30 races. It’s his best year since his last championship in 2019 where he picked up 5 wins.
For years, Busch was the most hated driver in the sport, made clear by the boos from the crowd. And like a light switch, you’ll now hear cheers for Busch.
Richard Childress Racing hasn’t won a NASCAR Cup Series title in three decades. However, Busch remains in the playoffs.
NASCAR Point Standings after Texas Motor Speedway
Kyle Busch comments on seeing former team owner Joe Gibbs at the track
“Awkward,” Kyle Busch told NASCAR.com of seeing his former team owner Joe Gibbs at the racetrack.
“But, the crew guys and stuff like that, that are on the No. 54 car, I go up to them and talk to them every once in awhile. My car chief Nate, I’ve always been super close with him.”
“Seeing those guys, still at the racetrack, they’re going about their work and their job, I’m just not their driver.”
Kyle Busch and team owner Joe Gibbs have awkward exchange (Video)
Working for Richard Childress
“He’s the boss first. Working for him. ‘Yes sir. No sir.’ “
“It’s me taking the visual of what I’ve known from Coach over the years. And now seeing Richard in a new way of doing things.”
Richard Childress likens Kyle Busch to Dale Earnhardt
Kyle Busch doesn’t get the boos he used to
Wife Samantha Busch comments, “They really like him now!”
“Brexton and I will be at the car. They’ll be boo’s and so we’ll automatically look at the screen thinking it’s Dad. Then, it’s like, ‘Oh it’s Denny or Bubba. It’s not us!’ It’s exciting to see.”
Kyle added, “I can say I liked playing with the boos a little bit. I was just shocked on the swap over. I expected to see a lot of 18 stuff. And, it was black and red, 8, RCR. Wow. You guy already like, ‘Burn it!’ They threw it all out.”
Kyle Busch draws tentative retirement plans
“When [Brexton] is 15, I’ll race the truck thing for a year, to get it ready to win a championship for me,” Kyle Busch said.
“The next year, [Brexton] runs the short track races when he’s 16. Eight years from now, if I’m winning 8 races a year, keep digging. If I’m throwing up goose eggs then it’s like, ‘Ok, I’m old and slow.’ “
“[Samantha’s going to be a farmer. We’re going farming.”
Busch reflects on ‘false promises’ after leaving Joe Gibbs
Kyle Busch talks the switch to RCR
Links
Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Richard Childress Racing | NASCAR
