Kyle Busch’s Circuit of the Americas Run Shows Continued Gains on the Competition for Richard Childress Racing

Following the veteran’s masterful drive at Circuit of the Americas, believe him.

If not for a late-race caution and two-lap older tires than EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix victor Christopher Bell had for the final run, NASCAR nation might have celebrated a different winner on Sunday.

“I was out front, had a gap, and was just trying to preserve my tires,” Busch said. “I worked my car the best I could to run clean lines, take care of my tires and go as fast as I could without slipping the tires. 

“But when you get a yellow and get everybody bunched up, then it’s complete defensive mode. You’re all over the place—not hitting corners correctly, not being able to arc your turns, save your tires, and you’re pushing your fronts and getting pushed through your fronts.”

Busch pitted on Lap 69. Bell came in for service two laps later with 24 circuits remaining in the contest. The 39-year-old Busch led a race-high 42 laps—almost twice as many as his closest competitor Shane VanGisbergen’s 23 circuits at the point. 

For Busch, it’s his most laps led since his last Cup victory at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 4, 2023, 60 races ago.

“Having two-lap less fresher tires as the 20 (Bell) did, I feel like that maybe was a bit of a game-changer—with everything so equal,” Busch said. “I would love to have that back and see if the two laps difference was the moneymaker there. 

“I can’t say enough about all the guys. The Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet was fast, and I had a great shot at winning the race.”

Believing he has the opportunity to win is half the battle for Busch. Certainly, that wasn’t the case in 2024—a season that proved baffling for Busch and his fan base. 

Not only did he bend a 19-year streak of winning at least one race per year, but Busch also scored the fewest top fives, top 10s and led the least laps in his entire full-time Cup career.

Busch scored his 67th CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Although the victory added spring to his step — Busch led 13 laps and finished seventh in the Cup race the next day — winning on Sunday is what the two-time champion is focused on. 

After competition and front office changes at RCR in the offseason, Busch believes the company is on track for a stronger 2025.

“I don’t think we’ve reaped many of those benefits yet,” Busch said. “We’ve got some time in the season to get through some of these normal-type races — with two superspeedways to kick off the year — that’s kind of hard to judge. We’ve got Phoenix (Raceway) coming, we’ve got Las Vegas (Motor Speedway) coming. 

“I think getting through Vegas will shine a light on what we’ve got and where we’re at, some of the new engineers and some guys behind the scenes and working on these cars and seeing where we stack up.”

Currently, Busch is ninth in the NASCAR Cup standings. He leads all active Cup drivers with 63 victories.

As Busch closes in on his 40th birthday on May 2 — in his 25th season in NASCAR — many wonder how much longer Busch wants to compete.

This week, Busch reaffirmed he will race until his son Brexton is old enough to drive in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

The nine-year-old third-generation racer will add Legends cars to his repertoire this spring. Potentially, he could race on a short track in trucks when he turns 15.

In the meantime, the father – and – son duo enjoy racing on dirt tracks together. They will compete in Tulsa, Okla., later this week.

“Just having Brexton and his racing — with go-karts, the junior sprints, the micros and what he does when he gets a little bit older—I like to go and be a part of his racing and have something to do while I’m there,” Busch said. “I don’t want to be bored on the sidelines and just working on his stuff, but I do. It’s a little more fun for me to be out there.

“With the limited stuff you get to do with NASCAR these days, with practice or limited truck or Xfinity starts, it gives you the opportunity to get out there and just keep honing your skills.”

Busch is in the third year of his contract at RCR with the company holding an option for 2026.

Given Busch’s competitive nature, being able to race toe-to-toe with drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske will be the challenge to keep him happy and in the fold. 

On Sunday, Busch’s mojo was back.

“I want to thank everybody from our program — RCR, ECR, everyone in Welcome, North Carolina,” Busch said of the RCR campus.

“They’re gritty. They have that grit, they have that fire and the (competition) is not going to outwork us.”

Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at [email protected].