Kyle Busch will attempt to make his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start of the season in Saturday’s BetMGM 300 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in a third entry for Richard Childress Racing. CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed.
Busch would join RCR Xfinity Series teammates Austin Hill and Jesse Love for his first Xfinity Series start for RCR since joining the Welcome, North Carolina-based organization in 2022.
Last season, the two-time Cup Series champion competed in four Xfinity Series races for Kaulig Racing with one top-five and four top-10 efforts.
The winningest driver in Xfinity Series competition with 102 wins over 20 years, Busch is expected to pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro for his 27th career Charlotte Motor Speedway Xfinity start.
With an impressive track record at the notable 1.5-mile speedway, Busch has proven his mettle in the Xfinity Series. In his previous 26 races at Charlotte, he has secured nine wins, 19 top-five, and 22 top-10 finishes. His most recent victory came during the 2020 pandemic season, driving the No. 54 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Busch would not confirm his participation in the Xfinity race when asked this past weekend at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, but said he would welcome an appearance in the series when the door opens.
“I would love the opportunity to get back in an Xfinity car wherever that may be, you know, the chances of that have changed twice, three times this year of maybe that happening,” Busch said Friday at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.
“So, you know, I’ve always loved the series and enjoyed getting back there. I think the cars are obviously more like the old (Cup) cars that we used to run. I’d like to think that I can still do that, do well in those (cars).
“But I thought the same thing with trucks at Darlington and that didn’t go good. So we’ll see what happens.”
Without hesitation, the extra seat time on Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend could boost Busch’s confidence, as he has struggled somewhat on Sundays this season with his Richard Childress Racing Cup efforts.
After three wins during the 2023 season, Busch is still winless, just past the halfway point of the regular season with just two top-five and five top-10 finishes and sits 13th in the championship standings.
When asked if running an Xfinity car can be an asset to contributing to success on Sunday, Busch said it was track characteristics that could help more than the Xfinity race car itself.
“Yes and no,” Busch explained. “I think I think it just kind of gives you a greater sense or idea of where the bumps are, where the lines are, where the grip is and things like that and how the track develops from day to night before you get to go do it all in a Cup car.”
Richard Childress Racing has already tailed three wins in the Xfinity Series competition this season. Veteran Austin Hill kicked off the year with a victory at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway respectively.
Rookie and reigning ARCA Menards Series champion Jesse Love has already delivered three poles and sailed to his first career Xfinity Series victory at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last month.
Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
