Kyle Busch arrived at Dover Motor Speedway burdened by a winless streak dating back to 2023 and the challenge of racing without any practice laps this weekend. Heavy rain forced NASCAR to cancel both qualifying and practice sessions, leaving Busch and his team without current data to fine-tune their approach for Sunday’s Cup Series race.
Deprived of the usual preparations, Busch’s team must rely on his previous experience at Dover, hoping to replicate last year’s successful strategy. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion starts this race from the 10th position, a drop from his pole position in 2024, due to NASCAR’s Performance Metric System determining the grid after the cancellations.
Despite the adverse conditions, Busch remained composed, acknowledging that this race calls for a heavy dependence on historical data amid unknown tire behavior and setup variables. In a pre-race interview, he explained,
“I would say that you take everything that you did use last year because it was good for you, and you try to just look at all of that and try to replicate that as much as you can without knowing anything about the tire with no tire test being here, no wheel force test being here, anything like that.”
“So, you might as well just copy and paste last year, go out there on the racetrack and hope that it suits your race car again this year like it did last year,”
Busch added.
The Strength of Busch’s Track Record at Dover
Kyle Busch’s history at Dover, the well-known “Monster Mile,” is impressive, marked by three wins, 14 top-five finishes, and 23 appearances in the top ten. No other driver in this Sunday’s field matches his consistency and success on this demanding one-mile oval.
Last year’s effort at Dover set a strong precedent. Starting from the pole position, Busch finished in fourth place, demonstrating that his setup and race strategy were effective. This experience provides a solid foundation, with the team now aiming to adjust that plan slightly to accommodate the new Goodyear tire, which remains untested in race conditions.
Busch’s performance at Dover is crucial not just for pride but for his 2025 championship aspirations. Currently sitting 18th in the playoff standings, he is 37 points shy of the cutline at 16th place. A win this weekend would solidify his playoff eligibility, especially following promising runs at Chicago and Sonoma.
A Special Cause Motivates Busch This Weekend at Dover
Beyond the competitive landscape, Busch’s car carries special significance this weekend, featuring a patriotic paint scheme created through a partnership between Richard Childress Racing and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. The design honors veterans, including 67 currently working at Cheddar’s, adding a meaningful layer to Busch’s motivation for the race.
With no practice laps to rely on, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see how Busch adapts to racing conditions solely based on last year’s data. A strong finish would not only demonstrate his skill but also offer him a much-needed breakthrough, potentially ending his long winless stretch at Dover.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch has agreed to keep racing the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This announcement was made by him and RCR at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday.
Q. Will Kyle Busch retire?
A. Kyle Busch announced he isn’t thinking about retiring yet and has signed a contract extension with Richard Childress Racing until 2026.