Throughout much of 2022, Kyle Busch faced an uncertain future in the NASCAR Cup Series as his long tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) came under question. Following the departure of longtime sponsor Mars/M&M’s, Busch found himself without a guaranteed ride for the 2023 season, sparking intense contract negotiations. The two-time Cup Series champion, who had driven the No. 18 Toyota for JGR since 2008, expressed a strong desire to remain with the team despite potential financial sacrifices.
Busch candidly acknowledged his willingness to take a pay cut in order to maintain his position with JGR, emphasizing his commitment to the organization and Toyota.
“My first option, my first goal, my first set is to be at Joe Gibbs Racing and stay with Toyota and have nothing change… I don’t think it needs to be that number because obviously, there’s a number in that, then pays a driver and I’ve already said that I’m willing to take concessions and race for under my market value and go forward and being able to stay in the seat that I’ve made home for the last 15 years,” Busch said (via NASCAR).
Strong Early Season Performances Give Way to Struggles Amid Contract Uncertainty
Early in the 2022 season, Busch’s performance seemed to support his value to the team and the sport. A win at the Bristol Dirt Race secured him a playoff spot prematurely, and strong finishes followed, including third-place results at Talladega and Kansas, and consecutive second-place finishes at Charlotte and Gateway. However, as contract discussions dragged on without resolution, Busch’s on-track results began to decline sharply.
In the final weeks of the season, Busch recorded seven finishes outside the top 20 in 10 races, raising questions about whether contract talks were affecting his focus. Despite speculation, Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief Ben Beshore dismissed any connection between Busch’s struggles and the contract negotiations, emphasizing the driver’s continued dedication.
“We’ve had a rough last six weeks here of not getting the finishes that we’re used to getting… the reason we’re not finishing well doesn’t have anything to do with contract talks or anything like that…. Kyle’s put in a lot of effort at the shop and on the weekends and he’s dialed in. We’re all trying to finish the best we can every week. So, I don’t feel like it’s a distraction at all,” Beshore told NASCAR.com.
Despite the difficulties, Busch remained playoff-bound but acknowledged that his future was uncertain as he evaluated multiple options beyond JGR.
Kyle Busch’s Transition to Richard Childress Racing and Reflection on Departing JGR
Kyle Busch’s postseason was marked by disappointment on the track, exiting the playoffs in the Round of 16 with finishes of 30th, 26th, 34th, and 36th in the first four rounds. Shortly before his playoff exit, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced a multi-year deal signing Busch to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet starting in 2023, ending his 15-year association with Joe Gibbs Racing.
This move represented a major shift, not only ending Busch’s long partnership with Toyota and JGR but also bringing him back to Chevrolet, the manufacturer with which he began his Cup Series career nearly 20 years earlier at Hendrick Motorsports. Busch’s decision disappointed some within Toyota Racing Development, including president David Wilson, who had expressed a strong desire to retain the driver.
“I mean, Kyle Busch is our 60-home run hitter. And we’d be foolish not to put everything in play to keep him in the family,” Wilson said just weeks before Busch’s departure.
Busch was aware of the personal and professional ramifications linked to his decision to leave JGR, acknowledging the difficult choices and the mixed emotions involved.
“Trust me, my gut doesn’t feel good, and that’s not just for decisions being made, but more so of decisions being weighed and the perception in how you come across to all of those that you’re going to disappoint, right? There’s going to be one winner, and the rest are not winners, if you look at it in that regard,” he told NASCAR.com.
Reuniting with Richard Childress Racing and Challenges Ahead
Joining Richard Childress Racing reunited Busch with a team where he had once experienced public and physical confrontations, including a notable 2011 incident with Childress himself. However, both parties moved beyond their past differences in pursuit of future success. Busch began the 2023 season with momentum, winning three races and securing another playoff spot.
Despite early success, Busch was eliminated in the Round of 12 and has not recorded a win since Gateway on June 4, 2023. His involvement with the Truck Series came to an end when he sold Kyle Busch Motorsports to Spire Motorsports, closing a key chapter in his career.
The momentum did not carry into 2024 as the No. 8 team struggled with consistency. Ultimately, Busch missed the playoffs in 2024, marking one of the lowest points in a career defined by high expectations and significant achievements. As the 2025 regular season nears conclusion, Busch remains just below the playoff cutline and continues to seek a return to the level of performance he exhibited during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing.