In 2023, Kyle Busch made a significant career move by leaving Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) after 15 years to join Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Though he won 56 races and two championships with Toyota at JGR, he has now experienced a winless stretch exceeding two years driving the iconic No. 8 Chevrolet for RCR. This shift has altered how NASCAR fans view him, with respect growing for his efforts despite the lack of victories.

How Kyle Busch’s Career Shift Changed Fan Perceptions

During his time with Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch was often viewed as a villain in the NASCAR community, largely because of his aggressive personality and the high expectations placed on him. Fans expected him to win nearly every race, and when he failed, his frustration and outspoken reactions attracted criticism and animosity. However, since transitioning to RCR, this perception has reversed somewhat. While Busch’s new team is not as competitive as JGR, fans now admire the persistence and effort he puts in race after race, even without frequent wins.

Kyle Busch explained this change in an interview with The Athletic, saying the pressure to win at JGR made him prone to visible frustration when things didn’t go his way. His emotional moments contributed to the negative image fans developed about him. Conversely, at RCR, where the team is less competitive, the expectations have shifted, leading fans to respect his determination and hard work more than ever before.

At Gibbs, you’re expected to win — like, if you’re not winning, then what are you doing? So, when you lose out on close races or whatever, you get very frustrated, very mad, very angry. And those were always my bad moments that people hated me for.

— Kyle Busch, via The Athletic

Busch emphasized that being at a top-tier team like JGR naturally breeds high expectations, and failure to meet them often brought out his worst moments, which alienated many fans. Now with RCR, where the competitive level is not the same, he finds himself focusing more on finding improvements and steadily progressing rather than chasing wins every weekend.

Now I’m in a different spot, and let’s call a spade a spade — we’re less competitive and not up front as much. So, you’re just going with the flow and trying to work on things and make things better. And I guess for some reason, people respect that more.
— Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch Highlights Overlooked Talent Among Current NASCAR Drivers

In the same interview, Busch identified the most underrated drivers competing in NASCAR today. He pointed to two of his Chevrolet teammates, Chris Buescher from RFK Racing and AJ Allmendinger from Kaulig Racing, both of whom he admires for their consistent performance despite not always having top-tier machinery.

There’s two. I would probably say Chris Buescher being one of them. And then I’d also go with AJ Allmendinger. I think AJ is really, really good. Being (alliance) teammates with the Kaulig guys and stuff like that, and knowing where he’s at and what he’s doing and how he’s driving with similar stuff as us — I think he’s getting a lot out of his cars.
— Kyle Busch

Chris Buescher has established himself as a strong competitor in the midfield, with a career spanning multiple teams including Front Row Motorsports (FRM), Joe Gibbs Development Group (JTGD), and currently RFK Racing. He has made over 350 starts and scored six wins, managing to secure at least one victory in each of the last three seasons.

AJ Allmendinger is considered a specialist on road courses, with a lengthy career exceeding 468 Cup level starts. The former IndyCar driver has three Cup wins and is viewed as a seasoned veteran who could have achieved even more if given opportunities with top-tier teams. Both Buescher and Allmendinger, like Busch, demonstrate impressive skills despite operating in less dominant equipment.

What Kyle Busch’s New Role Means for His Future in NASCAR

Kyle Busch’s transition from a winning powerhouse at Joe Gibbs Racing to a grind-focused driver at Richard Childress Racing marks a notable shift in his NASCAR journey. Fans now admire his perseverance rather than just his victories, a testament to the respect earned through effort and resilience. This change also spotlights the challenges faced by drivers competing with less competitive teams, emphasizing hard work over consistent triumphs.

As the current season progresses with three more races before the playoffs, all eyes are on how Busch and his underrated teammates will perform. While victories have eluded him recently, Busch’s evolving role underscores the respect that comes from tackling adversity, not just from standing atop the winner’s podium.