Kyle Busch experienced another disappointing moment at Watkins Glen on Friday when a mechanical failure forced him to retire after just 13 laps, thwarting his hopes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This abrupt exit not only dashed Busch’s chance for a victory but also triggered widespread criticism targeting Spire Motorsports, the team behind his truck.

The 40-year-old driver, known for his past dominance in NASCAR’s top tier, has seen his comeback in the Truck Series unravel repeatedly during the 2025-26 season, with mechanical troubles contributing heavily to his struggle.

Reasons Behind the Intense Criticism of Spire Motorsports

Busch aimed to secure a win in his final Truck Series race of the year at Watkins Glen, rounding out his five-race deal with Spire Motorsports. Having captured two Truck Series wins last season with this outfit, he viewed this race as a crucial opportunity before the 2025-26 campaign drew to a close.

Yet, success eluded him all season. His highest finish this year was ninth place at North Wilkesboro in May, and he had not broken into the top five in any event so far.

At Watkins Glen, despite starting 11th, a steering box malfunction abruptly ended his race, relegating him to 36th place. The failure erased his chance to redeem a season plagued by setbacks and left fans frustrated.

Following the incident, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series shared a short clip on X showing Busch’s truck leaving the track because of the malfunction, accompanied by the caption,

Kyle Busch is headed behind the wall after mechanical issues with the No. 07 truck.

The post quickly attracted a torrent of negative reactions aimed at Spire Motorsports’ reliability.

Many observers criticized the team openly, with one fan bluntly asserting, Spire Trucks suck!!! Another user stated,

These Spire trucks are another reason why his career is ruined.

The backlash intensified as comments on social media accused Spire of using subpar equipment. One wrote,

Spire must’ve bought some old tim veins trucks or something,

while another dismissed the team’s reliability by saying, Spire reliability lmao.

Busch’s Upcoming Chance to Regain Confidence at Watkins Glen

Despite Friday’s mechanical woes, Busch will return to Watkins Glen on Sunday behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing during the Go Bowling at The Glen event. Historically, Busch has celebrated two Cup Series wins at this track, making the weekend significant for his performance outlook.

However, his recent results at Watkins Glen are troubling. His last Cup Series victory there came in 2013, and in the three most recent appearances, he failed to finish better than 14th place. Last year, he placed as low as 30th, underscoring ongoing struggles at this venue.

Road courses beyond Watkins Glen have posed similar challenges for Busch, who has not won on such tracks since his 2015 Sonoma triumph, marking a nearly decade-long winless streak that has drawn scrutiny over his adaptability.

Nevertheless, the 2025-26 season has displayed some promising signs. With the exception of a subpar finish in Mexico City, Busch consistently finished in the top ten on other road courses he competed on this year, suggesting there is potential for improvement as he aims for a breakthrough performance on Sunday.

The Stakes Behind Busch’s Performance and Spire Motorsports’ Equipment Reliability

The recurring mechanical failures and subsequent fan backlash reflect mounting pressure on both Kyle Busch and Spire Motorsports. For Busch, proving his competitiveness in the Truck Series remains important for sustaining his racing legacy, while reliability concerns threaten Spire’s reputation in NASCAR’s increasingly competitive environment.

The continued difficulties not only affect Busch’s season but also raise questions about the team’s equipment durability moving forward. Fans and industry observers will closely monitor if Spire Motorsports can address these reliability issues to prevent further setbacks.

Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen will be pivotal, offering Busch a final chance to challenge critics and potentially end his performance drought on road courses. His results there could shape the narrative for his future efforts this season and beyond.