Kyle Busch has not secured a victory on a NASCAR road course since 2015, marking a significant shift in his performance as road-course specialists have risen to prominence. Once dominant at iconic tracks like Sonoma and Watkins Glen, Busch now faces an evolving competitive landscape in the 2025 NASCAR season, where younger, dedicated road-course experts have changed the game.
The Shift in NASCAR’s Road-Course Hierarchy
Busch’s last road-course win dates back over 79 races ago, highlighting a prolonged drought during which his once-commanding presence on twisty road circuits has diminished. He once collected two wins each at Sonoma and Watkins Glen, displaying both speed and tactical skill. However, the increasing emergence of road-course specialists has complicated his path. Though he showed promise with some respectable performances early in the current season, Busch’s hopes often faded before races concluded. A particularly harsh moment came at the Iowa race weekend, where a practice crash into the Turn 1 wall severely damaged his primary car and forced him to start from behind in a backup vehicle, symbolizing the current challenges he faces.
This recent stretch of results suggests a natural progression athletes encounter, as younger drivers grow and challenge established veterans like Busch, especially on road courses which demand precision and adaptability. The competition has shifted from occasional “road course ringers” to a group of consistent, full-time Cup drivers equally skilled on road circuits.
Kyle Busch Reflects on NASCAR’s New Breed of Road-Course Challengers
During an interview with Frontstretch shared on X, Busch expressed a more reflective stance on how the road-course scene in NASCAR has evolved. He acknowledged,
“Years ago you used to have the road course ringers… they would never really fare very well,”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
Busch went on to describe the current environment where regular drivers with true road-course expertise now compete full-time:
“Now you have road course regulars that are super good at the road courses, and they also run full-time… those are the guys that legit have a great shot at being able to come out here and score the victory.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
His tone conveyed acceptance rather than defiance, recognizing a field that has matured beyond the part-time specialists he once contended with. Busch also reflected on his own legacy, revealing mixed feelings about past dominance:
“I mean I’ve won here before the road course dogs were here, you know…”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
This reference to “road course dogs” points to the new generation of full-time Cup drivers who have honed their skills on complex circuits rather than relying on occasional appearances. Notable names among this group include Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, and Michael McDowell — each with recent road-course successes — alongside Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand driver who has made an explosive impact since joining NASCAR.
Busch credited these adversaries’ talents while admitting his desire to be competitive late in races:
“I give them a lot of credit for the skill that they have,”
he said, continuing,
“but, you know, would love to have an opportunity to be close and see them in the closing laps.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
His remarks reveal the challenge he currently faces: the shift from being the driver others chased to being the one pressured by a younger, highly skilled pack.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Lasting Influence on NASCAR Road-Course Racing
Shane van Gisbergen has quickly become the defining road-course performer in NASCAR’s 2025 season. Since his Cup Series debut, he has amassed four wins, including victories in Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen. This rapid success led to a multi-year contract extension with Trackhouse Racing, reflecting confidence in his continued impact.
Team owner Justin Marks praised van Gisbergen’s adaptability and hinted at future potential beyond road courses:
“We think he’s got an oval win in him in the Cup Series… Things are just coming together and really starting to gel,”
—Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing owner
Van Gisbergen’s speed and consistency have drawn comparisons to legendary competitors in other sports. His performance at Sonoma, where he defended a lead from the pole position amid aggressive late-race efforts, earned him comparisons to NBA icon Michael Jordan’s dominance.
Meanwhile, Richard Childress Racing, which fields Kyle Busch’s No. 8 car, has struggled to match this level of success. Despite some promising early-season results—such as three top-10 finishes in the first four races—overall performance has remained inconsistent, with only two top-five finishes for Busch. The combination of injuries, crashes, and intense competition has compounded the team’s challenges.
The Road Ahead: Kyle Busch’s Challenge in a New NASCAR Era
As the 2025 playoff battles approach, Kyle Busch finds himself wrestling with a deepening frustration caused by a prolonged winless streak on road courses and increased competition from versatile drivers who excel on these unique circuits. His struggles are emblematic of a larger shift in NASCAR, where emerging talents and specialists have transformed the dynamic of road-course racing.
The evolving skill sets of drivers like Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell, and Shane van Gisbergen have established a new standard, demanding adaptation and resilience from veterans like Busch. His candid reflections indicate awareness that maintaining relevance in this intensified environment requires overcoming both physical and strategic challenges.
Although his dominance has waned, Busch’s continued efforts reveal a commitment to reclaiming competitiveness amid this changing landscape. The 2025 season remains a testing ground for whether he can adjust to the newly defined road-course field or if younger drivers will further solidify their hold on these races.