Credit score: Peter Casey-Imagn Photos
Kyle Busch has been a driver for Richard Childress Racing since 2023, however his contract ends after the 2025 NASCAR Cup Sequence season. Poised to turn into one of many prime free-agent drivers obtainable, it seems that it’s already recognized what staff Busch can be driving for subsequent season.
On the most recent episode of the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast, NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic mentioned he expects Busch again with RCR for the 2026 season and probably past.
Associated: NASCAR free brokers after the season, together with Kyle Busch
“”I talked to the staff president, Mike Verlander, I requested him about Kyle Busch. Is Kyle Busch more likely to return in 2026? Mike informed me, ‘I don’t see Kyle racing anyplace else.’ So, studying between the strains, it looks like Kyle goes to be returning there and RCR is at the very least, at a minimal, going to select up his choice. I truly suppose that Kyle’s future with RCR might be going to transcend simply one other 12 months and apst 2026.”
Jordan Bianchi on Kyle Busch’s future with Richard Childress Racing
Because the present mentioned, Busch doubtless wouldn’t have higher choices if he turned a free agent. Whereas there could be a gap at Spire Motorsports if among the finest NASCAR drivers ever hit the open market, that may be considered as a lateral transfer for Busch.
Kyle Busch stats 2025: 244 factors, 4 prime 10s, 1 prime 5, 1 DNF, 62 laps led, 18.083 common ending place in 12 races this season
Associated: NASCAR standings for Cup Sequence, see the place Kyle Busch sits in factors race
Busch hasn’t gained a Cup Sequence race because the 2023 season when he took the Get pleasure from Illinois 300 and he missed the NASCAR Cup Sequence playoffs final 12 months. Nonetheless, the No. 8 automotive and RCR have had the pace to contend this season. Heading into the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, Busch is thirteenth in laps led (62) and fifteenth in common ending place (18.1).
With 23XI Racing anticipated to retain rookie Riley Herbst for the 2026 season and drivers for Hendricks Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing both beneath contract or more likely to obtain new offers, RCR appears to be Busch’s most suitable choice. He’s additionally made it fairly clear that retirement isn’t on the desk for him proper now, so staying with RCR via at the very least 2027 may be very a lot on the desk.
Associated: Denny Hamlin credit Kyle Busch for large improvement in his profession
