"It's just all you can do" - Kyle Busch fights to erase '20-year question mark' in final races as RCR struggles loom large
Two-time NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Busch hopes to eliminate the question marks surrounding his chances of extending his 19-year win streak during the remaining four weekends of the 2024 season. Despite coming perilously close to securing a victory this season, Busch remains winless in the Cup Series, putting his record at risk.
The #8 Richard Childress Racing driver has achieved at least one victory in each of the past 19 seasons, dating back to 2005. He holds the record for the most consecutive seasons with a win, ahead of NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty (18), David Pearson (17), and Jimmie Johnson (16).
Heading into his home race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Busch was asked if the pressure of maintaining his win streak felt similar to the urgency of winning a race in the regular season. Busch admitted the two scenarios were similar, having narrowly missed the playoffs despite finishing second in the final two weekends of the regular season.
"I would say it is similar, sure. You kind of come down towards the closing stages of the regular season, we had some pretty good runs. We had a couple of second place finishes, some close opportunities, some missed chances there, which really hurt of being able to get in the playoffs, for one. But two, to just scratch of the 20-year question mark. And so here we are again, the last weeks of the season, trying to get that victory to have one this season." he told the media (via Bob Pockrass).
With Richard Childress Racing's fluctuating speed in recent weeks, the 39-year-old aims to make the most of his opportunities in the remaining four weekends of the season.
"All you can do is try each week, and go through the best you can, execute and put yourself in the right spot to have that shot to win. If it don't happen, then you were beat by others that were better than you. It's just all you can do," he added.
The #8 RCR driver will line up 20th for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scheduled for this Sunday, October 20 at 2:30 PM ET.
Kyle Busch optimistic about Richard Childress Racing's changes for 2025
Kyle Busch revealed that Richard Childress Racing has shifted its focus to 2025, with team owner Richard Childress, competition director Keith Rodden, and crew chiefs Justin Alexander (#3) and Randall Burnett (#8) actively participating in weekly meetings to discuss the changes needed for the upcoming season.
Busch didn't go into details but expressed optimism that recent changes in the team hierarchy and new hires will help improve their speed on the track.
"We talk all the time, we talk every week. It's not just me and Randall [Burnett] talking. It's Richard [Childress] being involved, it's Keith [Rodden] being involved, Justin Alexander being involved. There's new key players coming here few weeks, that'll hopefully be able to bring newer fresher ideas, that will give us some opportunities to have faster race cars in 2025." he told the media. (via Kyle Dalton on X).
Following the weekend at Las Vegas, NASCAR will head to Homestead, Martinsville, and then to the season finale at Phoenix, before the countdown to the 2025 season begins.