Published 02/05/2023, 11:07 AM EST
Kyle Busch made the most popular driver move of 2023, switching to Richard Childress Racing after 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing. But there were plenty of people who thought that it was a huge mistake. And one of them was Dale Earnhardt’s crew chief.
There were a lot of question marks around his decision to move from JGR to RCR. Many still believe that this could be the 2-time Cup Series champ’s biggest mistake. But there are some who have made a U-turn in their stance.
Dale Earnhardt‘s legendary crew chief had a similar turn of opinion, as he revealed on Race Hub Live, “When I first heard about this pairing, I said, ‘There is no way this is going to work’. But the more I thought about it. Jamie, I think this could be exactly what Kyle Busch needs for his career after being at Joe Gibbs Racing for 15 years.”
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
In fact, he went as far as to imply that Busch could finally be the key Childress needs to get that championship as he added, “I think it’s exactly [what] maybe Richard Childress Racing [needs]. They have six Cup Championships up there. But the last one was in 1994.”
Watch This Story: Jimmie Johnson and the Legacy Motor Club Crew Recreate an Iconic Moment in the Music Industry
The presenters further strengthened their argument as they talk about a particular ability Busch has.
Kyle Busch has a certain strong suit that could help RCR
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Busch is an incredibly talented driver with a lot of experience driving to the victory lane. But even more valuable than his incredible race craft is a certain skill he possesses which Jamie McMurray pointed out, “I would say that Kyle bush’s strong suit over the course of his career has been working with teams to get the cars better.”
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 16: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 16, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
He further added by highlighting his resume, “If you think about just his time at Gibbs. When he started his truck team, when he started his Xfinity Series team, he was a part of trying to get those programs better.” McMurray believes Busch can take that same skill to RCR, “Hopefully, he can go over to RCR. They already had a good four wins last year. They had a good program going last year. But hopefully, he can take that further.”
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
DIVE DEEPER
“The Kyle High Club”—Dale Earnhardt Jr Leads NASCAR Reactions to Kyle Busch’s “Drug Test, 3 o’clock” Statement
McMurray isn’t wrong, and from everything that has come through about Busch’s involvement with RCR, it’s clearly more than that of just a driver. So, will he really be able to strengthen the team the way everyone is expecting?