NASCAR Cup Series analyst Kyle Petty does not think Kyle Busch’s move to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is a good move for the current driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry TRD.
Kyle Petty via NASCAR YouTube
Busch made the announcement last week that he would not be staying with Joe Gibbs Racing, but had signed a deal with Richard Childress Racing that will see him drive the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro next year.
At the announcement Busch explained his reasonings for joining RCR and specifically cited their ability to win right away.
Kyle Busch and Richard Childress via NASCAR YouTube
He explained, “I had to find a place where I knew I could go win races immediately. Collecting trophies is still the main reason why I get up everyday and go to the racetrack in order to to this every week.”
“Also needed a place where I felt I could hit reset and could be welcomed just as I am,” he continued. “This change will allow for a clean slate and that’s big for me and my family. A new team, a new teammate, new teammates. Most importantly a new boss who accepts where I have been and yet can help me get to where I want to be.”
Busch then announced, “At the end of the day one team and one owner emerged as the clear choice. The second I sat down with him I knew that his company and his people and the culture around there had the ability to compete for championships from day one.”
“So now for the moment that you all couldn’t wait for. I’m excited to announce that I’ll be taking my talents to Welcome, North Carolina to drive the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing starting in 2023. I’d like to introduce you to my new boss, Richard Childress,” he declared.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, and Jeff Burton via NASCAR YouTube
While Busch announced that he believes RCR is a place where he can win immediately, Kyle Petty has a very different opinion. Before the race at Bristol Motor Speedway Petty said, “Welcome to Kyle Petty’s world and accept the hate when it come. This is what I’m going to say. It is not a move forward and it is not a lateral move. It is a move in the wrong direction for a guy like Kyle Busch, I believe.”
Petty elaborated, “It’s a move backwards. Here’s a team, who since Kevin Harvick left at the end of 2013 and took his 23 wins with him, they’ve only won seven times. Seven times. In that same amount of time — and this is a little bit of apples to oranges — in that same amount of tie Kyle Busch himself has won two championships and 32 races. That’s with a totally different type of organization.”
He further explained, “He’s going to an organization that he’s going to have to build. He’s going to have to build it back. He’s 37, 38 years old. He’s just past his prime. I’m not saying that he’s not still in his prime a little bit, so don’t hate me that bad, but his prime years were spent with Toyota and with the Gibbs organization. These are just facts. You can’t deny this.”
Petty then declared, “The thing is Kyle Busch needs to look at Brad Keselowski and see the year that he’s having because that may be his future more so than looking at Denny Hamlin or somebody like that and having that type year.”
Marty Snider, Kyle Petty, and Dale Jarrett via NASCAR YouTube
The new next-gen car does throw a wrench in Petty’s opinion. Busch only won one race this year at Bristol Motor Speedway at the Dirt Race. Joe Gibbs Racing, which fields four cars, only won four total races. Hamlin won two at Richmond Raceway and the Coca-Cola 600 while Christopher Bell also won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. NASCAR did disqualify Denny Hamlin after he won at Pocono.
Richard Childress Racing, which fields two vehicles, won two races this year. Tyler Reddick won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Austin Dillon won at Daytona International Speedway at the end of August.
Marty Snider, Kyle Petty, and Dale Jarrett via NASCAR YouTube
Interestingly, Busch, Reddick, and Dillon were all eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs following the most recent race at Bristol. Busch finished 34th following an engine failure. He previously finished 30th at Darlington after another engine failure.
Reddick finished the race in 24th while Austin Dillon finished 31st after both were involved in 12-car wreck on Lap 277.
Kyle Busch via NASCAR YouTube
What do you make of Kyle Petty’s comments about Kyle Busch’s move to RCR?
NEXT: Kyle Busch Gets Blunt On His Future Says “A Big Change Is Coming”