Given the close relationship between NASCAR teams Kaulig Racing and Richard Childress Racing, AJ Allmendinger has opened up about the factor affecting Kyle Busch’s performance. Busch’s last victory in the Cup Series was in the 2023 Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season marked his first winless year, ending his winning streak since 2005. Drivers belonging to teams using the ECR engines, such as RCR, Kaulig, and Trackhouse Racing, have reported complaints regarding their cars’ performance, a point that also seems to be affecting Busch.
Allmendinger ruled out a problem with the 40-year-old driver. Instead, he believes that Busch and his team are experiencing a lack of feel in the car at present, which is likely contributing to their problems. Speaking on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, he said:
“I can’t explain on their side of it. … I don’t know, I don’t have a perfect answer for it. We’ve worked very close this year. You know, I will say, and I don’t want to speak on Kyle’s behalf, but he definitely – they have a lack of feel in the racecar right now. Because Kyle is one of the best we’ve ever seen, he always will be, and it’s not like he just woke up one day and forgot, ah, I can’t drive anymore, right? Compared to what he used to.
“They’re just lacking feel, and you know, at times, we’re just generally trying to find more speed. Just as a group. You know, if you base us off of Trackhouse at times, and then obviously, Hendrick Motorsports, which is, you know, that’s the pinnacle on the Chevy team and always will be. So, you know, they’re definitely, we’re all in search mode a little bit, but I think on their group, and obviously, there’s turnover now, with Randall leaving.”
Allmendinger highlighted that the issue can lead to a confidence problem for a driver, something he seems to be experiencing at present. He added:
“I fight this all the time, we all fight this, in life, I think. You start struggling, you lack confidence, and then you don’t start trusting yourself. It’s difficult.”
Recently, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin backed Busch by saying that he still can win races. The statement arrived after Busch’s crew chief announced his exit to partner with Trackhouse Racing’s Connor Zilisch next year. Newsweek Sports reported Hamlin’s comments:
“Certainly, Kyle’s going through it right now. The performance is not there. I am a believer that Kyle Busch still has the ability to go win races. I do think that his cars are off, but I don’t think they’re off to the extent that we’re seeing on Sundays.
“I don’t know that Randall Burnett is making the car spin out every week or hit the wall every week. There’s got to be a little bit of shared responsibility in what’s going on with Kyle right now, but certainly it’s not good. So I think everyone just wanted a change of scenery — they’re all going to get it.”