The 2025 NASCAR Cup season is nearing its end, and the silly season is in full swing. The recent big one is Kyle Busch’s crew chief, Randall Burnett, switching to a new team in 2026. This means the #8 team is now in the hunt for a new crew chief for Rowdy, as Burnett is headed to Trackhouse Racing.
There could be several reasons for this switch: the struggling Richard Childress Racing team, the opportunity to guide NASCAR’s future to a championship, and many more. However, Denny Hamlin opened up on what could have led Burnett to leave a veteran organization and join a relatively young team.
What Did Denny Hamlin Say About Kyle Busch Losing His RCR Crew Chief?
It’s no secret that the Busch-Burnett pair has struggled for the past two seasons. 2024 was the first season Rowdy went winless in his career, the first time he failed to make the playoffs. What was shrugged off as a one-season-long slump has slowly seeped into the 2025 season as well, and it’s showing no signs of ending.
Thirty-one races in, Busch has managed two top 5s and eight top 10s. His winless streak has extended to 88 races, and it’s unlikely to end this season. The #8 team is growing increasingly frustrated, with his spotter, Derek Kneeland, lashing out on the radio at Kansas a week after his crew chief parted ways with the team.
Besides a welcome change from the struggles Burnett faced in the#8 team, becoming a part of an organisation that might soon contend for a championship is always a plus, something Hamlin spoke about as well.
“I think he needed a change. I think all parties kind of need a change, and certainly Kyle’s going through it right now. Certainly, the performance is not there,” Hamlin said. “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. Like, I don’t know that Randall Bernett is making the car spin out every week or hit the wall every week…But certainly it’s not good. So I think everyone just wanted a change of scenery and they’re all going to get it.”
Burnett will be the crew chief for Connor Zilisch in his debut Cup Series season in 2026. With six Cup wins to his name so far, three with Tyler Reddick (2022) and three with Busch in 2023, Burnett has adequate experience to guide the 19-year-old in his maiden season.
Before this, he was Reddick’s crew chief in the Xfinity Series, where the pair won the championship in a dominant season (2019). This could also be a great opportunity for Burnett to expand his resume as Trackhouse Racing is on the rise, with a lineup that includes Ross Chastain, road course king Shane van Gisbergen, and now Zilisch, who’s been a sensation in the Xfinity Series (9 wins and counting).
Expressing his excitement about the move, Burnett said, “I’m excited about my opportunity over there, and you know, obviously, something’s got to change on this 8 car. We haven’t been performing the way we needed to. I think everybody needs a fresh start. I got a really good opportunity with where I’m going. Obviously, Connor’s a great young talent…So, you know, just kind of all worked out.”
Well, only time will tell how this veteran-youngster pairing will work in the 2026 season. Let’s hope it doesn’t suffer the same fate as Rodney Childers and Justin Haley, who parted ways after just nine races together.
