Kyle Busch Signs with Richard Childress Racing

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs 

Kyle Busch will have a new home for 2023 and beyond. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion signed with Richard Childress Racing in a multi-year deal, the organization announced on Tuesday. 

The announcement ends a 15-year relationship with Coach Joe Gibbs at Joe Gibbs Racing, where Busch earned 56 of his 60 series victories in the No. 18 Toyota. 

“RCR has an impressive history in NASCAR and I‘m honored that Richard is putting his trust in me to come in and continue to build on that legacy,” Busch said in a press release. “Growing up in a family of passionate racers myself, I feel like the culture that the Childress family has built within their organization will be an ideal fit for me. As I begin the next chapter of my career, I‘m looking forward to driving for RCR and working with everyone there to add more wins and championships to both of our resumes.”

Busch will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet beginning in 2023, with Randall Burnett serving as his crew chief. Tyler Reddick, who previously announced he would drive for 23XI Racing starting with the 2024 season, remains under contract with Richard Childress Racing through the 2023 season and will drive for the organization next year in a yet-to-be-announced ride.

“The addition of Kyle Busch to the Richard Childress Racing lineup is significant, not only for our organization, but for the sport as a whole,” Childress said in a team release. “Kyle is a proven contender at the highest level of the sport, and I believe that his experience and dedication to motorsports will elevate our race program across the board. I‘ve always admired Kyle‘s driving style and his ability to win and race for championships ever since he entered the sport. Who wouldn‘t want a proven NASCAR Cup Series champion driving their car?”

Busch’s move to Chevrolet isn’t an unknown pairing, as the veteran began his Cup Series career in 2005 with Hendrick Motorsports. Busch earned four victories with the organization in its No. 5 Chevrolet before joining JGR in 2008. 

The loss of Busch under the Toyota manufacturer umbrella will be a loss across the board, as Busch’s Camping World Truck Series team is also supported by Toyota. Kyle Busch Motorsports drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Corey Heim will likely be looking for new homes as well since they are Toyota-backed drivers. 

“Kyle has been a major part of our history and success here at Joe Gibbs Racing,” Gibbs said in a team release. “We are thankful for all his contributions to our organization over the years. When you look at all that he has accomplished already, it is truly remarkable, and we know someday we will be celebrating his Hall of Fame induction. We also know he still has many more achievements in our sport ahead of him including competing for the championship this season. We wish Kyle, Samantha, Brexton, and Lennix the very best.”

RCR has six NASCAR Cup Series championships, but none since 1994 when Dale Earnhardt earned his seventh and final title.