Last year, Richard Childress Racing was looking at 2023 with a lot of promise as they added Kyle Busch to their roster. In year two, what are expectations? In the New Year, RCR will have a few resolutions, and so will their NASCAR Cup Series drivers.
With wins at Fontana, Talladega, and Gateway, Kyle Busch had a good first year at RCR. He improved on his final season at Joe Gibbs Racing, for sure. While the playoffs did not go how he wanted, there was a lot to be happy about.
Meanwhile, teammate Austin Dillon struggled. A P3 finish in the Busch Light Clash might have been the highlight for the No. 3 team this season.
So, what goals can Richard Childress Racing focus on in the New Year to help make them better for 2024?
Richard Childress Racing Resolutions:
– Lower DNFs for both teams
– Avoid critical errors late in the season
– Make the most of your opportunities at superspeedways
– Be honest about the future
– Forge relationship with Erebus Motorsport
The 2024 season is going to be interesting for RCR. Kyle Busch needs more support late in the season. DNFs have to come down, the two drivers combined for 16 on the year. Give Dillon a chance at superspeedways to win and make the playoffs. And, be honest about where the organization is and where it is headed.
Some decisions could be made as soon as the end of the 2024 season about the future of Richard Childress Racing and in particular, the No. 3 car. Brodie Kostecki is coming over to the States to race in 2024 with Erebus, his Supercars team, through RCR. He’s a driver Mr. Childress believes could be the future of the organization.
Richard Childress Racing – Driver Resolutions
The good news for RCR is that they only have two Cup Series teams. They will have a sort of part-time effort from Brodie Kostecki. He’s racing in a select number of events but it will be with Erebus through Richard Childress. A satellite car, basically.
There are a number of things that both drivers can do to improve themselves. Neither Busch nor Dillon were perfect in the 2023 season.
Kyle Busch Resolutions:
– Win 3+ Cup Series races again
– Win 3/5 Truck Series starts
– Finish the season strong
– Make a deep playoff run
The end of the season did not go how Kyle Busch wanted it to go. Between New Hampshire and Texas, things fell off the rails. Three DNFs, five races of P25 or worse. Despite winning three of the first 15 races of the year, he didn’t win any of the final 21 races.
A playoff run where Busch is a real Championship 4 contender is a must. Part of that is RCR stepping up, too. Also, Busch wants to win a majority of his Truck Series starts in 2024, because that’s what he does.
Austin Dillon Resolutions:
– Win a race
– Make the most of opportunities
– Have fun
– Cut DNFs by half
– Be honest about NASCAR future
2023 seemed to be a miserable season for Austin Dillon. He’s the senior driver at Richard Childress Racing, but now he’s teamed up with a two-time Cup Series champion. Seeing Dillon have fun would be a great first step.
He also needs to make the most of his opportunities and cut his 10 DNFs from 2023 in half if he can. On superspeedways, the No. 3 should be in a position to win or finish in the top-5.
If 2024 doesn’t go better, AD needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. Brother Ty Dillon is going Truck Series racing, hoping to get a bigger job in 2025. Maybe it is time for Austin to step aside at RCR and let the next driver step in and take over for the future.