Richard Childress, the legendary NASCAR team owner, is clearly fed up. Following a disappointing showing at Dover Motor Speedway, Childress unleashed a fiery message over the team radio, demanding better performance from Richard Childress Racing (RCR).
Childress's Blunt Assessment
“Way to keep fighting guys,” Childress began, before cutting to the chase: “We gotta get some damn racecars. I’ve seen enough out of drivers and teams. We got to work on this shit. Period.” This outburst highlights the growing frustration within the RCR camp, particularly with the performance of drivers Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon.
Dover Disappointment
Busch finished 11th and Dillon 15th at Dover, results far below the team's expectations. Considering the resources and talent at RCR, a pair of top-10 finishes seemed attainable. However, both cars struggled late in the race, losing ground and failing to capitalize on opportunities.
Hamlin Weighs In
Denny Hamlin, a fellow NASCAR driver and team owner, offered his perspective on Childress's comments on his podcast, Actions Detrimental. While acknowledging the frustration, Hamlin defended Childress, suggesting he was challenging his employees to find innovative solutions. “He’s not in charge of engineering them,” Hamlin said. “I think he’s challenging his employees to come up with some different answers. He knows the parts and pieces are the same, but they’re obviously, what I believe he’s saying is that we’ve got to put them together better.”
What's the Problem at RCR?
The root cause of RCR's struggles remains unclear. Is it the car design, the setup, the engines, the crew chiefs, or a combination of factors? Hamlin speculated on potential issues, including simulation discrepancies or differing data from the tire department. The team's lack of consistent top-5 finishes further underscores the challenges they face. With only two top-5s in 2025, both by Kyle Busch, RCR needs to find solutions quickly to remain competitive.
Pressure Mounting
With the playoffs approaching, the pressure is on for RCR to turn things around. Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon are currently near the playoff cut-off line, and consistent performance is crucial to secure their spots. Childress's outburst serves as a wake-up call, urging the entire organization to step up and deliver the results expected of a championship-caliber team.