Results have been hard to come by in 2026 for two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch. After five races, the driver of the No. 8 has failed to post a top-10 finish and currently sits 22nd in Cup points.
Aside from winning the pole for the Daytona 500, the 2026 campaign has been a struggle for the 40-year-old.
However, given his recent track record at Darlington Raceway, this Sunday’s Goodyear 400 could be where Busch’s fortunes turn around.
Recent finishes point to a strong run for Kyle Busch at Darlington
Through the first five races, particularly the last two, Busch has struggled to find any amount of speed in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
The Las Vegas native suffered three flat tires two weeks ago at Phoenix and was mired back in the mid-20s to early 30s of the field. Despite that, Busch was able to bring the No. 8 machine home 17th.
Last week at his home track of Las Vegas, Busch went a lap down early in stage one and ultimately showed no signs of speed throughout. The 63-time Cup winner brought it home 28th.
Darlington might be coming at the right time for Busch to turn things around. In the last three races at the track, Busch has posted three top-10 finishes.
That includes the September 2024 race, where Busch recorded a second-place result and was on the heels of Chase Briscoe for the win in the closing laps.
In April 2025 Darlington race, Busch started eighth and finished 10th. In the September 2025 event, the RCR driver started 23rd, overcame an early crash, and rallied to finish eighth.
Busch is a one-time winner at Darlington with his sole victory coming in 2008. While it has not been a track “Rowdy” has won at a bunch, his recent consistency could land him a solid finish this Sunday.
It is evident that Busch needs a strong run in a hurry. After five races, he is currently 27 points below the cut line to make The Chase in the 22nd position. His RCR teammate, Austin Dillon, is nine points behind him in 24th.
Busch is currently on a 98-race winless streak in the Cup Series. His latest victory came at World Wide Technology Raceway in June 2023.
It might not result in a win, but Darlington could be the place Busch posts a quality finish and turns his season in the right direction.
Denny Hamlin inches up on Kyle Busch on the all-time wins list with Vegas win
Despite the struggles at RCR over the last few seasons, Busch is still one of the most accomplished drivers in the field.
Along with Joey Logano and Kyle Larson, Busch is one of only three active multi-time champion drivers. His 63 career victories rank ninth on the all-time wins list.
However, with Denny Hamlin’s Las Vegas victory last Sunday, Busch has competition for the ninth position. Hamlin recorded his 61st career Cup win on Sunday, putting him two wins away from tying Busch.
It might be sooner rather than later that Hamlin closes that gap. Since Busch’s last Cup victory in 2023, Hamlin has won 12 Cup Series races.
Can Kyle Busch Turn Early-Season Woes Around at Darlington?