Kyle Busch confirms he will return to Richard Childress Racing in 2025

Silly Season is fully underway in NASCAR. Kyle Busch is even being mentioned for seats despite being with Richard Childress Racing. Could it be true that he is going to return to Joe Gibbs Racing?

Martin Truex Jr. officially retiring opens the door for a lot of wild things to happen. Depending on who fills that seat, there could be more dominoes falling for the 2025 season. But is Busch one of them?

Kyle Busch has been rumored to be interested in returning to Joe Gibbs Racing. The two parted ways after 2022 due to sponsorship issues once the Mars company pulled out of NASCAR.

At Iowa, Busch addressed the rumors. Rest assured, he’s in the No. 8 car in 2025. But beyond that… well things could get interesting.

“I would say anything is possible, always,” Busch said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “Certainly, if I was welcomed I would go back, if Hendrick welcomed me back I’d go back. But right now I’m at RCR with my group of guys and the deal I have right now in place. So, we’re trying to work and build this program and make RCR great again.”

Kyle Busch also addressed if JGR had reached out to him about the open seat. Of course, his contract does not allow him to talk to other organizations.

“No, they pretty much knew what my terms were so there’s no talk clauses.”

For now, Kyle Busch going back to JGR is not going to happen. For those hoping to see that reunion, something would have to open up for 2026 and I’m not too sure that will happen. Could you imagine a reunion with JGR or even HMS?

What if Kyle Busch left RCR after 2025?

Let’s do a thought exercise. For a moment, just imagine that we are in the summer of 2025, a year from now. His contract with Richard Childress Racing is up at the end of the year and he is going to be a free agent for the 2026 season.

I do not foresee any of the four seats opening back up at Joe Gibbs Racing. But what about Hendrick Motorsports? Busch mentioned he would love to reunite with HMS if they were to welcome him back.

Let’s just say HMS decides they want to move on from Alex Bowman. I’m not sure why they would, but he would be the most likely driver of Larson, Elliott, and Byron to go. Hendrick might feel their favorite young prospect is another two years away from taking on a role in the Cup Series.

Why not throw Kyle Busch into the 48 car for two seasons as he closes out his career? Busch can then move on either to retirement or to another Cup Series team and Hendrick can fill the spot with the next young gun. Far-fetched, I know, but what if?