Kyle Busch reflects on ‘toughest year’ of career after Phoenix finale

There is no doubt that this season was a disappointment for Kyle Busch. It was perhaps his worst season ever as a NASCAR Cup Series driver. After 20 years, Busch failed to win a race during the Cup season, ending his record streak at 19 consecutive years with a victory.

Kyle Busch will be the first to admit to his struggles. He is a two-time champion and does not take lightly his failures on the year.

With the season behind him, Busch took time to reflect on the season.

“Arguably the toughest year of my career. Full of trials, [and] heartbreaks,” Busch wrote on X/Twitter. “I know my RCR guys [are] gonna get after it this winter [and] we’ll come back strong [next] season. Grateful for all of our partners, helping us do what we love. [Thanks] Rowdy Nation for sticking with me. Y’all [are] the best.”

Arguably the toughest year of my career. Full of trials, n heartbreaks. I know my RCR guys r gonna get after it this winter n we’ll come back stronger nxt season. Grateful for all of our partners, helping us do what we love. Thx Rowdy Nation for sticking w me. Y’all r the best.💯 pic.twitter.com/XxhFsii83m

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) November 11, 2024

There were times when Kyle Busch came close. He was never able to close the deal. Even when it felt like he was going to break through and finally get that win, something happened to take it away.

Perhaps the most clear example of how this season went was the Daytona race in the summer. Who could have seen Parker Retzlaff pushing Harrison Burton to the win over Busch in that race? No one. But it happened.

Rowdy missed the playoffs, he didn’t have a win, and there were a lot of issues throughout the season. But he is a champion. He’ll be back for 2025 in the No. 8 car ready to get after it.

Kyle Busch tried to will his way to a win

When the going got tough, Kyle Busch almost willed himself to wins. His cars lacked speed all season. He was having a hard time avoiding wrecks and at one point had five DNFs in a seven-race span.

Finishes of P4, P2, and P2 at Michigan, Daytona, and Darlington to end the regular season. After that, things fell off the cliff once again. But Busch showed that he has incredible talent by putting himself in a position to win.

20th place in the points standings ties the worst finish ever for Busch in the Cup Series. He was also 20th in his rookie season in 2005. Every season since winning the 2019 championship, Busch has gotten worse in the final standings.

8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, and 20th place the last five years after his title. Is 2025 going to be the comeback season?