Richard Childress Racing heads into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season looking for stability after two difficult years. Once a consistent playoff presence, RCR has struggled to find its footing since 2024. Austin Dillon was the lone driver to reach the postseason last year, while Kyle Busch has now missed the playoffs two straight seasons. In response, the organization has made several leadership changes and adjustments that signal a clear effort to get back on track.

One of the biggest storylines is the reshuffling behind the scenes. Kyle Busch will have a new crew chief in Jim Pohlman, marking his third different crew chief since the start of the 2025 season. RCR also added new voices in key leadership roles, naming Mike Dillon as chief operating officer, John Klausmeier as technical director, and Andy Street as performance director. These moves are designed to modernize the team and improve execution across the board. With strong young talent also waiting in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, RCR is trying to balance the present with an eye on the future.

Austin Dillon returns to the No. 3 Chevrolet as the team’s most consistent performer over the last two seasons. He earned a win in 2025 and finished 15th in the standings, showing flashes of competitiveness even when the team struggled overall. However, the new championship format removes the safety net of winning a single race to lock into the playoffs. For Dillon, that means consistency will matter more than ever. To contend for a spot in The Chase, the No. 3 team must deliver solid finishes week after week.

Kyle Busch enters 2026 with more questions than answers. The two-time Cup Series champion has not won a race since 2023, and the last two seasons have been the worst statistical years of his career. Still, Busch remains one of the most experienced and driven competitors in the garage. If the new pairing with Pohlman can bring stability and unlock speed similar to what Busch showed early in his RCR tenure, a return to the postseason is not out of reach.

For Richard Childress Racing, 2026 is a crossroads season. The talent is there, but results must follow. With organizational changes in place and two proven drivers behind the wheel, RCR will look to turn recent struggles into a fresh start and reestablish itself as a true contender in the Cup Series.