Childress succeeds in stealing Kyle Busch in the end.
With a blown engine, Kyle Busch entered the Bristol Motor Speedway garage, effectively ending his illustrious 15-year association with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Yes, there are still seven races left before Busch surrenders control of the No. 18 Toyota. However, he was eliminated from
contention by two failed engines in the first three playoff races, and from this point on until the November finale, Busch is merely riding the JGR string.
The lone active driver with multiple Cup championships has already found a new team: Richard Childress Racing. Childress sent a Rolex watch to Busch
as a welcome gift. and informed Busch that he can enter a Chevrolet-backed squad in the Indianapolis 500. On so many levels, everything felt absurd.
As a historical example, Childress attempted to fight Busch in 2011 following a Truck Series race and even took off his watch prior to the altercation.
Right before the altercation that resulted in the Hall of Fame team owner receiving a $150,000 NASCAR punishment, he instructed a handler to "hold my watch."
The reality of what RCR has developed into over the past 15 years is another factor. The previous time Childress' two-car team, which was driven by the late
Dale Earnhardt, won the Cup was in 1994. Busch, a two-time champion with 60 career victories, is still racing at the age of 37 and probably has another ten years in him.