Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is throwing caution to the wind with what seems to be a almost desperate gambit: adding a third part-time Cup Series car for 2025. It seems a Hail Mary pass, a last-ditch effort to salvage a sinking ship. Monday they announced the addition of a third part-time Cup Series car for the 2025 season. This decision comes on the heels of a disappointing 2024 season, where the team struggled to find consistent speed, and only one win for driver Austin Dillon.
Kyle Busch, a perennial contender and one of NASCAR’s most recognizable names, experienced a winless season for the first time in 18 years. This unprecedented drought has raised serious questions about RCR’s ability to compete at the highest level.
While the team has yet to reveal specific details about the third car, including drivers and crew chiefs, the announcement has sparked speculation and debate. Some believe that this move is a bold and necessary step to re-establish RCR as a top-tier organization. Others, however, are skeptical, questioning whether adding another car will truly solve the team’s fundamental problems.
One of the key changes within RCR is the promotion of Andy Street to crew chief for the new Cup Series car. Street, who has a strong track record of success in the Xfinity Series, will be tasked with leading a team in the top level of NASCAR.
Additionally, Chad Haney has been named crew chief for the No. 21 Xfinity Series car, previously led by Street. Haney brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be expected to help Austin Hill and the team continue their upward trajectory.
While RCR’s decision to add a third car is undoubtedly a risky one, it is also a sign of ambition. The team is clearly looking to regain its former glory and return to the forefront of NASCAR competition. However, success in the Cup Series is a complex endeavor that requires a combination of factors, including top-tier talent, advanced technology, and strong leadership.
RCR will need to carefully consider its strategy and resource allocation to ensure that the addition of a third car does not dilute its efforts. The team must also focus on improving its overall performance, including pit strategy, car setup, and driver development.
Only time will tell whether RCR’s decision to expand its Cup Series program will pay dividends. The 2025 season will be a crucial test for the organization as it seeks to reassert itself as a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR.
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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