The NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on July 21, 2025, was a pivotal moment for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), but not for the reasons the team had hoped. As the checkered flag waved, team owner Richard Childress, a NASCAR Hall of Famer with decades of experience, could no longer contain his frustration. His blunt, four-word message over the No. 8 team radio—“We are in trouble”—sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community, sparking debates among fans and analysts about the state of one of the sport’s most storied teams. With Kyle Busch finishing 11th and Austin Dillon crossing the line in 15th, the Monster Mile exposed RCR’s ongoing struggles, raising questions about whether the team can reclaim its former glory.
The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover was supposed to be a chance for RCR to build momentum. Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the season with back-to-back top-10 finishes at Chicago and Sonoma, securing his playoff spot. Expectations were high that Busch, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet, could challenge for a win. Meanwhile, Austin Dillon, Childress’s grandson and the No. 3 driver, was looking to rebound from a lackluster season. The stage was set for RCR to make a statement, but the results told a different story.
Busch qualified well, starting in 10th, and showed promise early, climbing to eighth in stage one. However, his performance faded as the race progressed, dropping to 12th in stage two before settling for an 11th-place finish. Dillon, on the other hand, never found the speed to compete near the front, finishing 15th with no top-five runs to his name this season. Through 21 races in 2025, Busch has managed 14 top-20s, seven top-10s, and two top-fives, while Dillon has 11 top-20s and three top-10s. These numbers pale in comparison to RCR’s historical dominance, and Childress’s frustration was palpable.
Moments after the race, Childress’s voice crackled over the team radio: “Gotta get some race cars. We are in trouble. Period.” The raw emotion in his words captured the attention of fans and media alike, igniting discussions on social media platforms like Facebook, where NASCAR enthusiasts dissected the team’s performance and Childress’s stark warning.
Richard Childress Racing is no stranger to success. Founded in 1969, RCR has amassed 16 NASCAR championships, over 200 victories, and three Daytona 500 wins, including triumphs with Dale Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick, and Austin Dillon. The team’s partnership with Earnhardt in the 1980s and 1990s produced six Cup Series titles, cementing Childress’s reputation as a titan of the sport. However, recent years have been challenging, with RCR struggling to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly technical and data-driven NASCAR landscape.
The 2025 season has been particularly tough. Despite Busch’s improvements in average starting and finishing positions compared to 2024, RCR’s cars have rarely contended for wins. Dillon’s season has been even more troubling, with the No. 3 driver languishing in 28th place in the standings. Fans on social media have not held back, with one commenting, “Richard, YOU are the team owner… how about YOU get some better racecars for them.” Another fan expressed disappointment, stating, “Idk if the fanbase will ever forgive RC wasting KFB’s [Kyle Busch’s] final years.” These sentiments reflect a growing concern that RCR is failing to provide its drivers with the equipment needed to compete at the highest level.
Childress’s radio outburst was not just a moment of frustration but a call to action for his team. In a recent meeting described by crew chief Richard Boswell on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Childress gathered his team to address their shortcomings head-on. “He pulled us into his office and said, ‘Hey, I said what I said. I meant it,’” Boswell recounted. “‘I’m not gonna say those things and then not put my money where my mouth is. So what do we need?’” This direct approach underscores Childress’s determination to turn things around, but it also highlights the urgency of the situation with the playoffs looming.
The team’s struggles extend beyond Dover. Just a week later at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, RCR faced another setback when Austin Hill, driving the No. 21 in the Xfinity Series, was penalized for a controversial incident with Aric Almirola. Hill’s actions, perceived as intentional by NASCAR officials, resulted in a five-lap penalty and a subsequent one-race suspension, costing him valuable playoff points. Childress defended his driver, arguing that NASCAR’s penalties were inconsistent, citing an earlier incident where Austin Cindric faced a 50-point deduction for a similar move against Ty Dillon, Childress’s other grandson. “It would be better off that I don’t say what I think because I would even be in bigger trouble,” Childress said, hinting at his frustration with NASCAR’s governance.
With the regular season nearing its end, RCR faces a must-win scenario to secure a playoff spot for Dillon, who lost an automatic berth after a controversial Richmond win was stripped of playoff eligibility. The team’s hopes now rest on upcoming races, including the Iowa Corn 350, where Childress expressed optimism about a comeback. “We’re going to Iowa and going up there to win that race,” he said on the “Lights Out” podcast, emphasizing his belief in Busch and the team’s potential to rebound.
However, the challenges are significant. RCR’s cars have struggled with speed and consistency, and the team’s inability to run at the front has drawn criticism from fans and analysts. The financial implications are also substantial, with estimates suggesting that missing the playoffs could cost RCR upwards of $2 million in charter system revenue. Childress himself described the Richmond penalty as “the largest fine ever in NASCAR,” highlighting the economic and competitive toll of their struggles.
As RCR navigates this turbulent season, Childress’s leadership and passion for racing remain undeniable. His storied career, from selling peanuts at Bowman Gray Stadium to building a NASCAR empire, is a testament to his resilience. Yet, the current challenges test even his formidable resolve. The appointment of Mike Verlander as team president for 2025 signals a commitment to modernization, with Verlander tasked with overseeing manufacturing, graphics, and engine divisions. “Mike has a clear vision for our future and will foster a culture that inspires our entire team,” Childress said, expressing confidence in the new leadership.
For Kyle Busch, the pressure is equally intense. At 40, the veteran driver is in the final year of his contract with RCR, and his desire to add to his 63 Cup Series wins is palpable. Despite the Dover disappointment, Busch remained diplomatic, acknowledging the team’s lack of pace without pointing fingers. His focus now shifts to Iowa, where a win could silence critics and reignite RCR’s season.
Richard Childress’s warning is more than a soundbite; it’s a wake-up call for a team with a legacy of excellence. For NASCAR fans, RCR’s struggles are a compelling storyline, blending the drama of on-track performance with the emotional weight of a team fighting to reclaim its place among the elite. The raw honesty of Childress’s radio message resonates on platforms like Facebook, where fans thrive on unfiltered moments that reveal the human side of racing. Whether RCR can rise to the challenge or continue to falter will shape not only their season but also the narrative of Childress’s enduring legacy.
As the NASCAR season races toward the playoffs, all eyes are on RCR. Can they find the speed to compete? Will Childress’s bold words translate into action? The answers lie on the track, where every lap is a chance to prove that RCR is far from finished.
