“Disrupted Everything!” Kevin Harvick Blames Next-Gen Cars for Kyle Busch’s Poor Performance Since 2022

Ex-NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick has shared his thoughts on the real reason behind Kyle Busch poor form.

“Disrupted Everything!” Kevin Harvick Blames Next-Gen Cars for Kyle Busch’s Poor Performance Since 2022

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch (Via IMAGO)

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For the second straight season, Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch has ended the regular season winless and missed out on the playoffs. He has been going through a massive winless streak since the second half of 2023, with just a handful of races where he showed any promise. Ex-champion Kevin Harvick explains what is to blame for the streak.

In the latest episode of the Happy Hour podcast, Kevin Harvick asserted that the introduction of the Next-Gen cars totally disrupted everything that made Kyle Busch the champion he is, unlike his arch-rival Joey Logano, who won two titles in the new era. What’s more disappointing is the fact that his teammate Austin Dillon has won races in 2024 and 2025, while also making into the playoff this year.

Kevin Harvick explained that since the Gen-7 cars was introduced, Kyle Busch has failed driver the car over the limit, which has been a significant factor behind his success for many years. It HMS’ Kyle Larson that is making these moves and dominating the sport. The fact that he no longer has the same level understanding of the car as he used to also has cost him big time.

I think this car has totally disrupted everything that has made Kyle Busch good. Everything that made Kyle Busch good up until this Gen-7 car was the fact that he could drive it over the limit, save the car and he could tell you every single thing that you needed to put in the car to make it go fast. He knew the springs, he knew the shocks — he knew everything that was going on…

Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.

The ex-SHR driver pointed out that the dynamic of the Next-Gen car, due to how the kit car was build alongside the aero-factors, is much different from what it has been on the past. It’s evident considering the fact that the No:8 Chevy wrecks out more often than any other drivers and the team is making more unforced errors, ruining their chances.

It’s a way different dynamic of what it takes to make this car go fast. You’re not building cars that are specifically built to your driving style and from an aero balance standpoint. You’ve got what you got. Every time that this 8 car is in position, it’s a spinout, a wreck, or something on pit road, or something happens that’s going on and just can’t finish the deal.

Kevin Harvick asserted.

NASCAR insider explains how Kyle Busch’s poor form is hurting the sport

The poor performance of the veteran is not only hurting RCR but is also affecting the sport as a whole negatively. In the latest episode of The Teardown podcast, senior NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck asserted that the sport is missing out big time on the veteran not winning with Richard Childress, with the team that has a rough-and-tumble image.

Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch (Via @KyleBusch/X)

Kyle Busch is better. The sport is better when Kyle Busch is better. Especially driving for RCR. Yeah. Like if Kyle Busch was winning races and contending, he makes RCR more relevant. People love RCR. They’ve kind of got this rough-and-tumble image. Now for the first time in Bush’s career, by the way, has gone two straight years of failing to make the playoffs, which is just absolutely mind-blowing

Jeff Gluck said.

The comments from the insider seems pretty concerning and rational, considering how big of a personal Kyle Busch is among the racing community. He has a massive fanbase and well as significant number of haters, making him a driver that gather attention. It would be interesting to see how long it would take for the veteran racer to understand the car and win a race.

Also Read: Kevin Harvick Shares Concerning Verdict on “Hit or Miss” William Byron and Kyle Larson’s Title Chances