“You gotta know how wide your race car is to be able to find a hole that’ll fit in. And he (Joey Logano) obviously doesn’t know that.” Rowdy Busch said after being wrecked out at the Daytona 500. For a driver who didn’t see the victory lane for the entirety of 2024, a superspeedway race was his chance to get back on track. As it turns out, it wasn’t just Daytona; even the twists and turns of the road course layout at COTA didn’t work out in his favor. Despite leading the race for 42 high laps, Busch was outpaced by JGR star Christopher Bell.

In just three weeks’ time, the RCR driver came oh so close to snapping his winless streak twice. Whereas Bell, who once raced for him at Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series, went on to snag three race wins in a row. Something that was seen as impossible in the Next Gen era. Speaking of Next Gen cars, Busch hasn’t really been able to make the transition to NASCAR’s newest invention. Yeah, his ardent fans can argue about his first year in the No. RCR Chevy, where he bagged three wins, but the 2024 season tells you a different story.

Let us understand the gravity of the situation Kyle Busch is in right now.

• The 2-time Cup Series champion wasn’t able to win a single race last season. He held the record of winning at least one race per season since his debut, and the streak stood at 19, but he couldn’t make it 20 in a row.
• After the race weekend in his backyard in Las Vegas, Busch’s winless streak stands at 62 races.
• Not to forget, the veteran driver is in his contract year with Richard Childress Racing.

Optimistic Kyle Busch fans often like to talk about his near misses at Atlanta Raceway, where he was part of the photo finish. The Daytona fall race where he didn’t have the help on the final 2-lap shootout. Then there’s the Southern 500, where he didn’t have the speed to catch up with Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford.

It’s not just Busch, Brad Keselowski has been facing similar issues as he tries to find a fine balance between ownership and driver role. The 2012 Cup Series champ snapped a 110-race winless streak at Darlington. But let’s be honest, it was all thanks to Tyler Reddick and Chris Buescher’s fierce battle, which eventually ended in a crash.

We also need to consider that both RCR and RFK Racing are a part, not the part of the Big 3 (Penske, Hendrick, Gibbs). Making it difficult for the two veterans to contest for race wins regularly.

At 41, Brad Keselowski is one of the oldest active Cup Series drivers. Also, there aren’t many Cup Series teams other than RCR that can promise Rowdy a program where he could win multiple races. Looking at the current predicament of both Busch and Keselowski, a fan on Reddit planted seeds for a heated debate. “What current full-time drivers do you think have already won their final race?”

Uncertainty surrounds Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski

The struggles of Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski haven’t gone unnoticed by fans, many of whom are starting to question their future in NASCAR. One fan summed it up perfectly: “Keselowski wouldn’t surprise me. It’s really hard for me to say Busch because he shows flashes like at COTA, he’s just having the worst luck right now. I think he can get 1 more.” This sentiment reflects the growing uncertainty. Busch still has moments of brilliance. His seventh-place finish at Atlanta and fifth-place finish at COTA are a testament to his talent. But, bad luck and inconsistency continue to hold him back, like the late caution at COTA which saw him lose his 2-second lead at the front of the pack.

Another fan pointed out the harsh reality of their current teams, saying, “Busch and Keselowski are certainly both in the danger zone. They’re both in midpack equipment that takes everything aligning to get a win.” Unlike their dominant years at Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske, both veterans are now in cars that aren’t guaranteed contenders every weekend, like Richard Childress Racing and RFK Racing. In comparison Denny Hamlin who is older than the two is still seen as a championship contender because of the JGR equipment. We’ve seen the likes of Spire Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing emerge as strong Chevy partner teams. The same can be said for Front Row Motorsports, which seems to have filled up the space left behind by Stewart Haas Racing.

Some believe Busch simply isn’t the same ‘wild’ driver anymore. “Busch has lost his edge. He’s not Rowdy Busch…he’s more like Howdy Busch,” one fan quipped. It’s a brutal take, but it reflects how many feel about his decline. Once feared for his aggressive, no-holds-barred “Rowdy” racing style, Busch now seems unable to will his way to victories as he did in his prime.

For Keselowski, fans are beginning to wonder if his time is nearly up. “As for retirees, Keselowski is getting up there and isn’t looking too hot right now,” one comment read. At 41 years old, Keselowski is one of the oldest full-time drivers in the Cup Series. While age alone isn’t a career-ender, it’s clear that younger competitors have an advantage, and Brad K is struggling to keep up.

Another fan echoed this concern, saying, “I guess if Keselowski continues to struggle more in the 2nd half & carries it over to ‘26, I’d be questioning about his future as a driver.” Unlike Busch, who still has a few more years to find his footing, Keselowski’s window is closing fast. In a team like RFK Racing, who want to grow in the Cup Series and reach the heights that their roots of Roush Fenway Racing once had, Keselowski might have to step back. Don’t be surprised to see him in a part-time role like Jimmie Johnson at Legacy Motor Club if performances stay the same.

With both drivers deep into their late thirties and forties, their time at the top is limited. NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport, and history has shown that even legends eventually get left behind. Can Busch and Keselowski turn things around before it’s too late? Or are we witnessing the final chapters of their storied careers? What do you think? Tell us in the comments below!