Rumor Mill: Is Spire Motorsports Interested in Kyle Busch?

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 08: Kyle Busch, driver of the #07 Gainbridge Chevrolet, daughter, Lennix Busch and wife, Samantha Busch walk the grid prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Mission 176 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 08, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

In a recent interview, a NASCAR insider claimed that he thinks Spire Motorsports would like to “see what they could do” with former Cup Series champion Kyle Busch should he leave Richard Childress Racing after 2026.

While the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season has been rather quiet, the 2027 Silly Season is likely to be filled with the usual wild rumors and speculation due to the number of contracts set to expire.

Although we already know Kyle Busch’s plans for the 2026 season, his long-term future at Richard Childress Racing remains uncertain, meaning the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion could find himself seeking new opportunities in 2026.

The 40-year-old veteran had a strong start to his time at RCR in 2023, but since then, he has struggled to maintain that same level of performance. This has led to a 2026 season in which he will return to his ride, amidst continuing pleas from his fans to pursue other rides.

Interestingly enough, during a recent interview with Kevin Harvick on his podcast, Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports stated that he thinks Busch will return to victory lane. However, it might not be with RCR.

This news might delight fans of KFB, but the question is, what team could this be? Perhaps to the surprise of a few, Pockrass mentions that he thinks Chevrolet’s Spire Motorsports would “like to have him and see what they could do with him.”

“I think Kyle Bush wins again. I just don’t know whether it’s at RCR or not. And look, I think Spire would like to have him and see what they could do with him.” — Bob Pockrass

Spire and Busch already have a preexisting relationship, with Busch’s three Truck Series wins with the team being the most in its short history. Furthermore, the shop that Spire currently operates out of is the former site of the legendary Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Although neither party has spoken publicly about such interest, this scenario is particularly interesting given recent news about Spire’s long-term plans. But would the two go all in on a Cup Series ride given the chance?

Spire, Busch, and 2027?

Entering 2025, Spire Motorsports had made a case for the most interesting team in the Cup Series garage.

The team had overhauled its lineup, bringing in Michael McDowell and Crew Chief Travis Peterson to replace Zane Smith in the No. 71. At the end of 2024, they brought on Justin Haley, whom they were pairing with the newly signed 2014 Cup Series Crew Chief Rodney Childers.

While the team has not had a particularly bad year, 2025 could be called a disappointment. So far, the team has still failed to find victory lane, all while the No. 7 team has fallen short of expectations, with the team parting ways with Childers nine races into the season.

This led to news that Haley was also in the proverbial ‘hot seat’, and even though rumors about the team moving on from Haley have slowed as of late, fans are still waiting to see what happens with the No. 7 team.

Although it seems that Haley will be in the car next season, with the performance and long-term deal McDowell has with the team and the skill of the sophomore driver, Carson Hocevar, if Spire wanted Busch, the No. 7 could be the spot to fill come 2027.

Of course, this all depends on Haley’s performance next year and Busch’s performance with RCR. There is always the scenario that both find themselves improved and comfortable in their current rides by the end of next season.

Though that does raise a question. Even though Busch re-signed with RCR relatively early in the season, on May 24, and if the team was dissatisfied with Haley and was interested in the veteran, why didn’t they already pursue him?

The 2027 season is far away, but, just like this season and last season, expect Kyle Busch’s future to be a major topic of conversation throughout the 2026 season.

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Truck Series at Daytona Scores Highest Viewership Ratings Since 2016

What’s Happening?

The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona drew nearly 1.4 million viewers on FS1, beating the 2025 opening race number by 37%, and becoming the most-viewed Truck Series event since 2016.

  • With 1,387,000 viewers, it’s up 37% compared directly to the same race last year, which had 1,014,000 total
  • The race averaged 1,387,000 viewers on FS1, the highest for a Truck Series race since 2016, according to FOX Sports.
  • This race’s entry list included big names like Cleetus McFarland, Tony Stewart, and Travis Pastrana, which very likely contributed to the big skyrocket in viewership, despite both Stewart and McFarland being out early.
  • Viewership peaked at approximately 1.6 million viewers during the closing portion of the race, despite McFarland and Stewart being already out.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 14: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet, William Sawalich, driver of the #18 Soundgear Toyota, Brandon Jones, driver of the #20 Menards/Swiffer Toyota, and Corey Day, driver of the #17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

The Complete 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on the CW TV Ratings Tracker

NASCAR’s secondary series is facing a huge brand change, leaving the title name “Xfinity Series” to become the brand-new O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. What is not changing, however, is its broadcast partner. The CW is headed for its 2nd season with the series, and has been investing heavily in it. Year after year, we put up the rating numbers and rank them accordingly in comparison to the previous season. Here’s how it works:

  • We will directly compare each race’s viewership from 2025 to that race’s (or closest comparable race’s) 2026 viewership. We will also keep a tally of how each race weekend fared compared to the same weekend last season.
  • This can be confusing, as the “2026 Season as a Whole” section compares races not directly to themselves, but to their corresponding 2025 race weekends. For example, in that section, the 3rd race of the year is compared to 2025’s 3rd race of the season, regardless of the race track.
  • If necessary, we will also address any potential dips in ratings, such as weather delays, postponements, or debuting races, like San Diego taking over for the Mexico City race

The 2026 O’Reilly Series Season as a Whole

All Races (1 Total in 2026)

  • 2026 Total/Average Viewership to Date: (Available Data From 1 race)*: 1.812 Million/1.812 Million Per Race
  • 2025 Total/Average Viewership to Date (Available Data From 33 Races): 1.825 Million/1.825 Million Per Race
  • Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): 0.013 Million (-0.717%)
  • Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.013 Million (-0.717%)

2026 United Rentals 300 at Daytona via Adam Stern

  • 2026 Viewership: 1.812 Million Viewers
  • 2025 Viewership: 1.825 Million Viewers
  • Viewership Comparison (2024 vs 2025): 0.013 Million (-0.717%)

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Impact | Driver Approvals Questioned After Decker, Cleetus Crash At Daytona

It wouldn’t be Daytona without some weird, wacky, and headline-grabbing fallout. From viral Victory Lane moments to renewed debates about driver approval, NASCAR’s biggest race once again delivered more than just on-track drama. And with Michael Jordan celebrating a Daytona 500 win, the spotlight burned brighter than it has in years.

  • Did Michael Jordan’s raw, emotional Victory Lane reaction create the most mainstream positive buzz NASCAR has seen since 2020?
  • Why did one viral clip take on a life of its own, even after Tyler Reddick addressed it publicly?
  • Has the Natalie Decker crash reignited serious concerns about NASCAR’s driver approval process?
  • And where should the line be drawn between marketing power, opportunity, and competitive fairness?

Jordan’s presence mattered. When the most iconic athlete of a generation shows genuine emotion upon winning the Daytona 500, it reminds the wider sports world that this race still matters. That kind of authentic publicity cannot be manufactured. It resonated far beyond the garage. Meanwhile, the O’Reilly Series race added fuel to another ongoing debate. The massive Decker crash, Cleetus McFarland’s Truck debut incident, and past approval inconsistencies have once again raised tough questions. Consistency, transparency, and accountability are now front and center. Add in Austin Hill’s dominance and Ryan Ellis’ career-best sixth-place run to open the season, and Daytona gave fans plenty to talk about on and off the track.

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