Kyle Busch hasn’t visited victory lane in more than 90 races, a drought that seems impossible for a two-time Cup Series champion. Now, Richard Childress Racing is betting on a major shakeup to fix it. Jim Pohlman is set to step in as crew chief for the No. 8 team next season, determined to restore Busch’s winning form and rebuild a confidence that has been severely tested. It’s a bold move, but one that comes with admitted risks.

How Will Jim Pohlman Handle the Personality Clash With Kyle Busch?

The road to success won’t necessarily be smooth, and the new boss on the pit box knows it. While Pohlman believes the foundation is solid, he isn’t shying away from the reality of two intense personalities working together.

“We’re probably a lot alike,” Pohlman told RACER. “I haven’t seen his analytical chart as to how his personality is, but having done the crew chief role and reading people, I would say we’re probably identical. There might be some spats, I’m not going to lie.”

That intensity might be exactly what the team needs. Pohlman emphasized their shared vision, noting, “He’s passionate. I’m passionate. The end goal is that he wants to win races, and he wants to win races at RCR, and he was crystal clear about that.”

This move marks a homecoming for Pohlman, who previously served as the head of R&D at Richard Childress Racing. He returns after a highly successful stint at JR Motorsports, where he thrived alongside Justin Allgaier. The duo proved to be a formidable pair, winning nine races and capturing the 2024 Xfinity Series title.

Despite the recent struggles at RCR, Pohlman sees plenty of potential remaining in the driver’s seat. He expressed confidence in Busch’s ability to deliver if the equipment matches the talent.

MORE: Upcoming Crew Chief Jim Pohlman Confident of Sparking Kyle Busch’s Return to Dominance With RCR

“I think I’m excited the most about having a future ballot Hall of Fame driver. I don’t think – in the last little bit that I’ve watched, and I’ve watched for a while – that he’s lost a step, and I feel confident if we can put some good race cars underneath him, he can get the job done,” Pohlman said.

The primary goal now is identifying exactly what barriers are keeping the No. 8 car out of the winner’s circle. Both men have been bluntly clear that winning is the only metric that matters. Walking away from a championship situation to join a struggling team is a serious gamble, but if Pohlman can reignite Busch’s fire, the payoff could be massive.