Richard Childress (Left) -Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Brexton Busch (Center) - Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Dale Earnhardt Jr (Right) - Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jun 7, 2026, 11:15 AM CUT

Richard Childress Urges NASCAR Media Not to Repeat Dale Jr.’s Misery With Brexton Busch

As Kyle Busch's son, Brexton Busch, continues to make a name for himself in the racing world, the attention to a future in NASCAR feels a little too familiar to what Richard Childress saw over two decades ago. Based on that, Childress has now issued a message to the media to be cautious with Brexton as the expectations pile up.

After Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in 2001, the pressure of carrying forward his legacy fell on the shoulders of his son, Dale Jr. Similarly, after Kyle Busch's passing, the media and the fans have already put the weight of carrying forward his legacy on 11-year-old Brexton.

While talking to the media during a pre-race interview, Richard Childress was questioned about what the NASCAR community can do for the young Busch for his future.

"I think again, just showing him the respect that, and try not to put more pressure on him, just like Dale Jr., and not put more pressure on him, and I think that he's got a great future," said Childress. "That kid can drive a race car."

DARLINGTON, SC - MARCH 22: Austin Dillon 3 Richard Childress Racing BPS/Winchester/Long Beard XR Chevrolet and Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing BetMGM Chevrolet along with Brexton Busch sit on the pre race stage prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on March 22, 2026 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington S.C. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 22 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260322344400

Childress further added, "And personal and mentally watching him last Tuesday, I mean this Tuesday, was incredible. And he's just a bright young man and a great little race driver. He'll carry the Busch legacy for many years to come."

After his father's death, Dale Jr. continued his NASCAR career and went on to win 26 Cup Series races. These also include two Daytona 500 wins.

As for Brexton Busch, he has been making a name for himself at the grassroots level as he currently competes in the Late Model series. The young Busch will be racing at the upcoming first round of the Cook Out Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway on June 8th.

Dale Jr.'s Relationship With Kyle Busch

Following Kyle Busch's death, several NASCAR drivers, active and retired, shared their memories with the two-time Cup Series champion. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was one of them.

While reflecting on his relationship with "Rowdy", Junior penned a lengthy post on X. An excerpt from the post read:

"Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years. But we luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams."

He also wrote about how the two were discussing the possibility of Busch racing for JR Motorsports in a Late Model car.

"Most recently, we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy, and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop. He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race," Dale Jr. added.

The two NASCAR icons had an intense rivalry in the late 2000s, but they made amends after Dale Jr. retired from the sport.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak