NASCAR star Kyle Busch issues early verdict on new crew chief

Kyle Busch has shared his early thoughts on what it's been like working with a new NASCAR crew chief at Richard Childress Racing.

Jim Pohlman is set to be the new man on top of the pit box for the No. 8 crew in the Cup Series this season, returning to the team having spent the last three years leading Justin Allgaier at JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series.

Pohlman replaces Randall Burnett after he announced late last year that he would be moving to Trackhouse Racing to work with Connor Zilisch for 2026.

Kyle Busch on new crew chief

After taking to North Wilkesboro Speedway as part of NASCAR testing on Tuesday, Busch addressed the media for the first time this season.

Naturally, given the importance of the crew chief role, Pohlman came up, with the two-time champion quizzed on how things were going so far between the two of them.

"Yeah, I mean, it's early, right? Very early," Busch told a media scrum including Peter Stratta.

“So just working through everything and trying to get some familiarity for him of the race cars and the setups and the things that they do and what we do and whatnot.

“So I'm trying to run through kind of his lists of understanding the race car and changes and the feel and just kind of getting it back in the swing of things.”

Jim Pohlman on joining RCR

Speaking after last fall’s Talladega race, which came shortly after his position as Busch’s 2026 crew chief was confirmed, Pohlman was quizzed on what he could bring to Richard Childress Racing heading into the new year. He said it was all about mentality.

“First off, it's a huge honor to work for Richard Childress and Kyle Bush,” Pohlman told Motorsport’s Matt Weaver.

“Richard's a Hall of Famer. Kyle Busch is probably a first ballot future Hall of Famer. They both know how to get the job done.

“I think they have a great organization, and I think Kyle’s a great race car driver. There are no problems there, and I feel like I can come in and help lead the company and do some things that they’ve asked me to do and just bring the mentality, right?

“I think the biggest thing to this sport is having your headspace, right? Being focused on your own stuff and what you have to do.

“So yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to getting in there and getting to work this winter.”

Busch and Pohlman's first event working together will be The Clash exhibition on February 1 (8pm ET, FOX).