Pohlman to Lead No. 8 Team at Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has appointed Jim Pohlman as the new crew chief for Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Pohlman, who currently oversees Justin Allgaier’s efforts at JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, led Allgaier to a championship title in 2024, with aspirations for a repeat as they advance into the Round of 8.
Pohlman has a prior relationship with RCR, having previously served as the head of research and development within the organization. He replaces Randall Burnett, who had collaborated with Busch for three seasons. “Jim Pohlman is a relentless competitor in the garage and fits in well with our mission and approach at RCR,” said team owner Richard Childress, emphasizing the focus on enhancing performance for the No. 8 team.
Busch, who re-signed for a fourth season with RCR following the activation of his contract option, experienced initial success in his first year, winning three races under Burnett. However, the team has not secured a victory since and has missed the playoffs in the last two seasons. In a recent organizational shift, Burnett will join Trackhouse Racing next year.
For the remaining five races of the current season, Andy Street will serve as Busch’s interim crew chief, taking over ahead of the Charlotte Roval after Burnett’s reassignment.
This restructuring at RCR comes during a pivotal time, as the team seeks to regain competitive edge and improve its performance ahead of the upcoming season.
