Richard Childress Racing Names Jim Pohlman as Kyle Busch's Crew Chief in 2026

Richard Childress Racing announced that Jim Pohlman will rejoin the team in 2026, assuming the role of crew chief for Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Pohlman previously worked at Richard Childress Racing as the organization's head of research and development. Serving as Justin Allgaier's crew chief since 2023 with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Pohlman and Allgaier won the series championship in 2024. Allgaier is currently second in the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings, with hopes of successfully defending the team's championship from a year ago.

“Everyone at Richard Childress Racing remains focused on improving performance and is committed to putting the right people in place, including on the No. 8 team,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing.

“Jim Pohlman is a relentless competitor in the garage and fits in well with our mission and approach at RCR. He was well-respected during his previous tenure in Welcome, and we know that he will do a great job leading the No. 8 team and Kyle Busch.”

Pohlman replaces Randall Burnett, who moved to Trackhouse Racing to serve as Connor Zilisch's crew chief during his rookie Cup Series season in 2026. Andy Street remains Busch's interim crew chief for the final three races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

In three seasons with Allgaier, Pohlman has won nine races and amassed 38 top-five and 59 top-10 finishes. Before his move to JR Motorsports, Pohlman served as crew chief at Richard Childress Racing for six races during the 2022 season - four times for Sheldon Creed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and one NASCAR Cup Series start each for Austin Dillon and Austin Hill.

Pohlman was also the interim crew chief on the No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet piloted by Juan Pablo Montoya for 17 races during the 2011 NASCAR Cup Series season, including top-10 finishes at Watkins Glen International and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Busch is currently 22nd in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series standings, with two top-fives and nine top-10s through 33 races. He is coming off an eighth-place finish in his home race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, going into Sunday's YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season begins with the Cook Out Clash, a non-points exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. Pohlman and Busch's campaign will begin in earnest on February 15 in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

-Photo credit: Jonathan McCoy/Racing America