Kyle Busch Addresses Parker Retzlaff Criticism After Controversy at Daytona

Kyle Busch finished second in the August 24 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona behind Harrison Burton. Moments after the race, the Richard Childress Racing driver was asked about strategy on that final lap around the 2.5-mile superspeedway and he responded, saying there was no way to win outside of wrecking the No. 21 car.

Not everyone saw it that way.

Some in the Chevrolet camp were reportedly unhappy not for anything done by the driver of the No. 8 Chevy, but for how Parker Retzlaff, who was driving the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, pushed Burton’s Ford to the front and ultimately the win.

In addition to the bowtie connection, Beard and Jordan Anderson Racing, where the 21-year-old competes full-time in the Xfinity Series, are in alliances with RCR.

Busch addressed the situation during his August 31 Darlington media availability when questioned if Retzlaff owed him an explanation or an apology.

“Not me, but I don’t really know him all that well,” Busch said. “I don’t know what sort of business relationships there are behind the scenes. Once upon a time, when I owned a Truck Series team, we had other teams that we helped and we supported and we gave parts and pieces and resources and different things to. I don’t know how all that stems for his relations with Beard behind the scenes.

“Yeah, not to me, he doesn’t owe me anything.”

Kyle Busch Reveals Retzlaff Not in Key Partner Meetings
Parker Retzlaff was making his second career Cup Series start and first at Daytona. Kyle Busch was racing for his 64th career win and more importantly, his first trip to Victory Lane in 2024, which would have locked him into the playoffs and extended his record streak of winning at least one race a year for 20 consecutive seasons.

It didn’t happen.