Kyle Busch’s frustration reached a boiling point at Watkins Glen on Friday, but this time, it wasn’t just about another disappointing finish. Mechanical failure knocked the two-time Cup Series champion out after just 13 laps, sparking a social media firestorm targeting his performance and Spire Motorsports’ equipment.
For a driver who once dominated NASCAR’s top tier, watching his Truck Series comeback fall apart in real time has become an all-too-familiar story.
Why Did Spire Motorsports Take the Heat for Kyle Busch’s Latest Setback?
Busch hoped for a Victory Lane trip in NASCAR’s third tier on Friday. The 40-year-old had won two Truck Series races for Spire last season, and Watkins Glen represented his final opportunity to capture a victory in the 2025-26 campaign. This was the last stop in his five-race arrangement with Spire this season and his final chance to win a Truck Series race this year.
However, luck has deserted the two-time Cup Series champion throughout 2025-26. He failed to finish in the top five in any of the Truck Series races he competed in, with his best showing coming in May at North Wilkesboro, where he crossed the line in ninth place.
Watkins Glen did not offer relief for Busch’s struggles. He started 11th on the grid, but a steering box failure forced him to retire after just 13 laps, leaving him with a disappointing 36th-place finish. The mechanical issue eliminated any chance for redemption in what was supposed to be his signature race with the team.
Following the early exit, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series posted a GIF clip of the moment on X, captioned, “Kyle Busch is headed behind the wall after mechanical issues with the No. 07 truck.” Fans wasted no time flooding the comments section with their reactions.
Spire Trucks suck!!!
— Hunter Cox (@Wvcountrykid1) August 8, 2025
Much of the backlash focused squarely on Spire Motorsports, with fans questioning the reliability of their equipment. One frustrated viewer went as far as to declare, “Spire Trucks suck!!!” Meanwhile, another fan boldly claimed, “These Spire trucks are another reason why his career is ruined.”
The criticism continued to pile up across social media platforms. “Spire must’ve bought some old tim veins trucks or something,” another fan quipped, joining the chorus of voices targeting the organization’s equipment quality. “Spire reliability lmao,” another user mocked, summing up the sentiment that mechanical failures have become too common.
Can Busch Redeem Himself at Watkins Glen This Sunday?
Despite Friday’s setback, Busch will have another opportunity to silence his critics on Sunday when he takes the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing at the Go Bowling at The Glen. His history at this track includes two Cup Series victories, though his recent performance here has been far from championship caliber.
Busch’s last victory at Watkins Glen came back in 2013, making Sunday’s race a chance to end a 12-year drought at the facility. His recent results at The Glen tell a concerning story, as he couldn’t finish above 14th place in his last three starts at the track. Last year’s race was particularly brutal, with Busch settling for a disappointing 30th-place finish.
The veteran driver’s road course struggles extend beyond Watkins Glen. Busch has been winless at road courses since capturing the checkered flag at Sonoma in 2015, a decade-long dry spell that has raised questions about his ability to compete on these challenging layouts.
The 2025-26 season has shown some encouraging signs for Busch on road courses. Except for his performance at Mexico City, he finished no lower than 10th place at every other road course he raced this year, suggesting that Sunday’s race could provide the breakthrough moment he desperately needs.
