On the latest episode of the **Dale Jr. Download** podcast, former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened up about Jim Pohlman’s upcoming switch to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) for the 2026 season. During the conversation, Earnhardt Jr. emphasized how challenging it will be to replace someone of Pohlman’s caliber on the team.
Richard Childress Racing recently announced that Pohlman will take over as crew chief for Kyle Busch’s #8 Chevy Camaro ZL1 starting in the 2026 Cup Series season. He will be replacing Randall Burnett, who will be stepping down after the 2025 season.
### Jim Pohlman’s Journey to RCR
Before returning to RCR, Pohlman worked with JR Motorsports (JRM), where he guided Justin Allgaier in the Xfinity Series. Under his leadership, the #7 Chevy secured multiple victories and clinched the 2024 championship title. Pohlman’s previous experience with RCR dates back to the 2022 season, during which he held various roles within the organization.
Reflecting on Pohlman’s departure, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared on the podcast (starting at 19:52):
> “It is hard to replace a guy like Jim. I told Jim I wanted him to stay, but I knew that he had this opportunity and that it was great for him to go and hear it out, right?”
He added:
> “He’s worked at RCR before, so he knows that environment. He would know himself whether that’s a comfortable environment for him. He’s been there. And, uh, you know, he made the choice to go, and I love it. I think, you know, it’s tough to replace him.”
As a co-owner, Dale Jr.’s JR Motorsports fields four full-time entries in the Xfinity Series. The lineup includes Justin Allgaier in the #7 Chevy, Carson Kvapil in the #1, Sammy Smith in the #8, and NASCAR prodigy Connor Zilisch driving the #88 Chevy.
### Jim Pohlman Credits Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JRM for His Cup Series Opportunity
The announcement by RCR signifies a new chapter for both Pohlman and Kyle Busch. Randall Burnett’s departure marks the end of an era for Busch, who has struggled in recent years. Since his sophomore season with RCR, the former Cup Series champion has faced difficulties — he has been winless since 2024 and failed to qualify for the playoffs in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Talking about his move to RCR, Pohlman expressed his gratitude toward Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JRM:
> “Justin is the guy that put me on the map. Without JRM, this opportunity doesn’t exist. It’s very hard to leave Justin; he’s a great friend and has been a friend for a long time. We’ve won an ARCA championship, we’ve won an Xfinity championship hopefully, we’re going to win two. To walk away from the possibility of winning three in a row was very heavy on my mind.”
### Kyle Busch’s Recent Struggles
Currently, Kyle Busch ranks 22nd in the 2025 Cup Series standings with 681 points. Out of 34 starts this season, he has logged nine top-ten finishes but only two top-fives. His winless streak and absence from this year’s playoffs underscore the challenges facing the team as they prepare for a crew chief change in 2026.
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Jim Pohlman’s move to Richard Childress Racing represents a significant shift in the NASCAR landscape. With a proven track record and strong leadership skills, many eyes will be on how he impacts Kyle Busch’s performance moving forward. Meanwhile, JR Motorsports will look to fill the void left by Pohlman as they aim to continue their success in the Xfinity Series.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-i-wanted-stay-dale-earnhardt-jr-makes-feelings-clear-losing-hard-replace-jrm-asset-kyle-busch
