Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Hellmann’s Spicy Mayo Chevrolet, (C) speaks to crew chief Jim Pohlman (L) and Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
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Richard Childress Racing is making yet another move on Kyle Busch’s No. 8 team prior to the 2026 season. RCR announced that current JR Motorsports crew chief Jim Pohlman will serve in the role for Busch in 2026.
Pohlman led Justin Allgaier to his first-ever Xfinity Series championship last year, which was his second season as an Xfinity crew chief.
“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,” team owner Richard Childress said. “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.”
Busch’s previous crew chief Randall Burnett is leaving the organization to be Connor Zilisch’s crew chief at Trackhouse Racing in 2026. The news led RCR to place Andy Street on top of Busch’s pit box for the remainder of the season to prepare for 2026.
Pohlman was previously a crew chief for Juan Pablo Montoya for the final 17 races of the 2011 season with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. They scored two top 10s together.
The move, RCR believes, will bring Busch back to his winning ways. After scoring three victories in his first 11 races with the team in 2023, he has gone winless ever since. He has a career-low two top fives and 62 laps led with three races left in the season.