WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where rivalries run deep and expectations are sky-high, even legendary figures rarely speak out against their former teams. But on Sunday evening at Watkins Glen International, 23XI Racing legend Kurt Busch did exactly that, delivering a pointed and emotional critique that has shaken the organization to its core.

“I have warned them many times about these problems, but he has never been willing to fix those mistakes… And now the consequences have happened,” Busch stated.

The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the most respected voices in the garage did not stop there. He issued a blunt warning that is now reverberating throughout the NASCAR community: “These mistakes will keep happening if the 23XI management does not immediately and decisively change these three things.”

The timing could not be more dramatic. Just hours after 23XI Racing suffered a bitterly disappointing afternoon on the demanding 2.45-mile Watkins Glen road course, the veteran driver broke his long-held silence. The team, co-owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, entered the weekend with legitimate hopes of contending for a strong finish. Instead, both cars struggled with strategy, execution, and on-track incidents, ultimately finishing well outside the top 15 — a result many insiders are calling unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

Busch, who drove for 23XI Racing in its early years and delivered the organization its second-ever Cup Series victory in 2022 at Las Vegas, has remained a revered figure even after stepping away from full-time competition. His decision to go public marks a significant escalation in the growing tension surrounding the team’s direction in the 2026 season.

A Career Built on Honesty

Known throughout his career for his no-nonsense attitude and fierce competitiveness, Busch has never been one to shy away from difficult conversations. In a candid interview conducted shortly after the race, the 47-year-old reflected on what he sees as recurring issues plaguing 23XI Racing.

“I care too much about this team to stay quiet any longer,” Busch said. “I’ve seen the talent, the resources, and the potential. But potential means nothing if the same leadership and strategic mistakes keep costing us races.”

While Busch stopped short of naming specific individuals, sources familiar with the situation indicate the “three things” he referenced likely include improvements in race-day decision-making, better alignment between the engineering and driver sides, and a clearer long-term vision for driver development and crew stability. These issues have reportedly simmered behind the scenes for much of the 2026 campaign.

The defeat at The Glen was particularly painful. Both 23XI cars showed competitive speed in practice and qualifying, but a combination of poor pit strategy, communication breakdowns on the radio, and costly on-track positioning errors in the final stage dropped them deep in the field. Hamlin, who finished outside the top 20, was visibly frustrated in post-race comments, while his teammate also struggled to recover from mid-race setbacks.

Growing Pains for a High-Profile Team

23XI Racing burst onto the NASCAR scene in 2021 with massive hype, thanks to the star power of Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. The team quickly established itself as a legitimate contender, securing multiple wins and earning playoff berths. However, sustaining success in NASCAR’s ultra-competitive environment has proven challenging.

Recent seasons have shown flashes of brilliance mixed with frustrating inconsistencies. Critics point to a perceived lack of stability in crew chief roles, occasional tension in driver lineups, and questions about how effectively the organization allocates its resources between its two cars. Busch’s public comments have now brought these internal challenges into the spotlight.

Denny Hamlin, who serves as both co-owner and driver, addressed the media briefly after the race but chose not to directly respond to Busch’s remarks. “We had a tough day at The Glen,” Hamlin said. “We’ll go back, review the data, and figure out where we went wrong. That’s the process.”

Team officials have reportedly scheduled an internal meeting early next week to address performance issues. However, with Busch’s strong words now public, the pressure for visible, decisive action has intensified significantly.

Reactions Across the Garage

The NASCAR community has reacted with a mixture of surprise and understanding. Several veteran drivers and crew members privately expressed support for Busch’s willingness to speak candidly, noting that tough love is sometimes necessary for organizations to improve.

“He’s earned the right to say what he thinks,” said one longtime crew chief who wished to remain anonymous. “Kurt won a championship and helped build 23XI from the ground up. When someone like that talks, you listen.”

Fans, too, are divided. On social media platforms, hashtags such as #KurtBuschSpeaks and #ChangeAt23XI began trending within hours of the interview. While some supporters accuse Busch of disloyalty, many others appreciate his honesty, arguing that the team needs strong internal voices to push it forward.

Michael Jordan, the team’s high-profile co-owner, has not yet commented publicly. Jordan’s competitive fire is well-known across sports, and many observers believe his influence behind the scenes will play a major role in how 23XI responds to this latest controversy.

What Lies Ahead

This latest episode arrives at a pivotal moment in the 2026 NASCAR season. With the playoffs approaching, every race carries added weight. For 23XI Racing, the remainder of the regular season represents an opportunity to either silence the critics through strong performances or risk falling further behind in the championship battle.

Busch concluded his remarks on a note of cautious optimism: “This team has everything it needs to win championships. The talent is there. The passion is there. What’s needed now is the courage to make the hard changes and the discipline to follow through.”

As the dust settles at Watkins Glen, all eyes remain on 23XI Racing. Will Kurt Busch’s public warning serve as the catalyst for meaningful internal reform, or will the team continue down the same path that has led to recent disappointments?

The coming weeks will be critical. In a sport where momentum can shift rapidly, 23XI Racing finds itself at a crossroads — one where the voice of a respected legend may help determine its future direction.

For a team built on the promise of greatness, the painful defeat at The Glen may ultimately prove to be the wake-up call it needed.