Chris Buescher has secured two of his four career NASCAR Cup Series victories in a remarkable nine-day span.
Buescher clinched his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series triumph, fending off points leader Martin Truex in the closing moments of Monday’s FireKeepers 400. Buescher’s outstanding performance positions him strongly as the regular season draws to a close.
“It’s unquestionably well-timed as we approach the playoffs in a matter of weeks,” remarked the 30-year-old Buescher, piloting the No. 17 Ford for RFK Racing.
Having triumphed at Richmond the previous week, Buescher led for 52 of the 200 laps. With a mere 12 laps remaining, Truex mounted a door-to-door challenge before witnessing sparks beneath his No. 19 Toyota, causing his momentum to wane.
“I believed we had a slight advantage, but overtaking the leader on equal tire conditions is exceedingly challenging,” conceded Truex.
Exhibiting tactical prowess, Truex steered the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing to secure victory in Stage 2. Following a pit stop, Truex executed an astute maneuver, ascending before descending to overtake Daniel Suarez. His second-place finish expanded his standings lead over Denny Hamlin by 57 points.
“Throughout most of the day, he was a force to be reckoned with, and for Chris to fend him off is genuinely commendable,” applauded Brad Keselowski, who celebrated his fourth-place finish as a driver and a triumph as part-owner of RFK Racing.
Hamlin clinched third place, followed by Keselowski and Kyle Larson.
Buescher’s triumph marked Ford’s ninth consecutive victory at Michigan, extending the lengthiest manufacturer winning streak at a track hosting Cup races since 1969.
“To attain this victory in Ford’s home turf, surrounded by numerous Ford supporters, renders this weekend truly special,” Buescher expressed. “The weight of expectation is always slightly heavier here.”
Rain led to the suspension of the race on Sunday, resulting in a red-flag stoppage spanning over 19 hours before resuming under overcast skies the ensuing day.
Two prominent drivers failed to make it to Monday’s conclusion. Despite a sizable crowd that filled the stands and infield on Sunday, many did not return to witness the race’s culmination.
William Byron and Kyle Busch, who collectively boast seven victories this year, were eliminated from contention during the initial day of the two-day race. Busch spun out and collided with a wall after tangling with Ryan Blaney, while Byron encountered a wall without nearby vehicles shortly after Truex secured the first stage.
“I positioned myself unfavorably,” lamented Busch. “I deeply regret my actions.”
WHO’S HOT
Buescher became the inaugural Cup driver to secure consecutive victories since Byron’s March triumphs at Las Vegas and Phoenix. Buescher, representing RFK Racing, is the first RFK driver to clinch consecutive triumphs since 2010, and the first to achieve multiple wins in a single year for the organization since 2017.
“I appreciate the role of an underdog and the covert status,” stated Scott Graves, Buescher’s crew chief. “However, it’s also evident that a couple of victories are challenging to overlook.”
WHO’S NOT
Chase Elliott lost control after a mere 34 laps on Sunday due to tire failure.
“To experience a tire blowout this early in the day is quite unexpected,” commented the Hendrick Motorsports luminary. “The circumstance is disheartening, though not entirely surprising. It’s yet another setback.”
Elliott was absent from six Cup races due to a fractured left tibia suffered during a snowboarding accident on March 3.
The 2020 Cup champion, who remains winless this year, occupies the 22nd position in points and likely needs a victory in one of the final three regular-season races to secure a spot in the playoffs.
UP NEXT
The series transitions to the Indianapolis Road Course, where Tyler Reddick emerged victorious last year, for the Verizon 200 scheduled for Sunday.
