Buescher’s Strong Showing at Michigan Ends Just Short of Victory
Michigan International Speedway, August 6, 2023 — Chris Buescher delivered a standout performance in the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400, securing a strong second-place finish but lamenting a crucial moment that hindered his path to victory.
Starting the race from sixth, Buescher quickly established himself at the forefront, taking the lead by lap 35 in his distinctive pink No. 17, backed by Heinz. His opening stage victory earned him a valuable playoff point, marking a productive start to the race.
However, maintaining his position proved challenging in a race defined by aggressive restarts and strategic variations. As the race progressed, Buescher found himself in contention with a group that included Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Zane Smith.
In a pivotal moment, Buescher lost control while attempting to pass Smith, causing him to lift off the throttle. This misstep allowed Hamlin and Gibbs to overtake him, a moment Buescher reflected on post-race. "That moment was my error and realistically cost us the win today," he stated.
Despite recovering to reclaim the position from Smith and chasing Gibbs, time ran out before Buescher could mount a challenge for the lead against Hamlin. He crossed the finish line in second, a result that elevated him to 12th in the standings but kept him tightly packed in the playoff bubble, only 20 points clear of the cutline with 11 races remaining in the regular season.
Buescher’s performance underscored a significant day for RFK Racing, marking the first triple-top-10 finish for the team since July 2016, with Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski finishing ninth and tenth, respectively.
Buescher praised his team’s performance but expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity. "Fantastic race for us. Big, solid day. Just feels like a missed opportunity," he remarked, reflecting on the potential of a race that could have significantly altered his playoff positioning.
The path ahead is critical as the competitive landscape intensifies with the season nearing its conclusion.
