Chris Buescher continued to demonstrate significant progress in his NASCAR season, delivering a strong fourth-place finish at Pocono Raceway on Sunday. This performance marked his first top-five result at Pocono since his breakthrough victory there in 2016, underscoring notable advancement in his campaign with RFK Racing.
Key Moments Elevate Buescher’s Pocono Run
The Texan driver qualified second, keeping his No. 17 Ford near the front throughout the race. Buescher competed closely with leaders like Denny Hamlin during Stage 1 and remained well-positioned in a strategic, fuel-saving battle before the checkered flag. This effort produced season highs for Buescher in both average running position, which was sixth, and driver rating at 120.4, demonstrating consistent race pace and performance.
Buescher’s Confidence in Team’s Direction Grows
Reflecting on the race, Buescher expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory and potential. He remarked,
“I saw Brad [Keselowski, team owner] leading at one point today and I know the speed we had. I’m pretty confident in where our race team is heading and what we’ve been able to accomplish.” —Chris Buescher, NASCAR driver
With three top-five finishes this season, Buescher strengthened his position in the playoff standings. Previously sitting just inside the cutoff line as the bubble driver, he improved his margin from +19 to +38 points, making a notable push toward securing a postseason spot.
Ambition for Victory Remains Buescher’s Goal
Despite the encouraging results, Buescher remains focused on claiming race wins instead of settling for incremental gains. He acknowledged the frustration of narrowly missing out on victories at Michigan and Pocono, noting,
“It’s one little step. The thing that hurts is that Michigan and here were — just a little track position and we could have won.”
“I think we have ultimately had the speed we just need to put it all together right now.” —Chris Buescher, NASCAR driver
He emphasized the importance of small improvements to become a consistent contender and underscored the visible speed his team possesses as a foundation for future success.
Implications for Upcoming Races
With momentum building after a series of strong finishes, Chris Buescher and RFK Racing appear poised to continue their upward trend as the season progresses. Their performance at Pocono not only highlights the team’s growing competitiveness but also sets the stage for the critical stretch leading into the NASCAR playoffs. Maintaining this level of speed and refining race execution could prove decisive as Buescher pursues his first win of the year.