After a busy weekend in Chicago, the NASCAR circuit has moved to California, near the Southern Sonoma Mountains, for one of the sport’s toughest road course challenges. Chris Buescher of RFK Racing, driving the No. 17 Ford, is eager to improve his results with a strong showing at Sonoma Raceway as part of his ongoing quest to turn around his 2025 season. Despite struggling in qualifying, the Texas driver remains hopeful about his chances.
Consistent Performances at Sonoma Boost Buescher’s Confidence
Oval track events have taken a backseat, making way for a second straight week of road course racing at Sonoma, one of the most frequented circuits in the NASCAR Cup Series. Unlike RFK Racing teammate Brad Keselowski, Buescher embraces the challenge of Sonoma’s 12-turn layout, where he has earned a reputation for consistency and strong finishes. Entering Sunday’s race, the Prosper native is coming off three consecutive top-five results at this track, including a runner-up finish in 2022 behind winner Daniel Suarez.
Speaking ahead of the race, Buescher expressed a measured confidence despite qualifying just 14th. He explained,
“I’m really happy with our race car from practice, qualifying,”
adding,
“Qualifying was pretty good, I didn’t put together an entire lap, and you know that ultimately caught us. That’s the reason why we’re not going to be in the top 10 to start.”
Qualifying Details Highlight Competitive Challenges
Buescher completed his qualifying lap in 1:15.373 seconds, narrowly trailing Chase Elliott, who posted a 1:15.283. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen secured his third pole position this season, asserting his strong form on the road courses. Although starting mid-pack, Buescher remained unshaken, noting,
“We’re still in the ballpark, and our long run speeds are staying with us really strong yesterday, which has actually been probably our weakness here. But I think a lot of things are telling me we’re in good shape. We put a lot of work into this race, knowing how close we’ve been through the years, and yeah, ready to get in tomorrow.”
Season Performance and Outlook for Buescher
This season has presented numerous obstacles for the 32-year-old driver, yet his performance at Sonoma offers hope. Over 19 races in 2025, Buescher has recorded ten top-10 finishes and three within the top five, accumulating 476 points in the standings. His average starting position is 10.5, with an average finish of 13.9, and he has led 33 laps across the season. As he competes at Sonoma, Buescher’s history of strong showings at the road course underlines his potential for a successful comeback in the race.
Implications for Buescher and RFK Racing Moving Forward
Buescher’s pursuit of a Sonoma race comeback represents a critical opportunity to build momentum after earlier struggles this season. Known for his consistency at this challenging track, the Texan’s focused approach and positive mindset could translate into a pivotal performance. A strong result at Sonoma may help RFK Racing’s No. 17 driver regain confidence and improve his standing in the competitive NASCAR Cup Series as the season advances.