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The path to the Championship Four in the 2023 Cup Series has been partially illuminated by Kyle Larson‘s victory in Las Vegas. Yet, the puzzle remains incomplete, and with two races remaining, one spot hangs in the balance, to be determined by points. The burning question on everyone’s mind is whether the prot?g? of Brad Keselowski can seize one of those coveted spots.

The 2023 season for Brad Keselowski has been a mixed bag of emotions. With his own playoff hopes dashed, the spotlight now shines on his team’s driver, who has secured a place among the esteemed top eight. Presumably, Keselowski harbors a desire to see his protege at least secure a spot in the Championship Four. However, the looming uncertainty of the upcoming races add an intriguing layer to this narrative.

It’s high time for the prodigy of Brad Keselowski to overcome adversity

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In the realm of the NASCAR playoffs, Chris Buescher, the driver of Brad Keselowski, finds himself at a pivotal juncture. Currently occupying the 8th position on the playoff leaderboard, Buescher encountered a slew of challenges during the Las Vegas race, slipping down the rankings on multiple occasions during pit stops and ultimately finishing 11th, trailing behind all seven other playoff contenders. However, his teammate and co-owner, Brad Keselowski, showcased his prowess by consistently securing top-10 finishes in both stages. Nevertheless, #17 still possesses two more opportunities to ascend to the coveted top four.

While the RFK driver dominated the last five races of the regular season and even finished strongly in the playoffs races, the present situation needs Buescher’s careful chase of stage points to buttress his position. With the lowest points tally among all contenders, trailing by a deficit of 23 points below the cutoff line, Buescher must maximize his stage point accumulation. Even in the event that a race victory remains elusive, amassing sufficient points remains his lifeline to secure a spot in the top 4. Yet a compelling twist awaits at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Historically, the track has not been #17’s stronghold, with an average finish of 19.7 in seven starts and a previous best of 13th place, dating back to October 2022. Evidently, Homestead-Miami demands a heightened level of determination from Buescher, whether to secure a race win or accumulate valuable stage points.

Adding intrigue to the mix are fellow contenders, Tyler Reddick, with an average finish of 13.7, Ryan Blaney, boasting an 18.6 average, and Christopher Bell, who possesses a 13.0 average at the track. These drivers, alongside Buescher, comprise the bottom four in the playoff standings. It is in this high-stakes setting that Homestead-Miami looms as a battleground where each driver will endeavor to deliver their utmost, all vying for the opportunity to clinch a spot in the Championship 4. If Homestead is out, might Martinsville perhaps provide an opportunity for Chris Buescher?

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Chris Buescher’s prospects at Martinsville

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Chris Buescher faces a pivotal moment as he prepares to contend at Martinsville in two weeks. But his track record at this venue mirrors his performance at Homestead, with an average finish of 19.4 over 16 races, with his best result being a 9th-place finish. Given that neither track has been particularly favorable to Keselowski’s prodigy, an extra push from his mentor may prove climacteric, whether for securing a race victory or, at the very least, accumulating vital championship points.

Talking about his Martinsville performance, Chris Buescher finds himself in the 13th position, having garnered 135 points thus far. His previous outings at Martinsville tell a somber tale, with finishes of 15th and 24th last year and a 14th-place finish this year. That is why the forthcoming race at Martinsville stands as a potential turning point for his playoff journey?a make-or-break moment.

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Consequently, this week holds immense significance for the Roush-Fenway Keselowski team. A victory is imperative, as there exists a palpable uncertainty regarding the ability of any of the bottom four contenders to secure a win at Martinsville. The stakes have never been higher as Buescher and Co strive to defy the odds and secure their place in the Championship 4.

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