As the 2023 Cup Series playoffs hit the halfway mark with five thrilling races in the books, all eyes are now fixed on the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway. This unique road course, with its tight turns and corners, promises to be a make-or-break moment for playoff contenders.  With the challenging road course awaiting the playoff contenders, the question on everyone’s lips – is it finally time for a new road course king to claim the throne? But don’t count out Chase Elliott just yet. Rick Hendrick‘s star has been relatively quiet this season, with a year-long winless streak.

However, this may be the moment he’s been patiently waiting for. Known for his road course prowess, Elliott could seize victory and remind everyone why he was, and perhaps still is, the road course king. However, with the concerns building because of Next Gen cars’ performance on this demanding track, NASCAR insiders remain steadfast in their verdict dethroning NASCAR’s golden boy.

RFK Racing’s 2023 redemption with a spotlight on road course dominance

The RFK Racing camp is riding a wave of jubilation this season, and for good reason. After a tumultuous 2022 season, marked by misfortunes and setbacks, 2023 has emerged as a year of redemption with Brad Keselowski at the helm as the team’s owner. However, it’s Chris Buescher who has been stealing the spotlight, commanding attention with his remarkable performances.

No. 17’s back-to-back victories and the sensational RFK 1-2 finish at the Daytona regular season finale have made him a standout contender. Currently, he sits a comfortable 19 points above the dreaded playoff cutline. As the playoffs heat up, Buescher is banking on securing a safe, consistent run with a solid points haul to propel him to the next round, even if capturing his fourth win of the season seems like a distant possibility. It’s a high-pressure situation for the teams, torn between the strategic dilemma of chasing stage points or prioritizing finishing positions.

Amidst all the playoff excitement, Buescher’s road course prowess stands out prominently. His recent run in Indianapolis, where he secured a respectable 11th-place finish, ended his streak of consecutive top-10 finishes, but the statistics are nothing short of impressive. In his last nine road course races, the Texas native has achieved a remarkable eight top-10 finishes. Over the course of his 30 race starts at road courses, he boasts an impressive tally of 10 top-10 finishes.

NASCAR experts have taken notice, and they’re hailing the 30-year-old as the next road course sensation. Alan Cavanna, one of the sport’s pundits, boldly claims, “I keep telling everybody he’s the road course King. By average finish, he is the best road course driver in the NextGen car.” Alex Weaver echoes the sentiment, acknowledging the undeniable momentum behind Buescher’s 2023 campaign.

WATCH THIS STORY: Hendrick Motorsports Drivers Declare War on Common Culprit

High-stakes drama in RFK Racing as Brad Keselowski battles for playoff survival

Trending

“My Body Needed Time”: Tony Stewart’s Wife, Leah, Discloses Her Roadblocks to Motherhood Amid Racing Dilemma

NASCAR Insider Urges Rick Hendrick to Rope In ‘Next Kyle Larson’ After $100,000 Win

Joe Gibbs Racing Potentially Blocking Truck Series Phenom on Denny Hamlin’s Radar After On-Track Bad Blood

Trackhouse Racing’s Drastic Downfall to Potentially Get Worse With One of Their Founding Fathers Leaving Mid-Season

Dale Earnhardt Jr Pressures NASCAR to Punish Drivers ‘Crossing the Line’, Salutes SVG’s Racing Morals

Amidst the jubilation in the RFK Racing stable, there’s an undercurrent of tension and uncertainty. On the other side of the garage, the No. 6 crew is preparing for the ROVAL with much higher stakes. Team owner Brad Keselowski finds himself perched just two points above the playoff cutline, leaving him vulnerable to being overtaken by others in the quest for the next round.

Compounding Keselowski’s concerns is the fact that the 23XI Racing’s star driver, Tyler Reddick, sits just two points below that critical cutline. Reddick, dubbed the ‘Jesus’ of road courses by his teammate Bubba Wallace, has a clear shot at advancing if he can deliver a flawless performance without any on-track errors. His favorable run could potentially spell heartbreak for the 2012 Cup Series champ.

Taking into account the drivers’ past performances on road courses and the high-stakes situation, NASCAR analyst Nate Ryan voiced his opinion. He stated, “I think Reddick is the only one that I really have under the cutline who could advance, and I agree with DJ, I think he will advance. I think he probably knocks out Brad Keselowski.”

As the tension mounts and the ROVAL race approaches, all eyes will be on the two drivers on opposite sides of the playoff bubble, fighting for their spot in the next round of the NASCAR playoffs. The outcome of this battle could have far-reaching consequences for the championship hunt, as fans and experts alike eagerly anticipate how the final grid of eight will ultimately take shape.

Read more: “Only One Way to Learn”: Brad Keselowski Shifts Blame on Jimmie Johnson’s Prodigy; Faces Fans Wrath