Disheartened Chris Buescher Concedes of Struggling in Sonoma Despite a Favorable Run

RFK Racing‘s No. 17 driver Chris Buesche has boasted strong runs this NASCAR season, having cruised to cstellar finishes three times already. The most recent outing happened a few hours back at Sonoma Raceway. Buescher and his team reversed their deplorable qualifying spot of P26 into a glittering podium finish at P3. However, the final laps were a nail-biter for the 5-time Cup race winner.

After working his way from the rear to the front row, Chris Buescher had his work cut out for him. JGR rival Martin Truex Jr was a particularly itchy thorn at his side. Kyle Larson and Michael McDowell also got in his way till the checkered flag. So despite his resilient run, Buescher reflected on the tough struggle.

Chris Buescher focuses on the bitter parts

Buescher and Truex had something in common – both carved out a recovery path from the rear. But Martin Truex Jr was all set to topple Chris Buescher from his hard-earned spot. By lap 92, Truex had closed in on Buescher as the latter tried his best to hold off his rival. Then on lap 100, both Kyle Larson and Truex passed Buescher, as the RFK Racing driver slipped up driving into turn 11.

Talking to Stephen Stumpf of Frontstretch, Chris Buescher recollected Martin Truex Jr’s threat. “Honestly, it was the 19 trying to hold off, didn’t really know about the 5 till the very end. I was trying to keep the 19 behind us, and he was just kinda slowly creeping up on us. Ultimately it was gonna be tough no matter what. We fell off just a little bit hard on the long runs and lost some good grip.”

The caution-riddled race in the first stage shuffled team strategy and race leads, and Chris Buescher found himself in the front in Stage 2. He had a solid chance to finally snap his winless streak since his 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 win at Daytona. Buescher acknowledged this, albeit admitting to a desire for more. “Given where our weekend started, that was a huge build in the right direction. I’m really proud of that result…greedy, wanted a bit more, but a really strong day at the end of it.”

Sonoma Raceway used to be a worn-out track bringing more tire wear. But after Speedway Motorsports LLC repaved the road course last winter, things have changed. With tires that do not fall off much, Chris Buescher admitted to his biggest Sonoma issue: “Tires, for sure.” However, contrary to Truex’s gas misery, Buescher’s pit team ensured enough fuel. “We weren’t really too nervous about fuel. Our guys did a good job at pit road, got it packed full. We were to the good the entire run to the end. So we felt good about that.”

Indeed, the No. 17 team’s performance was extraordinary, as Buescher’s expert crew chief waded through the Sonoma race stages.

Buescher applauds his team’s effort

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Chris Buescher stumbled on the newly repaved racetrack, finishing an uncharacteristic 26th in the qualifier. But his team more than made up for the lost track position. The caution-riddled stages allowed Buescher and crew chief Scott Graves to split their strategy and move forward. A caution-free final stage of the 110-lap race allowed Buescher to be among the first to hit pit road. However, he could not keep up due to a difference in tire life.

Yet Chris Buescher was all praises for Graves, considering they gained a lot of points for the run. Talking to Kickin’ the Tires, Buescher thanked his team. “Ultimately, we started deep in the field, and it was going to be hard to make it work, but Scott and our group did a fantastic job. They played it well and got us up front.

“We got a stage win, a playoff point, but ultimately at the end I (couldn’t) hold on. If that was just a little bit of tire difference late in the run or how hard I ran at the beginning I’m not sure. It’s just a really solid day considering where we started. That’s a ton of positions gained on the day and really, really good,” the racer further added.

Besides achieving his third podium finish this season, the Sonoma race also cemented team camaraderie for Chris Buescher’s stellar No. 17 team.