Despite Phoenix Glory, Brad Keselowski and Co Set to Start Bristol Without Key Pit Crew Members

Chris Buescher secured a trend-breaking P2 at the Shriners Children’s 500 for Ford Performance and Roush-Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing in the #17 Mustang Dark Horse. This personal accomplishment coming off of a disappointing DNF at the Vegas race, marks back-to-back Top-5 Phoenix finishes for the 31-year-old Texan. However, amidst the celebrations for Buescher and RFK, the #17 team faced a two-race suspension from NASCAR due to the aforementioned DNF that was caused by the car’s front right tire coming off 27 laps into the Vegas race.

Chris Buescher & Crew’s Appeal Reversed Back by Brad Keselowski & RFK

RFK appealed, and Buescher was allowed to race with a full crew at Phoenix, but after citing “expense” issues in harboring reserve pit crews for the two crew members awaiting suspension, Brad Keselowski’s organization reversed their appeal. This means, jackman, Nicholas Patterson, and front tire changer, Jakob Prall. will be unavailable for the next 2 races under section 8.8.10.4 A&C in the NASCAR Rule Book

Bob Pockrass broke the news on Twitter recently, stating, “RFK Racing has withdrawn its appeal to the suspensions on the Chris Buescher car so their suspensions will start this week at Bristol.”

Replacing a crew member requires significant time and effort to ensure smooth pit stops under peak-performance pressures. “It’s a major undertaking,” Keselowski stated in a release from the official NASCAR website. “You want to have an extra week of practice of working out whoever that new guy is going to be, and the jitters that they might have before they jump over the wall in front of 100 thousand-some fans and a car that’s moving 50, 60 miles an hour. You want to get every little bit of time you can with that person, especially when it’s two people. I think we’re working through that right now.”

New Crew Team for #17 at Bristol, COTA

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Nevertheless, the #17 team will indeed be sporting a new pit crew duo at Bristol this weekend and then on COTA on March 23rd. Travis Juedes and Samuel Wright will take on the roles of front tire changer and jack, respectively. Both crew members filled the same positions for RFK’s No. 60 Ford for David Ragan at Daytona, earlier this season.

Will this affect Buescher’s strong start to the 2024 season? Only time will tell. However, amidst a dominant Toyota display under the Arizona sun for the race week, the RFK team came in as Ford’s best representatives, earning a dual Top-5 with Brad Keselowski finishing fourth.

Read More: Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing’s Statement Performance Makes Little Dent in Their Playoff Hopes