At Martinsville, RFK Racing had one clear mission: win. While Brad Keselowski had already been nudged out of the championship race during the round of 12, the hopes were still alive with #17. Landing last in the round of 8 table and trailing by 43 points from the next transfer spot, victory was more than essential—it was the lifeline for him to progress to the championship race. With the confidence of a short-track victory at Richmond Raceway in late July, optimism was in the air. Yet, the tides turned unexpectedly for the RFK crew.

As a team boss, Keselowski’s pursuit for a coveted spot in the Championship 4 concluded with Chris Buescher’s modest eighth-place finish at Martinsville. This unexpected turn left fans and experts alike scratching their heads, pondering over the day’s unfolding events.

NASCAR expert draws RFK Racing parallel with more established teams like Hendrick Motorsports

As the 2023 NASCAR season gracefully unfolded, it was evident that #17 and the RFK Racing team were on the cusp of greatness. The Ford driver, who previously only notched two career NASCAR Cup Series victories in his initial seven seasons, experienced a phenomenal breakthrough, boasting three wins in 2023. These victories spanned a variety of tracks, encompassing a short track, a 2-mile oval, and a superspeedway. Despite the momentum, his championship aspirations dwindled at Martinsville, prompting NASCAR analyst Jeff Burton to share his insights on the performance.

Chris Buescher‘s season was nothing short of remarkable, setting personal records in top-five and top-ten finishes, leading laps, and improving average start and finish positions. His consistency shone through with 30 top-20 finishes across 35 races, missing completion in only one race. This newfound consistency captivated the NASCAR audience, showcasing a side of Buescher we had yet to see.

However, his consistency wavered in the crucial weeks of the playoffs, during the rounds of 8 and 12, putting all his chips on Martinsville. Given his modest track record there and the immense pressure, nothing short of a miraculous performance would have sufficed to propel him into the Championship 4. And that ultimately did not happen. However, Jeff Burton, reflecting on the season, asserted that it was a promising year for the team and Chris Buescher. He highlighted #17’s second playoff appearance since 2016, urging the team to celebrate their strides while keeping their ambitions in check.

During the Motorsports on NBC podcast, Burton eloquently stated, “If you’re Chris Buescher, you should be disappointed, right? You had a chance to go in a championship contend for a championship and it didn’t work out, and they didn’t bring their best. But yes, I do think that RFK, and in a while, you can say, Hey, we made major strides this year. This was a very positive year. It was a step along the way. Look, Hendrick Motorsports’ journey is to win a championship.”

He continued to draw parallels with other racing teams, emphasizing the building phase RFK is currently undergoing and contrasting it with established giants like Hendrick Motorsports.

“RFK’s journey is to get back to be a contender, and to get back to being a contender, you are going to have to put yourself in position; you are going to lose some; you’re building that program. Hendrick’s program is built, and RFK is being built. The same is 23XI. It’s being built, so this can be looked at as a step in the process. And I would do the same thing that Steve said for 23XI. I would have a team party. I would say a great job, everybody. That’s not good enough for next year, but it was good enough for this year.”

Echoing these sentiments, Dale Jarrett also weighed in, acknowledging Buescher’s potential while highlighting the need for further improvement to reach the pinnacle of NASCAR success.

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Dale Jarrett voiced his concerns, hinting that Chris Buescher might not be cutting the mustard

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During Brad Keselowski’s time in the playoffs and throughout the regular season, he played a pivotal role in Buescher’s success. From offering tactical pushes from behind to liaising with the team and running side by side, Keselowski was a guiding force for his driver.

However, with Keselowski’s exit, it seemed as if Buescher’s magic touch began to wane. His performance noticeably dipped in Keselowski’s absence. This begs the question: Did Keselowski’s presence and support account for all of Buescher’s three regular-season triumphs?

Echoing this sentiment, the iconic stock car racing maestro, Jarrett, weighed in, stating, “This team, that Brad Keselowski came in, bought into, vowed to turn this around and bring Roush Fenway back to prominence, and adding his name to that. They have done that, but the problem is, we talked about the speed that the #12 team and Ryan Blaney brought to the playoffs. Chris Buescher and his team were good, but good’s not good enough whenever you get into the round of eight.”

From these reflections, there’s a glimmer of hope that the Roush Fenway Racing team will digest these lessons and regroup. With renewed vigor, hopefully, they’ll aim not only to reach the Championship Four but also to clinch the coveted title in 2024.

Read More: NASCAR Insider Highlights the Hendrick Motorsports Star’s Under-the-Radar Struggle at Martinsville