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Brad Keselowski’s Excellence With RFK Might Fall Short as Pressure Starts to Get to his Debutant

Published 10/14/2023, 9:25 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

With three victories in the five races leading up to the Round of 16, RFK Racing’s 30-year-old star seemed like a rising star ready to make a splash in the playoffs. However, as the postseason heats up, the pressure is mounting for the RFK Racing team. The last two performances for the #17 driver in the Round of 12 have left fans questioning his ability to weather the storm. The Round of 8 kicks off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. And the big question is, with Brad Keselowski eliminated from the playoffs, can his team maintain its prospects, or will their Round of 8 debutants succumb to the pressure?

Chris Buescher‘s journey in the NASCAR playoffs this season has been a rollercoaster of emotions. He stormed into the postseason with three wins in five races, setting the stage for an exciting run. The Round of 16 began on a promising note with a 3rd-place finish at Darlington. However, what followed was a lackluster performance in the next few races.

Can Chris Buescher help Brad Keselowski and his team get to Phoenix with a chance of winning the title?

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After a disappointing P27 finish at Kansas, Chris Buescher bounced back at Bristol, claiming a solid 4th-place finish, only to face another setback at Texas, finishing 14th. The real test came at Talladega, where he could only manage a P19 finish. The roval at Charlotte saw him finish 7th. It’s a mixed bag of results that leaves fans and experts unsure of what to expect from this rising star.

The main concern for Chris Buescher in this round is the competition. With tracks like Las Vegas favoring powerhouse teams like Hendrick and JGR and Homestead-Miami often feeling like the Kyle Larson Invitational, the odds seem stacked against him. However, despite his unpredictable playoff performances, Buescher remains optimistic. He’s determined not to let the pressure get the best of him.

Team Brad Keselowski’s No. 17’s confidence shines through as he states, “I think we’re not at a point where we [can’t] be ignored anymore,” said Buescher according to NASCAR.com. We’ve made it a long way this season. We’ve outrun a lot of what they considered favorites from the get-go on the year, and we’ve outrun them very consistently through the second half of the season – even a little more so.”

Watch This Story | Brad Keselowski’s Superstar Shockingly Warns RFK Racing Boss

Team Brad Keselowski, along with their driver, remains unfazed by the doubters. Chris Buescher’s outlook on the playoffs is clear, “We’re thrilled to be here. And I’m happy to be halfway there on our goals for the season and our expectations. But we’ve got work to do yet. We’re not done.” While Chris Buescher does face tough odds in the playoffs Round of 8, a NASCAR legend has faith that he can make it to Phoenix in the top 4.

Dale Jarrett makes a bold prediction for Chris Buescher as we head into the Round of 8

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In NASCAR, surprises are part of the game. Drivers and teams that might not be favorites can make a stunning championship run. Last year, Ross Chastain pulled off an unexpected move at Martinsville, eliminating a top driver in the process. This year, Team Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher seem to be in the spotlight.

Former NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett, speaking on the Motorsports on NBC podcast, shared his perspective on why he believes Buescher could make it all the way to the championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Jarrett’s confidence in Buescher’s capabilities is evident. Jarrett explained, “Well, the best season that he’s had. And I think that consistency at all types of tracks. Yes, the mile and a half’s definitely are not the very, very best for the Fords or for this organization.”

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He highlighted Buescher’s ability to perform consistently on all types of tracks. Dale Jarrett further suggested that even though mile-and-a-half tracks might not be their strongest suit. They can still gather the necessary points. “But I think that he can perform at a high enough level to put himself in a good position point-wise, where he has shown a lot of success so far on the short tracks this year,” Jarrett added.

“So that’s just what I see that this young man ready to take hold of his future. And take hold of a really good season and not let it be here at Martinsville as far as battling for a championship,” Jarrett concluded.

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Chris Buescher’s NASCAR Bible: Origins, Wins, Roval Stats & Odds

So, do you believe in the underdog story of Brad Keselowski’s debutant? Or do you think the favorites will dominate? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

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Written by:

Veerendra Vikram Singh

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Veerendra Vikram Singh is a NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports. A Motorsport fan at heart, he has been following NASCAR and Formula 1 for over a decade now and has covered the on and off-track life of some of the best in the sport. He is a big fan of Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch but never lets that get in the way of authentic and fact-based reporting.
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Edited by:

Shivali Nathta