With 29 starts under his belt and 14 impressive top-10 finishes this season, the prodigy of Brad Keselowski dramatically shifted the series’ narrative after his triumphant victories at Richmond, Michigan, and Daytona that showcased his sheer dominance, outpacing every other team by the close of the regular season. Yet, despite a blazing track record, the Roush Fenway Racing maestro hasn’t clinched a victory in the playoffs, managing two top-5s in five races, leaving an unmistakable air of concern.

Statistically, the RFK Racing driver should be at ease towering above the rest with a +19 advantage over the cut-off and amassing a staggering 3,077 points. The final race of the second playoff round should be a mere formality for the #17 maestro. But, reading between the lines, the Ford driver seems to harbor a different perspective on the looming outcome.

Is Brad Keselowski’s mentee wrestling with self-doubt?

Chris Buescher, the driver of the No. 17 Ford, boasts an impressive tally of five victories, with three crowning achievements clinched in the 2023 season. Mentored, backed, and pushed by the iconic Brad Keselowski—who wears the dual hat of teammate and boss—one would think that the young talent is destined to scale new heights. Case in point: the dramatic finale at Daytona’s Coke Zero 400.

With the checkered flag in sight and the tension palpable, many anticipated Brad Keselowski to harness the #6 car’s momentum, overtaking his teammate. But, in an unexpected twist, Keselowski chose fraternity over victory, propelling his teammate, Chris Buescher, to triumph. Buescher, at the wheel of the #17 Ford, was visibly moved by this display of sportsmanship.

Yet, despite these hallmarks of success and camaraderie, Chris Buescher appears to grapple with some inner uncertainties. The introspection was evident in a candid video shared by RFK Racing before the Charlotte showdown. Buescher mused, “We do have a good cushion, but we also have a handful of drivers that are very good road racers as well, that are outside of the cut right now. No one’s really safe at this point. It’s just going to be a normal race weekend for us. So, going to the race track, being fast, executing at an extremely high level, doing our best to gain points to build that cushion up.”

Chris Buescher’s reflection served as both a cautionary note to his mentor, Brad Keselowski, and a subtle message to his fervent fanbase. Maybe Buescher is trying to handle expectations. Or perhaps he’s just superstitious, considering Charlotte hasn’t always been his best friend. Whatever the case, Buescher’s introspective stance surely adds another layer to the racing narrative.

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What lies ahead for Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher at the Charlotte Track?

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Chris Buescher’s history with the Charlotte track is a mixed bag. In his 15 outings here, the No. 17 peaked at a P6 finish back in 2019, with a total of 5 top-5 placements. His most recent endeavor in May 2023 landed him in the P8 spot, a commendable feat but not one without its own set of worries.

The 30-year-old’s own words underscore this sentiment. He’s acutely aware of the competition lurking just below the cut line. Racers who’ve demonstrated exceptional prowess on road courses, like Michael Jordan‘s protégé, Bubba Wallace, Wallace, having achieved back-to-back top-five runs and a stellar second-place finish in the All-Star Race, could potentially eclipse Buescher’s #17.

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Nevertheless, with the guidance of his mentor and boss, Brad Keselowski, there’s hope for Chris Buescher. If the latter can sidestep the inevitable chaos towards the race’s end—a time notorious for wrecks—it won’t be a problem for him to advance to the coveted top 8. After all, with four drivers set to be culled post-Charlotte, tensions, cars, and emotions are inevitably expected to run high.