There is no denying the fact that it is Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibb Racing are the spearheads, leading the 2023 Cup Series season. With Martin Truex Jr securing the regular season championship and William Byron being the winningest driver of the season, both these drivers have emerged as championship favorites. However, with the second round of the playoffs on the verge of conclusion, the post-season has displayed the emergence of a new face.

One such face is the emergent star of RFK Racing, Chris Buescher. The team co-owned by 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, has been one of the Ford teams that has achieved more than one victory in the regular season and has held the reins for the Blue Oval. Having said that, one has to remember that ‘Rome was not built in a day’ nor was Chris Buescher’s road to the championship. Owing to this, will the driver be able to enter the final championship 4 given his current prowess?

Brad Keselowki’s emergent star proves asserts his championship contention

When RFK Racing signed Chris Buescher back in 2019 to replace Ricky Stenhouse Jr, the team surely raised some eyebrows for their drastic decision. NASCAR insider had raised their suspicions about Buescher, owing to his winless drought in his time at JTG Daugherty Racing. However, it is evident that the gambles finally paid off for the team.

The 2022 Cup Series proved to be the turning point for the driver, as he seized his second Cup Series win in the night race at Bristol. Although not a playoff driver, the Buescher was able to crystalize his position as a Cup Series driver and also propelled his underdog team Roush Fenway to the limelight. Moreover, the initial stages of the ongoing Cup Series have been lackluster but not disappointing for the driver and his team.

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The change of events occurred in the late restart on the track of Richmond, when he surpassed JGR’s Denny Hamlin and notched the first victory of the season and his career third. This victory cemented his berth in the post-season along with his teammate and co-owner Brad Keselowski. Moreover, the victory at Richmond marked one of the two consecutive victories of the season, while his final regular-season win was marked on the iconic track of Daytona.

Nevertheless, the 2023 season marked Buescher’s second playoff journey, only after his rookie Cup Series season back in 2016, where he marked a victory in a rain-shortened race at Pocono. However, the 2023 season has been a spectacular year for the Ford driver with three victories in five consecutive races, and the driver hopes to maintain his momentum until the final showdown at Phoenix. 

Will Chris Buescher be able to wear his fourth victory?

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In order to keep the championship hopes alive, the emergent driver has to tame the road course of Charlotte, which requires impeccable precision to navigate its corners. Entering the track with a 19-point buffer, Buescher in recent times has proved his worth as a successful road course racer. His most impressive finish was in the Circuit of The Americas, where he emerged from the 32nd position to an eighth-place finish. Moreover, he has notched two top-6s on the track of Roval and one top-5 finish. 

Moreover, he has an average finish of 8 on-road courses in the 2023 Cup Series. Buescher has also recorded four top-10 finishes out of the five road course races of the season. Given his consistent performance in the 2023 season, the RFK Racing driver does hold favorable ground in winning the final race of the round and slide to the Round of 8. 

However, it seems that the odds are not in favor of the driver, even after his impressive run in the road course races. As mentioned by DraftKings, the RFK Racing prodigy has an odd of +2200. 

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Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if Chris Buescher is able to earn his fourth victory of the season and maintain his dominance in the championship contention alongside his HMS and JGR counterparts.