It’s been a dramatic week for defending Michigan race winner Chris Buescher, who was bumped outside the Playoffs standings with Dillon’s win last week, only to be back Playoff eligible by Wednesday with Dillon’s points penalty.
Buescher is tied with Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain, three-points behind 15th place Bubba Wallace, but Buescher got the all-important 16th and final Playoff position ahead of Chastain based on who had the best finish this season.
Buescher reiterated that his path and purpose has not changed despite the change in his championship standings. He insists he still needs to win a race. His win at Michigan last year was part of a three-race summer victory showing entering the Playoffs.
“It’s not going to change anything for myself or our team,’’ Buescher said of being bumped back into the Top-16 with Dillon’s penalty. “We knew at the beginning of the year before we ever got to Daytona that this was the only way to really be comfortable at any point before playoffs was a win. And really, there’s no way to get through the next three weeks and be comfortable without one.
“So no, this isn’t going to change anything for how we approach these next handful of races. For us, we’re looking at a stretch that has been very good to us. I was just laughing coming in here last time we were at this table was for all the right reasons. So, you know, I was looking forward to that for this go around at Michigan.”
Buescher’s best showings in 2024 are runner-up finishes at Phoenix and Kansas, where he was on the wrong side of a photo finish. He’s had two top-10s in the last seven races – fifth place finishes at New Hampshire and Nashville.
Source: Holly Cain | NASCAR Wire Service
