DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.— Chris Buescher comes into Saturday’s race as the defending winner and holds a slim, but all-important 16-point advantage in the Playoff standings. However, he knows in these big-track, drafting races that Daytona delivers, there is only so much in your control.
“When we come to these races, we know that,’’ said Buescher, driver of the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford. “We can only control what we can in our very small circle and the rest of it will go as it may. Unfortunately, that’s just part of the game at these places.’’
Asked if he expected help from other Fords as he is the only Ford Mustang driver among the three competitors most fiercely competing for the final two playoff positions, Buescher conceded maybe there would be a push or some version of help mid-race, but he did not expect a fellow Ford to push him to a win, necessarily.
“I don’t know if it’s an expectation, it’s more of an ask if given an opportunity to help out a manufacturer car versus a competitor,’’ Buescher said. “I think the ask would be there to try and have that scenario in your mind from some of our teammates across the board on the Ford camp, but, no. I certainly don’t think you can expect it from others.
“We’re all competitors. We obviously have a very singular goal in mind, all of us for the same thing, and you’re not gonna get there if you’re helping out those that you’re gonna have to compete with at the end of the day. Again, it’s kind of just a small favor, if possible.’’
Source: Holly Cain | NASCAR Wire Service