NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: All eyes are on Chris Buescher and William Byron as the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin at Darlington Raceway. Although both teams had tremendous regular seasons, they have not declared favorites. Even though Buescher and Byron are frontrunners, the competition is tough, and many expect the playoffs to be surprising. Three of the last five regular season races were won by Buescher. At Daytona International Speedway, he won the season finale. Byron has five wins and shares the most points with Martin Truex Jr.
Denny Hamlin, Truex, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick, all series champions, are formidable playoff competitors. Buescher’s Daytona win gave Bubba Wallace the 16th and last playoff position based on points. Chase Elliott, a fan favorite, missed the playoffs.
Another playoff player, Tyler Reddick, said, “I don’t think there’s one team to beat. Some teams utilized what they had better and made fewer mistakes. It might be anyone.” A closer look at the contenders illustrates their distinct trajectories and success methods:
After leading RFK Racing to its first 1-2 win in nine years, Chris Buescher stated, “I think we’re a contender.” He was careful not to proclaim he had won. He said several tracks and sites need improvement. Despite three wins in a month, he didn’t claim to be the greatest because he understood there were other outstanding teams this season. The current Buescher success is not a fluke. The 30-year-old hasn’t played in the playoffs since 2016. He qualified for a fog-shortened race at Pocono Raceway. Recent superspeedway and short-track wins prove he deserves to return. Brad Keselowski, who works with Buescher and is a co-owner, feels they’re developing something special and striving to build a championship-winning team.
The No. 24 Chevrolet, driven by William Byron and owned by Hendrick Motorsports, had the best regular season performance. Byron was tough by winning three of his first 13 races. His Watkins Glen comeback was strong after a short lull. “It’s just part of the ebbs and flows of the season,” Byron said of the area’s natural issues. The 25-year-old is going to the playoffs for the fifth straight year and has five wins this season, more than in the previous five. Four-time NASCAR winner and Hendrick vice-chairman Jeff Gordon lauded Byron’s talent and stated his recent success was due to experience and a supportive staff. Gordon commented, “They just seem like a complete team.”
In conclusion, Buescher and Byron have a decent chance of making the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, but racing is unpredictable so the next few weeks will be plenty of thrilling races. Both racers were skilled and planned during the regular season, but the playoffs are a different game, and only time will tell who triumphs.
Our Reader’s Queries
What 4 drivers were eliminated from NASCAR playoffs?
Sunday’s race had a significant impact on the Cup playoff field, as four drivers were eliminated and the number of contenders was reduced from 12 to eight. Unfortunately, some notable names were among those who failed to advance, including Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Bubba Wallace. Despite being in a “win-or-go-home” situation, Busch put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short.
Who dropped out of NASCAR playoffs?
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have seen the elimination of Ross Chastain, Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, and Brad Keselowski. These drivers will no longer be competing in the playoffs, leaving the field open for the remaining contenders.
Who made NASCAR playoffs 2023?
The Championship 4 has been finalized, with Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron set to compete for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series title this Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney secured his spot in the Championship 4 with a victory at Martinsville Speedway last Sunday. The stage is now set for an exciting showdown between these top drivers.
Where did Chris Buescher finish?
Buescher dominated the track, winning three races in just five weeks. He was among the elite group of six drivers who achieved at least three victories in 2023. The No. 17 team, led by Buescher, secured a remarkable seventh-place finish in the final points standings, marking a significant milestone in his Cup career.
