RFK Racing Martinsville Quest: As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway, the No. 17 RFK Racing team is fully aware that their fate in the postseason relies on one simple mission: winning.
Crew chief Scott Graves summed up their approach succinctly: “For us, it’s really easy: just go and win. That’s our only mission on this one. This is a lot easier than worrying about one or two points here or there and everything that comes with that.”
Chris Buescher, who pilots the No. 17 car, finds himself at the bottom of the playoff grid and faces a 43-point deficit to secure a transfer spot. In this high-stakes scenario, a victory is their most viable path to advance into the championship race. Buescher does bring the experience of a short-track win at Richmond Raceway in late July.
This marks Buescher’s second postseason appearance, and it’s his deepest playoff run to date. It’s also a significant achievement for RFK Racing, as it’s the farthest a Roush car has advanced in the playoffs since 2017 when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. reached the second round. Notably, Buescher outlasted his teammate Brad Keselowski, who was eliminated in the previous round.
Despite surpassing expectations this season, Scott Graves emphasized that no one on the No. 17 team is content with their current position. The recent setbacks, finishing 11th in Las Vegas and 21st at Homestead-Miami Speedway, have put them in a must-win situation. Graves acknowledged the frustration but also the determination within the team, stating, “If we’re going out, we want to go out fighting. So, there’s a lot of confidence going into this weekend.”
Buescher’s history at Martinsville includes 16 starts with one top-10 finish and an average finish of 19.4, without leading a lap. Despite past challenges at the track, the team remains optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming race, highlighting Buescher’s solid performances at Martinsville in the past.
In the intense world of NASCAR playoffs, the No. 17 RFK Racing team knows that their mission is clear: go to Martinsville, win, and keep their championship hopes alive.
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