Chris Buescher, driver for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, recently opened up about his dramatic photo finish at Kansas Speedway, an event that continues to linger in the minds of NASCAR fans. On May 5, 2024, Buescher found himself locked in a fierce battle down the final stretch with Kyle Larson, representing Hendrick Motorsports, as both crossed the checkered flag nearly simultaneously in an electrifying conclusion. Initially, Buescher was declared the winner by officials and scoring monitors, but moments later the race‘s outcome was overturned when it was confirmed that Larson had edged past him by just 0.001 seconds.
The governing body’s reversal stirred criticism among NASCAR enthusiasts, many of whom were taken aback by the last-minute change. Officials, however, defended their decision, explaining that ultra high-speed cameras were employed for finish-line determinations, providing accuracy beyond what the finish line’s paint could indicate. The abrupt revision left Chris Buescher and his supporters with a hollow sense of accomplishment after what was otherwise a phenomenal performance at Kansas Speedway.
Appearing on NASCAR’s ‘Inside the Race’ podcast with Steve Letarte ahead of his return to Kansas Speedway, Chris Buescher revisited his heartbreak from the 2024 photo finish, candidly expressing how the razor-thin margin stays with him.
he remarked, his words echoing the frustration and determination that define professional motorsport.
This season, Chris Buescher has shown consistent resilience, currently ranking twelfth in the Cup Series standings. With 255 points, five top-ten finishes, and a top-five across eleven starts, his performance demonstrates both promise and persistence, especially when considering the emotional toll of his Kansas outcome. Running the #17 ford/”>Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Buescher remains a formidable competitor, continuing to push the limits at each event.
Chris Buescher’s efforts have not gone unnoticed within his own team. Brad Keselowski, past Cup Series champion and co-owner of RFK, recently acknowledged his teammates’ performance during a media session before the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega. Keselowski has endured a challenging season, failing to secure a single top-ten result across eleven races and facing four DNFs, while Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece have outperformed him in both consistency and results.
Keselowski said, noting both the competitiveness and the collaborative spirit within RFK.
While the heartbreak of Kansas Speedway’s photo finish has clearly impacted Chris Buescher, it may also serve as motivation for the rest of his season. The razor-thin margin that separated victory from defeat is a testament to how close competition in NASCAR has become. As the series progresses, every fraction of a second will continue to matter, and Buescher’s response to adversity could shape not only his prospects but also inject fresh energy into the ongoing points race. With intent focus and unyielding resolve, Chris Buescher looks ahead, aiming not only to recall his near-miss in Kansas but to transform that experience into future triumphs at upcoming tracks.
