Chris Buescher discusses must-win situation for NASCAR playoffs after narrowly missing out on victory at Michigan International Speedway, where a strong performance put his postseason hopes in sharp focus. As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season nears its close, Buescher and his RFK Racing team face rising pressure to clinch a win and secure a playoff spot.
Buescher Analyzes Playoff Prospects Following Michigan Race
Last weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Chris Buescher achieved a second-place finish in the FireKeepers 400, feeling he had the pace needed for victory but falling just short. The outcome weighed on Buescher, who was confident that he had one of the fastest cars during the event. Despite his result, the race marked a strong showing for RFK Racing overall, as both Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski also finished in the top ten—Preece in ninth and Keselowski in tenth after a pit lane speeding penalty affected his race.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Viva Mexico 250, Buescher examined the outlook for his playoff ambitions, sharing his mindset on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He acknowledged that making the postseason this year is a significant challenge given the current points scenario.
“We will do everything we can to maximize our days… We are in a must-win situation. We have been right above that cut line as we’ve gotten to the closing races of the regular season, and we’ve had new winners pop in from deep in the points to right there that we were racing against. We’ve had fuel mileage races that yield surprise winners.”
—Chris Buescher, RFK Racing driver
As the points race intensifies, Buescher explained the pressure to seal a race victory rather than rely on points alone.
“There are two or three cars that get in on points, and if you’re not the absolute best of those cars, then you better plan on winning a race. And I believe that’s where we’re at right now, because it is just way too close… So we better plan on getting our stuff together and putting this thing in the victory lane.”
—Chris Buescher, RFK Racing driver
Currently sitting 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 342 points, Buescher has recorded two top-five and seven top-ten finishes this season. However, with the regular season winding down and playoff spots dwindling, Buescher views an outright win as his most reliable path forward.
Kevin Harvick Shares Insight Into Buescher’s Frustration
Despite achieving a strong result at the Firekeepers Casino 400, Buescher’s post-race sentiments were marked by disappointment, given his starting position from sixth on the grid and his stint leading 13 laps. RFK Racing’s driver had previously only led two laps all season, making his Michigan performance even more significant, yet he could not convert it into a win.
Veteran driver Kevin Harvick addressed Buescher’s emotional reaction on the Happy Hour podcast, lending understanding to the situation:
“I get his disappointment. When you have a car like that and you don’t capitalize on it, you don’t get those very often. He saw that last year when he had those opportunities where he didn’t capitalize and it cost him the playoff position that he needed and didn’t get himself to where he ultimately wanted to be at the end of the year.”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver
For Buescher, the sting of last season—when missed opportunities cost him a shot at the playoffs—remains a fresh memory. The current campaign, marked by a combination of strong runs and near-misses, has now put him in a difficult position that demands an immediate and decisive performance. The coming races, particularly the Viva Mexico 250, offer Buescher a crucial chance to deliver the win that would secure his place in the postseason lineup.
As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season comes to a close, the battle for the playoffs continues to intensify. For Chris Buescher and RFK Racing, every lap and every moment on the track now carries heightened stakes, making their quest for victory more urgent than ever.
