Chris Buescher is preparing for a significant rebound in his Sonoma performance after a difficult qualifying session, as the NASCAR series moves from Chicago to California for another challenging road course. Returning to the circuit with determination, Buescher and RFK Racing aim to capitalize on the event at Sonoma Raceway, seeking to shift the momentum of his 2025 season.
While this year has proven challenging for the No. 17 driver, Buescher’s track record at Sonoma stands out, making his outlook optimistic despite a mid-pack qualifying result. His consistency at the 1.99-mile circuit offers hope that he can extend his strong performances as the Cup Series returns to the historic venue near the Southern Sonoma Mountains.
Buescher Seeks to Overcome Qualifying Hurdle in Pursuit of Sonoma Success
As NASCAR teams pivot once again from oval racing to the technical 12-turn road course at Sonoma Raceway, Chris Buescher enters the weekend as a leading figure in sustained performance at this track. While his teammate and team boss Brad Keselowski takes a different approach to road courses, Buescher has developed a reputation as one of the steadiest competitors at the facility, having secured three consecutive top-five finishes at Sonoma.
His most impressive result came in 2022, when he claimed the runner-up position, just behind race winner Daniel Suarez. Heading into Sunday’s race, Buescher projected assurance as he discussed his outlook and the lessons from qualifying.
“I’m really happy with our race car from practice, qualifying,”
—Chris Buescher, Driver. He further detailed his qualifying session, saying,
“Qualifying was pretty good, I didn’t put together an entire lap, and you know that ultimately caught us. That’s the reason why we’re not going to be in the top 10 to start.”
—Chris Buescher, Driver.
A Midfield Start Does Not Dim Buescher’s Optimism
Buescher recorded a lap time of 1:15.373 around Sonoma’s demanding layout, narrowly trailing Chase Elliott, who posted a 1:15.283. Shane van Gisbergen solidified his strong form by capturing his third pole of the season. Despite beginning the race from the middle of the field, Buescher appeared composed about his position, indicating a firm belief in his team’s race-pace preparations. He stated,
“We’re still in the ballpark, and our long run speeds are staying with us really strong yesterday, which has actually been probably our weakness here. But I think a lot of things are telling me we’re in good shape. We put a lot of work into this race, knowing how close we’ve been through the years, and yeah, ready to get in tomorrow.”
—Chris Buescher, Driver.
Throughout the 2025 season, Buescher has maintained solid form, notching ten top-10 and three top-five results so far, demonstrating his competitiveness and persistence. His statistics place him with 476 points after 19 Cup Series races, during which he’s led a total of 33 laps and averaged a starting position of 10.5 and a finishing position of just below 14. With this foundation, the driver from Prosper, Texas, positions himself as a contender to watch at Sonoma despite the obstacles encountered in qualifying.
The Stakes for Buescher and RFK Racing at Sonoma
Buescher’s strong, steady results at the Sonoma circuit, coupled with his team’s intensive preparation and his own resilient outlook, set the stage for a dramatic race day. Both the consistency he’s displayed and his ability to adapt during long runs could play a decisive role as he targets another top finish. With ford/”>Ford and RFK Racing behind him, Buescher enters Sonoma with the belief that a breakthrough performance is within reach, and his actions on race day will clarify whether he will preserve or even extend his current hot streak among NASCAR’s road course competitors. Fans and analysts alike will look to see if his established Sonoma performance continues this Sunday.
