Chris Buescher

Christopher William Buescher, born October 29, 1992, in Prosper, Texas, is an accomplished American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing. A two-time series champion, Buescher won the 2012 ARCA Racing Series and the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series championships. Recognized for his consistency and resilience, he has established himself as a solid competitor in NASCAR’s top tiers.

Early Life and Background

Chris Buescher grew up in Prosper, Texas, and began his racing career early, driving Legends cars from 2005 with over 100 wins at Speedway Legends. At 16, he moved to North Carolina in 2008 to further his racing education, learning under NASCAR driver David Ragan and joining Roush Fenway Racing’s development program. He debuted in the ARCA Series in 2009, quickly rising to prominence and winning the 2012 ARCA Series championship, notably becoming the only driver to complete every lap in a season.

Career

Buescher made his NASCAR Xfinity (then Nationwide) Series debut in 2011, transitioning to full-time competition by 2014 driving the No. 60 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. He won his first Xfinity race at Mid-Ohio in 2014 and captured the 2015 Xfinity Series championship with multiple wins and consistent top finishes.

In 2015, he debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving part-time for Front Row Motorsports. By 2016, Buescher raced full-time in the Cup Series with Front Row, scoring his first Cup win at the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono in a fog-shortened race—a remarkable rookie achievement.

Returning to RFK Racing (formerly Roush Fenway Racing) in 2020, Buescher steadily improved, posting multiple top-10 finishes and a career-best seventh in the points standings in 2023. He earned his career-best finish of second place in a photo-finish at Kansas Speedway in 2024—the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history—and won the 2024 Go Bowling at The Glen race at Watkins Glen. Buescher has five career Cup Series wins and over 65 top-ten finishes.

Off-Track Ventures

Public information regarding Buescher’s off-track business activities is limited. Like many professional drivers, his focus is primarily on racing, sponsor engagements, and community involvement consistent with his role in a top NASCAR team.

Net Worth

Chris Buescher’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, reflecting earnings from his successful NASCAR career, including prize winnings, sponsorships, and endorsements.

Personal Life

Chris Buescher is married. Details about his wife, children, and parents are generally private, though it is known that his parents are Jim and Donna Buescher. He also has a notable family connection in racing, as his cousin James Buescher is the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion. Buescher maintains a relatively private personal life focused on family and racing.

Recent Controversies

There are no major or widely publicized controversies involving Chris Buescher. His reputation in the NASCAR community is that of a professional and respectful competitor.

Key Highlights from Season 2024 and 2025

In 2024, Buescher had an impressive season with a career-best second-place finish at Kansas Speedway in a record-close finish and a victory at Watkins Glen. He continued consistent performance with multiple top-10 finishes, reflecting steady progress for RFK Racing. In 2025, Buescher remains a key driver for RFK Racing, competing full-time and aiming to build on past successes. The team did face a penalty after the Kansas race related to a car part violation, though this was later partially overturned on appeal.