Chris Buescher produced a dominant run at Watkins Glen and braved the final lap battle against Shane van Gisbergen to bag his maiden win this season. The RFK Racing driver retook the lead from the Kaulig Racing driver, which was lost before the final lap began.
The Go Bowling! at the Glen was the second playoff opener race and Buescher started 24th before triumphing in his #17 Ford. He was nowhere near the frontrunners during both stages, but battled through the chaotic final stage and surged to the top.
However, the victory briefly slipped from the RFK Racing driver's grasp as hard-charging Shane van Gisbergen was eyeing his second Cup Series win. On Lap 91 of 92, as Chris Buescher's #17 Ford entered Turn 1, SVG tried to unsettle the former and capitalized on the room created for his #16 Chevy.
Nevertheless, the Ford driver relentlessly chased the Chevy driver for the lead. And on the final lap, Buescher pinned his machine on the inside line and traded paint with SVG before retaking the domination and marking the trip to the victory lane.
After exiting his car, Buescher mentioned him and RFK Racing as the "spoiler" and outlined that Shane van Gisbergen was "better" than him but still "missed" the victory. He said (via NASCAR on NBC on X).
"That was the spot (final lap) that he was better than us, and he missed it. I tried a crossover and wouldn't cut, and just hard racing there. Just an awesome finish, to be that good for so much the end of the race, all race, to get a win, it's good. We came here to be the spoiler, we're going to do that," Buescher said.
Chris Buescher led 19 laps at the 2.54-mile track before snapping RFK's 10-year road course winless streak.
Shane van Gisbergen "angry" at himself after losing the final lap fight to Chris Buescher
The New Zealander specializes in road course racing. He has four NASCAR wins, one in the Cup Series and three in the Xfinity, all from road tracks. SVG bagged his career-first win at the Chicago Street Course last year, and triumphed at the Portland International Raceway, Sonoma Raceway, and Chicago Street Course, this year.
The Kaulig Racing driver was on the verge of claiming his maiden Cup win of the 2024 season, but, a few turns before seeing the checkered flag, Buescher made contact with the former's right rear and lunged ahead.
SVG tried to fight back but went wide while exiting Turn 6. Moreover, the race-losing moment ensued right before Turn 7 as the #16 Chevy slightly lost balance, and as a result, some pace while correcting it.
The 35-year-old reflected on his final lap battle against Chris Buescher and mentioned being "angry" at himself. He said (via NASCAR on TSN on X).
“Driver error, yeah. I knew Chris was really [going to] send it and push me if he could get there and as I turned in and got a little bit loose and clipped the inside wall and just driver error. I’m gutted,” van Gisbergen said.
“The race was awesome with Ross and Chris and the others in the end. I’m gutted we couldn’t get it but I had a lot of fun, but I’m pretty angry at myself,” van Gisbergen added.
While Chris Buescher aced the race, his teammate Brad Keselowski finished 26th and is 12 points below the elimination line.