Chris Buescher's Glen win brings Ford on verge of major NASCAR achievement

Chris Buescher's Watkins Glen triumph this past Sunday was a significant win for Ford, as it has now won four straight NASCAR Cup Series races. It's the first time since 2018 that the manufacturer has been on a four-race win streak.

A victory this weekend would enable Ford to achieve an unprecedented feat in the Next Gen car era, which began in 2022. No manufacturer has managed to win five consecutive races in NASCAR's newest Cup car

Buescher, driver of the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford, passed Shane Van Gisbergen on the final lap of Sunday's race to notch his sixth career victory and first of 2024. Ford's impressive streak began with Harrison Burton securing his first career win at Daytona three weeks ago. Chase Briscoe followed suit with a victory at Darlington the following week, piloting his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Ford to the checkered flag. Last week, Joey Logano continued Ford's dominance by winning at Atlanta in his No. 22 Team Penske Ford.

The 2018 season witnessed Ford embark on a five-race winning streak that spanned from August to September. This streak, which occurred almost six years ago, began with Kevin Harvick piloting the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing car to victory at Michigan. The following week, SHR teammate Kurt Busch secured a win at Bristol in the No. 41 car. Brad Keselowski then steered his No. 2 Team Penske car to victory at Darlington, followed by two more wins at Indianapolis and Las Vegas in the subsequent two races, with the Las Vegas race marking the beginning of the playoffs.

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Ford is seeking its third straight NASCAR Cup Series championship this season

Ford has maintained an undefeated record in championships during the first two years of the Next Gen era. Joey Logano secured his second career Cup title in 2022, winning four races and recording 11 top-fives and 17 top-tens. His Team Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney, claimed his first championship last year, piloting his No. 12 car to three victories en route to the title.

Ford boasts a strong presence in the playoffs this season, with six of its drivers competing. Logano, having won at Atlanta, is already guaranteed a spot in the upcoming Round of 12. His teammate, Austin Cindric, sits firmly in third place in the playoff standings, enjoying a comfortable 43-point cushion over the cut-line. Blaney and Briscoe are also positioned above the cut-off, with the 2023 champion 29 points ahead and the Darlington winner six points clear. On the other hand, Brad Keselowski and Harrison Burton, while below the cut-line, are within striking distance, with the 2012 champion 12 points behind and the Daytona winner trailing by 20 points.

The final race before the Round of 12 will take place this Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway in the 500-lap Bass Pro Shops Night Race.