Chris Buescher appeared ready to claim a victory at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, showcasing one of his best chances this NASCAR Cup Series season. Starting in sixth position, the RFK Racing driver led for 13 laps—a significant rise compared to his two laps led previously this year—and finished the race in second place. Despite a strong performance and his seventh top-10 finish of the season, Buescher left the track feeling more frustrated than satisfied over the missed chance to win, a sentiment that fellow driver Kevin Harvick understands well.
Kevin Harvick Shares Insight on Buescher’s Disappointment
On Tuesday’s Happy Hour podcast, Kevin Harvick spoke candidly about Buescher’s reaction to his near-win at Michigan. Harvick acknowledged how rare high-quality race cars are and how important it is to capitalize when one appears. He reflected on Buescher’s struggles last year, when opportunities slipped away and ultimately cost him a playoff spot.
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. He knows on those days when you have the capability and the car, that you’ve got to capitalize on it, and they didn’t.
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
Last Season’s Missed Opportunities Still Weigh on Buescher
Buescher’s experience from the previous season clearly influences his current mindset. Having missed chances to secure multiple wins, he ultimately did not earn enough points to qualify for the playoffs. Currently, 15 races into the 2025 season, Buescher stands just two spots above the cutoff line for the postseason. This close margin highlights how crucial converting opportunities into victories remains for his playoff hopes.
The Narrow Margin Separating Buescher from Competitors
The point difference between Buescher and drivers trailing him is slim, suggesting that his position could shift dramatically in coming races. Securing a win at Michigan would have provided a significant boost for the remainder of his season, potentially altering the outcomes over the next 11 events. Instead, the near miss leaves his playoff chances hanging by a thread.
Chris Buescher Reflects on His Performance and Missed Chance
After the race, Buescher openly admitted his disappointment about not finishing first despite having one of the fastest cars on the track. He praised his team’s effort while acknowledging his role in the outcome, revealing a desire to rethink some of the decisions he made during the race.
That was such a fast Mustang. I really appreciate everybody on this team working so hard to put us in this situation and to have a chance to win. I’m disappointed I didn’t get it done. It’s on me, I had a couple different decisions I would love to go back and make and ultimately should have had us ahead of the 11. We were faster on the day, and I didn’t do a good enough job. We’ll certainly take the good with it. We certainly need a little bit of good luck or fortune on our side.
—Chris Buescher, NASCAR Driver
He also noted the progress his team made over recent weeks and expressed frustration over falling short despite having both a quick qualifying time and strong stage speed.
This is a day where we kind of made our own. We were really fast and worked hard to be there and just didn’t have any bad luck, so that put us with a shot to win. After the last handful of weeks with having speed in the first stage and qualifying and not being able to get the race finish that was certainly big, but it’s frustrating to be that close and to know that we had a car that was capable of winning. I just needed to do a better job.
—Chris Buescher, NASCAR Driver
Implications for Buescher’s Season and Playoff Prospects
With a competitive car and evident speed improvements, Buescher remains a contender in the tight race for a playoff berth. His frustration highlights the fine margins that separate drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, where a single race can significantly impact the trajectory of a season. As the next 11 races unfold, Buescher’s ability to turn those opportunities into wins will be critical for securing a spot in the playoffs and improving his standing.
