Chris Buescher, the defending NASCAR Cup Series winner at Watkins Glen, is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series Truck Debut this Friday at the renowned New York road course. The full-time No. 17 Ford driver for RFK Racing will pilot the No. 66 Ford for ThorSport Racing in the Mission 176 race.
Buescher’s First Race in the Craftsman Truck Series
Despite extensive experience across NASCAR’s top divisions, including 352 Cup Series starts, 74 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, and 57 ARCA Menards Series starts, the 32-year-old from Prosper, Texas, has never competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series until now. This race marks a significant milestone as Buescher takes on a new challenge in his career.
Joining a Star-Studded Field for a Crucial Season Event
Buescher will race alongside established Cup Series competitors Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell at Watkins Glen. This event is the penultimate race of the Truck Series regular season, adding importance for drivers and teams competing for championship positioning. Notably, the ThorSport No. 66 truck currently sits 19th in owner points through the first 16 races of the 2025 season.
Track Expertise and Previous Success at Watkins Glen
Known as one of NASCAR’s most skilled road-course racers, Buescher has consistently performed well at Watkins Glen, including a thrilling last-lap win over Shane van Gisbergen in 2024. His familiarity with this challenging track adds intrigue to his debut in the Truck Series at the same venue.
Event Schedule and Broadcast Details
Friday’s race day features practice and qualifying sessions on FS2 during the afternoon, followed by the Mission 176 race starting shortly after 5 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the race live on FS1, with additional coverage provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Anticipation Builds Around Buescher’s New Challenge
As Buescher ventures into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, his performance this weekend may influence future participation in the series. His debut highlights the broader trend of Cup Series veterans testing their abilities across NASCAR’s different levels, promising exciting competition for fans and a deeper showcase of driver talent.
“@Chris_Buescher is set to make his NASCAR Truck Series debut this Friday at Watkins Glen, driving the No. 66 https://t.co/yJLe9nHRr0 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing.Tune in at 5 PM ET on FS1 to watch Buescher return to a track he knows all too well – this time in a different… pic.twitter.com/U7ZVOGQIti”
— ThorSport Racing
