NASCAR Cup Daytona II

Buescher loses out on Daytona win: "This one stings a lot"

There were six drivers in the top-10 running order to start overtime at Daytona that were still trying to make the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, but Chris Buescher had the best seat.

Jim Utter

Edited: Aug 29, 2021, 4:11 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Mustang Fifth Third Bank, Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Built bar, Joey Logano, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Shell Pennzoil

Buescher had grabbed the lead on Lap 157 of the originally scheduled 160-lap race and remained out front when a late-race, multi-car wreck brought out a caution and sent the race into a two-lap overtime.

Buescher chose to restart on the high lane but when the race restarted, Corey LaJoie gave Ryan Blaney a big shove in the bottom lane, which allowed Blaney to clear for the lead.

Buescher tried to recover to make another run on Blaney but his chance was cut short when another big wreck on the final lap ended the race under caution with Buescher in second – and out of the playoffs.

“It hurts. This one stings a lot,” Buescher said. “At the same time, appreciate everybody at Roush Fenway Racing. Wanted to get that one for so many different reasons.

“To miss that playoff spot by one spot, that’s a tough ending to a day. Proud of this group. Proud of the car we brought. I’m sure I’ll play it back and find something else different again.

“Top line wasn’t as organized on that start. The bottom, they were digging. We were fortunate to get back to second.”

As it turned out, Saturday night’s regular season finale ended up one of the best performances of the season for Roush Fenway Racing. Buescher’s teammate, Ryan Newman, finished fourth and both cars escaped the wreck-marred race largely unscathed.

Tyler Reddick, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Mustang Fifth Third Bank, Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Pirtek, Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, Toyota Camry Columbia PFG, Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Built bar

Photo by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images

Buescher ended the regular season 16th in points but there were two drivers – Michael McDowell and Aric Almirola – who are lower in points but had wins which locked them in the playoff field.

Buescher said he tried a more aggressive approach in Saturday night’s race hoping it would pay off – and it nearly did.

“I think that was what we had to do, we had to be more aggressive on the blocking side. We’ve been aggressive with making moves, not protecting them. We did that today,” Buescher said.

“Back bumper, this thing, it’s rough, I know that. It’s just become a part of this speedway race. The more film you go back and watch the more I realize that’s where we're getting beat.

“I thought we got the initial jump well. Just didn’t have the help behind us to push us beyond that front row and get in front of (Blaney).”

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Ryan Blaney survives to win wreck-marred finish at Daytona

Next article NASCAR's largest Next Gen car test to date set for Daytona

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Liam Lawson disqualified from F1 qualifying in Mexico – here's why

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

38 min

Liam Lawson disqualified from F1 qualifying in Mexico – here's why

Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

2 h

Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat

"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

2 h

"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title

Ryo Hirakawa could have "easily" made Q2 in F1 Mexico GP without late traffic

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

2 h

Ryo Hirakawa could have "easily" made Q2 in F1 Mexico GP without late traffic

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts