What strategies does a once-waning NASCAR powerhouse undertake to regain significance in championships? Not only did Chris Buescher add another trophy to his collection when he won his sixth Cup Series at Watkins Glen in September 2024, his first on a road circuit. It supported Brad Keselowski‘s risky move to double down on a driver that many had passed over and co-own a faltering RFK Racing.

“We’ve got a team that’s back in the fight,” Keselowski said after the race, framing the moment not as a breakthrough, but as confirmation of a rebuild years in the making.

While Buescher’s rise hasn’t been particularly noticeable, it has been unrelenting. His reliability, self-control, and quiet assurance have been the cornerstones of RFK’s comeback, assisting in the transformation of the No. 17 squad from an afterthought to a real weekly threat. Buescher is more than just a driver in the eyes of Keselowski, who formerly competed with racing greats and now coaches the next generation. He serves as evidence that RFK’s resuscitation is not merely hypothetical but is occurring.

Who is Chris Buescher? Is he related to Truck Series champion James Buescher?

Born in Prosper, Texas, on October 29, 1992, Chris Buescher is a full-time professional stock car racer in the NASCAR Cup Series. He drives RFK Racing’s No. 17 Ford Mustang. Before moving on to more competitive levels, Buescher started his racing career in Legends cars, where he accumulated over 100 victories. He won the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2015 after winning the ARCA Racing Series in 2012. Buescher has won six Cup Series races as of 2025, including his first victory on a road course in 2024 at Watkins Glen.

Chris Buescher’s cousin is James Buescher, the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion. Born in Melbourne, Florida, on March 26, 1990, James Buescher had a successful Truck Series career before turning to real estate, founding The Buescher Group, a Texas-based real estate firm with his wife, Krishtian. Although both cousins have achieved success in NASCAR, their paths have taken different turns. James has retired from full-time racing to concentrate on his business endeavors, while Chris is still competing at the top level in the Cup Series and helping RFK Racing recover.

From Texas roots to RFK’s revival, Chris Buescher’s steady NASCAR exploits

Chris Buescher’s NASCAR career started of the spotlight, but his gradual ascent up the ranks has helped to establish his reputation as a driver who prefers to stay out of the spotlight and let his performance speak for itself. Buescher was raised in a household with strong ties to motorsports and was born in Prosper, Texas. James Buescher, his cousin, was the 2012 Truck Series champion, but Chris’s journey will eventually garner the most attention.

Before switching to stock cars, Chris’s early racing career was characterized by his success in Legends cars, where he amassed over 100 victories. He made his breakthrough in 2012 after winning the ARCA Racing Series, which guaranteed him a place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Buescher’s achievement of winning the Xfinity Series title in 2015 demonstrated that his potential was far from over. He was one of the most promising drivers of his generation during his tenure in the Xfinity Series, which also demonstrated his versatility on many courses, particularly ovals.

Buescher made his Cup Series debut in 2016, and despite some growing pains in his early years, his consistency started to show in a competitive environment. Buescher won his first Cup in his rookie season with a thrilling victory at Pocono. Given that the race was cut short due to bad weather, which put his concentration and ability to perform under pressure to the test, that triumph was crucial in demonstrating his capacity to handle challenging circumstances. Even if they weren’t win-filled, his next seasons demonstrated steady progress in a mid-tier squad.

Buescher didn’t find his rhythm until he moved to RFK Racing in 2022. Under Brad Keselowski’s ownership, the team’s transition from a smaller one to RFK provided a more encouraging environment, enabling Buescher to realize his full potential. Buescher and Keselowski’s connection has been crucial to his growth, as Keselowski’s leadership encourages Buescher to perform better on race weekends.

In 2023, Buescher achieved his first noteworthy triumph with RFK Racing when he won consecutive races at Michigan and Richmond, two very different circuits that demonstrated his flexibility. His versatility was demonstrated by his ability to handle tires and maneuver on both short tracks and superspeedways, which cemented his position as the mainstay of RFK’s comeback. Buescher’s 2024 victory at Watkins Glen, his first on a road circuit, was more than just a victory, further highlighting his increasing significance within RFK Racing. It was a declaration that Buescher was now a legitimate contender for the title rather than just a race winner. For both Buescher and RFK Racing, this was a pivotal occasion that marked the team’s entry as a long-term contender.

Chris Buescher’s journey today is proof of tenacity, steady progress, and the effectiveness of strategic leadership. Buescher’s ability to maintain composure, be patient, and perform consistently under Brad Keselowski’s guidance has helped lead RFK Racing into a new era of competition. His experience of quiet confidence demonstrates that consistent execution of a well-thought-out plan is more important for NASCAR success than spectacular victories or instant celebrity. Buescher is the face of RFK Racing’s future, one race at a time, as part of the team’s comeback.

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How Chris Buescher’s dynamic with brad Keselowski is transforming RFK Racing’s underdog status?

Few could have foreseen the immediate effects Brad Keselowski’s audacious 2022 decision to buy a share in RFK Racing would have on the organization and his collaboration with Chris Buescher. Keselowski, who is renowned for his leadership skills and methodical approach, has played a significant role in transforming RFK Racing from a middle-tier team to a serious competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series. Before Keselowski’s involvement, Chris Buescher, who has long been seen as a reliable and strategic driver, was already a vital member of RFK, but their relationship has allowed for even greater performance. The team is moving forward thanks to the special and efficient balance that Keselowski’s aggressive, race-winning mentality and Buescher’s calm, methodical style have developed.

NASCAR analyst Steve Letarte has praised Keselowski’s leadership, noting his influence on both the team and Buescher’s development: “Brad Keselowski’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding RFK Racing and mentoring Chris Buescher.”

Keselowski brought a change in culture to RFK Racing. His track record of winning championships and his meticulous attention to the team’s facilities began to pay off right away. Keselowski’s mentorship serves as a driving force behind Buescher’s development. Effective cooperation and communication between the two have led to several calculated choices made during race weekends that have improved Buescher’s driving style, especially his ability to control his tires and perform well over the long haul. The RFK team is among the best prepared in the field because of the two’s constant emphasis on the value of thorough planning and their mutual dedication to perfecting the minutiae.

Buescher’s driving style has changed under Keselowski’s guidance, becoming more flexible and forceful when necessary. Already well-known for his ability to control tires and play the long game in races, Buescher has increased his presence not only in the closing moments but also throughout whole race weekends. This has been seen by Buescher’s development as a road-course racer, which culminated in his first-ever Cup victory at Watkins Glen in 2024. That race demonstrated his capacity to perform well under duress, a skill that Keselowski fostered.

Additionally, this collaboration has revitalized RFK Racing’s overall comeback. Even on some of NASCAR’s most difficult courses, RFK Racing, which was once thought of as an underdog, now regularly contends for victories. Back-to-back victories at Richmond and Michigan in 2023 demonstrated the team’s progress and showed that Keselowski and Buescher are spearheading the effort to turn RFK Racing from an afterthought into a dominant force at the front of the field.

In races where strategy is crucial, Keselowski and Buescher’s mutual trust and cooperation also give them a competitive advantage. Both drivers have a great deal of experience with fuel strategy, tire management, and how to get the most out of the car without going overboard. This strategy is a huge advantage in a sport as fast-paced and unpredictable as NASCAR, and it’s obvious that RFK Racing has profited from the increased trust between the two.

Keselowski and Buescher’s partnership is about more than just winning races; it’s about creating a culture of reliability, accuracy, and unwavering progress. As a result of their collaboration, RFK Racing is becoming a team that is vying for titles in the upcoming years rather than only surviving. Adding a touch of humor and confidence, RFK Racing’s social media highlighted the potential of Buescher and Keselowski as a formidable team, quoting Colonel Sanders, “Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher will be a force to be reckoned with.”  

Keselowski’s dedication to transforming RFK Racing is evident in his meticulous approach to team operations. He believes that attention to detail is crucial for success, stating, “If you don’t like the results, change the processes that create them.”

Why Chris Buescher could be NASCAR’s next big surprise?

Drivers who become well-known in the NASCAR world frequently do so by winning on the greatest stages of the sport or by displaying a moment of genius. But what if the person with the loudest personality or the most spectacular victories isn’t the next great surprise? What if it’s a calm, methodical driver who routinely avoids attention while stealthily racking up victories, podium positions, and admiration from rivals and supporters? Chris Buescher is positioned precisely there.

For many years, Buescher has been a reliable driver in NASCAR, known for his calm manner and understated style. However, he began to emerge from the shadows in 2023 and 2024, becoming one of the Cup Series’ most reliable and unappreciated threats. His ascent is driven by his cool, collected racecraft, which has earned him the moniker “NASCAR’s best-kept secret,” rather than by flair or aggressive headline-grabbing exploits. Buescher’s consistency and reliable performance on a variety of tracks are important elements that propel his potential. He has established himself as a driver who is constantly in the mix thanks to his versatility on road courses, superspeedways, and short tracks, as well as his excellent tire management and long-term strategy. He frequently finishes races in the top 10 without creating a spectacle.

Buescher’s 2023 performance, especially his consecutive wins at Richmond and Michigan, demonstrated that he can contend with and defeat NASCAR’s best drivers despite the odds being against him. Buescher has also benefited from a leadership dynamic with co-owner and colleague Brad Keselowski, which has helped him hone his abilities and racing philosophy. Buescher’s transformation from a possible underachiever to a serious contender has been greatly aided by Keselowski, a champion renowned for his systematic, no-nonsense approach.

Besides, Buescher’s performance on road courses, which many Cup Series drivers find difficult, has demonstrated his versatility. His 2024 victory at Watkins Glen, his first-ever road track triumph, was a game-changer and demonstrated that he is more than just a one-dimensional driver. His consistent development and openness to embracing every facet of the sport show that he is establishing a lasting legacy rather than merely aiming for an occasional victory.

Buescher’s quiet consistency might be the key to future success as NASCAR’s Cup Series transforms with new technologies, regulations, and more competitive racing. Although he isn’t a loud driver, that very quality makes him a dark horse for a championship in the upcoming seasons. Success in NASCAR isn’t always about having the loudest voice or the most eye-catching antics, as the sport has often demonstrated. Being the driver who subtly makes all the right choices when it counts most is the goal. And Chris Buescher might be NASCAR’s next big surprise thanks to his calm demeanor and quiet brilliance.