Buescher’s No. 17 NASCAR Ford Holds Off SVG At The Glen

Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse, did something that very few drivers can say they’ve done. He made road course ace Shane Van Gisbergen sweat in the closing laps at Watkins Glen on September 15^th, 2024 – enough to make the Australian Supercars champion slip up, opening the door for Buescher to complete the pass for the lead just before the checkered flag dropped.

An insanely chaotic race culminated in a pair of Overtime attempts. Van Gisbergen swept three-wide to claim the lead on the final restart with Buescher in hot pursuit, and the two Cup Series drivers made contact in the infamous “bus stop” turn. Van Gisbergen attempted to block Buescher after getting loose, but Buescher had the advantage, bodying past the No. 16 Chevy Camaro ZL1 on his way to the checkered flag.

“Oh man, it was such a good Ford Mustang, speed was so great and long run speed phenomenal,” said Buescher. “I thought we lost it there on the last one but, man, to stay right there with [Van Gisbergen]. It was a spot he was better than us, but he just missed it so I tried to cross over and just hard racing. What an awesome finish. To be that good for so much at the end of the race – all race – to get a win is good.”

The victory is bittersweet for Buescher, who narrowly missed out on competing in the postseason Playoffs.

Aside from Buescher’s win, it wasn’t a stellar day for the rest of the NASCAR Ford teams. Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Mustang wrecked on the opening lap, and he finished dead last. Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 Mustang was also swept up in the crash, along with Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Mustang. Briscoe salvaged a sixth-place finish, while Michael McDowell followed him in seventh in the No. 34 Mustang.

# – Rookie
i – Points ineligible
* – Part-time driver
P – Playoffs eligible