Buescher: ‘(The Cup drivers) are really aggressive … I need to learn from that’
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Every outing is a learning experience for NASCAR XFINITY Series point leader Chris Buescher.
Saturday’s Great Clips 250 benefiting Paralyzed Veterans of America at Michigan International Speedway was no different.
In a race that saw Sprint Cup Series regular Kyle Busch return to Victory Lane and defending XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott finish second, Buescher had to fight to regain ground lost late in the season’s 13th race.
“It was one of those days where we just lost a lot of momentum on restarts, and that’s on me,” the Roush Fenway Racing driver said after battling back to finish fourth at MIS and speaking briefly with team co-owner Jack Roush. “I’ve got to get better.
“You bring all these Cup guys in and they’re really aggressive and they know how to do it and I need to learn from that. I need to figure out what they’re doing better than I am.”Buescher battles back for fourth-place finish at Michigan
Buescher led twice for 23 laps in the 125-lap race. He inherited the lead on Lap 94 when then-leader Joey Logano and a handful of others hit pit road for fuel under caution. He held the top spot until Logano’s Team Penske Ford shot between Buescher and Busch to regain top spot on Lap 106.
Although he slipped back several positions, additional restarts and a fast car enabled Buescher to pick his way back through the field. But the winner of two of the past three races prior to Michigan couldn’t pull off the comeback.
“A lot of (what you learn) is just where to position yourself,” he said. “The outside had a huge advantage. When we were leading there, I let the 54 (of Busch) get to the outside of me. That’s on me. I didn’t need to let that happen. I’m not a fan of blocking, I think it’s part of it; you have to do a little bit of it to salvage these restarts.”
Contact between Logano and Kevin Harvick in the closing laps allowed Elliott to move to the point and Busch to second. With three laps remaining, Busch powered his way into the lead.
Buescher didn’t know if he’d have enough time to make a run at the leader as the laps wound down, noting “I knew it’d be close.” But he enjoyed having the car under him that at least gave him a chance.
“I told the guys with about 25 to go that this was fun,” Buescher said. “This is how we need to show up to the races each week.
“It was awesome and they did a heck of a job and it is a great points day but I really wish we had a chance to run for the win there.”
Buescher now leads Ty Dillon (who finished 13th at Michigan) by 25 points. Elliott, Regan Smith and Darrell Wallace round out the top five.
The series now moves to Chicagoland Speedway for the June 20th event under the lights at the 1.5-mile track.