Chase hopeful Chris Buescher battling early Michigan setback

Rea White

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Chase hopeful Chris Buescher battling early Michigan setback image

Chris Buescher entered Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 on a good run. 

He moved into the top 30 in the standings, a needed position, after finishing fifth in Bristol’s rain-delayed race last Sunda y. Then he started 21st at Michigan, putting him in position to hold that spot. But by the race’s fourth lap, he was radioing his Front Row Motorsports team of a potential engine issue. 

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For Buescher, that could be critical. During the competition caution on Lap 20, the team worked frantically to fix the problem. 

Buescher lost a lap during the pit stops in an effort to fix the car. The team was still working on the car when the field went green on Lap 26. 

He was also continuing to have problems, though his team told him to stay out until a caution in an effort to make up some ground, or at least to lose as little as possible. 

After winning at Pocono earlier this season, Buescher needs to be in the top 30 after the upcoming race at Richmond in order to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field. With only three races remaining, including Sunday’s showdown at Michigan, before the field is set, he’s essentially in a one-on-one battle with David Ragan to take that spot in the top 30. 

Ragan entered the race 13 points behind Buescher in those standings; Regan Smith was another 22 points back. 

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But five laps into the race on Sunday, Buescher was running 40th.

He didn't end up faring much better. Buescher finished 35th and watched his lead over Ragan in the top 30 dwindle to seven points with two races remaining before the Chase begins. 

Rea White