Chris Buescher played spoiler at Watkins Glen International Sunday for its NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Debut.
Buescher, driving the No. 17 car which is out of postseason contention, got his first career win on a road course at Go Bowling at The Glen. It was also Buescher’s first trip to victory lane this year.
He held off Shane Van Gisbergen on the final lap to take the checkered flag, which took seven cautions and overtime.
“We've been so good at road courses this whole group. And what that's been for us is second, fourth, fifth, third. That does not compute to a win,” Buescher said. “So to finally get a road course, that's a big, big relief for me personally.
Martin Truex Jr. took Stage 1, while Ross Chastain, who started in pole position, won Stage 2.
Buescher led 19 laps on the afternoon, and quickly adapted to the new tire compound.
“Just a lot of fun to have those discrepancies on short run versus long run speed,” Buescher said. “I think that's a lot of what we've been trying to create in our sport.”
This win is extra special for several members of the No. 17 team. Crew chief Scott Graves grew up not too far from Watkins Glen International.
“I grew up in Union Springs, just on the other side of Cayuga Lake. Great memories, this part of the country. It's a great place to grow up as a kid,” Graves said. “So to me, to win here is really special. It definitely means a lot because I kind of consider this my own home track.”
The victory also ends Hendrick Motorsports' five-race win streak at the Glen.
There's one more race to go in the Round 1 of the playoffs before the postseason field gets cut to 12. That's next week at Bristol Motor Speedway.