NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans Respond To Chris Buescher’s Go Bowling At The Glen Last-Lap Drama At Watkins Glen International

By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published16 Sep 2024

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On the second overtime lap, Shane van Gisbergen pushed Chris Buescher’s machine aside to claim the lead of Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen. Moments later, while racing along the carousel at Watkins Glen International, Buescher tapped the rookie aside, capturing the second Round of 16 event in overtime. 

“He was going to get the win,” Scott Graves, the crew chief for Buescher’s No. 17 Ford, told NBC Sports. 

Out of the circuit’s playoff pursuit, Buescher visited Victory Lane for the first race this season and sixth time over the past 10 years. 

“We came here to be spoilers,” he said. 

X (Twitter) users replied to a chaotic road-course event. Chase Briscoe’s P6 proved to be the best finish among the 16 postseason pilots …  

Several drivers may have spoken out against the late-race tactics of some of their peers, but the ending was pure drama. Buescher barely missed out on qualifying for the playoffs, but was denied when Briscoe claimed the regular-season finale at Darlington Raceway … 

Two racers who appreciated good, hard, last-lap racing. Per NASCAR.com, Buescher said: “I thought we lost it there on the last one, but, man, to stay right there with him. 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.” … 

Of the finish, van Gisbergen wrote that he’s “gutted” … 

Before Sunday’s green flag, iconic pilot Juan Pablo Montoya competed in a NASCAR Cup Series event for the first time since 2014 … 

 Montoya certainly had better days … 

Looks like the NASCAR National Series has a rising star as Connor Zilisch became the seventh pilot in Xfinity Series history to win during his debut … 

Ryan Blaney was not pleased with his short work day and he let series officials know his feelings, On Lap 1, the reigning Cup champion who entered the race as the points leader, got caught up in a crash that included several big names, including Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski …  

 Hamlin endured a long road-course adventure … 

Television producers should take note … 

Remember this Watkins Glen moment? … 

William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson were among the playoff drivers involved in altercations Sunday. For the first time in six events at Watkins Glen, a Hendrick Motorsports driver did not take the checkered flag … 

The time when Keselowski looked up and saw Byron’s right front tire …  

Michael McDowell and Zane Smith traded more than words after tangling on the last lap, the cool-down rotation and along pit row … 

Buescher celebrated one of the most memorable moves – and wins – of the Cup campaign … 

The first elimination race is approaching …