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Buescher Upsets at Watkins Glen in Chaotic NASCAR Playoff Race
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — The NASCAR race at Watkins Glen International took a dramatic turn when William Byron’s Chevrolet skidded off the track, crashing into Brad Keselowski’s car. This incident occurred during a tense battle for position between two drivers competing in the playoffs.
Unfortunately for Ryan Blaney, the reigning 2023 NASCAR champion, his day ended prematurely. He was knocked out just moments into the race when his Ford was involved in an early crash, forcing his team to tow the damaged vehicle to the garage against his wishes.
The chaos didn’t stop with Blaney. Other playoff contenders like Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Harrison Burton also faced misfortunes on the road course, significantly impacting their standings as the playoffs continue.
Truex, who has already announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of this season, expressed his frustrations with the reckless driving he witnessed throughout the race.
“I just don’t understand how guys can call themselves the best in the world when they drive through everyone on restarts at the end of the races,” Truex lamented. “It is what it is, these days. I’m out of here.”
While the championship contenders struggled, Chris Buescher seized the opportunity and claimed victory at Watkins Glen International. Buescher’s win came as a surprise to many, as he led a pack of five non-playoff drivers to the finish line, shaking up the playoff standings.
The tumultuous race on the 2.45-mile course introduced new dynamics to the playoff landscape, especially as it was the first time the road course has been included in the playoffs, which will revert to an August date next year. Buescher managed to fend off Shane van Gisbergen in a thrilling final sprint, securing his place among the season’s victors.
Chase Briscoe, entering the race ranked 16th in the playoff standings, finished sixth, making him the highest-placed playoff driver of the day. With four drivers set to be cut from contention as they head into the next race, Briscoe’s performance earned him a spot at 11th in the standings, now six points above the cutline.
Despite the challenges, Briscoe is in a better position, with Hamlin, Keselowski, Truex, and Burton sitting below the cutline. Austin Cindric managed to finish in the top ten, marking him as the second playoff driver in the top spots, while over half of the playoff drivers found themselves among the bottom finishers.
The race’s early moments set the tone for what would be a tumultuous event. Following the crash involving Blaney, several other playoff drivers, including Hamlin and Christopher Bell, faced setbacks. Ultimately, 11 playoff drivers encountered various issues throughout the race.
Source: AP News
