Sunoco Rookies look to continue season success at Bristol

Two is company, but three’s a crowd on NASCAR’s Nationwide Series.

Chris Buescher joined fellow first-year full-time drivers Chase Elliot and Ty Dillon as the third Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender to win on the circuit this season after taking the checkered flag in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio. The No. 60 Ford driver snatched the lead on the 66th lap and did not look back on his way to the finish line, adding the car’s 91st win to its Nationwide record.

Quick to move on, Mid-Ohio is now in his rearview as he focuses on capturing his second win in this Friday’s Food City 300 at Bristol (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). He currently ranks seventh in the points standings, 144 behind the leader Elliot.

“Obviously last weekend was really great for this team,” he said. “We had a strong car and were able to come away with our first win. But it’s back to work this weekend at Bristol.”

Elliot and Dillon have winning plans of their own as they try to add a Bristol victory their respective rookie seasons. Dillon, fourth in the standings, currently trails Elliot by 28 points and a victory could go a long way towards closing the gap. Elliot, on the other hand, can increase his grasp on the lead as he attempts to notch his fourth consecutive top-10 finish.

“Bristol is such a neat track, definitely one of our favorites to visit because of the history and the fan support that we get,” said Dillon, who finished sixth in his March visit there. “From a racing stand point, it’s a very technical track and we’ve been gathering a healthy notebook of information. I’ve re-watched some of the past races, spoke with Danny (Stockman, crew chief) and the team and we feel confident about this Friday night’s race.”

The 18-year-old Elliot, who placed ninth in the Nationwide’s last stop at Bristol expressed similar enthusiasm going into the race.

“Bristol is always an exciting place to go and I’m pumped to be back there this weekend. We didn’t have the run we were hoping for in the spring, but we’ve been working hard to improve upon that this go-around. Our goal is to stay in championship form and not let anything get us out of rhythm.”

Buescher’s checkered flag marked the fifth rookie first-place finish this season (Elliot 3, Dillon 1) and the third in the last five races. But can a fourth rookie join the party?

Dylan Kwasniewski, the 12th-ranked driver in the series, will look to do just that, following his eighth place finish at Mid-Ohio.

“Hopefully we can build on this and carry our momentum into Bristol next Friday night under the lights,” Kwasniewski said.