NASCAR XFINITY Series standings leader Chris Buescher is exemplyfying the old saying, “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
With just two races left in the season, Buescher holds a 24-point lead on defending series title-winner Chase Elliott. The No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing driver will continue his bid to take Elliott’s crown in Saturday’s DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans at Phoenix International Raceway (4 p.m. ET on NBCSN).
Buescher can capture the XFINITY Series championship at Phoenix if he leaves the one-mile track 49 points ahead of second-place, whether it’s Elliott, Ty Dillon (-30 points) or Regan Smith (-31). Past performance by Buescher at Phoenix indicates he is unlikely to earn the title on Saturday. In three starts in the Arizona desert, the 23-year-old Texan has an average finish of 13.7 and has never placed in the top 10.
“We just need two more solid races to wrap this thing up,” Buescher said. “Phoenix is a unique race track that I really want to have a good race at. I like short track racing and feel that this will be a good weekend for us.”
Elliott has been better than Buescher at Phoenix, posting one top five and three top 10s for an average finish of 7.0 in his three starts there. He enters the weekend on a five-race top-10 finish streak.
The No. 9 Chevrolet driver has not given up on repeating as champion.
“I can’t wait to get back on the track this weekend and give it our best,” Elliott said. “My NAPA team has been very solid and we need to finish out the year on a high note. No regrets.”
- Denny Hamlin grabs third Cup win of the season at Dover - April 29, 2024
- Ryan Truex wins second straight Xfinity race at Dover - April 28, 2024
- Kyle Busch edges Ryan Blaney for Dover Cup pole - April 27, 2024