In the cutthroat world of NASCAR, it’s often the fastest machinery—not just the most skilled drivers—that dominate victory lane. But what happens when a driver consistently outperforms their equipment, delivering wins and top-tier performances that fly under the radar? Enter Chris Buescher, the quiet force at RFK Racing who is now being hailed as one of the most underrated talents in the NASCAR Cup Series.
On a recent episode of The Teardown podcast, renowned NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck didn’t mince words when singling out Buescher for his impressive—and largely unappreciated—prowess on the track. His co-host, Jordan Bianchi, doubled down, referencing none other than Kevin Harvick’s admiration for Buescher’s talent.
“Criminally Underrated” Talent
Gluck’s praise for Buescher was emphatic, particularly highlighting his versatility:
“I think it’s a big statement for him that he’s able to win on a road course. He’s able to finish that off. I just think this guy is, I don’t know how to say, criminally underrated, but vastly underrated.”
This wasn’t just empty hype. Buescher has demonstrated a rare ability to win across various track types—road courses, superspeedways, and short tracks—making him one of the most adaptable drivers in the series.
Kevin Harvick’s Seal of Approval
Jordan Bianchi echoed Gluck’s sentiment, pointing out that Buescher’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed by some of NASCAR’s greats. In a conversation about the RFK Racing star’s road course skills, 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick had this to say:
“This guy’s so underrated. People don’t realize how good he is at every kind of track.”
That’s high praise coming from a future Hall of Famer like Harvick, underscoring Buescher’s ability to extract the maximum from his car, no matter the situation.
Mastering Every Track
Buescher’s track record speaks for itself. The No. 17 Ford driver has found victory at Daytona, short tracks, and road courses, showcasing his adaptability and skill. His success isn’t limited to just speed but also smart, calculated driving that keeps him in contention even when his car isn’t the fastest on the grid.
“Just takes care of his stuff, puts himself in contention, always gets the most out of his car,” Bianchi noted. “He is a championship-level driver in the right situation.”
The Roadblock: NASCAR’s Playoff Format
Despite his undeniable talent, Buescher’s 2024 campaign highlighted the brutal realities of NASCAR’s current playoff structure. Without a regular-season win, Buescher couldn’t lock himself into the playoffs, making his championship ambitions an uphill battle. This harsh system penalizes drivers like Buescher, who maximize their equipment but don’t always have the dominant car needed to secure consistent wins.
RFK Racing’s X-Factor
RFK Racing’s resurgence in recent years has been partly attributed to Buescher’s leadership and consistent performances, even with former champion Brad Keselowski as his teammate. If the team can deliver consistently competitive cars, Buescher could not only win more races but also position himself as a serious title contender.
A Championship Dream
Buescher has shown he has the skills to succeed at the highest level of NASCAR, but his path to a championship depends on RFK Racing’s ability to deliver the tools he needs. With glowing endorsements from Harvick, journalists, and fans alike, the spotlight is finally beginning to find Buescher.
Should RFK capitalize on this momentum and build championship-caliber cars, Buescher’s name could soon be etched alongside NASCAR’s greats. Until then, he remains a hidden gem—criminally underrated but poised for greatness.
