Christopher William Buescher Bio
Christopher William Buescher, born October 29, 1992, is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing. Buescher is the 2012 ARCA Racing Series champion and the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. He is also the cousin of 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion James Buescher.
Early Life and Background
Christopher William Buescher was born in Prosper, Texas, USA. He grew up in a family with a racing background, with his father Jim Buescher and mother Donna Buescher supporting his early interest in motorsports. Buescher began his professional racing career in 2005, competing in Legends cars in Texas, where he won over one hundred races. His early exposure to racing and success in Legends cars laid the foundation for his professional career.
In 2008, Buescher moved to North Carolina to advance his career and was mentored by NASCAR Cup Series driver David Ragan. He signed as a development driver for Roush Fenway Racing, which marked a significant step in his progression toward national racing series competition.
Path to NASCAR
Buescher began competing in the ARCA Racing Series in 2009, where he demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill. In 2012, he won the ARCA Racing Series championship, becoming the only driver to complete every lap in a season in the series. This achievement highlighted his endurance and racecraft, attracting attention from higher-tier NASCAR teams.
He made his NASCAR debut in the Nationwide Series (now Xfinity Series) in 2011 with Roush Fenway Racing, running part-time before moving to a full-time schedule in 2014. His success in ARCA and the Xfinity Series paved the way for his eventual promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series.
Christopher William Buescher Career
Early Career (2005–2012)
Buescher’s early career was marked by dominance in Legends car racing in Texas, where he won over one hundred races. His move to North Carolina and mentorship under David Ragan helped him transition to ARCA competition, where he competed from 2009 onward. His crowning achievement in this period was winning the 2012 ARCA Racing Series championship, completing every lap of every race that season.
During this time, Buescher also began competing in select NASCAR Nationwide Series races, gaining valuable experience in national stock car racing.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2011–2015)
Buescher debuted in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2011, running two races for Roush Fenway Racing. He returned in 2013 for a limited schedule and moved to full-time competition in 2014, driving the No. 60 Ford. That year, he scored his first series win at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio.
In 2015, Buescher had a standout season, winning races at Iowa Speedway and Dover International Speedway. He secured the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship that year, holding off strong competitors to claim the title. This championship solidified his reputation as a rising star in NASCAR.
NASCAR Cup Series Career (2015–Present)
Buescher made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2015, driving the No. 34 Ford for Front Row Motorsports at Fontana. He filled in for David Ragan and finished 20th. Later that year, he ran five additional Cup races for the team. In 2016, Buescher moved up to the Cup Series full-time, driving the No. 34 car. Despite early challenges including multiple crashes, he earned his first Cup Series victory at Pocono Raceway, becoming the first rookie since 2009 to win a race while competing for the Rookie of the Year award.
In 2017, Buescher joined JTG Daugherty Racing, driving the No. 37 car. He recorded his first top-ten finish with the team at Daytona and continued to improve his consistency. In 2019, he replaced Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the No. 17 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. Buescher showed steady progress, achieving multiple top-ten finishes and a career-high eight top-tens in the 2020 season.
In 2021, Buescher finished second at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona but was disqualified due to a technical violation. The 2022 season included a dramatic crash at the Coca-Cola 600 where his car rolled five times, but he escaped uninjured. He earned his second career Cup Series win at Bristol that year. In 2023, Buescher won three races, including Richmond, Michigan, and the Daytona night race, advancing to the Round of 8 in the playoffs and finishing a career-best seventh in points.
In 2024, Buescher continued competing with RFK Racing, finishing second at Kansas in the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history and winning at Watkins Glen. He faced penalties following the Kansas race but remained a competitive presence on the circuit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Christopher Buescher is known for his consistent driving style and strong racecraft, particularly on superspeedways and intermediate tracks. His strategic pit decisions and ability to manage races under pressure have contributed to his success. His partnership with crew chief Scott Graves has been instrumental in refining his performance and achieving key victories.
Notable Races and Milestones
Buescher’s first Cup Series win at Pocono Raceway in 2016 was a defining moment, marking a milestone for both him and Front Row Motorsports. His dramatic crash at the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 and subsequent recovery showcased his resilience. The back-to-back wins in 2023 at Richmond and Michigan highlighted his growth and competitiveness at the highest level of NASCAR.
Christopher William Buescher Career Wins
Throughout his career, Christopher Buescher has accumulated significant wins across multiple NASCAR series. His championship titles in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series underscore his talent and consistency. In the NASCAR Cup Series, he has secured multiple race victories, including notable wins at Pocono, Bristol, Richmond, Michigan, and Daytona.
NASCAR Cup Series Highlights
Buescher’s first Cup Series victory came at Pocono Raceway in 2016 during his rookie season. He earned his second win at Bristol in 2022, ending a five-year winless streak for his team. In 2023, Buescher achieved three wins, including at Richmond and Michigan, marking the first time RFK Racing won consecutive races since 2010. These victories contributed to his career-best seventh-place finish in the season standings.
Other Wins & Performances
In the ARCA Racing Series, Buescher won the championship in 2012, completing every lap of the season. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he won the championship in 2015 with multiple race wins. His early success in Legends car racing included over one hundred victories, demonstrating his competitive edge from a young age.
Christopher William Buescher Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Christopher Buescher comes from a family with racing ties. He is the cousin of James Buescher, the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion. His parents, Jim and Donna Buescher, supported his early racing endeavors, contributing to his development as a professional driver.
Personal Life
Buescher married Emma Buescher in 2018. The couple resides on a micro-farm near New London, North Carolina, where they enjoy an active lifestyle with their daughter Charley, born in 2022. They are also involved in community activities, including volunteering with the local humane society in Albemarle.
2025 Season Performance
Christopher Buescher began the 2025 season with a tenth-place finish at the Daytona 500. Following the Kansas race, his team faced an L1 penalty for a technical infraction, resulting in points deductions, a fine, and a crew chief suspension. Despite these challenges, Buescher remains a competitive driver for RFK Racing, aiming to build on his previous successes and contend for wins throughout the season.
