Chris Buescher races Texas pride in NASCAR at COTA. [Image Source: PROFOOTBALLNETWORK]
Chris Buescher will bring his Texas roots and determination to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) as the NASCARCup Series arrives in Austin for the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix. Driving for RFK Racing, Buescher aims to continue his strong performances on road courses and energize Texas fans with his hometown connection.
A Gradual Rise to NASCAR’s Top Level
Texas once boasted significant representation in NASCAR’s premier division thanks to the achievements of Corpus Christi natives Terry and Bobby Labonte, who earned three Cup championships and 43 wins combined. After their era ended, Texas had fewer standout drivers on the national stage.
Chris Buescher has taken on the role of maintaining that Texas presence. Before joining the Cup Series full-time, he developed his skills by winning championships in Legends retro cars and capturing attention with his smart driving style. His breakthrough came in 2012 with an ARCA series title as a teenager, showcasing his potential early on.
In 2015, Buescher secured the NASCAR Xfinity Serieschampionship, proving he could perform consistently throughout a demanding season amid tough competition. Since then, his Cup Series career has grown steadily, highlighted by six victories, including a recent win at Watkins Glen in 2024.
Buescher remains mindful of how near-wins shape a driver’s memories, stating,
Image of: Chris Buescher
“I feel I’ve had a pretty solid career, but you always think about the close calls and near misses.”
Heading into the Austin race, his season has started well with a seventh-place finish at the Daytona 500 and 15th at Atlanta, placing him 10th in the points standings.
Potential for a Breakthrough at COTA
When NASCAR hits road courses, much of the spotlight falls on Shane van Gisbergen of Trackhouse Racing, who dominated last season by winning five out of six road and street course events. His teammate, Connor Zilisch, also enters the race with a strong reputation in road racing, while Tyler Reddick arrives carrying solid momentum and proven success on similar tracks.
Nonetheless, Chris Buescher’s name belongs in the conversation as well, particularly due to his remarkable consistency. NASCAR Insights records show Buescher has finished on the lead lap in the last 40 road-course races dating back to 2017, setting a new benchmark that exceeds the previous record of 33 held by Hall of Famer Mark Martin.
Road courses were once limited to Sonoma and Watkins Glen, but the NASCAR schedule has expanded to include four such events this season, allowing drivers like Buescher more chances to excel on these demanding circuits. Impressively, he has earned three consecutive top-10 finishes in Cup races held at COTA.
Beyond competition, racing at Austin carries a personal significance for Buescher. The proximity to family and friends adds extra motivation, and he frequently shares the enjoyment of visits to the area. Reflecting on this, he said,
“I always look forward to coming down here. I’ve done Christmas here, New Year’s Eve music on Sixth Street, mountain biking in the Hill Country and we always find our way to Terry Black’s.”
The familiarity and support make the COTA weekend feel unique among his race calendar, and Buescher is eager to capture his first win of the season on home soil.
Chris Buescher has finished on the lead lap in the last 40 consecutive road course races, dating back to Sonoma in 2017
This is the longest lead lap finish streak ever achieved on road courses in NASCAR history. pic.twitter.com/ejOw4ssfdW
