Career Timeline of Chris Buescher: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Chris Buescher built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Chris Buescher is a professional American stock car racing driver currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for RFK Racing. He drives the No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Buescher has achieved significant success in his career, including winning the 2012 ARCA Racing Series championship and the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. He is also the cousin of James Buescher, who won the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2005: Started Racing Career

In 2005, Chris Buescher began his professional racing career driving Legends cars in Texas for Speedway Legends, and he won over one hundred races.

2006: Denny Hamlin Rookie Win

In 2006, Denny Hamlin became a rookie to win at Pocono.

2008: Moved to North Carolina and Signed with Roush Fenway Racing

In 2008, Chris Buescher moved to North Carolina to be mentored by David Ragan and signed as a development driver for Roush Fenway Racing.

2009: Competed in ARCA Competition

In 2009, Chris Buescher began competing in ARCA competition.

2009: Joey Logano Wins Race

In 2009, Joey Logano won a race as a Cup Series Rookie of the Year candidate.

2010: Carl Edwards Won Two Consecutive Races

In 2010 Carl Edwards won the final two races of the season.

2011: Nationwide Series Debut

In 2011, Chris Buescher made his debut in NASCAR competition for Roush Fenway Racing, driving two races in the Nationwide Series.

2011: Trevor Bayne Wins Race

In 2011, Trevor Bayne won a race during his part-time rookie season.

2012: ARCA Racing Series Champion

In 2012, Chris Buescher won the ARCA Racing Series championship.

2012: ARCA Series Championship Win

In 2012, Chris Buescher won the ARCA series championship and became the only driver ever to complete every lap in a season of competition in the series.

2013: Return to Nationwide Series

In 2013, Chris Buescher returned to the Nationwide Series, driving in seven races for the team, in addition to a limited ARCA schedule with Roulo Bros. Racing.

2013: Front Row Motorsports Win

In 2013, David Ragan brought Front Row Motorsports its win.

2014: Full-Time in Nationwide Series

In 2014, Chris Buescher moved full-time to the Nationwide Series, driving the No. 60 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing and won the Nationwide Children's Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio.

November 21, 2015: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship

On November 21, 2015, Chris Buescher won his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Homestead–Miami Speedway.

December 10, 2015: Move to Sprint Cup

On December 10, 2015, it was announced that Chris Buescher would move up to Sprint Cup to drive FRM's No. 34 full-time in 2016.

2015: Return to the Xfinity Series

In 2015, Chris Buescher returned to the No. 60 Ford in the newly renamed Xfinity Series and secured his second series win at Iowa Speedway and Dover International Speedway.

2015: NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion

In 2015, Chris Buescher won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

November 29, 2016: Sale of Roush Fenway Charter

On November 29, 2016, Roush Fenway announced the sale of its charter for the No. 16 car to JTG Daugherty Racing, with Buescher taking over the new ride.

December 12, 2016: New Car Number Announcement

On December 12, 2016, the car was officially announced as No. 37.

2016: First playoff appearance since 2016

In 2016 Chris Buescher makes his first playoff appearance, before 2023

2016: Drive FRM's No. 34 full-time in Sprint Cup

In 2016, Chris Buescher would move up to Sprint Cup to drive FRM's No. 34 full-time.

2017: 2017 Season

In 2017, Buescher had a crash in the Daytona 500, finishing 35th, and scored his first top-ten with JTG at Daytona, finishing tenth.

2018: 2018 Season

In 2018, Chris Buescher got his third career top-five at both the February Daytona 500 race and the July Daytona night race and ended the season 24th in points.

September 25, 2019: Buescher to Replace Stenhouse Jr.

On September 25, 2019, Roush Fenway Racing announced that Chris Buescher would replace Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the No. 17 Ford in 2020.

2020: 2020 Season

Chris Buescher started the 2020 season with a third-place finish at the Daytona 500 and finished the season 21st in points, with a career-high eight top-tens.

2020: Replacement of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

In 2020, Chris Buescher replaced Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the No. 17 Ford.

2021: 2021 Season Disqualification

In the 2021 season, Chris Buescher finished second at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, but was disqualified when his car failed post-race inspection due to a rear sub-frame assembly violation.

2023: 2023 Season

During the 2023 season, Chris Buescher had a strong performance, including his first playoff appearance since 2016, back-to-back wins at Richmond and Michigan, and a third win at the Daytona night race, leading to a career-best seventh place finish in the points standings.

2024: 2024 Season

During the 2024 season, Chris Buescher finished second to Kyle Larson by 0.001 seconds at Kansas, had a confrontation with Tyler Reddick during the Goodyear 400, and won at Watkins Glen.