We are officially in the endgame of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, as just four races remain until the playoffs begin in September.
With multiple spots up for grabs, the action remains intense as those on the outside of the cutline look to race their way in, while those hanging onto playoff positions look to preserve them. This past Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway saw one driver — Chris Buescher — clinch his spot in the postseason by notching his first win of the season.
His win, the third of his Cup Series career, has shaken things up a bit in the newest power rankings from Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports. Buescher catapulted his way into the top-10, taking the No. 9 spot in this week’s rankings — one spot ahead of fellow RFK Racing teammate Brad Keselowski.
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Denny Hamlin
- Kyle Busch
- Kyle Larson
- William Byron
- Christopher Bell
- Kevin Harvick
- Ross Chastain
- Chris Buescher
- Brad Keselowski
Retaining the top spot once again is Truex, who stands alone in the points standings as well. Truex finished seventh at Richmond — his third straight top-10 finish. Hamlin, meanwhile, moved up a spot to No. 2 after finishing as the runner-up to Buescher in Sunday’s race.
This Sunday will see the Cup Series’ best battle it out in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Harvick, winless on the season, is the favorite having won a Cup Series-leading six times at Michigan throughout his career. He won at Michigan last season and swept both races in 2020.
Chris Buescher wins NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway
Buescher led 88 laps on his way to conquering the .75-mile oval. He held off Hamlin by a 0.549-second margin to secure the victory, becoming the 12th driver to win a Cup Series race in 2023.
“It was smooth sailing trying to take care of this Fastenal Mustang,” Buescher said after the race, via NASCAR.com. “It was so good and trying to take care of it there, and about the time [crew chief] Scott [Graves] said over the radio ‘It’s working perfect, keep it up,’ and then there’s a caution.
“But we were so strong during the race, I had a good feeling there about it. So awesome to pull it off. I’m proud of everybody. That was a long way from the back.”