“Big Tex” Chris Buescher wins Go Bowling! At the Glen, Larson holds P1 in GFT Rankings

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15 September 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

WATKINS GLEN, NY — Race 2 of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Playoffs Round of 16 saw an epic overtime battle of non-playoff drivers Chris Buescher and Shane van Gisbergen with Buescher prevailing. The win was RFK Racing‘s Chris Buescher’s first career road-course victory at the famed Watkins Glen International.

In the overtime restart, Van Gisbergen took the lead from the second row with a bold three-wide move, but Buescher held SVG’s bumper as the two battled during the final laps. As they entered “The Bus Stop” section Buescher‘s №17 RFK Racing Ford and van Gisbergen‘s №16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet made contact, with Buescher nudging his Mustang inside van Gisbergen‘s Camaro to take the lead and powering to a 0.979-second win over the New Zealander.

“I thought we lost it there on the last one, but, man, to stay right there with him. It was a spot he was better than us, but he just missed it, so I tried to cross over and just hard racing. What an awesome finish. To be that good for so much at the end of the race — all race — to get a win is good. We came here to be spoilers, and we‘re going to do that” said Buescher in Victory Lane.

UPDATED GFT NASCAR DRIVER RANKINGS — after Watkins Glen

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Cup Series AI Driver Rankings following the Go Bowling! At the Glen road course race on September 15, 2024 at Watkins Glen International Raceway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

Kyle Larson’s 4 wins and bank full of playoff points helps him keep his P1 ranking in our GFT Driver Ranking AI models, but he has dropped to 9th on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff grid after a 12th place finish at Watkins Glen.

Joey Logano remains the only Playoff driver officially locked into the Round of 12 after 2 races. Bristol on Saturday night is going to be epic.

GFT NASCAR BOX SCORES

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Cup Series Box Scores following the Go Bowling! At the Glen road course race on September 15, 2024 at Watkins Glen International Raceway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

After 28 Races …
Manufactures Box Score:
Chevrolet = 11
Toyota = 8
Ford = 9

Team Box Score:
Hendrick Motorsports = 9

Driver Box Score:
Kyle Larson = 4 wins

GFT AI NASCAR Fantasy LIVE — back in the top 15%

Our models scored 154 points at The Glen, with the GFT AI model remaining in the top 15% of all players (14.21%) in the TMD NASCAR Fantasy Live League.

Looking Ahead: The Next Race

Saturday, Sep. 21–7:00 PM ET
Bass Pro Shops Night Race
Bristol Motor Speedway

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Bob Francis - Go Full Throttle Racing News

Go Full Throttle reporters and editors bring you news & commentary on NASCAR, F1, IndyCar, and World of Outlaws. Member: National Motorsports Press Association