Week 24 GFT NASCAR AI Driver Rankings: Buescher Wins at Richmond, Truex Remains P1

30 July 2023
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

RICHMOND, VA — RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher powered his Ford Mustang to victory Sunday at Richmond Raceway in the Cook Out 400 with teammate and team co-owner Brad Keselowski finishing 6th. Buescher was building a significant lead in the closing laps when Daniel Suarez spun bringing out the caution and setting up a restart with 3 laps remaining to secure the first win of the season. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing — Toyota) finished 2nd and Kyle Busch 3rd for RCR Chevrolet.

“It was smooth sailing trying to take care of this Fastenal Mustang,” Buescher said with a smile. “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.‘‘

Week 24 NASCAR GFT Top 25 AI Driver Rankings following the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on July 30, 2023 (Image: GFT Digital / gofullthrottle.net)

Playoff Bubble Clarity
Truex Jr’s 7th place finish at Richmond allowed him to hold onto the top of the GFT Ranking models with Buescher’s win moving him up one spot to P12. Rookie Ty Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing — Toyota) moves up two spots to just outside the cutline at P17, while Wallace and McDowell gain a few points of cushion for the remaining spots with 4 races to go in the regular season: Michigan, Indy Road Course, Walkins Glen, and Daytona.

Chris Buescher, driver of the №17 Fastenal Ford, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. (Image: Jonathan Bachman — Getty Images)

Ford Gets Much Needed Win in Manufactures Battle

GFT NASCAR Manufacturers Box Score after Week 24 Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway

NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer WINS
Chevrolet = 14
Toyota = 8
Ford = 5

“We wanted to finish one-two, that‘s the ultimate goal, but we still had a heck of a day,‘‘ said Keselowski, who finished sixth and won Stage 2.

RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski, driver of the №6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, and crew chief Scott Graves celebrate with Chris Buescher, driver of the №17 Fastenal Ford, in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. (Image: Sean Gardner — Getty Images)

Next Race:
The FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway