RFK put his Ford Mustangs in the mix all weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the 2024 All-Star Race as Chris Buescher led the way with a third-place finish Sunday night after both cars started in the top five .
While inclement weather dominated the headlines all weekend, Sunday’s 200-lap exhibition event turned out to be perfect, as NASCAR introduced additional strategy options with two different tire options for the teams.
Teams were given four sets of softer (red) tires, along with the normal primary tires, to use throughout the weekend. The softer tires initially proved to be faster in lap times, as NASCAR forced teams to start on those red tires for the 200-lap race. The event featured predetermined breaks in the action on lap 100, where teams had to pit to fit four tires, as well as a final caution on lap 150.
“We stayed with the reds all night, so it worked out pretty well for us,” Buescher said after the race. “I am very proud of our team. Friday wasn’t very good to be honest and they worked really hard and pulled some strings, pushed some buttons and made us a lot better for tonight, so I was proud of that to bring our Fastenal Mustang home in third place.
“I felt like we had a decent chance of making it there. I was able to pace the 22nd pretty well, but in the end it took me too long to get around the 5th car and I couldn’t really see the leaders at that point. It’s a good night on a night where only one position matters, but I’m proud of the group. “It’s good to keep our momentum going and we’ll get up to 600 and win one.”
6 summary
Keselowski’s weekend got off to a solid start as the No. 6 pit crew posted the second-fastest time in the pit crew challenge, which was ultimately rescheduled for Saturday morning. Keselowski finished second overall in that qualifying session, which would have put him on pole for the second heat race.
However, inclement weather would put an end to the pair of heat races, as the qualifying session set the lineup for the main event, placing the No. 6 second on the grid on Sunday night.
Keselowski maintained a top-five position for much of the race in the Ford NEXLIZET, while sitting in third place at the time of the mid-course break. His only pit stop came midway, when the team reverted to softer Goodyear tires. Following the final caution on lap 150, Keselowski restarted sixth with 41 laps remaining, but fell back late to finish 16th.
17 Summary
Buescher would have started third for his heat race on Saturday night, but ultimately lined up fifth for Sunday based on Saturday’s qualifying results and the pit crew challenge.
Just 50 laps later, Buescher demonstrated his speed in the Fastenal Ford by moving into second place, behind the eventual winner in the No. 22. He maintained the P2 position at the midway break and restarted there on lap 109 once The teams put on new tires. .
After a couple of chaotic restarts (the finish came with just over 40 to go), Buescher took advantage of the long run to chase the leaders again and eventually passed the No. 5 in the final five laps to finish third, his best result in the race. Star Event.
Until next time
Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the annual Coca-Cola 600 this weekend with race coverage Sunday at 6 pm ET on FOX, with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
RFK Racing PR
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