Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher looking to snap Chase rookie drought
Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher can become the second and third NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookies to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The last Rookie of the Year candidate to earn a spot in NASCAR’s playoff system was Denny Hamlin in 2006.
It has been ten years since a NASCAR rookie made the Chase for the Sprint Cup. A few drivers have come close, but none have been this close as Elliott is all but a guarantee to make the Chase while Buescher needs to stay inside the top-30 in points and cash in on his win at Pocono Raceway earlier this year.
For many it isn’t a surprise that Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, is in contention to earn a spot in NASCAR’s playoffs in just his first year. Chase has racked up an impressive seven top-five finishes, 13 top-ten finishes, 163 laps led and two poles in his rookie season.
Many thought that Elliott would be the first rookie to find victory lane this season, but that wasn’t the case. Chris Buescher shocked everyone with a rain shortened race victory at Pocono Raceway in August to place him in serious contention to make the Chase.
Now each driver’s focus shifts to Richmond International Raceway, where after qualifying, both find themselves starting further back then they would prefer.
Elliott will start 34th while Buescher will start 31st. For Buescher, that starting spot will be difficult to overcome on the small 3/4-mile track at Richmond. David Ragan, who is 31st in points and the driver that Buescher must stay in front of will start 21st.
For NASCAR, it will be fantastic to see a ten year drought of rookies not in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Not only will the break the drought, but there is a good possibility that two rookies will make the Chase.
Now the pressure will be on them to run well and keep advancing through the elimination rounds. How does a rookie as a Sprint Cup Champion sound? It could happen.
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