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NASCAR: Five Lessons Learned From The Pure Michigan 400

By Michael Guadalupe

Aug 28, 2016; Brooklyn, MI, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) leads Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) as the race begins during the Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Brooklyn, MI, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) leads Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) as the race begins during the Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2016; Long Pond, PA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Chris Buescher stands on pit road during a red flag during the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Chris Buescher had a great win at Pocono but will be irrelvant if he even makes the Chase. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

Chris Buescher Will Not Be a Factor in The Chase

Chris Buescher won a rain-shortened race at Pocono and was able to put himself in Chase contention after having some solid finishes leading up to this week’s race at Michigan.

Buescher runs for an under-funded team and is an extreme underdog in the sport of NASCAR, which will greatly impact his chances in the Chase, if he makes the post-season.

His results this week at Michigan were just another reminder of how if this rookie driver somehow manages to make the Chase, he will be a non-factor and will be gone by the first round.

Buescher ran into issues by Lap 4 of Sunday’s race and by Lap 27 he was scored in 40th, which was last place.

He finished the race in 35th and is still in the top 30 in points, but there are still two races left in the regular season and if Buescher has another race day like he did on Sunday, he won’t make it into the Chase.

And even if he does manage to make it into the Chase, the reality is that this under-funded team simply can’t compete or keep up with the other drivers in the Chase. If they are struggling to stay in the top 30 now, what chance do they have of making it out of the first round in the post-season?

It was a nice thought and something fantastic to see Chris Buescher win the second race at Pocono this season, but Michigan was a dose of reality. He and the 34 team will be lucky to make the Chase and even if they do, Buescher doesn’t have a chance of making it out of the first round or even being a factor in the post-season.

Next: A Step in The Right Direction

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