Countdown to Daytona 2026 - 17 Days

By Adam Carabine

Counting down the final 30 days to the 2026 Daytona 500, we are looking at last year's Top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Today's driver: Chris Buescher

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

No. 17 Car – RFK Racing

2025 Stats

Standings	17th
Wins	0
Points	889
Stage Points	95
Stage Wins	2
Laps Led	47
Lead Lap Finishes	28
Average Finish	14.3
DNFs	2
Races since last win	44

What Does Success Look Like in 2026?

Chris Buescher is a driver that should be in the playoffs.  He finished one spot out of the playoffs last season, and while the format has changed, he still belongs in The Chase.  Whether he can get a win or not doesn’t matter quite as much, but a successful season for Buescher and the 17 team would be to get into The Chase.

Best-Case Scenario in 2026?

Buescher is two years removed from a three-win season – the best of his career so far.  Was it lightning in a bottle? Was it a lucky year? This might be the year for Buescher to answer those questions definitively – one way or the other.  Best-case is he returns to his winning ways and earns a couple of wins.  Three seems steep in this field, but two would be best.

Most Likely Outcome in 2026?

Buescher is most likely to be on that Playoff/Chase bubble throughout the whole of the year, with it coming down to the final regular season race at Daytona to determine his fate.  It could go either way.  He might need some other things to go right with a growing program at RFK Racing – if the equipment is up to par, he might be able to do good things.

Bold Prediction?

Buescher wins three races again this year.