The Go Bowling at The Glen delivered the chaos, drama, and edge-of-your-seat action that fans have come to expect from NASCAR’s road courses. On September 15, 2024, Chris Buescher stole the spotlight, taking his first-ever road course victory in a nail-biting overtime battle. In a race filled with high-speed drama, playoff shakeups, and pivotal moments, Buescher’s aggressive last-lap move on road-course ace Shane van Gisbergen defined the day.
The Overtime Thriller
The race went into overtime after multiple incidents on the track. Shane van Gisbergen, known for his mastery of road courses and fresh off a successful NASCAR debut last season, took the lead in a bold three-wide move during the final restart. However, Chris Buescher’s No. 17 RFK Racing Ford stayed glued to his bumper.
In a heart-stopping moment at the Bus Stop chicane, Buescher and van Gisbergen made contact, sending sparks flying. Van Gisbergen briefly pulled ahead, but he clipped the inside wall at the Esses, opening the door for Buescher to make a daring pass on the inside. Buescher powered through the final section, crossing the line 0.979 seconds ahead of van Gisbergen .
“We came here to be spoilers,” Buescher declared, reflecting on the race. “What an awesome finish. We were so strong all day, and to pull off the win feels incredible.”
For van Gisbergen, it was a tough loss. “Driver error,” he admitted. “I knew Buescher would send it, and I just didn’t hold it together. It’s frustrating, but we’ll be back.” Despite the setback, van Gisbergen showcased why he’s one of the most formidable road course drivers, finishing second.
Playoff Shakeups
This race was a crucial one in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and the results threw the playoff standings into chaos. Ryan Blaney, who led the points going into Watkins Glen, saw his race end on Lap 1 after being caught in a six-car pileup. Playoff contenders Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Christopher Bell also fell victim to the melee .
Chase Briscoe emerged as the highest-finishing playoff driver, securing sixth place, while Austin Cindric managed to grab a 10th-place finish. Other playoff drivers, like Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson, were mired deep in the pack after multiple incidents. Hendrick Motorsports, which had dominated Watkins Glen in recent years, saw its five-race winning streak snapped .
Strategy, Chaos, and Pit Road Penalties
The race saw its fair share of green-flag pit stops and strategic moves, but it was the accidents and penalties that defined the day for many. Brad Keselowski was hit with multiple penalties, including an uncontrolled tire, while Kyle Larson suffered a penalty for vehicle interference during pit stops .
Ross Chastain, who started on the pole, led significant portions of the race and claimed the second stage victory. However, he couldn’t fend off the late-race charge from Buescher and van Gisbergen .
Notable Finishes and What’s Next
Carson Hocevar finished third, a strong performance from the young driver. Ross Chastain and Zane Smith rounded out the top five, while Michael McDowell, Corey LaJoie, and Ryan Preece also cracked the top 10 .
With the Watkins Glen madness in the rearview mirror, all eyes turn to the next playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway. As the playoff picture becomes clearer, expect more aggressive racing and perhaps another spoiler like Buescher to upset the field.