Chris Buescher out after loose wheel, early wreck
LAS VEGAS — Chris Buescher pitted for two tires on lap 11 and restarted as the leader three laps later.
What looked like a smart pit decision went quickly awry 13 laps later on lap 27 of 267.
“Nothing said that was coming. Just happened all of a sudden.”
Buescher’s wheel came apart in turn one, causing him to smack the wall hard. He was running seventh before that happened.
“I was doing alright, holding my own with the drivers around me on four tires. We’re out way too early,” Buescher said.
The team ruled Buescher out of the race after 27 laps after they found the car had “catastrophic” suspension damage.
The caution for his wreck turned to a red flag to repair the wall.
Meanwhile, at the infield care center, Buescher confirmed he was OK and learned his hit broke part of the wall.
“I broke part of the wall? That was not on my list,” Buescher said. “Fortunately, I’ve hit a lot harder and in a lot worse situations. It was a good lick but my group does a good job to keep me in a safe space.”
NASCAR spokesperson Mike Forde posted on social media about the red flag.
“Had planned to have the welding truck park right up against the wall for repair, and keep race yellow for a hopeful quick fix. Once truck arrived, it realized it needed to park on apron, which would add time. Rather than extend caution, decided to red flag it.”
Chris Buescher and the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field head to Phoenix Raceway next Sunday, March 3 for the Shriners Children 500. The green flag will fly just after 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN affiliates and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com