CUP: Top 10 run propels Busch into playoff spot

Kurt Busch claimed a de facto playoff spot following a solid Top 10 run in Saturday’s Pocono Organics CBD 325 at Pocono Raceway.

Busch finished sixth in Saturday’s race and moved up to 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings.

The sixth-place finish is Busch’s fifth Top 10 finish of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. It is also his third consecutive Top 10 finish.

In the last three races, Busch has gained 87 points on Chris Buescher for the final playoff spot. Busch was previously 19th in points, 83 points behind Buescher, but is now four points ahead of Buescher for the spot.

Busch also led 12 laps, won Stage Two and finished seventh in Stage One during Saturday’s race.

Buescher finished 20th in Saturday’s race. He has posted two other finishes outside of the Top 15 in the last three races, including a 36th-place crash-related DNF at Nashville.

Buescher will start on the pole for Sunday’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 (3:30 p.m. ET, TV: NBCSN, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), while Busch will start 14th.

SOURCES:
NASCAR
Racing-Reference.Info