Chris Buescher plays spoiler at Watkins Glen in chaotic NASCAR playoff race

Chris Buescher won Sunday at Watkins Glen International, leading a string of five non-playoff drivers to the finish in a NASCAR Cup race marred by late wrecks, shredded tires, and busted parts among the championship contenders. Buescher held off Shane van Gisbergen in the thrilling two final overtime laps to play spoiler and win for the first time this season for RFK Racing. The 31-year-old Texan has six career victories.

Chase Briscoe, who entered 16th in the playoff standings and 21 points behind the cutline, was sixth and the highest-finishing playoff driver in the field in the second race in NASCAR’s postseason. Four drivers will be cut from the field Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. Austin Cindric was 10th, only the second playoff driver in the top 10.



Want to find the contenders? Look all the way to the bottom of the race results. Ten playoff drivers were dumped in the bottom 21 finishers.The race was bedlam for the contenders from the start, when a wreck on the opening lap knocked out Ryan Blaney that also involved fellow playoff drivers and Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Hamlin and Christopher Bell.

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