TC Daily Pit Stop: Chris Buescher Snags Statement Win at Richmond; Larson Nudges Hamlin; SVG Intends to Move to NASCAR in 2024; Diaz and Butcher Win CARS Tour Throwbacks at Hickory
TC Daily Pit Stop: Monday, July 31st, 2023
Chris Buescher Survives Late-Race Restart to Triumph in Strategy-Filled Race at Richmond
It was a solid day all around for RFK Racing, and at the end of the day it was Chris Buescher, the driver of the team’s No. 17 Ford Mustang, who pulled into victory lane Sunday at Richmond Raceway.
Buescher became the leader of the race when his teammate Brad Keselowski made a miscue heading to pit road on his final stop of the day. Buescher led 88 of the race’s final 95 laps.
However, he had to endure a late-race restart after a caution with nine laps remaining. On the restart, Buescher hit his marks and held off Denny Hamlin for the win.
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Video: Kyle Larson Nudges Denny Hamlin Out of Way at Richmond
Sure, it’s only been a week, but Kyle Larson showed that he hasn’t forgotten Pocono Raceway yet. Late in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond, Larson — who was a lapped car at the time — caught Denny Hamlin and initiated a nudge to move Hamlin out of his way.
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Shane Van Gisbergen Intending to Make NASCAR Switch for 2024
While it’s been heavily rumored since his NASCAR Cup Series win on the streets of Chicago, following his 81st win in the Australian Supercars event in Sydney, Shane van Gisbergen revealed that he is intending to leave his Triple Eight Race Engineering team to pursue a career in NASCAR in 2024.
“There’s obviously a lot happening in the background, but I’m not leaving because of this team,” said Van Gisbergen on Sunday. “I love this team and, when I leave, I want to make sure that there’s someone here to replace me that’s going to do a good job in the car. You don’t want to leave the team with nothing, and scrambling to find someone. A lot of the good drivers here are signed up, so, yeah, I want to leave with the team in a good spot. Hopefully, the team has someone soon.”
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Mason Diaz and Cole Butcher Pick Up First Career CARS Tour Wins During Hickory Throwback Weekend
Persistence paid off for 23-year-old Mason Diaz, as he scored the first win of his CARS Tour Late Model Stock career in his 40th start in Sunday’s USAR Pro Cup Throwback 125.
"It's been a long road to get here, but I'm excited to get here. I know a lot of people were beginning to forget about me, but finally a CARS Tour winner," Diaz stated following his impactful win.
Diaz got around polesitter Kade Brown with 62 laps remaining in the event and marched to the win.
Prior to Diaz’s win, Cole Butcher snatched his first-career win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model ranks as he dominated the event.
Butcher took the lead on Saturday night before the conclusion of the race was postponed to Sunday due to weather. On Sunday, Butcher, who won the ASA STARS National Tour Redbud 400, led every lap on Sunday.