RFK Racing embraces the underdog status after Chris Buescher’s triumph
RFK Racing has been the most improved team of the 2023 season and is currently the most in-form side.
Brad Keselowski, Scott Graves and Chris Buescher (Credits: @RFKracing/Twitter)
RFK Racing’s No:17 Ford Mustang driver Chris Buescher secured back-to-back wins for the first time in the team’s history since 2009 when NASCAR legend Matt Kenseth did the same. It also helped them establish themselves as the most improved team in the garage in the Next-Gen era and probably the best Ford team of the season.
Following the win, the No:17 team crew chief Scott Graves said he likes the idea of them being the underdogs when asked about it in the post-race press conference. He said he likes being under the radar and producing solid results and added that he is looking forward to being one of the contenders.
“I kind of like being an underdog. I like being under the radar a little bit where people aren’t looking at you, I guess. Not one to have a lot of attention. Maybe that’s where it fits. I also know with a couple wins, it’s kind of hard to hide at that point (smiling),” Graves said.
“We won’t be able to live with that underdog, I guess, kind of name very long obviously with the way we’ve been running here. If we were underdogs to this point, that’s good. Like I say, it fits with my personality. We also look forward to being one of the contenders,” Graves added.
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Scott Graves wants the No:17 crew to be looked at as a top team
While embracing the underdog status, Graves has bigger ambitions. He wants the team to become one of the top team’s in the series and regular contenders. Graves added that he is happy with the good attention his team has earned the last two Cup weekends.
“I’d be proud if people look at the 17 and think that’s one of the top teams. That’s where we want to be. The last couple weeks, what we’ve done, beat people outright, that gets some attention, but it’s good attention. Definitely happy with that part of it,” Scott Graves said.
RFK’s achievement so far in the 2023 season is no small feat considering the defending Champion Joey Logano’s manufacturing team has been struggling to field cars competitive enough to contenders every weekend.
Legendary team Stewart Haas Racing is going winless with three of their drivers being out of the playoff conversation, alongside Austin Cindric, 2022 Rookie of the Year, of Team Penske, paints a picture of their concerning situation.
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