FireKeepers Casino 400 highlights: Chris Buescher wins big at Michigan
The NASCAR Cup Series' August schedule continued with the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, and we had you covered with all the action as drivers returned to the track Monday in Brooklyn, Michigan.
In the end, it was Chris Buescher who came out on top after the lengthy delay — the race began Sunday but was postponed after 74 laps due to rainy weather. His win Monday marks the first time a RFK Racing driver has won multiple races in a single season since 2017, when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won at Talladega and at Daytona.
It was the 23rd race of the season, and the stakes were high with playoffs right around the corner.
[Related: Who's in? Who's out? NASCAR Cup Series has 4 playoff spots open with 4 races left]
You can find a full list of winners so far this year, as well as the season's remaining schedule here.
Here are the top moments!
Green
After a short weather delay, things got underway in Michigan. Christopher Bell, who checked in at No. 6 in our latest NASCAR power rankings, began in the top spot — his second pole in the past four races.
Ross Chastain led the opening six laps, but Martin Truex Jr. was pressuring him right out of the gate for the top spot.
Elsewhere, Kyle Busch was the first car out of the race early after going for an unexpected spin that left him with heavy damage.
Double trouble
Chase Elliott was the next driver to have his day cut short after losing control and crashing in the first stage.
That brought out the second caution of the day.
Truex takes Stage 1
The green flag came back out with six laps to go in Stage 1, which Truex won with ease — his 60th career stage win.
Right behind him was Bubba Wallace, followed by Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson, respectively. It was a crucial stage for a handful of playoff bubble drivers, as Wallace and Gibbs, among others, both gained significant stage points.
Elsewhere, William Byron slapped the wall on the Turn 4 exit, ending his race early after the damage vehicle policy (DVP) clock expired on him.
Miscues
Byron wasn't alone, however, as Josh Berry's day was also cut short after bringing out a caution.
Heating up
The green flag was back out on Lap 56. It was short-lived, as Bell wrecked while trying to take the lead from Alex Bowman.
Delayed
The field was brought down to pit road in Stage 2 due to incoming rain. Reddick was in the lead at that time.
Bowman, Larson, Truex, Erik Jones, Austin Cindric, Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Wallace and Denny Hamlin — in that order — made up the rest of the top 10 at the time of the delay. The race was then postponed to Monday afternoon.
Race resumes
Things resumed Monday with 118 total laps left in the race — 38 laps in Stage 2 and 18 laps to the half-point mark.
Follow the leader!
Wallace took the lead late in the second stage, sending an early statement to the rest of the field.
Not so fast
Then, Daniel Suárez took the top spot after two excellent turns on the restart allowed him to pass Wallace entering Turn 3.
Too fast
However, it was Truex who secured the win in Stage 2, blowing past Suárez with ease in the stage's final moments.
Tough break
Trouble struck Bowman after he got turned into Todd Gilliland by Chase Briscoe. The green flag returned with 67 laps left.
All-out effort
It came down to the wire in this one, as Truex and Buescher battled to the very last possible moment. Buescher's lead was seven tenths of a second with seven laps to go, but Truex was doing everything he could to run him down again.
Winner!
In the end, Buescher was able to hold off Truex and on to the lead and secure the big-time win.
PRE-RACE
Setting the stage
Longtime Detroit Lions fullback Cory Schlesinger gave the command for drivers to start their engines.
Star power
Ahead of the action, FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass broke down what and who to watch out for in Sunday's race.
