Chris Buescher Signs Multi-Year Extension With RFK Racing, Locking In NASCAR’s Most Consistent Ford Driver
RFK Racing announced Tuesday that Chris Buescher has signed a multi-year contract extension, keeping the No. 17 Ford driver locked in as one of NASCAR’s most consistent Cup Series performers.
Chris Buescher has put an end to speculation about his future in NASCAR, committing to RFK Racing with a multi-year contract extension announced Tuesday. The deal secures the No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driver’s place with the organization where he has spent the bulk of his professional career, locking in one of the sport’s most consistent performers as RFK Racing eyes a championship run.
Buescher, 33, has been with RFK Racing since 2020 and is now in his 11th full-time NASCAR Cup Series season. Over that span, he has developed into a legitimate weekly threat regardless of track type — a quality that has drawn praise across the industry and made him one of the most universally respected drivers in the garage. His journey with the organization has been one of steady growth, culminating in his best years as a professional in 2023 and 2024.
A Career Built on Consistency and Clutch Performances
Buescher’s breakout stretch came in 2023, when he won three races in a five-race span, a run that rocketed him into championship relevance and landed him a seventh-place finish in the final standings. He followed that up in 2024 with a victory at Watkins Glen — his sixth career Cup Series win — proving he can deliver in high-stakes moments. It was a result that made him just the third driver of the Next Gen era to win on four different track types, an achievement that underlines the range he brings to competition.
In the 2026 season, Buescher has again been one of the sport’s more dependable names. Through 16 races, he sits seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 461 points, recording eight top-10 finishes and two top-five results, including a runner-up at Talladega. He and Ryan Blaney are the only two Ford drivers inside the top 10, giving RFK Racing a strong anchor in the manufacturer standings as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
Buescher Speaks to the Weight of the Commitment
“RFK Racing has been home for most of my racing career, and that’s something I don’t take for granted,” Buescher said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve grown up with this organization, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the last several years. The direction we’re heading, the people we have in place, and the commitment throughout the company make me excited about the future. I’m grateful to Mr. Jack, Brad, Fenway Sports Group, and everyone at RFK Racing for their belief in me. I’m looking forward to continuing to chase wins and championships together.”
Team founder and co-owner Jack Roush echoed that sentiment. “Chris has been part of this organization for most of his professional career, and there is a tremendous amount of pride in seeing what he has become,” Roush said. “He is an exceptional driver, but just as importantly, he is the kind of person who makes our organization stronger. His work ethic, intelligence and commitment to our success have earned the respect of everyone at RFK Racing, and we’re proud that his story with us will continue.”
Co-owner and driver Brad Keselowski, who steers the No. 6 Ford for the same organization, offered high praise for his teammate and the professionalism that has defined Buescher’s tenure. “Chris is everything you want in a race car driver and teammate,” Keselowski said. “His talent behind the wheel speaks for itself, but what really separates him is his professionalism, preparation and commitment to making everyone around him better. He’s been instrumental in the progress we’ve made as an organization, and we’re excited to continue building toward our goals together.”
What This Means for the Second Half of 2026
For bettors tracking NASCAR futures markets, Buescher’s extension provides meaningful context as the regular season enters its second half. With roster stability confirmed, RFK Racing can focus entirely on performance development ahead of the playoff push. For those looking to wager on NASCAR at a top sportsbook, Buescher entering the stretch as a locked-in RFK driver makes him a reliable name to monitor in top-10 and championship futures markets.
Buescher has finished inside the top 10 of the final standings in each of the last three seasons, and his 2026 trajectory mirrors those runs. With eight races remaining before the Cup Series playoffs begin, he currently holds a comfortable position inside the cutline. The consistency that RFK Racing has praised publicly is the same quality that makes him a compelling value proposition on futures boards. From road courses to superspeedways, his runner-up at Talladega this season — where composure under intense drafting pressure separates the field — is the kind of result that suggests plenty of upside heading into the second half.
For fans and bettors looking to get involved in NASCAR action, a DraftKings promo code or a FanDuel promo code can provide added value on race-day markets, from race winner odds to driver matchups. Buescher, fresh off a contract commitment that locks him in through at least 2027, represents exactly the kind of steady, proven performer that smart bettors keep in their sights going into the most critical stretch of the NASCAR campaign. Pair that with a BetMGM promo code to shop the best lines across multiple books — a sound approach in a sport where track conditions and car setup can shift the odds dramatically heading into race day.