Playoff path to 16 narrows entering penultimate race

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — There are two races left in NASCAR’S regular season, and Chris Buescher has only one avenue to make the playoffs — winning.

His next chance comes Sunday at Watkins Glen International, a highspeed road course where one small mistake in the 90 laps around the 2.45-mile track can ruin a day.

“I think it’s going to be a tough race to win,” said Buescher, who finished second to Daniel Suárez on the road course at Sonoma in June. “I feel really strong about our opportunity, our chances. I know what we’ve been able to do as an organization and what I’ve been able to do behind the wheel at some of these other road courses.”

Last week at Richmond, Buescher gave another indication that RFK Racing is making strides with the Next Gen car. He drove the No. 17

Ford to the back bumper of leader Kevin Harvick in the closing laps before fading to third.

Watkins Glen and the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 27 are also the last chances for Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. to make the 16-driver playoff field.

They are not among the 15 who have won this season and sit second and fourth in points, separated by just 26. That leaves little margin for error if neither can get to victory lane and there is no breakthrough by one of the other winless drivers.