Skip to main content

NASCAR’s Chris Buescher Had ‘Lightning McQueen’ Joke After Losing Photo Finish

Chris Buescher narrowly lost an auto race to Kyle Larson at Kansas Speedway in the closest photo finish in NASCAR Cup Series history on Sunday.
Chris Buescher narrowly lost an auto race to Kyle Larson at Kansas Speedway in the closest photo finish in NASCAR Cup Series history on Sunday. | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Buescher ended up on the wrong side of history at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. on Sunday, as the AdventHealth 400 resulted in the closest photo finish in NASCAR Cup Series history just a day after the thrilling result of the Kentucky Derby. Kyle Larson edged out Buescher by 0.001 seconds in a memorable finish that saw Larson's No. 5 Chevrolet and Buescher's No. 17 Ford bang doors a couple of times before the finish line.

Buescher was in disbelief.

“I don’t know what to say right now,” Buescher said. “I haven’t seen a replay other than just the picture, and I sure can’t see in that picture. That sucks to be that close.”

But after the race, Buescher had more of a sense of humor, making a perfect 'Lighning McQueen' joke about the wild photo finish in a post onot his account on X, formerly Twitter.

Buescher, referring to 'Lightning McQueen' from the Pixar movie Cars, joked that he should have stuck his tongue out like the movie race car did to emerge victorious in the Piston Cup.

Kudos to Buescher for being willing to joke about the narrow defeat. The victory was Larson's second of the season.

The NASCAR Cup Series shifts to South Carolina for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 12 at 3 p.m. ET.


Published | Modified
Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.