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

Tim Capurso | May 6, 2024

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.

Guess I should’ve pulled a Lightning McQueen and stuck out my tongue https://t.co/WsCbJzcnDM

— Chris Buescher (@Chris_Buescher) May 6, 2024

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.