Photo credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography
Racing

Watkins Glen Cup playoff race results: Chris Buescher wins

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Chris Buescher is back in victory lane after a wild finish at Watkins Glen International.

The Texas native was in control during a chaotic final stage that featured multiple multi-car crashes and an overtime attempt. However, he had to make a comeback on the final lap of the race.

MORE: Buescher wins, full Watkins Glen results

Shane van Gisbergen, who finished second, took the lead from Buescher on the overtime restart and then he took the white flag. It appeared that he would win his second career Cup race, but he made a rare mistake in the bus stop. He bobbled and clipped the inside wall.

This incident opened up an opportunity for Buescher to take the lead. He used the bumper and moved SVG so that he could take back the lead.

SVG got back to the rear of the No. 17 Ford but he lost control entering the final turn. He ultimately crossed the line second while Buescher celebrated his sixth career Cup win.

Carson Hocevar crossed the line third. Ross Chastain and Zane Smith rounded out the top five. Chase Briscoe, Michael McDowell, Corey LaJoie, Ryan Preece, and Austin Cindric were all inside the top 10.

Stage 1: Chastain, who started from the pole, pitted before the end of stage 1. Van Gisbergen followed from second. Brad Keselowski also stopped before the end of the stage, but he received a speeding penalty.

Martin Truex Jr. inherited the lead and went on to win the opening stage. Alex Bowman, Briscoe, Daniel Suarez, Cindric, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, Erik Jones, and Daniel Hemric were all top 10.

Stage 2: The majority of the field stopped before the end of stage 2. Chastain and van Gisbergen were about to pit but then Suarez spun and brought out the caution. Pit road closed, so the two leaders had to stay out. This ruined their strategy.

Chastain won stage 2 under caution. Van Gisbergen, Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs, William Byron, Harrison Burton, Briscoe, Bowman, Ryan Preece, and Denny Hamlin were all top 10.

Playoff issues: Nearly every single playoff driver dealt with issues at Watkins Glen. It would be easier to count the number of drivers who avoided problems.

For example, Hamlin sustained damage in a crash on the opening lap of the race. He was able to continue, but he crashed again during the final stage of the race after going three-wide with Keselowski and Larson.

Ryan Blaney sustained some damage in the same opening-lap crash as Hamlin. He had no steering, so NASCAR had the track crew tow the No. 12 back to the garage, ending Blaney's day before he completed a single lap.

The issues continued with Keselowski, Larson, and Suarez all receiving penalties. Reddick made an unscheduled pit stop due to issues with his car's handling. Christopher Bell was involved in the first-lap crash. He then spun off the nose of Austin Dillon with 30 laps to go as he tried to reach pit road.

Burton brought out the caution with 11 laps to go after his left rear tire blew. It left debris on the track. This set up a late restart. The drivers were unable to reach the end of the race unscathed as a crash sent Byron's car into the air and on top of Keselowski's.

A major crash took place with under five laps to go, which sent the race to overtime. Reddick, Elliott, and Truex were all involved. Elliott stayed out on the track while Truex headed to pit road to assess the damage.

Next: The Cup Series Round of 16 ends at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 21. Four drivers will be eliminated from championship contention after the Saturday night race.