CONCORD, N.C. – RFK Racing announced Thursday evening that Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 Ford, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at World Wide Technology Raceway outside St. Louis. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series front runner Zane Smith will fill in for Buescher.
Smith, 22, has three wins and eight top-10 finishes in 10 starts in the Truck Series this season for Front Row Motorsports, having led 253 laps while piloting the No. 38 Ford. He will become the 24th driver to pilot an RFK Ford for Jack Roush in the NASCAR Cup Series.
This will mark Smith’s NASCAR Cup Series debut.
Buescher, who is 21st in the point standings through 14 races, expects to return to action next week at Sonoma Raceway.
Clearly #1 available driver prospect IMHO@zanesmith77 has won 3 races this year alone in trucks where he’s also top ranked In most categories.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) June 3, 2022
Outside of @FordPerformance relationship, he’s also running the truck race the night before.
Doesn’t hurt he’s earned his success… https://t.co/elB6mef1a9