Chris Buescher has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not race this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, RFK Racing announced on June 2.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Zane Smith will drive Buescher’s No. 17 Acronis Ford Mustang this weekend, marking his Cup Series debut.
Buescher has already been in the headlines this week, following his spectacular flip in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29. The 29-year-old is currently 21st in points and has earned three top 10s. He is expected to be ready to climb back behind the wheel of his No. 17 on at Sonoma Raceway on June 12.
Smith is in the midst of a stellar season with Front Row Motorsports’ Truck Series team, amassing three wins and eight top-10 finishes so far in his No. 38.
He will now pull double duty this weekend, as the Truck Series will race Saturday, June 4 at Gateway before the Cup Series makes its long-anticipated debut at the 1.25-mile track on Sunday, June 5.
Anthony Damcott joined Frontstretch in March 2022. Currently, he is an editor and co-authors Fire on Fridays (Fridays); he is also the primary Truck Series reporter/writer and serves as an at-track reporter. He has also assisted with short track content and social media, among other duties he takes/has taken on for the site. In 2025, he became an official member of the National Motorsports Press Association. A proud West Virginia Wesleyan College alum from Akron, Ohio, Anthony is now a grad student. He is a theatre actor and fight coordinator in his free time.
You can keep up with Anthony by following @AnthonyDamcott on X.