James Buecher has solid Nationwide run at Richmond

[NickHolt]

James Buecher has solid Nationwide run at Richmond

 

VENUE: RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (.75-MILE D-SHAPED OVAL)

 

CIRCUIT: NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES

 

RACE: BUBBA BURGER 250 (RACE 9 OF 35)

 

DATE: APRIL 30, 2010 (250 LAPS, 187.5 MILES)

 

START: 18th

 

FINISH: 12th

 

RACE RECAP:

 

Phoenix Racing driver James Buescher saw Richmond (Va.) International Raceway for the first time this weekend, backing up his yellow Raybestos Rookie of the Year stripe. After running 135 laps in the one and only practice session, Buescher was confident about his car in race trim. The 20-year-old qualified his No. 1 Chevrolet in the 18th position for the Bubba Burger 250.

 

Starting from the outside of row nine, Buescher gained two positions, to be scored in 16th-place as the first caution of the night flew on lap 14. All of the top-20 teams stayed out on the racetrack.

 

As the 43-car field went back under green-flag conditions, another caution quickly was displayed before one lap could be completed. Buescher radioed to his Nick Harrison and Marc Reno-led team that his water temperature was rapidly rising over 280 degrees. The Texas native brought his Chevrolet down pit road to remove tape off the grill, allowing more airflow to enter the engine, to aid the overheating problem. As the majority of the leaders stayed on the track, Buescher restarted from 27th-place on lap 34.

 

A long caution-free run ensued, allowing Buescher to steadily work his way back through the field. By lap 90, the No. 1 Chevrolet had broken into the top-15.

 

The third caution slowed the pace on lap 97 and the Phoenix Racing team used the opportunity to come to pit road for four fresh tires, fuel, and slight adjustments. A quick stop allowed Buescher to gain five positions and restart on lap 103 from10th-place.

 

Over the next 100 laps, Buescher consistently ran inside the top-15 cars, despite the rookie’s tires wearing and the track conditions continuing to change.

 

Buescher persistently ran a solid race and made gains to regain a spot back inside the top-10. A late race caution on lap 246 set up the field for a green-white-checkered flag finish. Harrison and Reno called Buescher to pit road for fresh tires and fuel.

 

Restarting from 14th-place with two laps remaining, Buescher gained two positions to 12th-place and came home with an impressive showing for his first time at the Virginia short track.

 

Brad Keselowski won the Bubba Burger 250. Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, and Carl Edwards completed the top-five finishing positions.

 

FAST FACTS:

 

- Buescher captured the Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors and currently trails point leader, Brian Scott, by five points. This was Buescher’s second time this season to capture the race award.

 

- The caution-flag was displayed seven times throughout the 250-lap event.

 

- Next Friday, May 7th, Buescher will return to racing action at Darlington Raceway for the Nationwide Series’ tenth race of the 2010 season. The green-flag is schedule to wave at 7:30 PM Eastern, with television coverage on ESPN2 beginning at 7 PM Eastern.

 

JAMES BUESCHER QUOTES:

 

HOW WAS YOUR RACE?

 

“We had pretty decent track position. We were like 13th when the second caution came out. We were overheating and had to get some tape off the nose. We had to pit out of sequence and put us back like 31st. We drove back up to 15th on that real long green flag run. The car drove awesome all night. It was just a little free the second half. We rallied back without cautions and got more spots whenever the cautions come out and got spots on pit road every time. I like short track racing, especially at nighttime.

 

DID YOU PIT UNDER THAT LAST CAUTION?

 

“We pitted but about two laps before that 98 hit the wall my radio went dead and just had a real loud buzzing. The caution came out and I started trying to unhook the battery and unhook the wire from one radio and hook it up to the other one and turn it on and right when I finally got it plugged in they said ‘If you can hear us, come to pit road.’ So I turned down pit road and I was getting into Turn 3. We almost didn’t get that last pit stop in and it’s a good thing we did because the last two laps we picked up quite a few positions.”