James Buescher set for Truck Series event at Iowa Speedway

[NickHolt]

PREVIEW: JAMES BUESCHER (NO. 31 WOLF PACK RENTALS CHEVROLET)

 

VENUE: IOWA SPEEDWAY (.875-MILE OVAL)

 

CIRCUIT: NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES (RACE 10 OF 25)

 

DATE: JULY 11, 2010 (200 LAPS, 175 MILES)

 

 

BUESCHER AT IOWA… Even though the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Iowa Speedway was held last season, Buescher has made six career starts at the Newton, Iowa racetrack – two in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, two in the USARacing Pro Cup Series, one in the NASCAR K&N Series East, and last year’s Truck Series event. Bad luck has seemed to plague the 20-year-old in his previous races, but Buescher has logged many laps at the Midwestern short track. In his two ARCA starts (2008, 2009), Buescher only has 29th-place and 30th-place finishes respectively to show, despite running competitively before problems forced the driver to end his day early (engine expired and two cut tires). In Buescher’s K&N Series East race, the Texas native came home with a 13th-place finish. In 2007 and 2008, Buescher also participated in the Pro Cup Series, running in contention for the win in both before problems (broken axle and fuel pump) cost the driver a victory. Most recently in last season’s NCWTS event, Buescher crossed the finish line in the 14th position after spinning early to avoid a wreck in front of his truck and coming from the back of the field.

 

NINE-WEEK STRETCH… For the first time in recent years, the Truck Series will embark on a nine-week stretch, beginning with Sunday’s event at Iowa Speedway and ending in early September at Kentucky Speedway. Last year’s longest consecutive run was maxed at six races, meaning that teams will have to work extremely hard this season to bring their best piece to the track each weekend.

 

CHASSIS INFORMATION… Crew chief Michael Shelton has chosen Turner Motorsports chassis No. 006 for Buescher to run at Iowa this Sunday. Previously chassis No. 006 has raced twice, at Dover (Del.) International Speedway and Michigan International Speedway. Buescher’s best finish in this particular Leavitt chassis with Kevin Harvick Inc. body came at The Monster Mile in May, where the youngster claimed a second-place finish – his career-best in NASCAR competition. Most recently in the Irish Hills of Michigan, the Texas native finished in the 16th position.

 

LOOKING BACK… Last month at Michigan International Speedway, Buescher continued his impressive qualifying streak of starting inside the top-three positions with the green-flag waves. Beginning the 100-lap race from the inside of row two, Buescher quickly faced a loose in and tight late off handling condition. On lap 39, the field was brought to pit road as a heavy rain shower moved into the area, as the No. 31 was scored in the 10th-place. After a 40-minute delay, the field went back to racing as Buescher dealt with traffic on the track in his aero-sensitive Chevrolet. When the checkered flag flew, Buescher brought home a disappointing 16th-place finish.

 

THE POLLS ARE NOW OPEN… NASCAR has created an online ballot for the fans to vote for their favorite driver for the Most Popular Driver Award. Fans are allowed to vote once a day, until the polls close on November 12, 2010. The results of the balloting will be announced at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series banquet at the end of the season. Go to www.nascar.com to cast your vote!

 

MEET THE DRIVER… Fans will have the opportunity to meet Buescher this weekend, as he is scheduled to take part in a NASCAR Autograph Session on Saturday afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M. Central. Buescher, along with fellow NCWTS drivers, will be signing autographs behind the Manatt Grandstands at Iowa Speedway.

 

TWEET OF THE WEEK… Last weekend, Buescher took time to answer some fan questions on his way to the lake to celebrate the Fourth of July with his family. One of the questions posed to Buescher was, “Who was your favorite driver growing up?” Buescher replied saying, “Rusty Wallace.” Did you know that Wallace was a key designer of Iowa Speedway and still is involved with the .875-mile oval? To stay up-to-date with the Texas native, follow driver Buescher (@JamesBuescher) and team Turner Motorsports (@TurnerMotorspts) on Twitter.

 

STAY UP TO SPEED… The Lucas Oil 200 from Iowa Speedway will take the green flag this Sunday, July 11th at 2:00 P.M. Eastern. Race coverage will be televised live on SPEED, beginning at 1:00 P.M. Eastern. In addition, Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio (Channel 128) will have the live radio broadcast, beginning at 1:30 P.M. Eastern.

 

 

QUOTES FROM BEHIND THE WHEEL:

 

BUESCHER (On competing at Iowa Speedway): “I’m really excited to head back racing this weekend at Iowa. This month long break has given everyone time to relax before we head on this nine-week stretch, but I’m definitely ready to get back behind the wheel. I have a lot of experience at Iowa, but not the results to show how well I’ve run in the past there. Bad luck always seems to creep up on me, but hopefully that isn’t the case this weekend for our No. 31 Wolf Pack Rentals Chevrolet. The guys have worked really hard in the shop to bring a fast Chevrolet to the track and it should be a good race for us. One of the best things about Iowa is the fan support that the Truck Series receives. Last year it was awesome to see the amount of the fans that came out and hopefully it is the same this year as well.”