Texan James Buescher 2nd in New Hampshire NCWTS

[NickHolt]

Buescher second at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

 

START: 5th

 

FINISH: 2nd

 

Hopes were high in the closing laps of the TheRaceDayRaffleSeries.com 175 that James Buescher would bring Turner Motorsports its first win, but those hopes were dashed on the race’s final re-start when contact with Kyle Busch relegated Buescher to a second-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

 

After two strong practice sessions, Buescher was atop the leader board as the fastest truck and qualified his Wolf Pack Rentals Chevrolet in the fifth-position. Set for a solid run in the 175-lap race, the young driver battled Cup Series regulars and veterans of the sport at the front of the field – remaining in the top-four for the first 61 laps of the race.

 

During that time, Buescher radioed to crew chief Michael Shelton that he was battling changing conditions from “loose on exit” to “tight center off and just past center,” but that didn’t stop his determination and drive to remain with the leaders.

 

When the caution flag flew on lap 61, Buescher came down pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment, but an error on the pit stop caused the driver to have to endure a pass-thru penalty and re-start the race in the 11th-position. The next caution flag was displayed shortly thereafter, on lap 70. While still running in 11th, Buescher reported that the tires were “sliding around” and he was “loose in.”

 

Buescher continued to battle his competitors and by lap 107 had worked his way up into the sixth-position and began setting himself up to battle for the lead. When the caution flag was displayed on lap 127, Buescher reported that, early in the run, he was “loose in,” but right now was “tight through the center and under throttle.” Shelton directed the Wolf Pack Rentals team to give his driver four new tires, an air pressure and track bar adjustment and fill his tank full of Sunoco race fuel before sending him back out on track.

 

Buescher remained in the top-five and, on lap 166, took the lead of the race in dramatic fashion when he slid beneath Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. He held on to the lead and looked to be headed to Victory Lane when contact from Busch on the final re-start left him crossing the finish line in second.

 

Kyle Busch was the race winner at New Hampshire. Kevin Harvick, Matt Crafton and Austin Dillon joined Buescher to round out the top-five.

 

JAMES BUESCHER: “I really thought we had our first win tonight. Finishing second is still great for this young team, but knowing that we had it and it was taken away the way it was is really disappointing. If we had been raced clean and lost the win, that would be one thing, but it’s just a little tougher to take when someone intentionally races you dirty. Ultimately, it’s a great feeling to know that we’re running this strong and we’re on the verge of making it to Victory Lane. This Turner Motorsports team has been working really hard and that’s showing on the track. We’re just going to re-group from this and get back to it in Las Vegas.”

 

The Turner Motorsports team will take the next week to prepare for the Smith’s Food and Drug Stores 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 25th. The race can be seen live on SPEED TV, or heard on MRN Radio beginning at 9:00 pm Eastern time.

[bubbac]

Congratulation James, you really did win that race, if a Sprintcup STAR had to knock you out of his way. Of course NA&CAR would never dream of stepping on shrub for dirty driving.

You show a very mature attitude for someone your age. I truly believe that all good things come to those that wait and pray.

Please continue to improve yourself, and the driving/wins will come. I missed this race but have watched/followed you on tv as much as I can. Probably best for my blood pressure to have missed the shrubs antics. I bet it would kill him to have a rookie beat him, but in my eyes you are light years ahead of him.

 

Thanks for representing Texas as you are.

 

Rupert (Bubba) Claridge

[ShortTrackFan]

Great job James & TMS team!! Really a great race, fine performance. I was on my feet, you ALMOST had that one.