James Buescher TMS NASCAR Truck report

[NickHolt]

James Buescher and the No. 31 Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet team moved west to Texas Motor Speedway for Friday night’s 147-lap race. It was a homecoming of sorts for Buescher who grew up in Plano, Texas, which is less than two hours from the 1.5-mile high banked speedway, so the team wanted to put on a strong showing in front of the hometown fans.

 

In the two practice sessions on Thursday afternoon, the team was very happy with how their Chevrolet Silverado was performing. Buescher radioed to crew chief, Michael Shelton, saying the truck was really turning in the corners and he could keep his foot in the gas. The team made a couple of minor adjustments to the truck which really paid dividends. Buescher laid down the fastest time of the day and was very optimistic about his chances of bringing Turner Motorsports their first win.

 

Buescher started the 147-lap event from the 21st position but as soon as the green flag was displayed to the field, he was on a march towards the front. By lap 35, the 20-year-old Texas native had cracked the top-10. He described the truck as a bit edgy in the corners, but the loose condition was not hindering his push towards the front.

 

When the caution flag was displayed to the field on lap 40, the No. 31 Wolfpack Rentals team prepared to see their truck on pit road. Buescher rolled down the pit lane three laps later for service. The team went to work changing four tires and filling the truck with Sunoco racing fuel. They also made both an air pressure and chassis adjustment, hoping to tighten the truck up for the next segment of the 147-lap race.

 

Buescher saw the green flag again displayed to the field on lap 48. He radioed into his crew on lap 52, saying the truck was a lot more stable and he was really able to keep his momentum up through the corners. He could pass the competition on both the low and high sides of the track and was running times as quick as the leaders.

 

By lap 100, Buescher had positioned himself inside the top-five and was looking to make his move towards the leaders. He radioed into Shelton, explaining the truck was getting looser as the ambient temperature was dropping and he needed to be tightened up for the final sprint to the finish.

 

When the caution flag was again displayed to the field on lap 119, Buescher prepared to hit pit road for the final time. He slid into his pit box on lap 122 for service. The team again changed four tires and filled their Silverado with enough fuel to make it to the finish. They also made another air pressure adjustment hoping to find the right balance to propel Buescher to the lead. The crew had a lightning quick stop picking up valuable positions on pit road.

 

Buescher restarted the race in the sixth spot on lap 126. He battled with the leaders for the remaining 21 laps vying for Turner Motorsports’ first win. He had his machine in two and even three wide positions trying to get to the front. Buescher gave it all he could and crossed the finish line in the sixth spot.

 

“It was a good night for Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet team,” commented Buescher after the event. “We had a good truck and it showed. We just needed a little bit more there at the end in order to race with Kyle [busch] and Johnny [sauter]. It was a solid run. My truck would work on both the high and low sides of the race track and we had solid pit stops. We will take what we learned here tonight and move on to Phoenix [international Speedway].”

 

The No.31 Turner Motorsports team will return to action this Friday, November 12th at the Phoenix International Raceway. The Lucas Oil 150 will be broadcast live on SPEED with coverage beginning at 7:30 EST. The race can also be heard on MRN Radio as well as Sirius/XM Radio channel 128.