Buescher notches another Nationwide top-10 at Kentucky Speedway

[NickHolt]

James Buescher - No. 30 Fresh from Florida Chevrolet - Kentucky Speedway – Feed the Children 300 - June 29, 2012

 

The No. 30 Turner Motorsports team entered Friday night’s 300-mile race at Kentucky Speedway riding a wave of momentum. Coming off a dominating victory less than a week ago at Road America, the team was looking for another strong run under the lights on Friday night in the “Blue Grass” state. After winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race last night, Buescher knew what it would take to get the Fresh from Florida Chevrolet to victory lane.

 

The team spent the two allotted practice sessions trying to find the balance on the No. 30 Fresh from Florida Chevrolet Impala. Buescher radioed to his team, explaining his machine was too tight in the banked corners of Kentucky Speedway. The tight condition was hindering his ability to be aggressive with the throttle in the corners. The crew immediately went to work making significant adjustments to both the front and the rear of the car, hoping to find a combination that was both comfortable and fast. By the end of final practice, Buescher felt confident in his racecar for Friday night’s 200-lap event.

 

Buescher started the Feed the Children 300 in the 13th position. During the first green flag segment, Buescher navigated his way inside the top-10. He radioed to crew chief Trent Owens, describing his No. 30 Fresh from Florida Chevrolet as extremely tight at both ends of the speedway. Owens and crew started to formulate a plan for the changes they would make during the first round of pit stops.

 

After the caution flag was displayed to the field on lap 24, Buescher brought his Fresh from Florida Chevrolet down the pit lane for service. The team went to work, changing all four tires and filling the car with Sunoco racing fuel. They also made some wholesale changes to the chassis, in addition air pressure adjustments, hoping to free the car up for the next green-flag segment.

 

The race returned to green-flag racing on lap 30, and Buescher had the No. 30 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet in the 13th spot. He instantly radioed into his team to say the adjustments seemed to help the car on initial entry into the corner, but his Fresh from Florida Chevrolet was too tight-handling on corner exit.

 

At the halfway point in the race, Buescher was running lap times consistent with the top-10 competitors as his Fresh from Florida Chevrolet was in the 13th spot. During the next green flag segment, the Texas native methodically navigated his racecar though traffic.

 

On lap 141, Buescher brought his blue and white Chevrolet Impala in for a green flag pit stop. The pit crew once again changed four tires and filled the car with fuel. The team also made another slew of chassis adjustments as they continued to seek the balance Buescher was looking for.

 

Buescher spent the final fifty laps scraping and clawing to get the Fresh from Florida Chevrolet a solid finish. His efforts were rewarded when he crossed the finish line in the 10th position.

 

“Tonight was a prime example of what this team is made of,” said Buescher. “We struggled with a tight racecar all night, but these guys never gave up and we made lemonade out of lemons. I am so proud of their effort and to come out of here with a top-10 is awesome. I am looking forward to getting back to Daytona. Obviously, Daytona is a very special place to me and this race team. I know we are bringing a car that is capable of returning to victory lane. We just need to keep our nose clean all day and fight for it on the last couple of laps.”

 

The NASCAR Nationwide Series is back in action next Friday at Daytona International Speedway. The Subway Jalapeno 250 presented by Coca-Cola can be seen live on ESPN, with race coverage beginning at 7 pm EST. The event can also be heard live on MRN Radio as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, channel 90.