Catchfence

FORT WORTH, Texas (November 9, 2009) – James Buescher returned to his home state of Texas to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ 23rd race of the 2009 season at Texas Motor Speedway, looking for a strong run in front of numerous family and friends. After two productive practice sessions, a top-10 qualifying effort, and a solid beginning of the WinStar World Casino 350, everything seemed to be going the Texas native’s way. Unfortunately, Buescher lost the handling of his No. 10 MaxxForce International Ford F-150 during the 147-lap race, relegating the 19-year-old to a 17th-place finish.

Starting from the 10th position, Buescher quickly raced his way to seventh-place, but as the first caution slowed the field on lap 19, the Raybestos Rookie was running in the ninth position. Buescher reported to his MaxxForce team that his Ford was a little loose entering and exiting the corner. Crew chief Jamie Jones brought Buescher down pit road for fuel and a slight track bar adjustment. On lap 24, Buescher restarted in the sixth position.

Within 10 laps, Buescher radioed to his Circle Bar Racing team that his truck was “pretty free” and didn’t have much grip. As a long green-flag run ensued, Buescher fell further back in the field and was scored in the 22nd position on lap 50. As the leaders quickly approached the rear bumper of the No. 10 entry, the caution flew for the second time on lap 56, with Buescher in 23rd-place. Jones brought Buescher back down pit road for four fresh tires, in addition to a fuel stop the following lap.

On lap 60, the field went back to green-flag conditions, as Buescher ran in the 20th position. Another long caution free period developed, while the teenager continued to be scored in the same position as he was still facing a loose-handling condition. The final caution came out on lap 89 and Buescher returned once again to the attention of his pit crew for four tires and an air pressure adjustment, followed by a fuel and track bar adjustment the next lap.

As the race resumed on the lap 94 restart, Buescher drove in the 19th position. The field spread out and Buescher radioed to his MaxxForce International team that the truck was “driving okay.” Unfortunately on lap 120, the No. 10 Ford went one lap down to the leaders. Buescher fought for positions the final 20 laps and was able to gain two places, to finish in the 17th position.

“It started off good,” said Buescher, after the race. “My No. 10 MaxxForce International Ford raced up in the top-10 for the first 20 laps or so. It depends so much on the aerodynamic part of it for grip with all of the dirty air. I mean we were good in practice and qualified decent but with all of the dirty air around us, it just wouldn’t do anything and we had no grip all night. I fought a loose truck for most of the night and didn’t finish real well.”

Despite his disappointing run, Buescher remains in the 14th position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship point standings. He is currently 115 points behind 13th-place Tayler Malsam and 154 behind 12th-place Terry Cook.

James Buescher and his No. 10 MaxxForce International Ford team will head to Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, November 13th for the running of the Lucas Oil 150. The Raybestos Rookie will look to capture a top-10 finish at the Arizona track as SPEED will have live television coverage of the 150-lap race, beginning at 7:30 P.M. Eastern. In addition, select affiliates of MRN Radio and Sirius-XM NASCAR Radio will have the live radio broadcast.

- James Buescher Racing Press Release