Richmond, Va. (Apr.26, 2014) – Chris Buescher headed to Richmond International Raceway for the second time in his NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) career hoping to turn around a late string of bad luck. After a solid qualifying run of seventh in his No.60 Ford EcoBoost Ford Mustang, the Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) driver remained solidly within the top-15 for the entire 250 laps, before making a strong push late in the race to finish seventh when the checkered waved.
“Today was great day for the 60 team, we needed this,” stated Buescher. “We really hoped that our luck would change this week, and I am happy to be taking home a top-10. The entire team has been working really hard to improve and this is just the beginning.”
Buescher’s last visit to the three-quarter mile track came in 2011 when he filled the seat of the No.16 car after for Trevor Bayne, finishing in 17th. Buescher would start his second attempt at the raceway from the seventh spot late in the evening after rain delayed the start of the race by several hours.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender battled with a tight Ford Mustang early, which set the driver back to the 10th spot before a competition caution came out on lap 40. The No.60 team worked diligently to improve the car’s handling throughout the evening as Buescher pressed his way back through the field.
After falling victim to wrecks in his prior two races, Buescher narrowly avoided another collision when the No.11 of Elliott Sadler and the No.7 of Regan Smith both spun out in front of him on lap 197. Luckily, Buescher only lost one spot due to this incident and was sitting in ninth with just over 50 laps to go on the restart. He would eventually drive his way as high as sixth by lap 244, finishing in seventh early on Saturday morning – tying his all-time high NNS finish set in Michigan last season.
Tune is as Buescher and the No. 60 team head to Talladega Speedway for the Aarons 312 next Saturday, April 3. Race coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
