DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 4, 2014) – Chris Buescher hit the track at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) for his first NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at the two-and-a-half mile track. The Roush Fenway Racing driver had a fast No.60 Roush Performance Parts Mustang and was able to hold his ground within the lead pack, running inside the top ten for much of the evening. After avoiding trouble during a late-race caution, Buescher was stuck in the back of the pack without enough time left to make up ground, but fought hard until the last second of a green-white-checkered finish to earn a 12th- place result.
After failing to qualify in the first race at DIS this season, the Rookie contender was determined to make a statement this time around. Buescher devised a qualifying strategy with pole sitter Dakoda Armstrong and fellow Roush Fenway teammates Ryan Reed and Trevor Bayne which placed him in third after round one, after which the remaining sessions were cancelled due to inclement weather.
To start the day, Buescher once again linked up with Armstrong and Bayne, and the threesome worked the bottom line to lead the field. There was a constant back and forth battle between groups for much of the 250-mile race, but the patriotic themed Mustang held its ground and kept with the race leaders.
After a green flag stop on lap 36 for four tires and fuel, Buescher soon hooked up with teammate Reed about halfway through the race. He would stop again on lap 53 under caution for fuel only and was able to coast around for much of the day with Reed, which helped him to save much-needed fuel to make it to the end.
With 8 to go, the Prosper, TX native was battling for the fifth-spot when a yellow came out. Buescher avoided trouble when the No.9 car of Chase Elliott, who was two cars in front of him, ran out of fuel on the restart. He was sent back to eighth as a result of the incident.
A final caution came out on lap 97 setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Buescher got caught up on the bottom, with little room to make a move for the front, finishing in the 12th-position.
Buescher will return to the track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 12th sitting ninth in points. Coverage of the STA-GREEN 200 begins at 3:30 pm on ESPN 2.
