NASCAR Truck Series - Chevrolet Silverado 250
September 1st, 2013 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

With the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) making their return to the road course, Buescher turned out an impressive qualifying lap to sit on the pole for the inaugural Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). After leading the way for the first couple of laps, Buescher eventually settled into the top 10. With an eventful final restart with five laps to go, Buescher and his MotoMaster Eliminator team found themselves battling for a top 10 and were able to hold on for a ninth-place finishing spot. In the process, Buescher closed the battle for the NCWTS Driver Point Standings by two points heading into next week's race at Iowa Speedway.

Buescher and his MotoMaster Eliminator team came into CTMP with very limited road course experience, but after a test day and two practice sessions, Buescher felt like he had a feel for the track. During his qualifying effort, Buescher posted the fastest qualifying time. Leading the field to the green on Sunday afternoon, Buescher was able to lead the first two laps and gained valuable bonus points towards the NCWTS Driver Point Standings. Buescher eventually was passed by faster trucks behind him, allowing him to settle into his pace without any pressure. When the first yellow flag was displayed on lap eight, some of the leaders decided to pit, but the No. 31 MotoMaster Eliminator team stuck to their pit strategy and stayed out to restart in the second position. The team would eventually give up the third running spot to come down pit road on lap 15 under green, taking four tires, fuel and a major air-pressure adjustment to help with the handling on the No. 31 Chevy Silverado. When the pit stops cycled through, Buescher found himself running inside the top 10, scored in the seventh position.

At the halfway mark, Buescher radioed to his crew that he was lacking grip in his MotoMaster Eliminator Silverado but he was still running two tenths quicker then the positions ahead of him. On lap 41 and safely within his fuel window, crew chief Michael Shelton called for his driver to come down pit road for their final pit stop of the 64-lap race. The crew gave Buescher fresh Goodyear Wrangler tires and a full load of fuel. When Buescher returned to the track, he was turning his fastest laps of the race. With just under 20 laps remaining, Buescher once again cracked the top 10 and was working on closing the gap on the top five. Trying to make a pass on multiple trucks in turn five, Buescher wasn't able to make the move stick and lost two spots in the process, slipping back to ninth. The race's final restart came with just five laps to go and Buescher was able to hold on to his running spot and come home with a ninth-place finish.

Overall, I thought our MotoMaster Eliminator team had a good day. Not having much experience on a road course, I am happy to leave with another top-10 finish and get another step closer to closing the points gap. I am really looking forward to getting to Iowa where we've run pretty good in the past. - James Buescher

Start - 1, Finish - 9, Laps Led - 2, Points - 36

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