Texas Speedzone - James Buescher Ready for the Challenges of 2007

James Buescher Ready for the Challenges of 2007

By John Davison, VP Media Relations, Future Stars in Racing

Harrisburg, NC (02/07/2007): James Buescher – remember that name – it won’t be long before you see it a lot more often. The 16-year-old race driver is following in the footsteps of famous American Speed Association predecessors Rusty Wallace, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin and Alan Kulwicki. In 2006, the Texas native became the youngest driver in the 40 year history of the ASA to win a championship when he captured the ASA Late Model Southern Division championship.

“To be even thought of in the same sentence as the former greats of ASA is an honor”, said Buescher. “To be the youngest champion in history makes 2006 a year I will never forget. Moving into Hooters Pro Cup this year brings new challenges but I believe that our Turner Motorsports Team has the opportunity to repeat our successes of 2006.”

James also earned the 2006 Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year honors as well as becoming the youngest driver in ASA late Model History to win a race at the age of sixteen years, five months and 21 days. James’ first ASA win came at the notoriously tricky Florence (SC) Motor Speedway, but the unexpected title of Most Popular driver as voted by the fans of all of ASA may have been his proudest accomplishment of his stellar year. Young Buescher shows the maturity and skill that a champion needs. His season statistics bear that up, with a season-leading most top five finishes and most top tens, scoring ten finishes among the top five and 17 in the latter category.

2007 promises to be a similarly successful season for young Buescher, who turns 17 in March, as he makes the change to the United Speed Association Racing (USAR) Hooters Pro Cup series. During the off weekends for USAR’s Southern Division races, Buescher will return to ASALMS competition.

After starting racing at a Lone Star Legends Driving School at Lil’ Texas Motor Speedway, where instructors immediately noticed the youngster’s natural abilities, James raced a Bandolero to the 2004 Young Gun National Championship. To achieve this feat he had to start from last in a qualifying heat, moving to the front of the field at the finish and earning pole position for the championship feature. Starting at the front of the national championship only set the stage for leading every lap and earning his first national series crown. James ran away to a half-lap margin at the checkered flag for this all-star event.

Legends cars came next, where he continued to amaze onlookers and competitors with his speed and skill. In his first National race, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Bull Ring, he had to race his way into the feature after moving to the team backup car. He finished twelfth after having to nurse a car with a failed clutch to the checkers.

James’ 2005 season was a great success, winning the State Championship and placing second in the national championship standings. After clinching the state crown, he ran the ‘Race of Champions’, where all State champions compete with each other. James won this race going away by a half-lap margin. More success in 2005 came with the Legends Young Lions national championship. Held at Nashville’s Music City Motorplex, this race also went to James. Further successes came with the USRA Super Late Model Series where his first start in a 400hp stock car against competition with 25% more power resulted in a third-place finish at San Antonio Speedway.

On his way to the 2006 honors, Buescher added more pages to his racing resume with a track record at Virginia’s Motor Mile Speedway; most top five and top ten finishes and most money earned.

“Last year was a blur”, added James. “The season started in March in Bronson, Fl., and in the blink of an eye we were back at San Antonio in my home state on October 21st winning the championship… it was a memorable season.”

James is far more than just a speed-obsessed teenaged race car driver. He currently carries a perfect 4.0 GPA in his junior year at the Gifted and Talented school he attends. His wide-ranging interests include serving on the Junior Board of Directors for Westside Magazine and in fund raising and promotions for Habitat for Humanity, the Extreme Youth Build. This Plano, Texas organization brings together youth of all backgrounds in the common cause of providing housing for families in need.

If history is to repeat itself watch for the immaculate Turner Motorsports machine to visit Victory Lane and be in contention all season long.

For more information on James Buescher, contact John Davison at: 1 (704) 784-4630. Be sure to visit James Buescher’s website at www.James Buescher.com.