Salem Apart Of Busy Weekend For James Buescher

Topics:  James Buescher, Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic

Chris Knight
Country Joe Racing
September 12, 2007

SALEM, Indiana (September 12, 2007) – - ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie James Buescher is doing what he loves best, race.

Buescher the 17-year old phenomenon driving for Country Joe Racing (CJR) returns to the seat of the famed No. 32 Dodge Intrepid for Saturday’s Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic by Advance Auto Parts.

The 21st event on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series will conclude a busy weekend for the rising star. Buescher will arrive in Southern Indiana Saturday morning fresh off competing in the NASCAR Busch East Series event at New Hampshire International Speedway Friday evening.

The Plano , Texas native will tell you he’s excited about returning to the demanding half-mile for two reasons. One it’s another shot at scoring his second career ARCA victory and two, he looks to beat his sixth place finish that he netted in his Salem debut this past April.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Country Joe Racing and reuniting with Salem Speedway this weekend,” said Buescher. “It’s a busy week for me, but I am ready. Competing in two races in two different states is hard for any racecar driver, but I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve received and I’m looking forward to delivering a good run Saturday night.”

Buescher has competed in five ARCA races for Country Joe Racing this season and in those races he’s been a factor. In addition to capturing the stunning victory at USA International Speedway in March in his debut for CJR, Buescher also scored an impressive top-five at Berlin Raceway this past July. Not to mention top-10 runs at Salem Speedway, and his debut on the dirt at Illinois State Fairgrounds ( Springfield ) all haven’t go unnoticed.

In his most recent race at The Milwaukee Mile, Buescher nailed the outside pole and appeared to be heading towards his third top-five finish of the season before a mechanical failure erased those hopes and instead delivered a 28th place finish.

While three races have past since Buescher has been behind the wheel of the No. 32 Dodge, he knows he hasn’t lost a beat.

And that’s a good thing.

The Country Joe Racing team is the two-time defending champions of the fall Salem event after Blake Bjorklund went on to score an exciting victory under the lights last September. Former ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year Joey Miller did the same in 2005.

“The CJR team has a lot of success at Salem Speedway and I want to continue that tradition this weekend. It’s been an absolute blast driving for them this season. Every race we’ve gone to, we’ve had a contending car. This weekend should be no different. This race has the outlook to be very competitive. The primary goal this weekend is staying out of trouble and be in contention at the end.”

Nate Thiesse, Director of Operations for County Joe Racing offered, “It’s great to have James back with us this weekend. He has kept our winning tradition alive this season and we think he has a great shot at doing it again on Saturday night. We’re going in as the two-time defending champion and that’s a tough task for him. But, if everyone has a chance to do it again, James can get the job done!”

Mercedes Homes and Red Line Oil will sponsor the No. 32 Dodge this weekend at Salem Speedway.

The Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic by Advance Auto Parts (200 laps/110 miles) is the 21st of 23 races on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 79th ARCA race held at Salem Speedway is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, September 15 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:30-2:35pm. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the day at 4:00pm Local Time. The event will take the green flag shortly after 7:15pm Local Time. The race will not be televised but additional race coverage is available online at arcaracing.com.

For more on Country Joe Racing, please visit CountryJoeRacing.com

James Buescher, Country Joe Racing, Salem Speedway , Notes of Interest:

· James Buescher will make his fifth career ARCA start Sunday. In his previous four efforts, Buescher scored the win in the inaugural ARCA RE/MAX Series event at USA International Speedway (Lakeland) while posting a clean sixth place run at Salem Speedway in April before returning to the top-five at Berlin Raceway with a stout third place effort in July. Last month, Buescher made his dirt track debut showing further talent by reeling in a seventh place finish. Following Springfield , Buescher made another start at The Milwaukee Mile. After qualifying on the front row, Buescher was in contention for the win when a mechanical failure took him from the hunt finishing 28th.

· Last September, Country Joe Racing grabbed the victory after starting fifth with driver Blake Bjorklund aboard. In 2005, the organization started the fall Salem tradition by winning the event after delivering a fourth place qualifying effort with ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year driver Joey Miller.

· James Buescher will make 800 left hand turns on Saturday night.

· Country Joe Racing sits seventh in the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner standings entering Salem Speedway. The organization, who has fielded a car for a number of drivers this season, is 100 markers from sixth place controlled by car owner Clarence Brewer (No. 47).

· James Buescher joins Michael Annett, Todd Hansen and Joey Miller as the only repeat drivers for Country Joe Racing this season. Buescher will make his sixth start for CJR this season. The team has fielded a car for Ryan Howard (Daytona), James Buescher (USA International Speedway, Salem, Berlin, Springfield, Milwaukee and Salem), Joey Miller (Nashville, Pocono – August, DuQuoin and Chicagoland), Todd Hansen (Kansas and Kentucky), Dan Fredrickson (Winchester), Matt Merrell (Toledo), Michael Annett (Iowa, Nashville – August and Gateway International Raceway), Johnny Sauter (Pocono - June), Chris Wimmer (Michigan) and Brian Scott (Kentucky – July) this season.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, County Joe Racing
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com