Buescher Looks for Progress at Homestead-Miami
CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 25, 2021) – After an eventful two weekends at Daytona, Chris Buescher and the No. 17 Fastenal Ford team are anxious to move into the rest of the 2021 schedule.
“The Daytona 500 really punched us in the throat,” said Buescher. “It was a tough one to swallow, but we came back for the [Daytona] road course after learning from the Clash and made some really big improvements to our race cars. I’m proud of everyone back at the shop and our team for turning it around and finding a good amount of speed for us.”
This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series treks down to South Beach for racing at the mile and a half Homestead-Miami Speedway. The event marks the first race at an intermediate track this season and the first chance to see the results of offseason updates within the organization.
“I don’t think that we can leave Homestead and say whether or not our changes worked,” Buescher explained. “I think we’re going to leave there and answer some questions, create more and be able to keep fine–tuning everything. You really can’t quantify our efforts until we are on track like this for a couple more times.”
Sunday marks Buescher’s sixth cup start at Homestead where he averages a 21.2 finish, his best being 16th. Last year, the driver was on track to beat that finish before a cut tire caused him to take the checkered flag in 17th.
“I like Homestead,” Buescher said. “I feel like it has a character built and weathered into it over the years. Going there once a year is difficult to really tune in to what can make you better there. Especially without practices, it makes it a little bit tougher. But, now I think I have a better idea of what I’m looking for.”
NASCAR announced the addition of a practice session along with qualifying heat races for the dirt race at Bristol at the end of March. Something the Prosper, Texas native is eager to have on the schedule.
“I’m excited about the new practice additions,” Buescher said. “I’d love to have practice every weekend, but I realize that’s asking a lot right now. I think it’s going to be a big deal for something that we don’t have any experience doing. Bristol on dirt might end up being a little faster race than I had anticipated.”
But first, the team has to make it through Homestead.
“I feel like this is going to be a good weekend for us and I’m really excited to go to places where we have all of these options and don’t get stuck in the dirty air in one lane on the racetrack.”
Buescher and the No. 17 team return to the track Sunday, February 28 at 3:30 p.m. EST on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.