CIRCLE BAR RACING TABS BUESCHER TO DRIVE NO. 10 F-150

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Circle Bar Racing recently announced the selection of James Buescher as the driver of the No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.

With continued sponsorship from Navistar Inc. of the two-truck effort at Circle Bar Racing, Buescher will team with 12-year series veteran Rick Crawford, whose livery changes to the No. 14 International Truck and Engine Ford F-150 for the upcoming season. Leading the No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel team and Buescher in his quest for Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year honors will be veteran crew chief Jamie Jones. Jones, who joined Circle Bar Racing at the end of the 2008 season, brings more than 25 years of racing experience to the organization and will work alongside Kevin Cowboy Starland, who continues his role as crew chief for Crawford.

“I really want to thank the Mitchells for giving me this opportunity to drive the No. 10 Ford for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, and I’m excited to represent International and its MaxxForce Diesel brand in my rookie season,” said Buescher. “This is the next step for me in my NASCAR career, and to drive for an established organization like Circle Bar Racing is an honor. I look forward to working with Rick Crawford not only as a teammate but as a mentor.”

Just 18 years of age, Buescher has an accomplished racing résumé, winning national championships in everything from Bandoleros to Legend cars to Late Models. In 2007, Buescher became the youngest winner in ARCA Re/Max Series history, taking the checkered flag at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla., at the age of 16. Last year, Buescher competed in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races piloting the No. 32 entry and captured the pole at Memphis Motorsports Park in his final race of the season. In six Nationwide Series races, Buescher posted one top-10 finish (Gateway) and had just one finish outside of the top 20. Buescher also competed in the truck series season finale last year, piloting the No. 15 entry to a 19th-place finish.

As a Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contender, Buescher will turn to crew chief Jamie Jones for guidance. Jones has had success working with young talent, including Kasey Kahne and Brandon Whitt, who Jones took to victory lane at Memphis Motorsports Park in truck series competition in ‘05.

“I have known Jamie Jones for some time and when I heard he was at Circle Bar Racing, that made the decision that much easier,” said Buescher. “I expect to lean on Jamie’s experience as a crew chief to continue my development as a driver in one of NASCAR’s biggest series. My association with Turner Motorsports and the Turner family has allowed me to get to this level, and I’m thankful for the support they continue to give me. I grew up not far from Texas Motor Speedway, and knowing that it’s the home track for Mr. Mitchell and Circle Bar, that’s going to make those two races at Texas even more exciting.”

A mainstay in the truck series since 1997 with Crawford behind the wheel of its flagship No. 14 Ford, Circle Bar Racing expanded to a two-truck operation in ‘07 and experienced immediate success, posting two top-10 finishes in the final driver point standings. Since its truck series debut in ‘97, the organization has posted five victories and five poles.

“James is a young, talented driver and I’m excited to have him as a teammate at Circle Bar Racing,” said Crawford, winner of the 2003 Daytona 250. “Now that we’ve got our lineup announced, I’m ready to start the 2009 season and head to the high banks of Daytona and show off the new colors of our International Truck and Engine Ford F-150.”

The ‘09 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season commences on Feb. 13, at Daytona International Speedway with the running of 10th annual Daytona 250. Live action can be seen on Speed, the exclusive home of the Camping World Truck Series.