 DAYTONA,
FL (February 7, 2009) -- James Buescher won Saturday's ARCA RE/MAX Series
opener at Daytona after starting from the rear of the field. The 18-year-old
driver qualified seventh, but was sent to the rear of the field to start the
race for making "unapproved adjustments" to his Wolfpack Rentals #32
Toyota. Buescher eventually made his way to the front and led the race's final
44 laps to take the win over NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano. Many may
remember Buescher, who at 16 years old, burst onto the ARCA racing scene when
he won his first-ever ARCA RE/MAX Series start at USA International
Speedway.
Fifty-four cars were on hand for the season opener with 50 cars posting
times in qualifying. Justin Lofton set fast time on the 2.5-mile superspeedway
with a time of 49.418 seconds (182.120 mph). Alli Owens, from Daytona Beach
(FL) earned the other front row starting spot with a time 49.584 seconds
(181.510 mph).
The 80-lap race featured three leaders including; Justin Lofton 1-35 (35
laps), Barry Fitzgerald 36 (1 lap) and James Buescher 37-80 (44 laps).
The race was also slowed six times for cautions for a total of 47
laps.
In fact, the race came down to a one-lap shootout between James Buescher and
Joey Logano after a late-race caution. In the end, Buescher held off the NASCAR
rookie en route to his second ARCA RE/MAX Series win. Buescher's margin of
victory was a scant .201 seconds over Logano.
Logano was followed to the line by polesitter Justin Lofton. All three of
the top finishers were driving a Toyota.
John Wes Townley finished in fourth place followed by Ken Weaver, Ed
Kennedy, Parker Kligerman, Tim George, Jr., Darrell Basham and Norm Benning to
round out the list of top ten finishers.
Frank Kimmel finished in 11th place and was the last car among the 43
starters to finish the race on the lead lap.
Engineering support in addition to tire sales and service was provided by
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.
Hoosier staff attending the event included; Doug
Barnes, Steve Partridge, Rick Tostevin, David Wroblewski, Kevin Wroblewski,
Chad Wright, Mike Haenes, Eriks Bers, Jim Bartholomew and Jeff Yute.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series is in its 57th year of competition.
This season marks the 15th consecutive year Hoosier has been the exclusive
tire provider for the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series will resume racing at Salem (IN)
Speedway on April 5th.
For more information about the Daytona race and the ARCA RE/MAX Series visit
www.arcaracing.com
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