Chris Buescher 2016 Preview
By Richard Tix
It is a fresh start for Chris Buescher and the #34 Front Row Motorsports Team. Last year when David Ragan took the void left by Kyle Busches injury in the #18 it left FRM with replacement drivers. The news heading into the offseason, however, was that FRM had found its guy for the 2016 season.
That guy will be Cup rookie Chris Buesher. They also have a technical alliance with Roush Fenway Racing (which is who Chris is aligned with). He got his feet wet at the Cup level last season with 6 races under his belt. All 6 were in the same #34 car he will run full time in 2016.
His best race of 2015 was actually his first race at Fontana when he finished 20th and had a positive pass difference of 7. Fontana was his only top 20, but he did have four top 25's in his six races, which isn't too bad as a part timer in the #34.
Looking past his short stint in 2015 as a Cup driver Chris was also the 2016 Xfinity Champion after winning 2 races, 11 top 5's, and 20 top 10's in 33 races. He also ran full time in 2014 at the Xfinity level (Nationwide at that time) and finished 7th in the standings with a win, 5 top 5's, and 14 top 10's.
Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:
- Chris Buescher could legitimately be a Rookie of the Year candidate which should be his goal. However, I have lower expectations for him. I see him finishing third in the ROY chase behind Elliott and Blaney. It isn't that he doesn't have a future, but Roush Fenway has been terrible the last few years and I don't see a huge turnaround even if they start taking a step in the right direction (RFR has an alliance with FRM). Plus, Elliott and Blaney have better rides/alliances on there side. I think working on a top 5 or two, 2-4 top 10's, and a good chunk of top 15's will be the first step in his career. If RFR ever gets it figured out, he could be a very good driver as soon as this season, even.
