Chris Buescher is back with Roush Fenway Racing, and he needs to get uncomfortable

During Roush Fenway Racing’s all-hands meeting Wednesday morning, the team’s president, crew chiefs and No. 6 driver Ryan Newman took their place at the front of the room to discuss their goals for 2020. The team’s newest driver, Chris Buescher, hung toward the back.

“I couldn’t find Chris,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “He was standing in the back with a lot of the mechanics and the crew guys ‘cause that’s where he likes to hang out.”

For Buescher, who first joined Roush as a development driver at age 16, the back is a familiar spot.

Eleven years later, Buescher rejoins Roush in a different capacity than as a teenage rookie. He is one of the team’s two Cup Series drivers for the 2020 season, and he must now get comfortable being on center stage.

“It is a different role to be played now,” said Buescher, who admitted he’s not always talkative and outgoing. “And it does feel a little bit strange. When you were as young as I was coming in, you definitely did not feel like you were supposed to be that lead role. Now you’re expected to be that person.”

Buescher replaces Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in Roush’s No. 17 Ford car this season. Stenhouse Jr. departed Roush in September after seven seasons with the organization. He ended last year with his worst average finish since 2015 and failed to make the playoffs for a second year in a row. He’ race for Bueshler’s former JTG Daugherty Racing team in the No. 37 Chevrolet.

Newmark said that Buescher and Newman meshed as drivers, which was the primary factor in the decision to pair them together this season.

“They are very consistent, smart drivers that have very similar driving styles,” Newmark said. “And that actually makes it easier for the teams to work together because you’re setting up the race cars for somebody who drives in a similar manner.”

Newman did not capture a win last season, but he qualified for the playoffs on points and registered 14 top-10 finishes. He is seen as a stabilizing force in the organization and has taken up a vocal role, even asking to speak at Wednesday’s team meeting. His leadership style may serve as an example for the more reserved Buescher.

“I think (Chris) carries a lot of weight on his shoulders to do for the 17 (car) what I did for the 6 (car) last year,” Newman said.

“He’s no rookie,” Newman continued. “He knows the tracks. He knows what we’re doing and where we’re going. He knows that the highlight at Bristol is gonna come in later.”

Buescher said that in addition to making the playoffs this season, a win at Bristol is one of his goals.

“(Bristol) has always been a strong suit of this organization,” Buescher said. “And with that being probably my strongest track as well, yes, there’s a lot of confidence that could be a great opportunity for us to go win a race.”

Both drivers are already putting in time with their crews to get to that point. Buescher said he is making an effort to get notes from his No. 17 crew chief Luke Lambert, who spent the last eight seasons with Richard Childress Racing.

Lambert worked with Newman at RCR. Both team drivers and crew chiefs have worked together before, which Buescher said “makes the transition easier.”

“I know probably half of the guys around here from when I was here several years ago,” Buescher said.

While his familiarity with Roush has helped ease the move, Newmark and Newman do not foresee their No. 17 driver staying in his comfort zone for long. They expect Buescher to be at the front of the pack both on the track and in the meetings.

“We’re gonna continue to push and prod him that, hey, you’re going to lead this organization,” Newmark said.

This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 5:31 PM.