Buescher to Roush Fenway’s No. 17 in 2020; Team is Parting Ways with Stenhouse Jr.

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Chris Buescher, driver of the #37 Fast Lane to Flavor Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 20, 2019, in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

Yesterday, Roush Fenway Racing told the racing world that Chris Buescher is returning to the organization to take the wheel of the No. 17 NASCAR Cup Series Ford in the 2020 season. Along with this revelation is the news that RFR is parting ways with Ricky Stenhouse JR at the end of the 2019 season.

“We can’t say enough about Ricky and his contributions to Roush Fenway Racing,” said team co-owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jack Roush. “We’re proud to have been a part of Ricky’s development from ARCA to Xfinity and ultimately the Cup Series. He has served as a great representative to our partners, while helping to accumulate numerous accolades, wins and multiple championships on the racetrack. We wish him well as he enters the next chapter of his career.”

Buescher is part of Roush Fenway’s development driver program and returns to the same team he led to a NASCAR Xfinity Series title in 2015.

“We are certainly excited to have Chris back in the fold at Roush Fenway Racing,” said Roush. “He has a long history with our organization and we’ve always been a big fan of Chris and his racing style. We have watched his progress with great interest over the last couple of seasons and we are looking forward to having him in the No. 17 as we continue to grow our program next season.”

Buescher came to Roush Fenway Racing in 2009 as a development driver, winning the 2012 ARCA Series championship with Roulo Brothers Racing in partnership with RFR. Before that, Buescher made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut for RFR relieving Trevor Bayne in 2011. It was 2014 that he raced the Xfinity Series full-time and in 2015 Buescher brought home Jack Roush’s eighth NASCAR championship, after dominating the series and leading the point standings for 24 consecutive weeks.

Stenhouse Jr started racing the No. 17 car for RFR when Matt Kenseth left the organization in 2013.

Coming to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2016, Buescher drove the No. 34 during his rookie season and earned his ticket to the playoffs with a victory at Pocono. For the past three seasons, Buescher has driven the No. 37 Cup entry and is now 20th in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings.