Nationwide race winner James Buescher avoids major wreck [Video]

James Buescher didn’t appear to have much of a shot at winning the Nationwide race Saturday at Daytona International Speedway heading into the final lap. But as the cars started piling up in front of his No. 30 Chevrolet, the 31-year-old driver suddenly became the only car with a shot to win the race.

After watching an 11-car crash unfold in front of him, Buescher was able to maneuver through the debris to claim an unlikely victory, his first in the Nationwide Series.

“Everybody just started rubbing fenders and they all just turned into the wall together,” Buescher said. “I had enough time to point my car to the bottom ... made it through and dodged all the bullets and was the only car that came out the other side out front.”

Buescher was in 11th place as he rounded the final turn, just far enough back to avoid the wreckage that included runner-up Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Trevor Bayne.

“I had time to think about it and figure out where to point my race car to go through there,” Buescher said. “It happened quick but it was kind of slow in the moment.”

It was the third multi-car crash of the race. Another involved pole-sitter Danica Patrick, who wrecked 49 laps into the race and ended up finishing 38th.

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