By the Numbers: Phoenix

There's a youth movement under way in the Nationwide Series and it will be in full display Friday night in the Bashas' Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Twelve of the 43 entered drivers are 24 or younger, with a just-turned 18-year-old leading the way as he makes his first NASCAR national series start.

Among the 12 drivers, they average 44 starts with eight of the 12 earning at least one top-five finish already in their career. Kyle Busch is the "veteran" of the group at just 22 years old with 12 victories in 115 starts.

The 2008 season marks the fourth consecutive year Busch has won a race in all three of NASCAR's national series. Thanks to last week's win at Texas, April is the fastest it has ever been done.

"It's been so tough this year [in the Nationwide Series], partly because of bad luck and partly because of a mistake that I made," Busch said. "We've been snake-bitten way too much. All of these guys work so, so hard on these things and I've torn a couple of them up. I'm really thankful for the fans that hung in there with me since it had been such a frustrating start in the Nationwide Series.

"But now that we've got one, I'm hoping there's plenty more where that came from. This team is certainly capable of winning more races this season."

That next win could come this week at Phoenix, where Busch has had some pretty impressive runs.

"Phoenix is a pretty neat place. For some reason, I've always run well there," Busch said. "I don't know if it's that I'm comfortable being back close to home on the West Coast or what. The coolest thing about Phoenix is that you have two distinctively different corners. Turns 1 and 2 are different than [Turns] 3 and 4, and there's also a kink in the backstretch.

"Being able to run good there depends on how well you can turn in the center of Turns 1 and 2, and yet still have a good drive up off the back straightaway because it's so long and fast. Then, getting into Turn 3, you really need to rotate. Just past the center of Turns 3 and 4, you have a little bit of kink on the apron where you need to be able to turn and get a good drive off the corner. There are plenty of tricks to that place that you need to know to be successful."

Those tricks are something James Buescher is going to have to learn -- quickly. Buescher turned 18 on March 26, and will be making his first start in the Nationwide Series this week as he pilots the No. 32 Braun Racing Toyota around the 1-mile oval.

"I'm really excited to make my debut in the Nationwide Series [and] it's an honor for me to being driving for Braun Racing," Buescher said. "This No. 32 car is competitive each and every week and I'm looking forward to keeping it that way."

Drivers shouldn't sell the youngster short, though, because he has a history of success when making his debut. In 2007, Buescher became the youngest winner in ARCA history when he won his series debut at Lakeland Speedway.

"I'm sure there will be a bit of a learning curve since I've never raced at Phoenix or in a Nationwide Series car, but this is a great team and I'm sure they will help me get comfortable as quickly as possible," he said.

One driver who can tell Buescher just how difficult this place is is fellow 18-year-old Landon Cassill. In his Phoenix debut in a Nationwide Series car last season, Cassill wrecked early in the race and finished 34th, 33 laps off the pace.

This season, he hopes his past experience at the track gives him an advantage on Friday.

"Phoenix is significant because I raced there last year," Cassill said. "It's almost like I can go back and catch on faster to the racetrack and maybe have a better run and compete with the Cup guys a little."

At Phoenix, catching the Cup guys is what matters most. In 12 races at PIR, nine have been won by full-time Cup drivers, including the last seven events.

Just the facts ma'am