CONCORD, N.C. – Jack Roush said Thursday he was excited about the youth coming into Roush Fenway Racing, noting Ryan Reed was expected to compete full time for the organization next year in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series while Chris Buescher possessed the inside track for his fourth Cup team.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 26, returns to Roush Fenway in a full-time Cup ride next year and Trevor Bayne, 22, also remains with the operation.

“We have Travis Pastrana [30], who’s running a partial program for next year, at least that’s where the conversation is at this point,” Roush said. “Chris Buescher is going to follow in Ricky Stenhouse’s footsteps as soon as I can find a sponsorship for my fourth Cup car. If the rookie fits the profile of the sponsor I’ve got, Chris Buescher would be the one in the catbird seat.”

Buescher, cousin of 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion James Buescher, claimed the ARCA title last year. A Prosper, Texas, native, the 20-year-old Buescher began his professional racing career in 2008, driving Legends cars in North Carolina. Mentored by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan, who once drove for Roush, Buescher first signed as a development driver with Roush Fenway Racing.

He moved to ARCA in 2010 and the following year received Rookie of the Year honors. En route to last year’s ARCA championship, Buescher became the first driver to ever complete every lap in a single season of competition in that series. Buescher made his Nationwide Series debut for Roush in 2011 at Richmond and finished 17th. He repeated his performance the following week at Darlington. This year Buescher has competed in seven Nationwide races for Roush with his best finish being seventh at Bristol in the spring and Michigan in June. Only one finish has been outside the top 20 and that came in May at Charlotte.

Reed made his Nationwide debut for Roush Fenway in the spring at Richmond, finishing 16th on the lead lap. The 20-year-old produced his best finish in three Nationwide races this year at Richmond in September, placing ninth.

“He’s been more experienced and been more able to help with the setup of the car than I expected,” Roush said about Reed.

Roush also noted that Reed has Type 1 diabetes and he’s been able to compensate for the disease through medication.

“For him to be able to drive competitively in a stock car is a testament to what he can do and what people who are afflicted can look forward to if they get the right help and if they’re motivated sufficiently,” Roush added.

IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball also has Type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2007 and was forced to abandon his racing program in the middle of the season. He returned to driving the following year and this August became the first competitor with diabetes to win an IZOD IndyCar Series event. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver claimed the Aug. 4 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

– Deb Williams can be reached at dwilliams@racintoday.com