NEWTON, Iowa (Aug 3, 2014) – Roush Fenway Racing rookie Ryan Reed rallied to a 15th-place finish in his No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang on Saturday night in the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ (NNS) second trip to Iowa Speedway, after battling a car that was loose on entry and tight on exit for the majority of the race.
“I’m proud of this Drive to Stop Diabetes team for working so hard during this race,” said Reed. “They never gave up and kept trying to make this Mustang better throughout the race. Fifteenth is not what we wanted, but we will learn from it and move on to Watkins Glen next weekend.”
The NNS traveled to Iowa Speedway for the second time of the season, this time racing under the lights. Reed qualified his No. 16 Mustang in 11th for the 250-Lap race.
To open the race, Reed climbed one position into the top-10. He maintained that spot until his Mustang became too loose on entry and too tight in the center and on exit.
A caution on Lap 50 gave Crew Chief Seth Barbour the opportunity to call his rookie driver down pit road for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment.
When the race returned to green, Reed informed the crew that he was still battling the same handling conditions. The driver raced inside the top-20, until returning to pit road for more adjustments on Lap 110.
The No. 16 pit crew changed four tires and added fuel, as well as making several chassis adjustments to try and help Reed with the handling of his Ford Mustang. On the ensuing green flag run, Reed radioed to the team that the adjustments had helped, but he wanted more of them.
Reed fought for position inside the top-15 for the remainder of the race, ultimately crossing the line in 15th. The finish marks Reeds ninth top-15 finish of the 2014 season and moves him up one position to ninth in the NNS point standings.
NEXT UP:
Zippo 200 at the Glen
2.45-mile Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen, N.Y.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
2:15 p.m. ET on ABC and MRN
RACE SUMMARY
Ryan Reed
Started: 11
Finished: 15
Complete Race Results:
www.roushfenway.com
POINTS SUMMARY
Ryan Reed
2014 Season Total: Ninth with 538 points
