WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Aug 9, 2014) – Roush Fenway Racing rookie Ryan Reed and the No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes team fought for a 12th-place finish in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Watkins Glen. After being forced to a backup car due to a practice accident, Reed ran a solid race and avoided trouble, in order to earn his 10th top-15 finish of the 2014 season.
“I am so proud and grateful for how hard these guys worked this weekend,” said Reed. “They did a great job preparing the backup car after practice on Friday. To finish 12th, without a scratch on it, I’m just really proud of our whole Drive to Stop Diabetes team. We’ll take this finish and move on to Mid-Ohio.”
The NNS visited Watkins Glen International for its second of three road courses for the 2014 season. After an accident with less than 20 minutes remaining in final practice on Friday, the No. 16 team was forced to unload the backup car.
Reed turned his first laps in the backup car Saturday morning during qualifying. After a conservative run, Reed lined up 28th to start the 82-Lap race.
The 20-year-old driver ran inside the top-15 until visiting pit road for the first time on Lap 19. The team opted for four tires and fuel, with no adjustments during the green flag pit stop.
On the next run, the rookie driver worked on his line trying to find more speed. He informed the team that his car was too tight through turn two and the left-hand turns.
He continued to tick off laps inside the top-15, until visiting pit road for the second time on Lap 42. The team again opted for four tires, fuel and no adjustments. With varying pit strategies in play, Reed restarted 28th.
Shortly after returning to green flag racing, Reed again visited pit road on Lap 50, but this time for fuel only. The rookie worked his way into the top-15, running the closing 20 laps in 12th. With the finish, Reed remains ninth in the NNS point standings.
NEXT UP:
Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200
2.40-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Lexington, Ohio
Saturday, August 16, 2014
2:45 p.m. ET on ESPN and MRN
RACE SUMMARY
Ryan Reed
Started: 28
Finished: 12
Complete Race Results:
www.roushfenway.com
POINTS SUMMARY
Ryan Reed
2014 Season Total: Ninth with 570 points
