DOVER, Del. (Sept. 28, 2014) – Roush Fenway Racing rookie of the year contender Ryan Reed ran inside the top-15 for the majority of Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Dover International Speedway. Ultimately, the No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang ran out of fuel with three laps remaining, crossing the finish line in 24th.
“We had a pretty decent Ford Mustang, but we got behind on those long green flag runs,” said Reed. “I think if we would have had a couple more opportunities to adjust on our Mustang we would have had a shot at a top-10. We tried a pit strategy in the hopes of getting back on the lead lap, but the cautions didn’t fall the way we needed them to.”
After a Saturday afternoon qualifying session, Reed lined up 18th to start the 200-Lap 200-Mile race at the Monster Mile. Reed settled into the top-20 during the opening run, coming down pit road for the first time of the day under the caution flag on Lap 41. To help his tight handling Mustang, Crew Chief Seth Barbour called for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment.
On the following long green flag runs, Reed fell two laps behind the race leaders, as he continued to battle a tight race car. After visiting pit road under the caution flag for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment on Lap 99, Barbour opted to take the wave around during the following caution on Lap 153. The bold strategy left the No. 16 just one lap down, fighting for the free pass position, but also around 10 laps shy on fuel.
The caution that the team was hoping for never flew, as the remainder of the race was run under green flag conditions. With three laps remaining, Reed ran out of gas, being forced to pit road for fuel as the leaders took the checkered flag.
Reed was credited with a 24th-place finish. With the result he remains ninth in the NNS point standings heading to Kansas Speedway next week.
NEXT UP:
Kansas Lottery 300
1.5-mile Kansas Speedway
Kansas City, Kan.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and MRN
RACE SUMMARY
Ryan Reed
Started: 18
Finished: 24
Complete Race Results:
www.roushfenway.com
POINTS SUMMARY
Ryan Reed
2014 Season Total: Ninth with 759 points
