Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Martinsville Advance
Team: No. 17 ‘Pit For a Pair’ Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Mike Kelley
Primary Chassis: RK – 858 – last raced at Martinsville – finished 40th.
Backup Chassis: RK – 877 – last raced at Loudon – finished ninth.
ADVANCE NOTES
· Stenhouse at Martinsville
o Stenhouse Jr. has three Sprint Cup starts at the paper-clip shaped track with an average starting position of 23.3 and average finishing position of 32.0.
· Last time at Martinsville
o After overcoming adversity early, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was running in the top 20 when suddenly he felt a vibration in his No. 17 Ford Ecoboost Ford. The vibration sent the 2013 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year to the garage for repairs, resulting in a 40th–place finish.
· The Car
o Chassis RK-858 is the same chassis that the No. 17 team raced at Martinsville in the spring. Stenhouse had worked his way inside the top-20 before breaking a drive shaft.
· Breast Cancer Awareness
o The No. 17 Ford has a special pink paint scheme this weekend in Martinsville as part of Roush Fenway Racing’s program to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) in an effort to raise awareness for early detection.
o To download the Early Detection App visit:
· Martinsville Native
o Engine Tuner, Jonathan Salmons, grew up in Bassett, Virginia. He is an active supporter of Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center where is nephew attends. For more information on the center, visit www.braacroanoke.org.
Stenhouse on Martinsville:
“I’ve really struggled at Martinsville. Martinsville is a tough paper-clip shaped track. We had a good run going in the spring but ended up having a mechanical issue that sent our Ford to the garage. Track position is crucial at Martinsville so if we can stay up front and out of trouble, we should be able to leave Martinsville with a solid finish.”
Kelley on Martinsville:
“We had a decent run going in the spring until we had a mechanical issue. Track position is crucial so we will try to get a good starting spot and hopefully stay up front. I think after last weekend our No. 17 team is more determined for the final four races of the season.”
