Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Looks to Finish What it Started
During Daytona 500 with Strong Run at Coke Zero 400
The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing Team is looking to finish at the Coke Zero 400 this weekend what it started in February during the Daytona 500 when a hard-charging, fast race car retired early with engine trouble.
“I believe we will have a good enough car to run up front and have a chance to contend for the win,” driver Ryan Blaney said.
DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2015 – The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing Team is looking to finish at the Coke Zero 400 this weekend what it started in February during the Daytona 500 when a hard-charging, fast race car retired early with engine trouble.
Driver Ryan Blaney’s first Daytona 500 came to an end when the motor of his No. 21 Ford Fusion let go suddenly late in the race.
This occurred after battling his way back to 13th place after early-race contact with the Daytona International Speedway wall moved him to mid-pack. This week, Blaney and his team want to run up front and finish the race, more like when he finished fourth at Talladega.
“We had a fast car in the 500,” Blaney said. “It didn’t end the way we wanted, but the good thing is Ford Performance and the Wood Brothers always bring fast cars to speedways.
“With this being a night race, the speeds are going to be much faster and cars are going to handle better,” he continued. “Which means that the aggressive drivers will be able to make more moves.
“I believe we will have a good enough car to run up front and have a chance to contend for the win,” Blaney said. “Everything just has to fall our way.”
Crew Chief Jeremy Bullins added, “The reality is we had a good day going in February before something out of our control took place. We will give the same effort to control what we can and hopefully be in a good position at the end.”
As has been the case throughout the up-and-down first part of the 2015 NASCAR season for Blaney and Bullins, they are focusing on the positives rather than the negatives.
“We have made huge progress as a team, not only me with driving but Jeremy with being able to work on the car more often,” Blaney said.
“Ryan has always run well at restrictor-plate races whether it be in a truck, in XFINITY or in Cup.” Bullins said. “He’s always shown the ability to be competitive and a good understanding of the draft.”
Considering the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion was so strong at Daytona in February, will the set up be the same for the Fourth of July weekend?”
“It’ll be similar, but not exactly the same,” Bullins explained. “It should be a little warmer, and it will be a night race versus afternoon, so that plays into it as well. Plus, I think we learned things in February that we can improve on for July, so it won’t be exactly the same for that reason alone.”
Wood Brothers Racing is the winningest team in Coke Zero 400 history with eight victories in the race that started life as the Firecracker 400. Cale Yarborough (twice), David Pearson (four times), Neil Bonnett and Buddy Baker all have helped the Woods celebrate Independence Day in victory circle at Daytona.
“Any win is cool and Daytona is certainly a special place to go to victory lane,” Bullins said. “If we as a group can add to the Wood Brothers’ legacy by getting a win, it wouldn’t get much more rewarding than that. I think we’ve shown we’re capable of running up front, so it’s up to us to try to get the job done.”
Practice sessions for Coke Zero 400 qualifying begin at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, July 3 and can be seen live on NBCSN. Qualifying will take place at 4:35 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 4 and will be broadcast live on NBCSN. The Coke Zero 400 coverage begins at 7:45 p.m. EDT on July 5 on NBC.
Coke Zero 400/Daytona International Speedway Facts
Track: 2.5-mile super speedway
Laps: 200
1st Race: 1959
Wood Brothers Wins: 9 (Last in 1983)
Race Record: Bobby Allison, 1980, 173.473 mph
2014 Winner: Aric Almirola
2014 No. 21 Finish: 38th
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About Motorcraft
Motorcraft® offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under-hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers are backed by Ford Motor Company’s two-year, unlimited-miles Service Parts Limited Warranty. Ask for Motorcraft by name when you visit your local auto parts store or your favorite service facility. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane’s nationwide network of more than 700 facilities, each providing the convenience of an aftermarket company (no appointment necessary, service while you wait, evening and weekend hours, competitive prices) with the confidence of a major automotive manufacturer (quality parts, factory-trained, technicians). In addition to offering trusted parts from Motorcraft, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers offers brand-name tires from Goodyear, Continental, Michelin and others. Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.quicklane.com
Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 98 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 117 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion driven by Ryan Blaney in the famous No. 21 racecar.
