ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (Aug. 30, 2015) – Roush Fenway Racing’s Bubba Wallace battled to the front of the pack late in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Road America. With just a handful of laps remaining, Wallace’s Ford EcoBoost Mustang was in contention to win, before crossing the finish line in fifth, tying his best finish in the NASCAR XFINITY Series thus far.
Saturday morning’s qualifying scheduled qualifying session was cancelled due to rain. The field was set based upon Friday’s first practice speeds, lining the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Mustang up in 17th for the 45-Lap race at the 4.05-mile road course.
Wallace got off to a strong start, gaining six positions within the first five laps. By Lap 7, Wallace made his way into the top-10, in ninth.
On Lap 8, Wallace was called down pit road by crew chief Seth Barbour for a scheduled green flag stop for four tires and fuel. Wallace returned to the track in 29th, as pit stops cycled through. By Lap 17, Wallace was in 11th, radioing to the team that he was ‘just cruising’.
A caution on Lap 22 allowed Barbour to bring Wallace down pit road again for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Upon exiting the pits, Wallace was just outside of his window to make the race on fuel. Barbour opted to bring his rookie driver back down pit road for a splash of fuel, as the field was taking the green flag.
After the pit stop, Wallace returned to the track in 28th, but continued to pick up positions each lap. By Lap 31, Wallace had again broken into the top-10.
A lengthy caution period and a late-race restart propelled Wallace into second. After battling for the lead Wallace would ultimately close out the day in fifth.
With the result, he remains sixth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series point standings, as the series travels to Darlington Raceway.
NEXT UP:
VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200
1.37-mile Darlington Raceway
Darlington, S.C.
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015
3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and MRN
RACE SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
Started: 17
Finished: 5
Complete Race Results:
www.roushfenway.com
POINTS SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
2015 Season Total: Sixth with 736 points
2015 SEASON SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
Starts Wins Top-Fives Top-10s Poles
23 0 2 9 1
