HAMPTON, Ga. (Feb. 27, 2016) – Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Ford Mustang, finished in the 18th position on Saturday afternoon in the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after overcoming a flat right-front tire under green on Lap 128.
“Today was just a series of unfortunate events,” said Wallace after the race. “We had that deal on pit road there that damaged both our right-side and left-rear and then we had that flat tire. Our car was decent before that and we were able to race inside the top 10 for a while. We’ll hit the notes and get ready to get after it next weekend in Vegas.”
Wallace began the 163-Lap race from the 18th position after advancing to the second round of knockout qualifying on Saturday morning. In the early stages of the event, Wallace reported to crew chief Seth Barbour that the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Ford Mustang was very loose throughout the corners. In order to rectify this handling condition, Barbour called Wallace to pit road during the first caution on Lap 8 for four tires and a chassis adjustment.
Wallace returned to the track in the 30th position but raced his way up to the 18th position before the caution came out once again on Lap 14. During this caution the decision was made to stay out to improve track position. The strategy call worked as Wallace took the ensuing restart from the ninth position.
Wallace maintained his track position inside the top 10 throughout the green-flag run, racing up to as high as sixth before the caution came out once again on Lap 48. After pitting during the caution for four tires and another chassis adjustment, Wallace returned to the track in 13th and continued to run in the top 15.
Then, during a green flag pit stop on Lap 98, Wallace made contact with the No. 13 car on pit road that damaged both the right-side and the left-rear, costing the Roush Fenway Racing driver valuable track position. In an attempt to regain the lost positions, crew chief Barbour and Wallace decided to take a wave around on a Lap 122 caution. The move worked initially but a flat right-front tire forced Wallace to make an unscheduled pit stop on Lap 128.
In the closing stages, Wallace utilized a never-give-up attitude to gain as many positions as he could, ultimately coming home with an 18th-place finish.
Next up for the NASCAR XFINITY Series is Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 5.
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NEXT UP:
1.5-Mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, March 5, 2016
4:00 p.m. ET on FS1 and PRN
RACE SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
Started: 18th
Finished: 18th
Complete Race Results:
www.roushfenway.com
