Blaney Still 15th in Points
Topping off his fuel with an extra pit stop during the race’s second-to-last caution period allowed Ryan Blaney to drive the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion to a strong 10th place finish in the rain-delayed Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 at Pocono Raceway.
LONG POND, Penn., June 5, 2016 – Topping off his fuel with an extra pit stop during the race’s second-to-last caution period allowed Ryan Blaney to drive the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion to a strong 10th place finish in the rain-delayed Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 at Pocono Raceway.
Blaney had the Wood Brothers’ Ford in 12th place when the ninth yellow flag of the race flew. Crew chief Jeremy Bullins had his rookie driver come back to pit road to add some extra fuel.
“We were really close to being able to make it (on fuel),” Bullins said explaining his strategy. “We felt like we were far enough back to take a gamble and top off. We gave up a few spots to do that but we were able to get back where we needed to be at the end.”
The No. 21 slipped back to 19th but moved steadily forward through the field before getting to 10th with six laps to go.
“There were a lot of guys who were saving at the end and we passed a few of them,” Bullins continued. “We just ran out of time to get to the rest of them.”
The top 10 finish in Blaney’s first Cup ride at the “Tricky Triangle” was his fifth of the 2016 season and the seventh time he took the checkered flag in the top 15.
“You come out of here with a top 10 in your first trip here with a Cup car and that’s not bad,” Bullins said summarizing the team’s effort. “We had a couple of things we’d do differently looking back, but all in all we’ll take it and feel like we’ll be stronger when we come back in the fall.”
At the halfway point to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Blaney remains 15th in the drivers’ points standings as he and the Wood Brothers Racing Team head to Michigan International Speedway for Sunday’s Firekeepers Casino 400.
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
Ford’s Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes, light repair services including brake repair, and tire replacements on all vehicle makes and models. With nearly 800 locations and growing, customers can visit www.quicklane.com to find a center that is closest to them, print savings coupons and review maintenance tips to keep their vehicles running at peak efficiency. This site includes information on how to spot tire wear, how to jump-start a battery and even a series of tips to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy.
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 NASCA’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 number 21 racecar.
