CONCORD, N.C (Oct. 12, 2016) – The NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) Chase ‘Round of 8’ kicks off Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed, driver of the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang, solidly made it past the first cutoff round of the inaugural NXS Chase last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Our whole Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association team has worked so hard to get to this point,” said Reed. “We’ve been able to improve our cars not only throughout the season, but during races too. We just have to run as close to mistake-free as possible to remain in contention for the championship.”
Reed currently ranks sixth on the NXS Chase Grid as the series enters this weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway, a track that Reed has two previous NXS starts at with a best finish of 12thcoming in 2014.
In addition, Reed has two ARCA Racing Series starts under his belt at Kansas, earning two top-10 finishes, with his best finish of fourth coming last year after starting 12th and leading 12 laps.
In 2011, Reed was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and told he would never get behind the wheel of a race car again. Five years later, Reed is not only a winner at the famed Daytona International Speedway, but is also a solid Championship contender in the first-ever NXS Chase.
“We won the first race with XFINITY on board as the title sponsor of the series,” said Reed. “It would be pretty awesome to one up that and be the first winner of the XFINITY Series Chase.”
At the conclusion of the next three races at Kansas, Texas and Phoenix, four more drivers will be eliminated from Chase contention as the remaining four drivers will battle for the championship in Homestead.
Reed and the rest of the NXS will take the green flag at Kansas Speedway on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series competition with drivers Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed, Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. Now in its 29th season, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and producing multiple award-winning digital and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by Jack Roush, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.
About the Drive to Stop Diabetes
The Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign strives to educate people about living well with diabetes. The campaign encourages the millions of Americans who have diabetes to talk about it with their doctor, family, and friends and to actively manage their health.
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world’s first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes.
About The American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
