AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 13, 2016) – After leading the Roush Fenway Racing qualifying efforts, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. battled back to take the checkered flag in the 23rd position after an untimely caution following a green flag pit-stop cost him a lap to the leaders in Sunday’s Can-Am 500(k) at Phoenix Raceway.
“We really struggled all weekend,” Stenhouse said. “We made our car better throughout the race but after we lost two laps from pit strategy, the cards never fell our way to let us get back on the lead lap. I’m looking forward to going to Homestead and ending the season on a high note.”
The two-time NASCAR XFINITY champion rolled off in the 21st position for the 312-lap race and was moving forward before his Ford turned to a tight handling condition costing him a few positions.
After making a scheduled green flag pit stop, Stenhouse was just leaving pit-road when the yellow flag was displayed trapping him two laps down and scored in the 32nd position.
After taking the wave around multiple times to get back a lap to the leaders, Stenhouse was never able to rebound due to different pit strategies by the leaders forcing Stenhouse to settle with a 23rd-place finish at Phoenix Raceway.
Next up for Stenhouse and the No. 17 team is the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 20. Race coverage begins at 2 p.m. (EST) on NBC. Coverage can also be heard on MRN and NASCAR SIRIUS/XM radio channel 90.
