FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 4, 2018) – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. overcame a pit-road penalty to earn an 11th-place finish in Sunday’ Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
“Our Fastenal Ford was really strong all weekend,” Stenhouse said. “After leading final practice yesterday, I was really looking forward to the race. Luckily we were able to get back on the lead lap there at the end and be able to contend in the final green-white-checkered finish. Overall it was a good weekend for our No. 17 team.”
After barely missing the final round of qualifying on Friday, the two-time Xfinity Series Champion started the 334-lap race in the 15th position but quickly maneuvered his Fastenal Ford inside the top-10 by lap 10. When the competition yellow waved on lap 30 for rain overnight, Stenhouse was scored in the 10th position. After taking two tires, the Roush Fenway Racing driver lost a few positions when the remainder of the stage went caution free taking the green checkered in the 11th position.
The two-time Xfinity champion started stage two in the 10th position but dropped to 16th on the restart after being caught in the outside lane. Later in the run, Stenhouse bullied his way forward working his way inside the top-10 by lap 133. During a scheduled green flag pit-stop, the team was penalized with an uncontrolled tire forcing Stenhouse to serve a pass-thru penalty and costing him to lose a lap to the leaders. When the green checkered waved at the end of stage two, the Olive Branch, Miss. native was scored in the 20th position.
When the caution flag waved on lap 306, Stenhouse was scored in the lucky dog position allowing him to get back on the lead lap. When the caution flag waved sending the race into overtime, Stenhouse lined up in the 15th position for the final green white checkered picking up four positions in the closing laps to take the checkered flag in the 11th position.
Next weekend Stenhouse and the No. 17 team travel to ISM Raceway for the Can-Am 500. Race coverage begins at 2:30 pm ET on NBC.
