DARLINGTON, S.C. (September 6, 2015) – Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association team finished 23rd on Saturday at Darlington Raceway after blowing a right-front tire with under 15 laps to go in the race.
“We really got the car handling great by the end there, but staying out on old tires just didn’t work in our favor,” said Reed. “I’m proud of the calls Chad (Norris) made to gain us track position and can’t thank the guys enough for all of their hard work. We will go get them in Richmond.”
Reed started the 147-lap event from the 17th position Saturday afternoon in his “throwback” paint scheme, sporting vintage Lilly Diabetes and American Diabetes Association logos.
After taking the green flag, Reed was quiet on the radio for the first 20 laps as he settled into the 19th position. On Lap 20, he reported that the car was tight on the entrance to Turn 2, but very loose everywhere else. Crew chief Chad Norris told Reed they would adjust in five laps when the competition caution was displayed.
During the competition caution, Norris brought Reed down pit road for four tires and a track bar adjustment to help the car’s loose condition. The team’s quick pit stop gained Reed four spots, putting him in the 15th position for the restart on Lap 29.
On the next green-flag run, Reed settled into the 21st position and was quiet on the radio until the next caution flag on Lap 70. He reported that the car was still very loose and that he didn’t feel like the last adjustment had helped. Norris brought Reed down pit road under the caution period for fresh tires, a wedge adjustment and an air pressure change.
Reed was in the “lucky dog” position when the caution was displayed, putting him back on the lead lap for the restart on Lap 74. He made his way up to the 19th position with 50 laps to go and told Norris that the last adjustment really helped the car. Ten laps later, Reed reported that he had started losing a lot of grip and was sliding all over the track.
With just under 25 laps to go, green-flag pit stops began. Norris made the call not to bring Reed down pit road in order to gain track position. He told his driver they were good on fuel and to try to hang on to the car until the end of the race.
Reed was up to the 12th position with 14 laps to go when he came over the radio to tell the team he had a right-front tire down. He immediately came down pit road for service, taking right-side tires only. He returned to the track in the 23rd position, where he would finish the last ten laps of the race.
Reed remains 10th in the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship standings, 222 points behind points -leader and teammate Chris Buescher. Reed and the rest of the NASCAR XFINITY Series will return to the track on Saturday, September 11th at Richmond International Raceway.
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, Elliott Sadler, Ryan Reed, Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. Now in its 28th 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 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. For the past 75 years, our mission has been 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 (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
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.
