Blaney Still Sixth in Points
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Looking to Rebound in Auto Club 400
DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2017 – Even though the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion has been fast at each of the four tracks on which it has raced so far this season, the results have been up and down. The Wood Brothers Racing Team is looking to rebound from a down week in Phoenix when it travels to Fontana for the Auto Club 400 this weekend.
Still in sixth place in the driver standings by virtue of his runner-up finish at Daytona, seventh-place result in Las Vegas and the ability to score points in six of eight race stages, driver Ryan Blaney and his team feel like they left something on the table at Atlanta (18th) and Phoenix (23rd).
Last year, in his only career race at Auto Club Speedway, Blaney’s Ford blew a tire on the 195th of 205 laps and the ensuing encounter with the wall ended his day in 35th place.
RYAN BLANEY
“Fontana was a good race track for us last year and had a good run going before our blown tire. I’m looking forward to going back with another strong car and improving on last year’s result.”
RYAN BLANEY FONTANA FAST FACTS:
Currently sixth in driver points
Has scored points in six of eight stages so far in 2017
Finished 35th last year at Fontana due to a tire failure
WOOD BROTHERS FONTANA FAST FACTS:
This will be the team’s 20th start at Auto Club Speedway
Best finish was in 2005, 9th with Ricky Rudd behind the wheel
CREW CHIEF JEREMY BULLINS
On Auto Club Speedway:
“Fontana is one of the two biggest intermediate tracks we go to. It’s two miles in length just like Michigan, but it’s much rougher and has a much older surface.
“The big challenge is getting the aero platform of your car where you want it and still getting through the bumps without wearing your splitter out. You see a lot of cars finish the race with the left side of the splitter worn completely away.
“The seams between the lanes are also a challenge for the drivers as they get very slick when the track temperature goes up. You don’t want to cross them on entry or exit or you will lose a lot of grip. You’ll see cars running the top line make sure they stay above the seam for the entire corner.”
WEEKEND TV SCHEDULE ON FS1 & FOX
Friday March 24, 1:30 p.m. ET – Practice, FS1
March 24, 7:05 p.m. ET – Pole Qualifying, FS1
Saturday March 25, 11:30 a.m. ET – Practice, FS1
March 25, 2:30 ET – Final Practice, FS1
Sunday March 26, 3:30 p.m. ET – Auto Club 400, FOX
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 more than 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 Glenn 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 NASCAR’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. Glenn’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.
