DEARBORN, Mich., May 10, 2017 – Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing team will try to reverse a three-week string of bad racing luck this Saturday night in the Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Despite having speed at Bristol, Richmond and Talladega, the Wood Brothers’ famous No. 21 was plagued by a rare power steering failure and consecutive late-race crashes that turned otherwise promising days into 33rd-, 36th– and 39th-place finishes.
Fortunately, Blaney still is in playoff hunt as he pulls into Kansas 13th on the driver points chart.
If there is a good luck charm to help reverse Blaney’s recent racing fortunes, Kansas Speedway is it. In his last three races in the heartland, he has posted finishes of fifth, 14th and seventh for an average finish of 8.6.
RYAN BLANEY
On Bouncing Back at Kansas Speedway:
“The last three races have had rough endings, especially when you consider we had fast cars at Bristol, Richmond and Talladega.”
“I’m excited to get to Kansas and hope we can get it rolling and have a positive result there. I always like going to Kansas. I feel like it’s a track that suits this team well. It’s always been a decent track for me. Kansas really challenges teams and driver skill to run well. It’s the fastest intermediate track we go to and tires don’t fall off.”
RYAN BLANEY KANSAS FAST FACTS:
- Is 13th in driver points standings
- Started seventh and finished fifth in 2016 spring race
- Started 17th and finished 14 in 2016 fall race
- Started eighth and finished seventh in 2015 fall race
WOOD BROTHERS KANSAS FAST FACTS:
- This will be the team’s 15th start at Talladega
- First start was in 2001
- Best finish was second in 2004 fall race with driver Ricky Rudd
- Has five top-10 finishes at Kansas
CREW CHIEF JEREMY BULLINS
On Why the MQL Team Tends to Do Well at Kansas Speedway:
“I would say we have more experience there than some places considering it was Ryan’s first intermediate in 2014 and we’ve generally been fast at all the smooth intermediate tracks where you carry a lot of speed.”
“Strategy will be important at Kansas as track position is big. It’s a very aero-sensitive intermediate track and if you get track position you can generally hold it pretty well.”
WEEKEND TV SCHEDULE ON FS1 (All times Eastern)
Friday May 12, 11:30 a.m. – Practice
May 12, 1:30 p.m. – Final Practice
May 12, 6:45 p.m. – Pole Qualifying
Saturday May 13, 7:30 p.m. – Go Bowling 400
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 Glen 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. Glen’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.
