NASCAR O'Reilly Series

Ryan Reed blew a right-front tire in his No. 16 Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang Saturday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway, ending his day early.  Reed took the green flag from the rear of the pack due to a penalty in pre-race technical inspection, but was making progress working his way through the field when the right-front tire blew on lap 79, resulting in a 38th-place finish.  

Kyle Busch has the most laps led in the MENCS at Bristol among active drivers –and the ninth most in Cup history - with 1,960 circuits led. The next closest active competitor is Matt Kenseth with 1,572 laps.  Busch and his brother Kurt Busch are tied for the most Cup wins at Bristol among active drivers with five.

In 164 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing boasts nine wins - seven with Dale Earnhardt, one with Kevin Harvick and one with Jeff Burton - three pole awards, 34 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes. 

“I can’t wait to get to Bristol,” said Bell.  “I’ve definitely had this one circled on my calendar.  Bristol is one of my favorite tracks that we race at.  I think we will have a truck capable of contending this weekend, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to a short track.”

This isn't a respectable statistic for a division that boasts how "Names Are Made Here." How does one "make a name" by running fourth, ninth, and 12th on a weekly basis? Ticket sales and attendance are down and have been declining since the other two national touring divisions in NASCAR became feeder series instead of having their own identity.

Newcomer Sheldon Creed, a 19-year-old off-road racer from Alpine, Calif., is scheduled to make his Xfinity Series debut in the United Rentals No. 01 Chevrolet for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.

Garrett Smithley got his first experience at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last season. This weekend he’s back for more. Smithley finished a strong 24th in last year’s Xfinity Series race at the twisting road course. He’ll drive the Wheeling Nailers No. 0 Chevrolet in Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Challenge.

Ross Chastain hopes to improve on an impressive 2016 run at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course when he drives the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 4 Chevrolet in Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Challenge.

Ryan Reed has competed at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course three times in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. 2014 - His rookie season, Reed finished 12th after starting 28th.

"I always enjoy road course racing so I am excited about heading to Mid-Ohio this weekend. We didn't have the best of luck at Watkins Glen and I hope that we can turn that around. This will be my first time at the track and I need to learn all that I can."