11/02/2015
Stenhouse Jr. Finishes 39th at Martinsville After Being Collected in Early Accident
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Nov. 1, 2015) – After working his way up to the 25th position, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was involved in multi-car chain reaction accident on lap 113 causing significant damage to the Zest Ford ultimately sending his mangled machine to the garage. Due to hasty work by the No. 17 team to repair the damage, Stenhouse Jr. was able to pick up four positions after returning to the track to take the checkered flag in the 39th place during Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.
“We had been on a roll lately with five straight top-15 finishes but today didn’t go that well,” Stenhouse said. “Martinsville has been a tough track for me. Luckily we got our Zest Ford back out on the track and were able to pick up a few more positions. I’m looking forward to the last three races.”
After battling a tight machine during his qualifying laps on Friday afternoon, the two-time XFINITY champion lined up in the 29th position and was able to gain two positions within the first 50 laps before the competition yellow was displayed due to the overnight rain.
The Olive Branch, Miss. native was working his way up through the field before being collected in a multi-car accident on the lap 113 restart of the 500-lap race. The crew worked feverishly under the caution laps to repair the damage but when the race went back to green Stenhouse cut a right front tire sending his machine into the outside wall.
The damage from the impact sent the Zest Ford to the garage for repair. The No. 17 team worked rapidly allowing Stenhouse to return to the track within the next 70 laps.
With typical short track racing leading to multiple cautions, the Roush Fenway Racing driver was able to gain four additional positions after returning to the track taking the checkered flag in the 39th position.
Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 17 team travel to Texas Motor Speedway next weekend for the AAA Texas 500. Race coverage starts at 2 pm EST on NBC.
