03/20/2016
Flat-Tire Ends Promising Run for Bayne in Fontana
FONTANA, Calif. (March 20, 2016) – Trevor Bayne powered his No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion inside the top 15 for much of the day before a flat right-rear tire relegated him to a 20th-place finish in Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event at Auto Club Speedway
“My guys did such a great job and gave me a great AdvoCare Ford,” said Bayne after the race. “I hate that we made contact with the wall and had a tire go down. This car was so fast on the long-run and it deserved a top-10 finish. I’m glad we were able to rebound to 20th but I’m ready to get back to the track after this off week and give everything I have.”
Bayne took the green flag for the 200-Lap race from the seventh position after advancing to the final round of knockout qualifying on Friday evening. In the early stages of the event, Bayne battled a loose racecar that shuffled the AdvoCare Ford back to the 14th position. The Roush Fenway Racing driver maintained his top-15 track position throughout much of the ensuing green-flag run.
Then, crew chief Matt Puccia took advantage of a Lap 47 caution to bring the Knoxville, Tenn. native to pit road for four tires and a chassis adjustment to rectify the loose-handling condition. Returning to the track in 15th, Bayne again picked up speed over the long run and drove the AdvoCare Ford up to the 13th position before contact with the outside retaining wall just past the halfway mark led to the flat tire.
After pitting for repairs, Bayne returned to the track in 34th – one lap behind the race leaders – but worked his way back up to 28th during the long green-flag run that followed.
In the closing stages, Bayne utilized a “Never-Give-Up” attitude and drove into the free pass position when the final caution came out on Lap 198. Now in overtime, Bayne made a daring five-wide move into the third corner and was able to take the checkered flag for the final time in the 20th position.
The NSCS will take a break for Easter weekend, before returning to action at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, April 3.
