11/13/2016
Ryan Reed Rides Strong Qualifying Effort to Top-Ten Finish in Phoenix
Avondale, Ariz. (Nov. 13, 2016) – Ryan Reed and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association team earned a top-10 finish on Saturday afternoon at Phoenix International Raceway, crossing the finish line in 6th. Despite the strong finish, Reed was narrowly eliminated from the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.
“It is tough,” said Reed. “We felt like we knew what we had to come in here and do. I said if we could finish top-five we would give ourself a shot. Sixth is pretty darn close. If you look at our post season, even though we are not going to be in Miami it is a heck of an improvement. I am proud of the hard work we put in. We will go to Homestead and still race for fifth. I am brokenhearted that we won’t be racing for a championship but it wasn’t from a shortage of effort.”
Reed set the tone for the weekend with a career-best 3rd-place qualifying effort during Saturday’s three-round session to set the field. Taking the green flag from the third position, the Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Mustang would quickly run into lapped traffic on the short track and would be shuffled back to the sixth position before the first caution of the day flew on Lap 48 for debris. Crew chief Phil Gould brought Reed to pit road during the caution for four tires and chassis adjustments to improve the handling of his Mustang.
A quick wreck on the ensuing restart gave the team an opportunity to save fuel, knowing they could now make it to the end of the race with just one more pit stop. Reed would maintain his top-ten position until a caution on Lap 137 gave Gould an opportunity to try just two right-side tires on the Mustang, allowing Reed to line up in the 5th position for the restart.
Reed would surge as high as fourth in the closing stages of the race, but cars with four fresh tires would eventually catch him as the race stayed green for the last 47 laps. The 6th-place finish was the best of Reed’s career at Phoenix.
About the Drive to Stop Diabetes
The Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign strives to educate people about living well with diabetes. The campaign encourages the millions of Americans who have diabetes to talk about it with their doctor, family, and friends and to actively manage their health.
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world’s first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a wide range of therapies and a continued determination to provide real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes.
About The American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
