09/04/2016

Mechanical Failure Ends Bayne’s Night Early in Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. (Sept. 4, 2016) – Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion, suffered a mechanical failure just shy of the halfway mark in the famed Southern 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event at Darlington Raceway, leading to a 40^th-place finish.

“I really hate that that happened,” said Bayne after the race. “(Crew chief) Matt (Puccia) made some great adjustments that got our AdvoCare Ford to handle great but we were in a tough position because we were down a cylinder. I’m proud of all of my guys’ effort this weekend. We’ll give it everything we can next weekend and go for the win to get into the Chase.”

Bayne began the 367-Lap event from the 19^th position on Sunday night as the field was set by owner points per the NASCAR Rule Book due to weather from Hurricane Hermine on Friday. From the drop of the green flag Bayne reported to crew chief Matt Puccia that the AdvoCare Ford needed more front turn and overall grip to help rectify a loose handling condition through the corners.

In the hopes of helping improve the handling of the AdvoCare Ford, Puccia called Bayne to pit road during the first round of green flag pit stops on Lap 48 for four tires and a chassis adjustment. Bayne returned to the track in the 24^th position and maintained his track position for several laps before reporting on Lap 87 that the engine seemed to be down on power.

The Roush Fenway Racing driver continued to diagnose the problem before getting loose trying to get on pit road on Lap 95, sending the AdvoCare Ford sideways through the third and fourth corners. With the caution out, Bayne returned to pit road once again to give the crew a chance to look under the hood.

Bayne took the ensuing restart from the 32^nd position and soldiered on despite the mechanical issue for several laps before being forced to head to the garage following a Lap 163 green flag pit stop due to smoke.

After looking under the hood to see what could be done in the garage it was determined that the issue was too severe, ending the AdvoCare Ford’s evening early.

Bayne will be scored with a 40^th-place finish.

Next up for the NSCS in Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, Sept. 10.

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NEXT UP:

.750-Mile Richmond International Raceway

Richmond, Virginia

Saturday, September 10, 2016

7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and MRN

RACE SUMMARY

Trevor Bayne

Started: 19^th  

Finished: 40^th

Complete Race Results:

www.roushfenway.com