06/12/2016
Reed Finishes 14th in Michigan
BROOKLYN, Mich. (June 11, 2016) – Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association team finished 14th on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway after starting 11th.
“We had such a fast car all weekend, but just couldn’t pass once we got in traffic today,” said Reed. “I’m so proud of how well we unloaded and the speed we had all weekend. If we come out like that every weekend, the top-10 finishes will start coming soon.”
Reed fired off from the 11th position on Saturday afternoon after making it through to the second round of single-car qualifying earlier in the morning. He settled into the 15th position by Lap 5 and reported that he was tight center-off.
The team had their first chance to make adjustments under the Lap 27 caution period. Crew chief Phil Gould brought Reed down pit road from the 16th position for four fresh tires, a wedge adjustment and a full tank of gas. Reed restarted 17th and a few laps after the restart reported that his foot was getting really hot inside the car. Under caution, the in-car thermometer showed that the temperature in the car had reached 117 degrees.
Reed soldiered on despite the rough conditions in the car, settling into 15th by the halfway point in the race. A few laps past halfway, the team pitted under green-flag conditions for the same adjustments as their first stop. Reed had reported those changes worked, but needed more of the same.
The field saw the second caution flag of the day on Lap 80 while Reed ran 12th. Gould brought his driver down pit road for fuel only so that the team would be good on fuel to the end of the race.
Reed restarted 13th with 33 laps remaining in the race. He reported the car was a little free, but held on to finish 14th when the checkered flag flew.
After Saturday’s race, Reed remains 10th in the NASCAR XFINITY Championship standings. Next up for Reed and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association team is Iowa Speedway on June 19th.
