11/22/2015
Sadler Finishes 13th in the Season Finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (November 21, 2015) – Roush Fenway Racing driver Elliott Sadler finished 13th in the season finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning’s qualifying was shorten due to rain and the field was set from the second round qualifying times. Sadler dealt with handling issues on his No. 1 OneMain Financial Ford Mustang for the majority of the race. Throughout the race, the crew made multiple changes on pit road including, wedge, track bar, shock and spring rubber adjustments. On the final pit stop, the No. 1 team made the right changes to Sadler’s car and he was able to drive his way forward through the field. Sadler crossed the finish line in the 13th position and finished the season sixth overall in the driver points standings.
“First off, big congrats to Roush Fenway Racing, Chris Buescher and the entire No. 60 team on their 2015 XFINITY Series Championship,” Sadler said after the race. “It was a good year and I want to send a big thanks to my No. 1 OneMain Financial team and all the hard workers back at the shop. Everyone busted their tails this year and it showed with all four of our XFINITY teams finishing in the Top-10 in driver points. ”
Qualifying started Saturday morning and Sadler advanced to round two and finished eighth in the second round. Not long after the second round ended, the rain started, which ultimately cancelled the third and final round of qualifying. The field was set by the times posted from the second round. Sadler started the 200 lap event from the eighth position.
A scheduled competition caution occurred on Lap 25 and Sadler pitted with the field under yellow. Sadler requested for help on his exit and the crew added four fresh tires, fuel, cranked on the track bar and added a spring rubber to the left rear during the pit stop. Sadler entered pit road 13th and exited pit road in the 19th position.
Sadler quickly worked his way back up to the 13th position, but radioed to the team, “I’m on my right rear tire too much.” On Lap 79, Sadler pitted under green and the pit crew added four fresh tires, topped the car off with fuel, cranked down on the track bar and added wedge to the car. Sadler returned to the track in the 21st position.
When the yellow came out again on Lap 116, Sadler mentioned he was too loose and still needs help on exit. Sadler entered pit road 18th and the crew added four tires, fuel made a wedge adjustment and pulled a spring rubber out of the right rear.
On Lap 141, it started to rain on the track and the caution flag waved again. The field pitted under yellow, but the race was never red flagged. The race resumed on Lap 144 and Sadler was scored in the 16th position.
With 20 laps to go in the race, the yellow flag waved one more time when the No. 54 car hit the wall on the front stretch. Sadler pitted under yellow and the crew added its final set of tires, fuel and added a little wedge to the car. Sadler restarted in the 15th position.
In the final laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Sadler was able to pass two more cars and cross the finish line in the 13th position. This was the final race of the 2015 season and Sadler’s next race will be at Daytona International Speedway in February, 2016.
RACE SUMMARY
Elliott Sadler
Started: 8th
Finished: 13th
