03/13/2016
Stenhouse Jr. Finishes 37th After a Tire Issue
AVONDALE, Ariz. (March 13, 2016) – After leading the Roush Fenway Racing qualifying efforts with a 10th-place starting position, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was running in the 21st position when the right-front tire blew on his Fastenal Ford sending him hard into the outside wall. The damage could not be salvaged forcing Stenhouse to settle with a 37th-place finish in Sunday’s Good Sam 500(k) at Phoenix International Raceway.
“We were really tight and I had to use too much brake,” Stenhouse said. “I think we got the tires hot and once we did that the right front gave out from having to use too much brake. The cars were a handful. They were fun to drive. We just didn’t quite have the Fastenal Ford dialed in like we needed to today. It’s a bummer but we will go back and get them next week at California.”
After earning a top-10 starting position, the two-time XFINITY champion started 10th for the 312- lap race. As the handling of his Fastenal Ford turned to the tight condition, Stenhouse fell back gradually but was able to maintain until the first caution of the day was displayed.
After making a big swing with a chassis adjustment, the Fastenal Ford fired off to Stenhouse’s liking but as the run progressed the handling turned to a tight condition once again.
With right-front tire issues already bringing out two cautions, Stenhouse Jr. was running in the 21st position on lap 161 when his right-front tire blew sending the Fastenal Ford into the outside wall ending the No. 17 team’s day.
Next up for Stenhouse and the No. 17 team is the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, March 20. Race coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. (EST) on FOX. Coverage can also be heard on MRN and NASCAR SIRIUS/XM radio channel 90.
