Stenhouse Set for Short Track Racing in Martinsville |

03/28/2017

Stenhouse Set for Short Track Racing in Martinsville

Fastenal is currently in its sixth season as a primary partner in the MENCS for Roush Fenway. They spent three years on the No. 99 before jumping over to the No. 17 entry, and were the primary partner on the No. 60 XFINITY team that captured the owner’s championship in 2011.

Team: No. 17 Fastenal Ford Fusion

Crew Chief: Brian Pattie

Twitter: @Stenhouse17Team, @stenhousejr, @FastenalRacing and @roushfenway

ADVANCE NOTES

Stenhouse Jr. at Martinsville Speedway

Stenhouse has eight Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) starts at Martinsville with an average starting position of 24.0.

Last time at Martinsville

After gaining six positions in the opening laps, the Fastenal Ford wheel hopped on lap 21 sending Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for a spin. The damage was too sufficient for the crew to repair, resulting in a 40th-place finish.

In the Points

After five races, Stenhouse sits in the 24^th position in the driver point standings, just 28 points out of 16^th place.

Virginia Natives

Two members of the Blue Team grew up close to Martinsville Speedway. Engine tuner Jonathan Salmons was raised in Bassett, Virginia which is approximately 15 miles north of Martinsville Speedway. Veteran truck driver DeWayne Zirkle is from Roanoke, Virginia which is approximately an hour north of the track.

On the Car

Stenhouse Jr. on racing at Martinsville:

“Martinsville is a difficult half-mile track that I have struggled at in the past. I’m going to spend some time this week in the simulator to get more comfortable with the feel of the track. It’s a long race, so I need to remind myself to be patient. My crew chief Brian Pattie really likes Martinsville, so hopefully I can learn some things from him and can earn a solid finish this weekend.”