Handling Issues Hamper Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team in Texas

A long night at the Texas Motor Speedway seemed even longer for Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion as they finished the Duck Commander 500 in 29th place, four laps down.

After waiting out a more than two-hour rain delay, the green flag dropped and almost immediately the No. 21 Ford slipped back into the pack from its seventh position on the starting grid gained from a strong qualifying effort on Friday.

It was early Sunday morning by the time the checkered flag waved ending a night of frustration for the Wood Brothers team, which came into Texas in 15th place in the points standings. The Duck Commander 500 result, while improving on both races at the track last season, dropped Blaney five spots in the driver standings to 20th.

“It was a rough night,” said crew chief Jeremy Bullins. “We missed the balance and were too tight. After the race we found some damage to the nose that was hurting our downforce. We pitted once for what was potentially a loose wheel and that cost us as well. Not our best night by far.”

Blaney, Bullins and the Wood Brothers now head east to Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., for Sunday’s Food City 500.

Ford Performance PR