After being collected in an 18-car accident with less than 50 laps remaining, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. salvaged a 14th-place finish with his damaged SunnyD Ford in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Dover International Speedway.
“We really struggled with the handling today on our SunnyD Ford,” Stenhouse said. “No matter what we threw at our Ford, it didn’t change the handling. The No. 17 team worked really hard though after the wreck to ensure we stayed on the lead lap and could finish the race. Of course we are disappointed but it’s another solid top-15 finish for our team.”
After rain washed out qualifying on Friday, the field was set by practice speeds lining up the SunnyD Ford in the fifth starting position. The two-time XFINITY champion lost a few positions early on due to an ill-handling machine before the competition yellow was displayed on lap 40 for rain overnight.
With less than 50 laps remaining and just as the adjustments seemed to be helping the SunnyD Ford, a multi-car accident occurred at the start of field collecting 18 cars including Stenhouse. NASCAR displayed the red flag which allowed the crew to evaluate the damage and make a game plan for when the yellow flag was displayed. After multiple pit stops, the 2013 NSCS Rookie of the Year restarted in the 16th position and was able to pick up two positions in the closing laps to salvage a 14th-place finish at the Monster Mile.
Stenhouse and the No. 17 team travel to Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend in which they will race Friday night in the Sprint Showdown in hopes to advance into the Sprint All-Star on Saturday night. .
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