Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) rookie Ryan Reed finished 17th at his home track of Auto Club Speedway in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race, after battling loose conditions in his American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSMpresented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang.
“We ran all the laps and learned a lot,” said Reed. “We were pretty fast at the end. We had a good long-run car. We put ourselves in position for the lucky dog and felt faster than a couple guys on the lead lap, but never got the caution at the end like we needed to. We took the wave around and got in position for the lucky dog and raced hard. Our Mustang just wasn’t in position there at the end. I think we will keep learning and know how to start these races.”
Reed qualified his Mustang in 15th after Saturday morning’s knock out qualifying session. The race rolled off under sunny skies. The rookie driver dropped back at the start of the race, telling his crew that his Mustang was too loose.
Crew Chief Seth Barbour called Reed down pit road for the first time of the day under the green flag on Lap 40. The pit crew changed four tires and added fuel as well as making a track bar adjustment and adding a rubber in the left rear.
When Reed returned to the race track he radioed to the crew that the adjustments helped, but that his Ford Mustang was still a little too loose.
During the second pit stop of the day on Lap 68, Reed visited pit road for four tires, fuel and another chassis adjustment. When the race returned to green flag action, he informed the crew that the car was a little snug for the first time all day.
Reed continued to race in the top-18, hoping to get the free pass and return on the lead lap. Ultimately, the cautions did not fall the way the team needed, with the No. 16 winding up 17th.
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