Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association team finished 13th on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) after starting 21st and making adjustments to move up through the field.
“I would say we salvaged a decent finish today,” said Reed. “We don’t come to the race track to finish 13th; however I’m really proud of my No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association team for all the hard work. Whether we’re going to finish 17th or win the race, we’re going to dig for every spot we can get. It’s just about having heart and soul and getting all you can get.”
Reed started the 200-lap event from the 21st position and quickly gained four positions within the first three laps of the race. By the first caution flag on Lap 17, Reed was up to the 17th position and told crew chief Seth Barbour that the car wasn’t bad, but he was a little tight in the center of the turns.
By the second caution on lap 22, Reed was up to 15th position and was not reporting any issues with the car. He restarted 14th on Lap 28 and continued to gain position. He was up to 12th by the time the third caution flag flew on Lap 36 and told the team the car was still tight in the center. Crew chief Seth Barbour brought his driver down pit road under the caution period for right-side tires and a full tank of fuel.
Reed restarted in the 13th position and had settled in 14th by the time the next caution flag flew on Lap 57. He reported that the car needed right-side grip, but was otherwise decent. The team elected not to pit during the caution and waited until the Lap 121 green-flag pit stop to make adjustments. Barbour called for a wedge adjustment and four tires to correct Reed’s tight condition.
By the time that pit stops had cycled through, Reed held on to the 18th position and reported the car needed rear grip. He was up to 15th by the Lap 141 caution flag and stayed out to maintain track position.
By the final caution flag on Lap 164, Reed was up to 14th and battled with teammate Chris Buescher for position. The field restarted for the final time on Lap 174 with Reed in 13th. He maintained his position for the remaining 25laps to record his 12th top-15 finish of the season.
Reed moves up to ninth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship standings after Saturday’s race at NHMS. He and the No. 16 team return to the track on Saturday, July 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Lilly Diabetes 250.
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