Reed Finishes 14th at Dover

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In: Xfinity Series News

Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association team finished 14th on Saturday at Dover International Speedway in the 28th race of the season for the NASCAR XFINITY Series. 

“We struggled with the aero package we brought this weekend and I just could not get the car to turn in dirty air,” said Reed. “We started out okay, but as the run progressed I just had no forward drive. We salvaged a decent finish and I’m proud of what the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association team had for us after not getting any practice in this weekend. We will prepare for Charlotte next week and look forward to racing under the lights at home.”

Reed started the 200-lap event from the 16th position, which was based on owner’s points, after practice and qualifying were rained out on Friday and Saturday. In the first 10 laps, Reed reported that the car was free but overall it was decent for not having any previous time on-track this weekend.

When the first caution was displayed on Lap 14, Reed ran 16th and said the car was starting to come to him. Since the competition caution was to be displayed 10 laps later, the team did not pit, leaving Reed 14th for the restart on Lap 20.

Three laps later, the caution was again displayed. NASCAR decided that this would serve as the competition caution. Reed pitted from the 15th position on Lap 29 for right-side tires and an air pressure adjustment. The team’s quick work allowed Reed to restart 10th on Lap 32.

During the next green-flag run, Reed reported that the car needed forward drive. The team had the chance to make adjustments again during the Lap 65 competition caution. Reed pitted from the 17th position for a track bar adjustment, wedge adjustment, four tires and fuel. He restarted 13th on Lap 69.

Ten laps later, Reed reported that the car was better in clean air. Soon after, he said that rain was starting to fall on his windshield. At the halfway point in the race, Reed ran 14th and said that the car was sideways through the turns. Norris told Reed to try to hold on as rain was quickly approaching.

The caution was again displayed on Lap 105 for an incident on –track. Reed pitted from the 14th position for a wedge adjustment, a spring rubber, tires and fuel.  While under caution, rain started to fall again, putting the field under the red flag.

When the race returned to caution, Norris made the call to bring Reed down pit road to top off on fuel. He told his driver they would be good to the end on fuel and others may run out if the race was extended by caution. Reed restarted 18th on Lap 118 with enough fuel to last him five laps longer than the majority of the field.

With 75 laps to go, Reed reported the car was not handling well in dirty air. He held on to the 16th position and said he was still lacking lateral grip. In the last 50 laps, Reed held on as he continued to report the lack of forward drive in his No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang.

As some drivers had to pit for fuel in the closing laps, Reed was able to work his way up to the 14th position by the time the checkered flag flew on Lap 200. 

Reed remains 10th in the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship standings after his top-15 at Dover. Reed and the rest of the NASCAR XFINITY Series will return to the track on Friday, October 9th at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

RFR PR

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