After overcoming many hurdles during Sunday’s MyAFibStory.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. led the Roush Fenway Racing efforts with his 17th-place finish after a competitor made contact with his Ford with ten laps remaining.
“We definitely didn’t’ get the finish we deserved,” Stenhouse said. “Our Ford Ecoboost Ford was really good on the long runs early in the race but something felt like it broke and we got really tight all of the sudden. I am really proud of my guys and all of their hard work keeping us on the lead lap. We are making gains on our program.”
After qualifying was rained out on Friday setting the field by practice speeds, the Olive Branch, Mississippi native lined up in the fourth position; his best starting position of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
After consistently running in the top-15 for a majority of the race, Stenhouse radioed to crew chief Mike Kelley on lap 191 that it felt like something was amiss in the right front tire area and his Ford was suddenly tight.
A much needed caution was displayed on lap 230 allowing the team to look at the right front and access any issues.
With ten laps remaining, the two-time NASCAR champion made contact with another machine forcing him to bring his Ford to pit-road for repair.
On the final restart, Stenhouse lined up in the 17th spot and after jockeying for position in the final laps took the checkered flag in 17th place.
Stenhouse and the No. 17 team travel to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend for the Sylvania 300. The race is set for Sunday, Sept. 21. Coverage will begin at 2 p.m. (EST) on ESPN.
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