NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Ryan Reed posts his first victory of the 2013 season at opening night at Irwindale Speedway Saturday April 6, 2013 in the No. 16 Drive to Stop Diabetes Vallarta Supermarkets Ford Fusion Super Late Model car.
Reed 19, the young race car driver with diabetes from Bakersfield California, took to the track at a near capacity Irwindale Speedway from the second-place position but was relegated to the back of the field due to the track inverting the starting lineup.
Reed in the No. 16 Drive to Stop Diabetes Vallarta Supermarkets Fusion made his way to the front of the pack and was in the second-place position when the caution flag was shown with just seven laps remaining in the 40-lap race. Reed had a good restart and was able to take the lead but another caution came out with just three laps to go. Reed was in the point position for the restart but had to heatedly battle side by side to the flag stand for the win in the Super Late Model race.
This young driver has proven that life has no limits as a race car driver with diabetes. Reed recently announced his Ryan’s Mission collaboration with the American Diabetes Association for the Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign along with becoming the newest development driver for Roush Fenway Racing. Reed will make his first appearance in the NASCAR Nationwide Series No. 16 Drive to Stop Diabetes Ford Mustang Friday, April 26, 2013 at the famed Richmond International Raceway.
“It felt good to be back in a race car and was awesome to win,” Ryan Reed said. “It is only the second time working with my crew chief Mike (Munoz) so it was pretty special to win with him at my hometown track, Irwindale Speedway. When the caution came out with seven laps remaining I knew I had to make my move. We really battled side by side with the No. 12 car but we were able to make it to the checkered flag first. It was a pretty special win. I have to thank Vallarta Supermarkets for teaming up with us in the No. 16 Drive to Stop Diabetes Ford. Coming off this win should lead to some solid momentum going into Richmond with Roush Fenway Racing for my first Nationwide Series start. We had a really good test with the Roush guys a few weeks back, and I’m looking forward to finally racing in Richmond this month.”
The Drive to Stop Diabetes awareness campaign was successfully launched at a regional west coast level at Irwindale Speedway this past weekend and will be nationally presented at Richmond International Raceway, Friday, April 26, 2013.
“Vallarta Supermarkets is thrilled to collaborate with Ryan’s Mission on the Drive to Stop Diabetes awareness campaign,” Tony Hernandez, Marketing Manager said. “We want to provide an enjoyable shopping experience for our customers and also be able to provide information about healthy living, so they can make educated choices about food and their life style. Ryan Reed has a unique platform and opportunity to reach communities near our stores and we want to support his efforts.”
Vallarta Supermarkets is a Latino based supermarket with 41 stores throughout California formed by Enrique Gonzalez Sr In 1985.
For more information on Drive to Stop Diabetes please visit www.DriveToStopDiabetes.org, Facebook: Ryan Reed, Twitter: @driverRyanReed.
Ryan Reed PR
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