Reed Finishes 23rd at Phoenix after Blown Tire

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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 23rd on Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) after a blown tire on Lap 100 caused significant damage to the right-side of the car.

“While that was not how we should have ended that race, I’m extremely happy with the car we had at the start of the race and the hard work the team put in,” said Reed. “We struggled all weekend with the handling and the team really pulled together to make it better. We were really good when the race started but just had unfortunate luck with the blown tire. We will go to Homestead next weekend ready to finish up the season strong.” 

Reed started the 200-lap event from the 20th position and had gained four positions by the first caution on Lap 17. He reported to the team that the car was really decent and he was pretty happy with the handling.

Reed restarted in the 15th position on Lap 21 and was up to 14th by Lap 57. He reported to crew chief Chad Norris that he needed help getting the car to turn in the center of the turns. The team brought Reed down pit road on Lap 63 for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Reed restarted 16th on Lap 66.

For the next 30 laps, Reed held on to the 16th position and was working his way through the field. Coming to the line to signal the halfway point of the race, Reed hit the wall in Turn 4 after blowing a right-front tire. He immediately came to the attention of the crew to change tires and assess the damage.

By the time Reed was able to return to the racetrack, he was three laps down and scored in the 28th position. He maintained that position until the next caution on Lap 112. He reported to the team that the changing track conditions were causing his No. 16 Ford Mustang to tighten up.

The team brought Reed down pit road under caution on Lap 114 to continue damage repair on the right side of the car and to the splitter. The team made another stop two laps later under the caution period for fuel and to continue to fix the damage. Reed restarted 27th on Lap 120.

With 50 laps to go, Reed ran 26th and was told by Norris he was good on fuel, which could help him gain some positions on the finish.

Reed rode out the remainder of the laps in his damaged Ford Mustang, as others pitted for fuel, to salvage a 23rd-place finish on World Diabetes Day.

Reed remains 10th in the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship standings after Saturday’s 200-lap event at PIR. Reed and the rest of the NASCAR XFINITY Series will return to the track on Saturday, November 21st at Homestead Miami Speedway for the last race of the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series season. 

RFR PR

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