04/08/2016

Wallace Finishes 15th in Texas

FORT WORTH, Tx. (April 8, 2016) – Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 6 Fastenal Ford Mustang, recorded a 15th-place finish on Friday night in the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

“We just couldn’t go on restarts,” said Wallace after the race. “It was unfortunate because my guys were on it every pit stop. They picked up at least four spots every time and then we’d give it right up in two laps, so that was unfortunate.  But after yesterday, this kind of eases the frustration a little bit. On to Bristol.”

Wallace took the green flag for the first night race of the 2016 season from the 19th position and immediately reported to crew chief Seth Barbour that the Fastenal Ford was loose through the corners. Despite the handling issue, Wallace raced his way into the top 15 and up to the 11th position before the first caution of the evening on Lap 43.

Crew chief Barbour utilized this caution period to call Wallace to pit road for a chassis adjustment. Returning to the track in 10th, Wallace reported that the adjustments had helped but he was now tight and struggling on the exit of the corner. Although handling issues persisted, Wallace held onto his track position until the caution came out once again on Lap 77.

Throughout the middle portion of the event, the driver of the Fastenal Ford continued to fight a tight handling condition but maintained his track position inside the top 15. Then, an opportune caution on Lap 143 gave Barbour another opportunity to adjust the No. 6 Roush Fenway Ford.

Wallace returned to the track in the ninth position following the pit stop and remained inside the top 10 until the tight handling condition returned.

In the closing stages, Wallace battled with Roush Fenway teammate Ryan Reed before taking the checkered flag in the 15th position.

Next up for the NASCAR XFINITY Series is Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 16.