Newton, Iowa (Aug. 5, 2012) –Ricky Stenhouse Jr. powered his No. 6 Fastenal Ford to a strong fifth-place finish in Saturday’s U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway; He is currently 21 points behind leader Elliott Sadler in the NASCAR Nationwide driver points’ standings.
“They changed the right side tire build which didn’t provide the grip we needed,” said Stenhouse after the race. “Our Fastenal Mustang was tight most of the race and lacked right side grip. We really wanted to get that fourth win but we will take a top-five. We have two road course races next so hopefully we can get some strong finishes there.”
With less than five laps remaining in the 250-lap race, the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion muscled his way up to the fifth-position earning his 11th top-five finish in 20 starts.
The Olive Branch, Mississippi native started in the 11th position and battled an ill-handling race car for a majority of the race. Goodyear changed the right side tire compound causing the No. 6 Fastenal Mustang to lack overall grip. On lap 50, NASCAR held a competition caution for teams to evaluate tire wear. The No. 6 team went to work and made the appropriate adjustments to provide the needed grip.
Stenhouse restarted in the sixth-position but quickly over took the third position in a mere two laps. He was slashing the lead of the leaders before the second caution flag was displayed on lap 91.
Differences in pit strategy shuffled Stenhouse back to the 12th starting position. He patiently worked his way thru the field and by lap 145 he was shown in the sixth-position. As the laps dwindled down, Stenhouse ran out of time and took the checkered flag in the fifth-position.
Stenhouse and the No. 6 team travel to Watkins Glen next weekend for the Zippo 200. The race is set for Saturday, August 11. Coverage will begin at 2 p.m. (EST) on ABC. The race can also be heard on SIRIUS radio channel 90.
