Dover, DE (June 2, 2012) – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. started the NASCAR Nationwide 5-Hour Energy 200 at Dover International Speedway in the fourth position and quickly moved up to second place. On lap 26, the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion spun coming off turn 2 resulting in a 32nd - place finish.
“I just lost it,” said Stenhouse. “I wasn’t up on the wheel and just kind of riding around until that competition caution and just got behind on the steering. It was driver error, totally my fault. We will have to go back, take a weekend off and get them at Michigan.
“The past two weeks are definitely not what we wanted,” added Stenhouse. “We had a mechanical issue last week and this week is my doing. You will have races like these. You aren’t going to have perfect races every week, but we will bounce back from this and go to Michigan.”
Stenhouse started in the fourth position and maneuvered the No. 6 Cargill Beef Ford into second place by lap two. The 2011 NASCAR Nationwide champion was cruising waiting on the competition caution to be displayed at lap 40 but suddenly the car snapped loose coming off turn two, which sent Stenhouse to the garage.
The crew worked feverishly to repair the No. 6 Cargill Beef Ford to get Stenhouse back out to ensure he earned as many points possible in the championship standings. He returned to the track on lap 93; he was in the 33rd position and 67 laps down.
Stenhouse took the checkered flag in the 32nd- position.
Stenhouse and the No. 6 team have a weekend off before returning to action at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2012 for the Alliance Truck Parts 200. Race coverage starts at 3:30 pm EST on ABC.
