09/03/2017

Early-Race Incident Relegates Bayne to 35th-Place Finish in Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. (Sept. 3, 2017) – Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion, sustained damage in the early laps of Sunday evening’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) event at Darlington Raceway after making contact with the outside retaining wall and subsequently suffering a flat-tire. Bayne, who had improved two positions prior to the Lap 16 contact, was forced to come to pit road several times for repairs throughout the 367-Lap event, ultimately resulting in a 35^th-place finish.

“I wish we really had a chance tonight to see what we could do,” said Bayne after the race. ”I hate that we got into the wall there and then had a flat tire, which really damaged our AdvoCare Ford. We will rebound from this next week in Richmond. We know what we need to do and my guys never give up. Tonight proved that. I’m proud of the all the work my guys did tonight on this AdvoCare Ford. We fought hard all night long and got the best result we could given the circumstances. We’ll be ready for Richmond.”

Bayne took the green flag for the famed Southern 500 from the 24^th position and steadily began to move forward, improving up to 22^nd by the completion of the second lap. Then, while continuing to battle for position in the top 25, Bayne made contact with the outside retaining wall heading into the first corner that ultimately led to a flat tire that sent the Roush Fenway Racing driver down the track and into the No. 47. As a result of the contact the AdvoCare Ford was badly damaged on both rear fenders as well as the right-side door.

After pitting several times for repairs under caution, crew chief Matt Puccia was forced to call Bayne back to pit road under green in the hopes of completely rectifying a persistent tire rub. Bayne returned to the race following the repairs on Lap 38 but was scored several laps behind the race leaders.

Despite being off of the lead lap, the 2011 Daytona 500 Champion never gave up and improved five positions throughout the remainder of the evening to take the checkered flag in the 35^th position.

Next up for the MENCS is Richmond Raceway on Saturday, Sept. 9.

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NEXT UP:

.750-Mile Richmond Raceway

Richmond, Virginia

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017

7:30pm EST on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

RACE SUMMARY

Trevor Bayne

Started: 24^th      

Finished: 35^th