Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. earns first career victory – NASCAR news
Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. celebrated the first victory of his career at the NASCAR Nationwide Series in John Deere Dealers 250 at Iowa Speedway.
Stenhouse made his 51st start and out ran Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski- the only full time Sprint Cup Series racers in the event.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said, “We had a shot at a few races earlier this year, but they would get away from us at the end. Today we stayed strong all day long. In other races we have started fast but didn’t finish. It was good to get that done here.”
Stenhouse’s victory was also the first win by a full-time Nationwide-only driver. The last win was scored by Justin Allgaier in March 2010 at Bristol.
Carl Edwards, who won the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, came second in the race followed by Brad Keselowski, Reed Sorenson and Elliott Sadler to complete the top five. It was the 500th Nationwide Series start for Kenny Wallace who ended at sixth position. Michael McDowell, Allgaier, James Buescher and Austin Dillon finished behind him.
Edwards said, “I am happy for [Stenhouse], but I’m also a little frustrated. I asked for some adjustments I shouldn’t have, and we got dialled out. I was too busy driving and should have paid more attention to what the car was doing.”
Stenhouse took the lead in lap 165 of the 250-lap race. The lead toggled between both Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Stenhouse and Edwards. The lead switched seven times between them before Drew Herring took the lead during the pit stop on green flag.
Despite getting into the pits at the same time, Stenhouse came back on the track at seventh place ahead of Edwards and Keselowski. Later he made the base to gain the lead and with 18 laps on the countdown, he made his victorious move.
Stenhouse pushed his car to the limit and was glad to pass ahead of the NASCAR premier class champions Edwards and Keselowski. A single mistake could have ruined his chances. He was also pleased with the fact that a nationwide regular driver won the event. He also hoped not to be the only one in the category for the 2011 season.
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