Ryan Reed will return to NASCAR competition next week, driving the No. 17 Toyota Tundra for DGR-Crosley in the Strat 200 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race on March 1 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the team announced Wednesday.
DGR-Crosley’s primary team owner is NASCAR driver David Gilliland. Reed’s truck will be sponsored by Dexcom, Inc., a leader in diabetes care and management. Reed has Type 1 diabetes.
It will be only the second Truck race of Reed’s career, and it will be at the same location, LVMS. Directing him atop the pit box will be veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion.
Thank you so much to @dexcom and @DGR_Crosley for the opportunity. Getting back in the seat is all I've thought about since last year, now it's time to make the most of it. Getting to race in good equipment can be hard to come by, I know we can go get a 🏆 pic.twitter.com/fawrr3ZnO5
— Ryan Reed (@driverRyanReed) February 21, 2019
“I’m thankful to everyone who has played a part in getting me back behind the wheel of a racecar,” Reed said in a team press release. “I was in Daytona over the weekend and it was really disappointing to be there and not be racing.
“I’m thankful for Dexcom, David (Gilliland) and DGR-Crosley for giving me the opportunity to race again. The next part of my career is all about being competitive and being in equipment I know I can win in.”
Reed spent the previous five-plus seasons racing in the Xfinity Series for Roush Fenway Racing, making 171 starts and capturing two wins at Daytona, seven top fives and 26 top-10 finishes.
“Ryan has a lot of experience behind the wheel,” Gilliland said in the press release. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our program at DGR-Crosley. Not only will he be an asset to our program and provide key feedback as we continue to grow and improve, but it’ll also be an advantage to our younger drivers (Natalie Decker and Anthony Alfredo) to have someone with his experience as their teammate.
“We’re looking forward to getting Ryan and Bono paired up in Vegas. I think it’s going to be a really strong pairing.”
