Ryan Reed to Make NASCAR Top-Tier Series Debut with Wauters Motorsports

Ryan Reed to Make NASCAR Top-Tier Series Debut with Wauters Motorsports

Topics: Ryan Reed, Smith's 350

Ryan Reed to Make NASCAR Top-Tier Series Debut with Wauters Motorsports

Sandra Vorse
Wauters Motorsports
September 24, 2012

‘19-yr old Driver with Type 1 Diabetes makes first NCWTS Start in Las Vegas’

Las Vegas, Nevada (September 24, 2012)-Ryan Reed will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in the No. 5 Racehard.com / RyansMission.org Wauters Motorsports Ford F150 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012.

Reed, who has been a successful development driver for ARCA Racing Series team Venturini Motorsports, will be making his first start on the 1.5-mile Las Vegas track. In 2012, with Venturini Motorsports, the Bakersfield, Calif. native posted one top-five and five top-10 finishes in 13 events. Reed scored his career best finish of fifth place at the intermediate sized track; Chicagoland Speedway.

Reed’s story is a bit different then most 19-year old aspiring race car drivers. Ryan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in February 2011 and initially told by doctors his “racing career” was over. Armed with the passion and determination to fulfill his dreams, Reed shifted his focus and poured all his energy into managing his health and educating himself on the disease. He uses his racing platform and personal story to inspire others living with T1D to continue living life to its fullest through Ryan’s Mission. (RyansMission.org)

Reed’s off-track goodwill has made him a National Celebrity Advocate of JDRF, the world’s largest charitable funder of T1D research. Today, Reed is only one of three professional race car drivers in the world to compete at the highest levels of racing with T1D.

“It’s pretty exciting to be making my first start in the NASCAR series,” Ryan Reed said. “Since I was a little kid I’ve always thought about what it would be like to drive a (NCWTS) Truck, Nationwide or Cup car, so to be finally doing it is really cool. I think it gives us a head start on next year, whatever we end up doing. Hopefully it will be back in one of these three series. I think everyone knows that Richie (Wauters) is one of the best in the business so to be driving one of his trucks is an honor. We’ve been having success racing in a Ford on the ARCA side so the synergy is there and with Richie’s truck being a Ford I think it gives us a really big advantage.

Team owner Richie Wauters returns to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway – the site of his first victory as a crew chief with Shane Hmiel in 2004.

“Las Vegas is a special track for me to return to,” Richie Wauters said. “Any place where you have your first victory will always stand out anytime you race there. We are really looking forward to having Ryan race with the team this weekend. He’s had success with Venturini’s ARCA team this year at the mile and a half tracks so once we get him used to a race truck I’m sure we’ll have a good result”.

“Las Vegas is a fast track and I’ve had my most successes on mile and half tracks so I think that is going to be good,” Reed said. “I think it plays into my hand of cards or what have you. I’ve spent some time in iRacing learning the track –it’s not like jumping in a truck and going around Vegas but it will help me get some tips on where the line is and how big the track is. I’m definitely been talking to my buddies, Brian Ickler and David Mayhew to get some advice on the track and watching some tapes in preparation. I’m just really excited to go out and see what we can do; I think it is a great combo.”

Racehard.com will serve as the joint sponsor for the Smith’s 350, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event with RyansMission.org. RaceHard.com, “where racers shop,” outfits serious racers, professional pit crews and diehard fans, from head to toe. They have a huge selection of pit crew apparel, pit equipment and auto racing safety equipment.

“This is a great opportunity for RaceHard.com and we are proud to be able to help Ryan chase his dreams. Ryan’s determination and work ethic represents the best in all of us”. Keith Van Dam RaceHard.com general manager said.

The Smith’s 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is slated to begin at 8:30 pm ET and will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 8:00pm. MRN and Sirius Satellite radio will begin live radio coverage at 8:00 pm.

For more information on:

Wauters Motorsports visit www.WautersMotorsports.com , Facebook: Wauters Motorsports and Twitter: @WautersMotors5. Ryan Reed: www.RyanReedRacing.com Twitter: @DriverRyanReed, Facebook: Ryan Reed, Ryan’s Mission: www.RyansMission.org, Facebook: Ryan’s Mission. RaceHard.com: www.RaceHard.com , Facebook: RaceHard.com, Twitter: @RaceHardNews

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For media or interviews contact:           For Ryan Reed Racing or Ryan’s Mission contact:

Sandra Vorse                                       Jodi Buford

Media/Public Relations                         Media, Public and Charitable Relations

Wauters Motorsports                            Ryan Reed Racing, LLC and Ryan's Mission

704-264-9548                                      661-861-1416

sandravorse@gmail.com                      Cell 661-889-7463

www.WautersMotorsports.com            Fax 661-861-9742

Twitter: @WautersMotors5                  jodi@ryansmission.org

Facebook: Wauters Motorsports            www.ryanreedracing.com

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