Roush Fenway Racing announced today that Ryan Reed will attempt to make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Talladega SuperSpeedway, behind the wheel of the No.99 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford on Oct.23.
Reed, who was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic in 2011, has defied the odds since being told he would never drive a race car again. Reed picked up his first career XFINITY Series win at Daytona in February last season and qualified for this year’s inaugural XFINITY Series Chase for the Championship.
“I am really looking forward to Talladega and racing in the Sprint Cup race,” said Reed, who is sponsored by Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association. “For anyone that has ever had the chance to get behind the wheel of a race car, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the ultimate goal.
“To realize that dream and to have been able to do it by properly managing my diabetes means a lot to me and the people that have stood beside me. My goal is to qualify for the race, have a strong performance and continue to show people that with the proper management and support team you can overcome the obstacles in front of you – even diabetes – and accomplish your dreams.”
Reed is currently fourth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase grid. In each of his three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 2.66-mile track, Reed has qualified his Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford in the top-10 and has led a total of 37 laps.
