Reif’s Run Forward at Sonoma Slowed by Mechanical Issue

An early charge forward by Tanner Reif in the Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) No. 16 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet was halted due to a broken ball joint, derailing his hopes for a strong finish in the ARCA Menards Series West General Tire 200 at Sonoma Raceway on Friday.

Reif started 19th in the 29-car field and was quickly on the move, picking up positions as he worked his way around the twisting 1.99-mile road course. His attack came to an end on lap eight, however, when he went off track with right front suspension damage. Not to be deterred, his NAPA crew made repairs, and the 17-year-old from Las Vegas, Nev., returned to action eight laps down.

His BMR teammate in the event, Eric Johnson Jr., ran strong in the No. 19 Key Property Services Chevrolet in the first half of the race – looking to break into the top 10. But the 20-year-old from LaCenter, Wash., encountered transmission trouble at the midway point and retired from competition to finish 27th.

Reif, meanwhile, was able to keep pace with the field after returning to action and went on to finish 20th.

“Our NAPA Chevrolet was super fast,” Reif said. “We were making our way through the field slowly, while saving tires when, unfortunately, the right front ball joint snapped. The BMR crew got it fixed, with being only eight laps down, and we tried to salvage as many points as possible. We also broke the sway bar and had to come back in to get it fixed.”

Start / Finish: 19 / 20
Points Standing / Total: 6th / 215 pts. (-41)

Next Race: Saturday, July 1, NAPA Nightvision 150, Irwindale Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: 10:00 p.m. ET on FloRacing (live) or CNBC (July 9)

Tanner Reif: @Tanner_Reif
NAPA Racing: @NAPARacing
Bill McAnally Racing: @BMR_NASCAR