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NASCAR: Former full-time driver returns at Talladega for one-off race

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NASCAR: Former full-time driver returns at Talladega for one-off race

As I read this captivating narrative about Reed Sorenson, a NASCAR driver who’s racing against time due to his health condition, I can’t help but admire his indomitable spirit and unyielding passion for the sport. His approach to each race, treating it as if it could be his last, is both humbling and inspiring.

Ryan Reed last raced in the NASCAR series approximately a year back at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, while his latest appearance in the Truck Series dates back over three years to an event held at Darlington Raceway.

On Friday evening at Talladega Superspeedway, a break in racing will come to an end as the 31-year-old driver from Bakersfield, California, who is part of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, prepares to race in the Love’s RV Stop 225 event. He will be driving the No. 91 Chevrolet.

For over 15 years, Reed has been an integral member of NASCAR racing, particularly renowned for his victories on superspeedways within the Xfinity Series. Notably, he’s claimed two triumphs at the Daytona International Speedway.

This coming Friday, he’s all set to make his first-ever debut on a superspeedway track within the Truck Series. Notably, this will be his sixth appearance in the series since 2012, and unfortunately, he failed to qualify at Daytona in 2016.

11-year-old Reed, who has been diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic, is supported by Tandem Diabetes Care. During our conversation, he shared insights about Tandem’s role in his NASCAR adventure and discussed their innovative technology, such as the Tandem Mobi, which assists him in regulating his blood glucose levels.

As I gear up for this weekend’s race with Tandem, it’s my third time teaming up with them, and I can feel our partnership growing stronger in the sport. It’s like we’re not just a team anymore, but a well-oiled machine, building continuity together.

Not all weeks or years are filled with races for some partners, but the excitement among fans and the diabetes community watching Tandem and Ryan Reed together at the racetrack over the past few years has been tremendous. It’s truly amazing to collaborate with them because they are an exceptional group of people, showing immense passion.

His October 2023 Xfinity Series start at Las Vegas came with sponsorship from Tandem, as did his May 2021 Truck Series start at Darlington.

He went on to say, “They put in a tremendous amount of effort to make this happen, and there’s a lot behind the scenes. I can’t express enough gratitude for their commitment and backing so we can have some fun. To me, Tandem isn’t just about track performance; it’s also about my personal experience with their insulin pump. I get to use their outstanding products, which significantly improve my life due to what they do for the diabetes community.

As a devoted admirer, I feel incredibly lucky to have forged such an exceptional bond with my driving companion. It’s not something every driver gets to experience, and I consider myself truly blessed by this unique connection.

Multiple locations were examined as possibilities for Reed’s comeback in the Truck Series, but ultimately, he and the team opted for Talladega after weighing several factors.

Bill McAnally and I began discussing things a couple of months back, he mentioned. A few races were planned, and we went over several of them. It appeared that Talladega was the most fitting choice, given my past plate race success, which has primarily been in the Xfinity Series.

Reed won at Daytona to open up both the 2015 and 2017 Xfinity Series seasons.

He’s never competed on a plate track other than with an Xfinity car, and he’s only raced a Cup car here in Talladega. With all the great memories of this place, it’s going to be an exciting time. I believe we’ll have a quick truck, as Bill McAnally has been constructing some truly impressive race-winning vehicles. It’s a honor to pilot them, and if we find ourselves in contention at the end, who knows what might transpire?

In the year 2024, Team No. 91 has proven to be swift on the tracks. Currently, they are ranked 15th among team owners, boasting three top five finishes. Notably, they secured a second place finish at Kansas Speedway.

Tandem’s impact

Reed shared that he switched from the t:slim X2 made by Tandem Diabetes Care to their latest Mobi system. He finds this new device quite amazing. It’s a compact insulin pump, small enough to attach an adhesive patch to and wear it connected to your body, which is something unique he hasn’t experienced before in the past.

Reed demonstrates a deep-rooted affinity for the brand he endorses, a bond that doesn’t always exist between drivers and sponsors. He cherishes this unique relationship that resonates deeply with him.

He went on to express his enthusiasm about the new feature they launched, now accessible for him to utilize. Moreover, he found it impressive that this function is entirely mobile-based, making integration incredibly convenient since we are all so reliant on our phones and technology these days, making it quite cool to have such compatibility.

Ever since I started using an insulin pump, particularly the Tandem model, it’s significantly transformed my life. The freedom it provides me, throughout all aspects, is truly remarkable. Despite maintaining an intense training schedule year-round, I believe this transition has greatly enhanced my capacity to perform at peak levels. Additionally, the support from my diabetes management, provided by the Tandem Mobi system, has been tremendous.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to share my experience: I’ve always been open about my life as a Type 1 diabetic, and one of the challenges I’ve faced is sleep disruption. But, Tandem has been nothing short of miraculous in addressing this issue for me on a personal level.

He stated that the sleep technology is likely the most significant aspect. It offers sleep modes specifically designed to aid during sleep. For individuals with diabetes, sleep is often a highly stressful period due to its impact on their condition.

During the day, when you’re fully awake and aware, you’re frequently making adjustments, keeping track of your blood sugar levels, and everything feels fine. However, sleeping raises some concerns: what if it’s high? What if it’s low? Having a reliable partner to assist during sleep can provide peace of mind, allowing it to automatically adjust the basal rate or increase it based on whether the level is high or low. Indeed, it’s wonderful. It’s a fantastic system that ensures you sleep soundly, knowing your blood sugar levels are being monitored and managed.

From 2014 to 2018, Reed was a full-time competitor in the Xfinity Series. At present, he’s uncertain about his NASCAR plans beyond this coming weekend. However, he remains optimistic that he and Tandem might prolong their partnership, enabling him to race again in the not too distant future.

He replied, “Indeed, I’m simply winging it as I go.” He also mentioned his colleagues at Tandem Diabetes Care, who are truly wonderful individuals. They’ve been significant backers of mine throughout the past few years, and the various team owners who have granted me the chance to join their racing teams and collaborate with the teams they’ve assembled. I’m deeply grateful for every single opportunity.

Although you never know what the future holds, I’ve been deeply involved in sports for over three decades now, having raced full-time for a significant period. I am incredibly grateful for the chances I’ve received and hope there are more to come. This passion of mine has evolved into a refined skillset that I cherish, and I’d love to keep honing it by using it to create exciting narratives, share my story of living with this disease, and compete at a high level in a demanding sport.

Previously, it had been two years since he made a NASCAR start of any kind and five years since his Xfinity Series debut. Given this, he’s accustomed to dealing with unpredictability. He continues to stay focused on managing what he can control, while also seizing any chances that might arise.

He went on to say, “Ultimately, I have limited control over most aspects of this, requiring team owners and partners to collaborate effectively. It’s a collective effort involving a lot of hard work from everyone involved. So, at every race, I adopt an attitude of ‘this could be my last one,’ even though I hope it isn’t. Yet, I accept that possibility because the journey has been so extraordinary, filled with incredible friendships and unforgettable memories.

As I head to Talladega for this weekend’s race, my focus is on savoring every moment along the way rather than just rushing through it all. When I was racing full-time, I often missed these unique and special aspects of the experience because I was so focused on becoming the next Jeff Gordon. Now, however, I appreciate being able to fully enjoy the entire process.

Reed likes his chances this weekend, given his past superspeedway success, even if he hasn’t yet had that success in a truck.

He acknowledged his fondness for them: “I truly enjoy them. It’s impressive to see drivers who, even if they haven’t been consistently racing, can quickly get back into their groove. Last year’s Vegas race took me a few laps to adjust, but once I did, I had good speed. At Darlington with GMS, we managed to find ourselves in the top 10 near the end of the race. I trust that I’ll adapt quickly again, and I know we’ll have a chance to perform well.

Once more, he addressed the power of the squad that recruited him, fully aware that this could be leveraged when the race begins.

Reed stated, “I’m confident that the equipment will be extraordinary. The team at Bill McAnally has done an outstanding job, along with all the workers who assemble and transport those trucks to the race track. I believe we possess the necessary components, tools, and personnel to make it happen.

However, since Talladega is a high-speed track, it’s always uncertain when an accident involving multiple cars might occur. So, Reed is taking care not to get overly confident.

At Talladega, there are many uncertainties and factors beyond your control. A major accident involving 15 cars could happen as early as lap five, leaving no escape route, ending your race. However, the allure of a superspeedway is that if luck is on your side on that particular day, you might just find yourself in victory lane. In simpler terms, racing at Talladega presents numerous unpredictable situations, but if fortune smiles upon you, you could potentially win.

“The downside is the same thing. There’s so much that’s out of your control. If fortune doesn’t favor you, it can be a tough afternoon, so just control what I can control, and if I do that, and things fall our way, we’ll have a shot, no doubt.”

Turn on Fox Sports 1 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time this coming Friday, October 4th, to catch the live telecast of the Love’s RV Stop 225 from Talladega Superspeedway. Consider starting a free trial with FuboTV today so you won’t miss any of the excitement!

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2024-10-04 19:32

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