Victor Gonzalez Jr.
No. 99 Delta Commercial / IMCA Toyota Camry
Event Preview Fact Sheet
Event/Date: Zippo 200 – August 11, 2012
Venue: Watkins Glen International
News & Notes:
Welcome Back, Victor … Victor Gonzalez Jr. will return to the cockpit of the No. 99 Delta Commercial/IMCA Toyota Camry for the first time since the Sargento 200 at Road America in June. Gonzalez has continued racing in various other series throughout the break and recently scored back-to-back wins in the National Motor Racing Championship held at the Autodromo Mobil 1 track in the Dominican Republic. The win marked the first for Toyota’s Lexus brand in the series’ touring car division.
This Week’s Delta Commercial Toyota … Gonzalez will pilot RAB Racing chassis No. 53 in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Purchased from Michael Waltrip Racing, this chassis last saw action at Road America when Gonzalez ran as high as fifth before a late-race incident relegated him to a 17th-place finish.
Gonzalez in NASCAR … Gonzalez made NASCAR history by becoming the first driver from Puerto Rico to compete in the Nationwide Series when he made his debut in the 2009 running of the NAPA 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The 36-year-old driver made four additional starts in NASCAR’s junior division in 2010, including his first oval race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Gonzalez at Watkins Glen … Gonzalez has competed at The Glen once before, in 2010’s Zippo 200. Gonzalez was running in the 15th position before a blown tire ended his day early.
Road Course Victory … While they haven’t won yet at Watkins Glen, RAB Racing is no stranger to success at road courses. Two years ago, Boris Said fought side-by-side with Max Papis to clinch their first victory at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. RAB Racing has competed in nine Nationwide Series races at road courses since their inaugural year of competition in 2009, posting an average starting position of 14.9, and an average finishing position on 20.2.
Rearview Mirror …Rookie Brett Moffitt started 10th in last Saturday’s U.S. Cellular 250. He kept his No. 99 ToyotaCare Camry inside the top 10 for much of his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in front of his hometown crowd at Iowa Speedway en-route to recording a ninth-place finish.
The Collective RAB Racing Report … In 21 races this season, RAB Racing’s two NASCAR Nationwide Series entries have notched one top-five and four top-10 finishes. RAB Racing-prepared cars have also completed 3,277 laps with its five drivers – Gonzalez, Moffit, Travis Pastrana, John Wes Townley, Ryan Truex and Kenny Wallace.
Catch the Action… Saturday’s Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen will be televised live Saturday, August 11th beginning at 2 p.m. EDT on ABC and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network. NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying will be televised live Saturday, August 11th beginning at 9:30 a.m. EDT on ESPN.
Victor Gonzalez Jr. Quotes:
“It’s great to be back with RAB Racing. I feel that we have some unfinished business from Road America. I want to give the team a strong result that is indicative of Scott Zipdelli’s leadership, the team’s equipment, and my confidence at this track. I am so appreciative to Robby Benton and Brack Maggard so giving me another opportunity to race their Toyota Camry. Their belief in me means a lot to not only me, but to all of the Dominican Republic. As long as I race smart and follow instruction, I know we will have a great weekend at Watkins Glen. ”
Scott Zipadelli Quotes:
“I’m looking forward to getting to Watkins Glen this weekend. We had a great run with Victor at Road America, but the finish didn’t show that. So, this will be a great opportunity to make up for that. RAB Racing has been very successful at road course racing, so we always look forward to these races as opportunities to put together strong finishes. We’re bringing the same car that we raced at Road America, so that gives us confidence going into the weekend.”
