JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW
No. 88 Suave Men Chevrolet / No. 7 Air Hogs Chevrolet EVENT – Alliance Truck Parts 250 (125 laps / 250 miles)
TRACK – Michigan International Speedway (2-mile D-shaped oval)
DATE – Saturday, June 18, 2011
TV / RADIO – ABC (coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. EST) / MRN (broadcast begins at 3 p.m. EST)
Aric Almirola No. 88 Suave Men Chevrolet “After winning the truck race at Michigan last year, it’s a special place for me. I think anytime you win at a track, typically it means a little something more when you head back there. So I’m looking ahead to racing there this week. Our 88 team had a top-10 finish at California in the spring, and we want to build on that at a similar track in Michigan this weekend. The guys have been putting a lot of work in during the off-weekend, and I’m confident about the direction our Suave Men team is heading. “Getting into this summer stretch, it’s really important that as a driver you stay hydrated. Even though Michigan is up north, it’s still really hot. I really focus on my hydration. The biggest mistake you can make is to think you can get hydrated the day of the race. I used to think that way. But now I know it really is a week-long process to get yourself properly prepared.” Josh Wise No. 7 Air Hogs Chevrolet “I’m excited to represent the Air Hogs brand on our No. 7 Chevrolet this weekend. Not only does the car look great, but we’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy a lot of their products. I had a ton of fun with their Gryphon helicopter. We flew it around the shop last week, and we certainly got a lot of attention with it. “We’re looking at Michigan as a great opportunity to step up and perform how we feel we should. There was a pair of races earlier this year at Nashville and Richmond where we put together consecutive top-10s. That’s where we feel our 7 team is. It’s just a matter of putting together a solid race through 250 miles at Michigan.” JR MOTORSPORTS NOTEBOOK –
WELCOME AIR HOGS – To coincide with the announcement of its parent company, Spin Master becoming NASCAR’s primary toy licensee, Air Hogs, a leader in remote and radio controlled vehicles, makes its track debut on the No. 7 Chevrolet driven by Josh Wise at Michigan. Wise’s No. 7 features a paint scheme which showcases one of Air Hogs coolest products – the Sharpshooter. The brands’ first ever missle-launching helicopter, the Sharpshooter offers stabilizing technology that makes it easy to fly so the focus is on firing its dual missles. Air Hogs features dozens of innovative planes, helicopters and ground vehicles that have revolutionized the world of R/C technology and have given kids and adults the ability to control the most amazing vehicles from the palm of their hands. Check out all the Air Hogs products at www.airhogs.com.
SUAVE MEN ON THE 88 – Suave Men graces the No. 88 Chevrolet for the first of four races this season beginning at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The brand was featured on the No. 7 Chevrolet at Talladega earlier this year when Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove his way to an eighth-place finish. Suave Men will also be featured on the No. 88 in races at Daytona International Speedway (July 1), Chicagoland Speedway (Sept. 17) and Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 12).
TEAM JRM AT MICHIGAN- The No. 88 team won at MIS in August of 2009, tallying the team’s third of four victories that season. The team also led its first laps in NNS competition in 2006 at Michigan with Robby Gordon, who led 11 laps on the day.
ALMIROLA AT MICHIGAN – Almirola holds one Camping World Truck race victory at Michigan in 2010. He led seven laps during the 100-lap event to earn his second of two truck wins (Dover, Michigan) last season. In the Nationwide Series Almirola owns one start at the two-mile facility.
NO. 88 SEASON STATS – The No. 88 squad owns one top-five, seven top-10 and 11 top-15 finishes this season. Almirola is currently ranked fifth in the championship driver points (-46). The No. 88 team is 11th in owner points.
WISE AT MICHIGAN – The Riverside, Calif. native holds two Nationwide Series starts at Michigan. His best finish of 14th came in 2008.
NO. 7 SEASON STATS – The No. 7 team holds one top-five, five top-10 and eight top-15 finishes in 2011. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Josh Wise have shared driving duties in the No. 7 Chevrolet throughout the year, each scoring a top-10 finish. The team occupies 14th position in owner points.
JRM DRIVER SIGNINGS – Aric Almirola and Josh Wise will attend an autograph signing at the JR Nation merchandise hauler in the fan concourse area on Saturday, June 18, from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST.
WIN DALE JR.’S RIDE –There is still time to win the keys to Dale Jr.’s Camaro. The Dale Jr. Foundation is giving fans the chance to win one of three prizes with the purchase of a $25 raffle ticket, including a shot at Earnhardt Jr.’s own 2011 Chevrolet Camaro. The contest will run through Sept. 1, 2011, with all proceeds benefitting The Dale Jr. Foundation. For complete details visit
