JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW
No. 88 Degree Chevrolet / No. 7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
EVENT – Federated Auto Parts 300 (225 laps / 300 miles)
TRACK – Nashville Speedway (1.33-mile D-shaped oval)
DATE – Saturday, July 23, 2011
TV / RADIO – ESPN (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. EST) / MRN (broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. EST)
Aric Almirola
No. 88 Degree Chevrolet
“For us to be able to capitalize on last week’s top-five with another good run this weekend would be ideal. We’ve had a handful of good runs this year, but keeping that momentum going is an area we struggle with. Our focus now is putting together some consistent finishes moving forward.
“Anytime you’re dealing with a concrete racetrack like Nashville, the grip levels throughout the weekend are going to remain much more consistent because it’s not as temperature sensitive as asphalt. Nashville is one of only three concrete tracks on the Nationwide Series circuit, so it’s not often we’re able to race on this type of surface.”
Josh Wise
No. 7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
“I’ve been waiting for a few weeks to get another turn in the TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet. The team has run well over the past couple weeks. I really want to keep that going at Nashville. We had a great race there in the spring. We were able to lead some laps, and run up front for most of the day. It was a solid learning experience for me. I learned a lot just being up front with those guys, seeing how they race and how they position their cars.
“I always look forward to seeing Nashville on our schedule. I have some family out there and I usually drive out a couple days early with my wife and daughter. That way I get to spend some time with them before heading to the racetrack.”
JR MOTORSPORTS NOTEBOOK –
WISE RETURNS – Josh Wise climbs back behind the wheel of JRM’s No. 7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. Wise has made nine starts for the team in 2011, earning two top-10s (Nashville, Richmond) and four top-15 finishes. At Nashville, Wise owns four starts in the Nationwide Series with his best finish of ninth coming earlier this year with JRM.
FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TOP-10 – The No. 7 team is riding a string of four consecutive top-10 finishes. The streak dates back to Road America and encompasses races at Daytona, Kentucky and New Hampshire. It marks the team’s longest streak of top-10s and includes drivers Ron Fellows, Kasey Kahne and Danica Patrick.
CONCRETE STATS – Aric Almirola has notched a top-10 finish in each of the three races at concrete tracks this year (Bristol, Dover and Nashville). The Tampa, Fla. native is averaging a finish of 9.6 on concrete ovals in 2011.
JRM AT NASHVILLE – JR Motorsportshas one win at Nashville Superspeedway (2008). In its 16 starts there, the organization earned four top-five and nine top-10 finishes, leading 107 laps since 2006.
ALMIROLA AT NASHVILLE – Almirola has two starts at Nashville with two top-10 finishes. He finished 10th earlier this year with the No. 88 Chevrolet. In four starts in the Camping World Truck Series, he earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
FIVE FOR FIVE – Kasey Kahne became the fifth of five drivers to score a top-10 finish with the No. 7 Chevrolet this season. He joins Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ron Fellows, Danica Patrick and Josh Wise as drivers of the No. 7 to accomplish that feat.
CHASSIS INFO FOR THE 7 TEAM – The No. 7 TaxSlayer.com team will unload chassis no. 641 this weekend. This chassis raced earlier in the year at Iowa, Nashville and Richmond.
NO. 7 SEASON STATS – The No. 7 team holds four top-five and nine top-10 finishes in 2011. The team occupies 10th position in owner points.
CHASSIS INFO FOR 88 TEAM – The No. 88 Degree crew will bring chassis no. 626 to Nashville. Almirola raced at Kentucky earlier this year with this chassis. It also raced at California, Chicagoland and Las Vegas.
NO. 88 SEASON STATS – The No. 88 team owns two top-five and nine top-10 finishes this season. Almirola is currently ranked fifth in the championship driver points (-81). The No. 88 team is 11th in owner points.
JRM AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS – Aric Almirola and Josh Wise will participate in the Nationwide Series autograph session on Friday, July 22 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. CST in the fan concourse area. The pair will also sign autographs at the JR Nation merchandise hauler, also located in the fan concourse area, on Saturday, July 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. CST.
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 http://www.windalejrsride.com/ www.windalejrsride.com.
WATCH THE “JRM 360” VIDEO SERIES – In a continued effort to be at the forefront of web-based content through its website 72&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.jrmracing.com> www.jrmracing.com, the team has added a video series entitled “JRM 360”. It’s a light-hearted look at the inner workings and extraordinary personalities at JRM’s shop in Mooresville, N.C. A daily briefing column that gives fans the scoop on day-to-day activities at the shop is also part of the line-up this season.
