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[/media-credit]Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Richmond International Raceway
Race: Capital City 400 Presented by
Virginia is for Lovers
Location: Richmond International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,189 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, Richard Childress Racing has amassed 100 wins, 430 top-five finishes, 891 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.8 among all races contested. RCR has earned six Sprint Cup Series championships with Dale Earnhardt (1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93, ’94), 14 total championships (five NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
RCR at RIR … Richard Childress has eight Sprint Cup Series victories as a car owner at Richmond International Raceway – five with Dale Earnhardt, two with Kevin Harvick and one with Clint Bowyer. Additionally, in 129 starts at RIR, RCR drivers have claimed 33 top-five and 60 top-10 finishes at RIR. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 17.1 average starting position, a 14.7 average finishing position, has completed 48,494 of the 51,504 contested laps (94.2 percent) and has collectively led 3,226 laps around the 0.75-mile race track.
The Collective RCR … Over the season’s first eight races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 8,780 out of 8,988 total laps (97.69 percent) with drivers Burton, Harvick, Menard, Elliott Sadler and Brendan Gaughan. The group has led a combined 146 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway, Harvick fell to sixth in the driver championship point standings, 25 markers out of the top spot. Menard now sits 14th in the point standings, while Burton is ranked 17th.
Interactive RCR …To keep up-to-date with the latest news and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick and @RCR31JeffBurton. Information about the 14-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com.
Place Your Vote … Fan voting for the 2012 Sprint All-Star Race is underway and while Burton hopes to qualify by winning a race prior to the event or finishing first or second in the Sprint Showdown, he also has the opportunity to be voted in by race fans. Fans can vote by using the NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile application on their Android-powered Sprint devices or by texting “VOTE” to 229466 on any wireless carrier. Voting also is open at www.NASCAR.com/AllStar or by visiting the Sprint Experience at Sprint Cup Series races. Votes cast on a Sprint, Nextel, Boost or Virgin Mobile device count double towards a driver’s total.
Catch the Action … FOX’s live coverage of the Richmond 400 begins Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the ninth points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series calendar will air live on SPEED on Friday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 NIBCO/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s NIBCO/Menards Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 380 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet is a brand new addition to the RCR fleet and will log its first laps during Friday’s practice session.
Menard at Richmond … In 10 starts at RIR, Menard has finished each of his contested races and completed 97 percent of his laps (3,801 of 4,010). He has an average starting position of 27.3 and an average finishing position of 28.9 with his best finish of 16th coming in the May 2007 event. Menard posted his best start at the 0.75-mile oval in his September 2010 visit to the Richmond, Va.-based facility when he took the green flag in the seventh position. He has recorded three top-five and five top-10 finishes and led for 160 laps at RIR in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition.
Getting Loopy in 2012 … With the first eight points-paying events of the 2012 season in the books, Menard sits 14th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 31points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot. In his sophomore year with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 20.9, an average finishing position of 16.9 and maintains a 19.02 average running position. The Eau Claire, Wis., native ranks second in the NASCAR Loop Data category of Closers, advancing an average of 2.4 positions in the final 10 percent of the eight contested races, and has completed 99.3 percent of his laps (2,509 of 2,526).
Paul Menard LIVE for Chevy Q&A … Fans can participate in a question-and-answer session with Menard on Saturday, April 28 at 3:15 p.m. ET at the Chevy Stage, located in the merchandise area.
#QS400 or Bust … Quaker State and Menards have kicked off a consumer sweepstakes offer that will run through May 15. Fans can visit their nearest Menards for real durable Quaker State motor oil and a chance to win an all expenses paid trip for two to the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. For details and to enter, visit your local Menards store. See www.Menards.com for locations.
Race Rewind … At RIR in April 2011, Menard started in the 10th position but handling issues plagued the team throughout the 400-lap event. The team remained on track during a late-race caution, pushing back into the top 10, however, hopes of salvaging a solid finish were dashed when a multi-car accident on lap 301 collected the No. 27 Chevrolet. Repairs to the heavily damaged car resulted in a disappointing 37th-place finish.
In the Rearview Mirror: Kansas … Menard started the No. 27 Zecol/Menards Chevrolet in the 19th position in last weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway and earned an 18th-place finish after battling with handling issues throughout the STP 400.
About NIBCO … NIBCO is a recognized industry leader of flow control solutions to the residential and commercial construction, institutional, industrial, fire protection and irrigation markets. Headquartered in Northern Indiana, NIBCO has more than 107 years of manufacturing history with products ranging from valves, actuation, metal and plastic fittings, PEX piping systems, lead-free* fittings and valves, and industrial plastics. Serving a global marketplace, NIBCO operates 10 manufacturing plants throughout the United States, Mexico and Poland. Visit www.NIBCO.com for more information. *≤0.25% lead content
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
With a couple of short-track races in the books this year, how do you feel about the No. 27 Chevrolet team’s short-track program?
“If intermediate tracks are our strength, short-track racing is our weakness. At Phoenix (International Raceway) we had a really good car. Unfortunately, we got tangled up in a wreck. It was a shame because we could have easily gotten a top-10 finish there. Richmond (International Raceway) is very comparable to Phoenix. The banking and the speeds you run are very similar. Richmond is a little bit smaller and with tighter corners. I feel like we’ve finally figured something out at Phoenix, but we’ve struggled at Richmond in the past and are still trying to get a hold of it.”
Richmond International Raceway is a unique track in that it is a short track but you get the speeds of a bigger track. What are your thoughts?
“The way it is shaped like a ‘D,’ you have a really big arch into turn one. Turn three is almost like a Martinsville (Speedway) turn. It has a really sharp entrance and it’s not very open. On exit, it opens back up with the ‘D’ shape. You have to drive both ends of the track differently, much like you would at any of the tri-oval tracks that we go to, like a Texas (Motor Speedway) or Kansas (Speedway).
A lot of drivers say that turn two is the toughest at Richmond International Raceway. What are your thoughts?
“The wall comes at you in a hurry when you come off of turn two. I think that is the original race track when it was a true oval. They reconfigured it to the ‘D’ shape and worked on the frontstretch. Turn two still has the old feel to it. You have pretty good banking into turn one, then it really pinches off and the radius gets really sharp on the exit of turn two. It flattens out a lot too, so you have to drive off of the corner really low and give yourself room to slide up the track.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Jimmy John’s Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 365 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This chassis was used by the No. 33 RCR team during the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season, and Harvick most recently drove it to a second-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March.
Freaky Fast! Freaky Good! … Jimmy John’s joins Harvick and the No. 29 team for the second of six races during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season. The 36-year-old driver made his first NASCAR appearance at Richmond International Raceway in 1998 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Richard Childress Racing veteran driver has completed a total of 14,938 laps at the 0.75-mile track spread across all of NASCAR’s top three racing series. Harvick has collected a total of seven wins, three poles, 22 top-five, 33 top-10 finishes and has led 1,767 laps at this short track.
Looking Back … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team scored a 12th-place finish in last April’s event at Richmond International Raceway after battling an ill-handling car for the majority of the race. Harvick and the No. 29 crew improved their finishing position during the fall event, capturing the team’s fourth victory of the season after a speedy pit stop under the final caution put the No. 29 Chevrolet in the lead for the final 15 laps of the 400-lap race.
In the Loop … Harvick has competed in 14 Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond International Raceway since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The 0.75-mile short track is one of Harvick’s best tracks on the circuit as shown in the following statistics: first in Quality Passes (458), first in Laps in the Top 15 (1,561), second in Laps Led (882) and third in Fastest Laps Run (407).
In the Rearview Mirror: Kansas Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 Rheem crew started from the second position during the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway last Sunday afternoon. The Bakersfield, Calif., native ran out of fuel during a green-flag run and battled handling issues before crossing the finish line in the sixth position.
Find a Jimmy John’s … Jimmy John’s, known for fresh, quality products and freaky fast service have 1,200 stores nationwide. Visit www.jimmyjohns.com to view the Jimmy John’s Freak Good menu and find your nearest location. You can order online or download the Jimmy John’s mobile application for Freaky Fast delivery. There are five Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich shops in the greater Richmond area for hungry race fans located on West Franklin Street, Three Chopt Road and Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, on West Broad Street in Glen Allen, and on Southshore Point Road in Midlothian.
Double Duty … In addition to competing in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race, Harvick will also climb behind the wheel of the No. 33 Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet, fielded by RCR, for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 Friday evening. The NASCAR Nationwide Series race will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on MRN Radio and Sirius NASCAR Radio.
Media Availability … Harvick will be available to members of the media at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, April 27 in the Richmond International Raceway Media Center.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
You are the defending race winner at Richmond International Raceway and have had great success there in the past. What are your thoughts on heading back there this season with crew chief Shane Wilson and new team members?
“Richmond (International Raceway) has been a great track for me. I really like the short-track style racing, so I’m looking forward to the race. I’ll be driving in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races this time, so the extra track time never hurts. As far as going back with a new team, we just need to keep our focus. The No. 29 team is doing well so far this season, but we just need to quit making the little mistakes and put a whole day together to come out ahead.”
The term ‘Racer’s Track’ has been used to describe Richmond International Raceway. What do you think that means?
“Richmond (International Raceway) is just one of those places that is short-track style racing, but it has enough speed to where it has that 1.5-mile track feel to it because the front straightaway is so fast. The great thing about Richmond now is the tires fall off so much. The cars slide around a lot. You have to really work on the mechanical setup of the car.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 BB&T Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s BB&T Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 367 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 31 Chevrolet, built new for the 2012 season, was utilized in February at Phoenix International Raceway where engine issues thwarted Burton’s top-five run and relegated him to a 33rd-place finish.
Career Richmond Stats … Burton grew up two hours away from Richmond in South Boston, Va. The Capital City 400 marks Burton’s 36th start at the 0.75-mile facility and 628th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed one win, nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes along with one pole award at the historic track.
Getting Loopy in the “Old Dominion State” … Burton has garnered impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Richmond International Raceway since the inception of NASCAR Loop Data Statistics in 2006. Of all drivers entering the 400-mile event, he has the eighth most green flag passes (674), the 10th most quality passes (334), the 10th best average running position (15.2) and spent 3,489 laps in the top 15, that ranks him eighth amongst his competitors.
No Stranger to Victory Lane … Burton has made three trips to Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway, winning in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in September 1998 and in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in June 1998 and
September 2000.
Burgundy and Gray … Burton’s No. 31 Chevrolet will sport the burgundy and gray colors of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based BB&T this weekend. The No. 31 BB&T Chevrolet paint scheme debuted in March at Bristol Motor Speedway and made an appearance earlier this month at Martinsville Speedway. After this weekend, BB&T will be the primary sponsor in May at Darlington Raceway and Dover International Speedway in June along with a special edition co-branded paint scheme with Caterpillar at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
Official Bank of RCR … BB&T is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $174.6 billion in assets and market capitalization of $14.9 billion, as of Dec. 31, 2011. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates approximately 1,800 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Greenwich Associates and others. The RCR partnership with BB&T has enjoyed great success both on and off the track in the past five years, including the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series driver’s championship with Clint Bowyer and multiple trips to victory lane in NASCAR’s premiere division at Richmond International Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway. The relationship began at the start of the 2007 Nationwide Series season and moved up to Sprint Cup Series action in 2009.More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at www.BBT.com.
Live Positively … The Coca-Cola Family Track Walk returns this Saturday at Richmond International Raceway and Burton will participate in a Q&A session during the walk at 2:15 p.m. Eastern. The annual program, designed to encourage active family fun at the race track, gives all fans attending Saturday’s event the opportunity to walk a lap around the track on race day just hours before the green flag drops. Following each Coca-Cola Family Track Walk, fans can enjoy fun for the whole family, such as games, music, racing simulators and motivating lifestyle tips. All events are free to RIR ticket and credential holders. Away from the track, fans can visit www.nascar.com/coca-cola where they can keep up with ongoing news and stats about Burton and their favorite Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers.
Anything with Wheels … On Thursday, Burton, piloting the No. 31 Caterpillar Late Model, and six other NASCAR drivers will face some of the Southeast’s best Late Model drivers in the Denny Hamlin Showdown at Richmond International Raceway. The fifth-annual event in benefits the Denny Hamlin Foundation, which supports victims of cystic fibrosis and donates to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, St. Jude’s Hospital and the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Additional Sprint Cup Series drivers expected to participate include Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Joey Logano and Aric Almirola. Nationwide, Camping World Truck and K&N Pro Series drivers Jason White, Timothy Peters, Chase Elliott and Darrell Wallace Jr. also are expected, along with former Virginia short-track star Curtis Markham. This year’s race is the second to share the Thursday spotlight with the K&N Series at RIR. The event will also be televised to national audience on SPEED at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Like Father, Like Son …Burton’s son Harrison has shown he is quite the race car driver. Competing in USAC’s .25 “Generation Next” National Touring Series, the younger Burton, who drives in three different divisions (Light 160, Senior Animal, & Light World Formula), has raced in 15 events so far this season, accumulating eight wins, four runner-up finishes, two third-place finishes and one fourth-place finish. The sixth race of the 12-state, 15-race is scheduled to take place this weekend in Albuquerque, NM. The 11-year-old is the 2011 National Series Champion in the Light 160 division and was runner up in the 2011 Senior Animal division. For additional information on the USAC Touring Series, please visit http://www.usacracing.com/.
Evening Out with Coach K … Burton attended the Fred Barakat Sports Dinner as a guest of RCR partner BB&T at the Greensboro Coliseum Arena in Greensboro, N.C, on April 17. Duke University men’s basketball and USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was the guest speaker at the event, and Burton is a lifelong fan of the Blue Devil basketball team and supporter of the Duke Children’s Hospital. The dinner benefitted the Greensboro (N.C.) Sports Council.
Building a Legacy … During his 20-year Sprint Cup Series career, Burton has earned 21 wins, 131 top-five and 244 top-10 finishes in 627 starts. The veteran RCR driver also tallied six pole awards and led 6,506 laps.
Race Rewind … After a strong 12th-place qualifying effort, Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team battled to find the right handling and finished 22nd in the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Points Racing … Burton is 17th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 48 points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
How hectic does Richmond International Raceway feel? It seems to be a mix of a short track and a big track.
“The front straightaway feels a lot like Michigan International Speedway and then you get into turn one and it all goes out the window and it feels like you are back at a short track. Turn two and the backstretch are very narrow and everything else feels like a narrow short track. It really has different personalities and that’s why I like it so much. It’s a small track, but it’s big enough to have good, competitive racing. It’s not so small where it turns into a wreck-fest. That, to me, is what a short track should be.”
You have had some success at Richmond International Raceway, why does this type of track seem to fit your style?
“Richmond International Raceway is such a cool race track and it is so much fun to run there. I always look forward to racing there and it is one of my favorite tracks. We have some really good runs there and also have had some bad runs. We have won there once and should’ve won many more times. Part of our recent history is inconsistency in our overall program. This is a track where I fully expect to run well.”
Last season at Richmond International Raceway, there were a higher number of cautions in both of the races. Any particular reason for that?
“Actually, the outside groove has gone away. I don’t know why or what happened, but it has turned into a one-groove race track and those always make for more cautions. I can’t figure out why it has turned into a one-groove race track, but it has. Anytime we go to a similar track such as Martinsville Speedway or Bristol Motor Speedway, we are going to see a lot of cautions.”
Last year, we saw a 14-car accident at Richmond International Raceway. Have you ever seen anything like that?
“I’ve never seen anything like the 14-car incident last year and we also saw a 15-car accident at Phoenix International Raceway last season. Everyone is just so close in the Sprint Cup Series and it is so competitive. Most of these restarts are so aggressive and when things happen on the restarts, it causes major pileups.”
Race: Virginia 529 College Savings 250
Location: Richmond International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Richmond International Raceway … Richard Childress Racing has earned five wins at Richmond International Raceway in the Nationwide Series with drivers Clint Bowyer (May 2007) and Kevin Harvick (September 2006, May 2006, September 2005 and May 2003). The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has two pole awards (Jeff Burton in September 2008 and Kevin Harvick in September 2003), 15 top-five finishes and 24 top-10 finishes in 45 starts.
Averages … RCR boasts a 12th-place average starting position and an average finishing position of 13.5 among all Nationwide Series races the organization has competed in at Richmond International Raceway. RCR drivers have completed 94.9 percent of the laps attempted at the track with 999 laps led.
The Season So Far … Through the first six races this season, RCR has acquired two wins in the Nationwide Series, both with Elliott Sadler, who notched the organization’s first Nationwide Series victory of the 2012 season at Phoenix International Raceway and also earned the organization’s second win of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway. Sadler also brought RCR its first pole award of the year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Paul Menard earned a pole for RCR in the No. 33 Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway. The organization has 11 top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes and has led 344 laps so far in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 783 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 58 wins, 261 top-five finishes, 427 top-10 finishes and 35 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.7 and an average finishing position of 12.9 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver’s points championships in 2001 and 2006 with Kevin Harvick and in 2008 with Clint Bowyer. The Welcome, N.C.-based team earned the owner’s title in 2003 with Johnny Sauter and Harvick and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer.
To the Point … RCR’s two fulltime Nationwide Series entries rank first (Sadler) and third (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into this Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet team leads the owner’s point standings while the No. 33 Menards/South Point Hotel & Casino/Hunt Brothers/Armour Brands/Fast Fixin’/OneMain Financial/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet team driven by Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, Paul Menard, Tony Stewart and Max Papis sits third in the owner’s championship point standings and the No. 3 AdvoCare/American Ethanol/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team ranks fourth.
Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news and information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team Twitter pages – @RCR2ESadler, @RCR3ADillon and @RCR33NNS, RCR’s Nationwide Series driver Twitter pages – @Elliott_Sadler and @AustinDillon3 and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial and facebook.com/adillon3.
Under the Lights … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 will be televised on ESPN 2 beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 27 and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
Elliott Sadler No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s OneMain Financial Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will utilize Chassis No. 101 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend in Richmond, Va. This chassis is two-for-two this season, earning wins in the first two starts at Phoenix International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Feels Like Home … Sadler doesn’t have to travel too far from home this weekend as the Nationwide Series heads to Richmond International Raceway for the first of two events at the track this season. Sadler, born and raised in nearby Emporia, Va., grew up attending races at the 0.75-mile track as a child with his father, Herman.
Rich Richmond History … Sadler’s career is steeped in history at the Richmond, Va., track, where he has more Nationwide Series starts than any other track. Although he has yet to earn a win in front of his home crowd in the Nationwide Series, he has two top-five and five top-10 finishes, as well as 58 laps led. In the Sprint Cup Series, Sadler has earned one top-10 finish in 24 starts. He also has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts.
Last Time By … When Sadler hit the Richmond track in the spring of 2011, he notched a fourth-place finish in front of his hometown crowd. He continued his success at the short-track later in the season with a sixth-place result.
Just the Stats … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in average start (4.3), average finish (4.8), laps in top 15 (1,134), percentage of laps in the top 15 (96.9 percent) and total laps completed (1,170).
To the Point … Sadler maintains the lead in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, edging out Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by four points.
Race Rewind: Texas … Under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks ago, Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team competed in the top-five for much of the race. Unfortunately, a strong vibration and an issue in the later stages of the race relegated the team to the 12th-place finish.
Autism Awareness Month … April is National Autism Awareness Month, and Sadler will show his support for the cause throughout the month by wearing a specially designed race helmet which features puzzle pieces, the symbol of Autism Awareness. He will wear the Autism Awareness helmet this weekend at Richmond International Raceway, and he wore it earlier this month at Texas Motor Speedway. Sadler is a large supporter of the cause, and along with his family, created the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation to help with education and research of the disease. For more information on the foundation, please visit SadlerFoundation.org.
Seeing Pink … For the remainder of the season, Sadler will have a little more color to his outfit on race days. The Emporia, Va., native will sport pink driving shoes, showing support for Breast Cancer Awareness. Sadler’s mother, Bell, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and is now a survivor.
Making Laps For A Cause… Following driver introductions for the Nationwide event on Friday night, Sadler will participate in the NASCAR Dreams Parade lap, where one lucky bidder will have the opportunity to ride in the parade vehicle with Sadler around the track. The proceeds will benefit the NASCAR Foundation and the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation. Sadler will also participate at Talladega Superspeedway and Dover International Speedway.
Special Announcement … Sadler will be in the RIR media center on Friday at 11:45 a.m. ET for a special announcement with the Nationwide Series.
Meet and Greet … Fans have the opportunity to meet Sadler on Thursday, April 26 at the OneMain Financial branch at 798 Southpark Blvd. in Colonial Heights, Va. Beginning at 4 p.m. ET, fans are invited to meet Sadler and receive autographs from the current Nationwide Series points leader. For more information, visit www.OneMainRacing.com.
Trading the Steering Wheel for a Microphone … After the Nationwide Series event on Friday night, Sadler will put on his broadcasting hat and serve as co-host Saturday evening on NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED. Tune into the show from Richmond International Raceway at 5 p.m. ET on April 28 on SPEED.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What does racing at Richmond International Raceway mean to you?
“I love coming to Richmond. I say it every year, but I’d rather win at Richmond International Raceway than win the Daytona 500. I grew up and still live in Emporia, Va. which is only 45 minutes from the track, so this is my home track. I came here as a child with my dad and my family still has seats at the start-finish line. To win here, in front of my closest family and friends, would mean a lot to me.”
How do you and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team feel heading into the weekend?
“We are bringing one of my favorite cars this weekend to Richmond. This is the same car that won at both Phoenix International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway this season. I really love this track, and I think that our OneMain Financial team is ready after an off-weekend to get back at the track and work our way to the front.”
Austin Dillon No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 93 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Dillon drove this Chevrolet to a fourth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March after starting ninth. This former Kevin Harvick Inc., chassis was utilized by the No. 33 team on 12 different occasions in 2011, earning a pair of third-place finishes (Harvick at Auto Club Speedway in March and Paul Menard at Texas Motor Speedway in April), along with a pair of fourth-place finishes with Bowyer driving (TMS in November and Homestead-Miami Speedway in November). The Danny Stockman-led No. 3 team completely refurbished this Chevrolet during the off season.
Dillon at Richmond … Dillon made his Nationwide Series debut at Richmond International Raceway in September 2008, driving the No. 21 Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma Chevrolet to a 26th-place finish after starting 31st in his only start at the 0.75-mile track.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon has completed 99.83 percent of laps on the lead lap, ranking him first in that category. The Nationwide Series Rookie has an average running position of 9.055 in the season’s first six Nationwide Series races, ranking him fifth among all drivers. He has a driver rating of 100.7, ranking him seventh. He is ranked second in the Closers category, improving an average of 3.5 spots in the last 10 percent of each race and is the seventh-fastest driver late in a run and seventh-fastest driver early in a run. He is ranked seventh in the Fastest Laps Run category with 61 laps so far this season, has the seventh-fastest speed in traffic and the sixth-fastest green-flag speed. Dillon has completed 94.4 percent of his laps in the top 15, ranking him third among all drivers.
Get to the Points … Dillon is third in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings. He trails his RCR teammate and current point leader Elliott Sadler by 20 points and is 16 markers behind second-place Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Dillon currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
22 Candles … Dillon celebrates his 22nd birthday on Friday at Richmond International Raceway.
Testing One, Two Three … This week, Dillon will climb into a RCR NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet for the first time since clinching the 2011 drivers championship. The reigning champion is scheduled to participate in a Goodyear Tire test on RCR’s behalf at Pocono Raceway on Wednesday.
Take a Ride with Dillon … Dillon will have a special guest with him on Friday following driver introductions for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250. The winning bidder of the NASCAR Dreams Parade Lap NASCAR Foundation auction will ride around the track with him during pre-race ceremonies. Proceeds from the auction benefit the NASCAR Foundation and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. Dillon will also participate in the NASCAR Dreams Parade Lap program at Talladega Superspeedway and Dover International Speedway, and fans can bid by visiting http://nascar.com/auction.
Rewind to Texas … In his last Nationwide Series race, Dillon and the No. 3 American Ethanol team posted a fifth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway after starting fourth. Dillon led his first 13 laps of the 2012 season after crew chief Danny Stockman made the call for him to stay out on the track while running fifth as the top-four competitors elected to pit under caution. He led for six laps after green-flag racing resumed before dropping to fifth at the end of the race when a tight-handling condition developed on his Chevrolet.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What do you think about Richmond International Raceway?
“For me, the best thing about Richmond International Raceway is that it’s similar to Iowa Speedway, a track where I have logged a lot of laps at. We’ll go to Richmond with a similar setup and just try to learn. It’s a good track where you can move around and make time up, and really pass some cars when you have the setup right.”
Richmond International Raceway is sort of a combination between short track and speedway. Do you enjoy the mix you get there?
“Yes. The RCR Nationwide cars have run well there in the past, and we should have a really good hot rod. Especially after going to Phoenix International Raceway and some of the tracks that are similar in size. I think we have a good package for those types of tracks.”
What part of Richmond International Raceway do you like the best or that you find the toughest?
“You’ve really got to use the brakes at Richmond International Raceway. You don’t really touch the brakes much at mile-and-a-half-long tracks, but braking is very important at a track like Richmond. Getting off the corner, having forward bite, and being able to adjust your car to make it really good for longer runs and then being able to go at the end when there is a late race caution. Tires fade at Richmond and when you have a lot of tire fade off, that usually means good racing. When tires are falling off and you have to slip and slide around the track, that’s when good racing comes into play.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 33 Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 106 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in his third of 14 appearances in the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet. Built for the 2012 season, Harvick raced this entry at Bristol Motor Speedway in March and brought home a ninth-place finish.
Richmond Roundup … Since his first Nationwide Series appearance at RIR in 2000, Harvick has made 21 series starts at the Virginia-based facility. The two-time Nationwide Series Champion has led 790 of the 5,256 laps completed at 0.75-mile short track. Harvick has earned five wins (2003, ’05, both events in ’06, and ’10), two poles, 13 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. The driver holds a ninth-place average starting position and an average finishing position of 7.4.
Fixin’ for Success … Since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Statistics in 2006 the Bakersfield, Calif., native has competed in 14 Nationwide Series races at Richmond International Speedway. Harvick leads all drivers in the categories of Driver Rating (116.8), Fastest Drivers Late in a Run (116.515 mph), Fastest Laps Run (319), Laps Led (645) and Laps in the Top 15 (2,864).
Looking Back: Texas Motor Speedway … Paul Menard piloted the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet two weeks ago in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. The Eau Claire, Wis., native started the Friday night race from the pole position and finished second in the first of seven scheduled Nationwide Series appearances in the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet.
To the Points … The No. 33 RCR Chevrolet currently sits third in the overall owner’s championship point standings, 17 points behind the leader. The No. 33 team has earned three top-five and six top-10 finishes between four different drivers (Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, and Paul Menard).
This Just In … Harvick will double as driver and in-race reporter for ESPN2’s live coverage of Friday night’s Virginia 529 College Saving 250. The 36-year-old driver will chat with ESPN personalities Dale Jarrett, Allen Bestwick and Andy Petree during the race, providing viewers a look at the race from a driver’s perspective. Front tire carrier, Austin Craven, will also participate in the live coverage by wearing a helmet camera giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s pit stops.
All Aboard … Race fans in attendance for the festivities at Richmond International Raceway can enjoy easy travels around the facility on the Fast Fixin’ Harvick Express. The tram sponsorship is part of a trackside branding initiative fans will experience throughout the race weekend courtesy of Fast Fixin’.
Win Big with Fast Fixin’ … Fast Fixin’ is providing several lucky race fans the opportunity to win suite and pit road access at the Richmond-based facility for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series events this weekend. QR codes will be located throughout the facility that fans can scan using their smart phone for the chance to win a race package including suite tickets and a pre-race pit tour. Starting Friday, April 27th, fans can also visit 33.fastfixin.com for a chance to win online.
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Meet the Press … Harvick will be available to members of the media at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, April 27 in the RIR Infield Media Center prior to NASCAR Nationwide Series practice.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on running the Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway?
“I’ve have always liked racing at Richmond (International Raceway) and enjoy racing at night. Richmond, like the other flat tracks, really suits my driving style, plus we’ve been able to run really good there. I have five wins in the Nationwide Series, so I’m hoping we can get the Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet back into victory lane this Friday night and make it six.”
