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[/media-credit]Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Race: Coca-Cola 600
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR at Charlotte … In 125 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing teams have earned six points-paying victories. Four wins were claimed by Dale Earnhardt, while Jeff Burton added to that total with a win in the October 2008 race and, most recently, Kevin Harvick took home the trophy in one of NASCAR’s marquee events – the Coca-Cola 600 – in May 2011. Harvick also recorded an impressive win at the 2007 Sprint All-Star Race to go along with Earnhardt’s three victories in the annual all-star showcase, giving RCR 10 total NASCAR Sprint Cup Series checkered flags at CMS. Additionally, RCR boasts 20 top-five and 41 top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile track with seven different drivers including Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd, Mike Skinner, Harvick, Burton and Clint Bowyer. Richard Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed two of those top-10 finishes from 1978-1979. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has led a combined 1,111 laps at the Charlotte facility.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,195 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, Richard Childress Racing has collected 100 wins, 430 top-five finishes, 892 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.9 and an average finishing position of 15.8. 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 presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
The Collective RCR … Throughout the season’s first 11 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 11,652 out of 11,874 total laps (98.13 percent) with drivers Jeff Burton, Harvick, Paul Menard, Elliott Sadler and Brendan Gaughan. The group has led a combined 173 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway,Harvick fell to eighth in the driver championship point standings, 50 markers out of the top spot. Menard advanced to 13th in the standings, while Burton climbed to 17th.
NASCAR Unites … NASCAR Unites – An America Salute kicks off with this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-27) and will run through the events at Daytona International Speedway (Independence Day Weekend, July 5-7). Throughout the program, various RCR teams will sport red, white, and blue patriotic trim on spoilers and side skirts. The patriotic initiative is designed to unite the NASCAR industry and fans this summer to celebrate America and support U.S. military families. For information on NASCAR Unites, visit NASCAR.COM/Unites, follow NASCAR Unites on Facebook.com/NASCARUnites or on Twitter: @NASCARUnites.
Day of Wine and Race Cars at 2012 FAN DAY … The Richard Childress Racing Museum and Childress Vineyards will co-host a full day of activities for fans on May 25 during the ’12 FAN DAY celebration at the award-winning winery and the RCR Museum. Activities at each venue will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern Time with autograph sessions, show car and partner displays, guided museum and winery tours scheduled throughout the day. Richard Childress, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon and Chocolate Myers will sign autographs at the RCR Museum in Welcome, N.C. at 11 a.m. ET. The museum will also have a giant tent sale, with specific racing memorabilia sales to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. Austin Dillon, Elliott Sadler and Max Papis will sign autographs at Childress Vineyards from 1-2 p.m. ET while Childress, Harvick, Burton and Menard will sign from 2-3 p.m. ET and Joey Coulter, Gaughan and Ty Dillon will be present from 3:30-4:40 p.m. Also, fans can participate in drawings, hide-and-tweet contests and Facebook trivia for a chance to win prizes. Visit www.childressvineyards.com or www.rcrracing.com for more information on how to be a part of ’12 FAN DAY.
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.
Catch the Action … FOX’s live coverage of the Coca-Cola 600 begins Saturday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 12th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series calendar will air live on SPEED on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 CertainTeed Insulation/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Serta/Menards Chevrolet … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 328 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. This No. 27 Chevrolet was last seen on track at Phoenix International Raceway in March where Menard finished 31st after he was spun from behind. This chassis was also used in competition in 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway and the November event at Phoenix.
By the Numbers at CMS … In his 10 previous starts at the Concord, N.C.-based facility, Menard has completed 94.7 percent of his laps (3,318 of 3,502). He has an average starting position of 22.8 and an average finishing position of 23.7. Menard made his best Sprint Cup Series start of fifth at the 1.5-mile speedway during the October 2010 event and claimed his best finish of eighth in May of that same year.
Getting Loopy in 2012 … With 11 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 13th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 29 points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot. In his sophomore year with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 20.4, an average finishing position of 16.2 and maintains a 19th-place average running position. The Eau Claire, Wis., native has completed 99.5 percent of his laps (3,471 of 3,488).
CMS’ Race to Education … The mayor of Statesville, N.C., Costi Kutteh, was paired with Paul Menard and the No. 27 Chevrolet team for Charlotte Motor Speedway’s May Race to Education program, which randomly matched up competitors in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with area community leaders vying for a chance to win educational grants. If Menard wins the Coca-Cola 600, the city of Statesville will receive a $20,000 zMAX Race to Education award.
Karting for a Cause … Menard returns to his go-karting roots when he joins Team Sprint in the 2012 King’s Cup on Tuesday, May 22. Thirty teams will compete for bragging rights and to raise funds in support of Paralyzed Veterans of America. The first qualifying race kicks off at 5 p.m. Eastern Time at Victory Lane Karting Indoor Center in Charlotte, N.C. The shootout feature event is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit PVA.com.
Meet Menard at 2012 FAN DAY … Menard is scheduled to participate in an autograph session at Childress Vineyards on May 25 beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET with team owner Richard Childress and fellow RCR teammates Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton. The 2012 FAN DAY, co-hosted by the RCR Museum and Childress Vineyards, will include activities at each venue beginning at 9 a.m. with autograph sessions, show car and sponsor partner displays, guided museum and winery tours scheduled throughout the day. The RCR Museum will have a giant tent sale, also beginning at 9 a.m., with specific racing memorabilia sales to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. Fans can participate in drawings, hide and tweet, and Facebook trivia throughout the day for a chance to win prizes. The full-day event will conclude at Childress Vineyards with a concert on the lawn by Curb Records recording artist Tim Dugger. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $20 per person and are available by calling 336-236-9463 or online at .
Tar Heels, Through and Through … The No. 27 team has a number of members from the Tar Heel State. Jack man Carey Wimbish is from Granite Falls, N.C., while rear-tire changer Aaron Smith was raised and still lives in Denton, N.C. Hauler driver Jeff “Cowboy” Icenhour calls Lenoir, N.C., home, and secondary driver Robert “Rocky” Boggs is from Burlington, N.C.
Race Rewind … Menard started the No. 27 Chevrolet in the 16th position for the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Running in the top 10 on lap 240, Menard suddenly lost control of the car and spun in turn two. The ill-timed spin and costly damage placed him 19 laps behind the leader, resulting in a 29th-place finish.
In the Rearview Mirror: Sprint All-Star Race … Menard lined up in the seventh position to take the green flag for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and drove the tight-handling CertainTeed Insulation/Menards Chevrolet to a 16th-place finish in Saturday night’s non-points affair at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You have had success on the 1.5-mile tracks such as Texas Motor Speedway, however, you’ve struggled at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Any idea why?
“We’ve run into bad luck a few times at Charlotte (Motor Speedway). We’ve wrecked a few times and had some parts failures as well. With any race, everything needs to go right to get a good finish, and we just haven’t been able to get it to go right at Charlotte. We’ve qualified well and raced well, but we just haven’t gotten good finishes.”
The Coca-Cola 600 is well known for its length and many people make a big deal out of the extra 100 miles. Do you feel those extra miles?
“No, not really. With the race being held at night, the temperatures are cooler in the car than they would normally be. Once you’re in the car you really don’t feel the difference between 400 miles and 600 miles. As a driver, you’re just doing your deal. It’s all relative to the track. 500 laps at Martinsville (Speedway) can feel like 500 miles at Texas (Motor Speedway). Once we are in the car and turning laps, you’re constantly thinking about how the car is handling, what we need for adjustments, where we can gain speed and the time goes pretty quick.”
Do you prepare for the 600-miler any differently than you do other races?
“No, I stick to the same routine. It’s actually a little easier because the weekend before (Sprint All-Star Race weekend) is not nearly as rigorous as a typically race weekend. We won’t leave there as dehydrated as we usually do, so the recovery during the week will be a lot less.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 373 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This chassis was used in competition last season by the No. 29 team at Michigan International Speedway in August, Charlotte Motor Speedway in October and Homestead-Miami Speedway in November where Harvick finished 22nd, sixth and eighth, respectively.
Charlotte Stats … Harvick has made 22 Sprint Cup Series starts at the 1.5-mile track throughout the last 11 seasons. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has collected two top-five and six top-10 finishes, along with a Sprint Cup Series victory during the Coca-Cola 600 in 2011. Harvick also led five of the 7,553 laps he has completed.
In the Loop in 2012 … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Harvick has competed in 11 Sprint Cup Series events so far this season while gathering solid stats among his fellow competitors in categories including: second in Green Flag Speed (8.2 average running position), fifth in both Fastest Driver Late in a Run (9.7 average running position) and Fastest Driver on Restart (13 average running position). The 36-year-old driver also ranks sixth in Fastest in Traffic (12.182 average running position), eighth in Fastest Driver Early in a Run (9.6 average running position) and Percent of Laps Run on the Lead Lap (86.04 percent) and ninth in Laps in the Top 15 (2,458).
Red, White and Blue Summer … The No. 29 Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevrolet will don a special red, white and blue patriotic paint scheme for six races this summer starting with Sunday’s 600-mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The paint scheme reflects the special “Red, White and Blue Summer” packaging featured on the iconic Budweiser bottles and cans as part of a summer initiative in which the brand will contribute a portion of all sales from May 20 – July 7 to help raise as much as $2.5 million for the Folds of Honor Foundation*, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for families of U.S. military personnel killed or disabled while serving their country. The Folds of Honor logo will also be featured on the rear bumper of the No. 29 Chevrolet. In addition to Sunday’s race, Harvick’s Budweiser ride will feature the “Red, White and Blue Summer” paint scheme for NSCS races at Michigan International Speedway (June 17), Kentucky Speedway (June 30), Daytona International Speedway (July 7), Pocono Raceway (Aug. 5) and Watkins Glen International (Aug. 12). (*Maximum donation of $2.5 million includes $5,000 for every walk-off in select 2012 professional baseball games and a portion of sales for every case of Budweiser sold, 5/20-7/7.)
Grow One, Save A Million. … The No. 29 team and more than 50 other members of the Sprint Cup Series garage are taking part in Budweiser’s “Grow One. Save a Million.” pledge to help save a million gallons of water for World Environment Day (June 5) by not shaving. On average, men use three-10 gallons of water each time they shave. Budweiser is asking men to take the pledge on Budweiser’s Facebook page. Additionally, those who can’t grow a beard can pledge to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth for two weeks or shorten their showers by 20 minutes total over the span of two weeks.
Fore! … On Wednesday, Harvick will tee off in the third annual John Paul Linville Memorial Golf Classic Presented by BB&T Wealth, an event that honors wife DeLana’s father who lost his battle with cancer in 2005. Funds raised at the tournament will benefit the Kevin Harvick Foundation which is dedicated to the support of programs that positively enrich the lives of children throughout the United States, including the Chase Your Dreams Grant Program, Kevin’s Krew and Christmas for Kids Party.
Sunday Cruise for a Cause … Following driver introductions for the Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday, Harvick will participate in the Ride of a Lifetime lap, with one lucky fan joining the RCR driver in the parade vehicle. The proceeds generated from the auction benefit the Speedway Children’s’ Charities along with the Kevin Harvick Foundation. Harvick will also participate in the Ride of a Lifetime lap at Infineon Raceway in June, New Hampshire International Speedway in July, Bristol Motor Speedway in August, Atlanta Motor Speedway and New Hampshire International Speedway in September, Charlotte Motor Speedway in October and Texas Motor Speedway in November for the Sprint Cup Series events. For more information on the Ride of a Lifetime auctions visit www.speedwaycharities.org.
Racing for Education … Mayor of Midland, N.C., Kathy Kitts remains a Harvick fan leading into Sunday’s race. Her town was paired with the driver of the No. 29 Chevrolet for Charlotte Motor Speedway’s May Race to Education program, which randomly matched up competitors in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with area community leaders vying for a chance to win educational grants. If Harvick wins the Coca-Cola 600, the town of Midland will receive a $20,000 zMAX Race to Education award.
Hometown Heroes … Seven members of the No. 29 RCR crew call the Tar Heel State home and will be competing in front of family and friends during the marquee event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. Engine turner Wesley Adams and interior mechanic Scott Brewer both hail from Winston-Salem. Hauler driver Dennis Gammons is from Mt. Airy, while front tire carrier Austin Craven was raised in High Point. Jack man Jason Hunt calls Greensboro home and gas man Bryan Smith is a Hendersonville native.
Double Duty … In addition to competing in the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday evening, Harvick will also climb behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet for the History 300 Saturday afternoon. The NASCAR Nationwide Series race will air live on ABC beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
2012 FAN DAY … Harvick is scheduled to participate in an autograph session at Childress Vineyards on May 25 beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET and will sign autographs with Richard Childress and fellow RCR teammates Jeff Burton and Paul Menard at the ’12 FAN DAY co-hosted by the RCR Museum and Childress Vineyards.
Defending Winners …Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team scored their third victory of the 2011 season by stretching fuel mileage to pick up a win during last year’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Harvick’s trip to Victory Lane came after overcoming handling issues, getting caught a lap down twice as the caution flag waved during rounds of green-flag pit stops and late-race fuel strategy.
In the Rearview Mirror: Sprint All-Star Race … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem team captured asixth-place finish last Saturday night during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race after battling a tight-handling condition throughout the non-points event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
With the age of instant gratification that everyone seems to be looking for, do you think it’s still necessary to have a 600-mile race like this weekend’s?
“I think (the Coca-Cola 600) is a historic race in our sport. It’s the ultimate test of team, driver, engines and every part on the car. The sport is not all about just running a 250-mile race, it’s about making your car last. It’s more than just having a fast car and lining them up and running a short race. It’s really about the attrition of the whole night and surviving it. As things change through the night you have to keep up with the race track and if your car won’t run then you’re done. NASCAR needs a race like this because those are the types of things the sport was built on.”
How big of a deal is that extra 66 laps in the Coca-Cola 600?
“I think as a driver you are mentally prepared and kind of just know how long a 500-mile or 400-mile race is, but I think the people who worry about it the most are the engine guys just because everything they do is set off of 500 miles, so they probably worry about it a lot more than we do.”
What was the coolest part of winning last year’s race?
“The coolest part about winning the Coke 600 to me was walking up to the top (of Smith Tower), seeing all the fans who’d hung out in The Speedway Club and being able to drink a few Budweisers with them afterward. The fan base we have in this area is very loyal and they’ve been here for a long time. Seeing those folks in The Speedway Club was the coolest part.”
You’ve made it known before that Charlotte Motor Speedway isn’t one of your favorite tracks. What is it that you don’t like about the track?
“It’s nothing to do with the facility or the people or anything like that. Charlotte’s just been a place that’s been tough for me to understand the feel that I need in the car to make it go fast and be competitive. As we’ve come here the last couple of years that performance has been better and we’ve had some decent finishes including our Coca-Cola 600 win last year.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Wheaties Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 367 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 31 Chevrolet, originally built in 2011, has been utilized once during the 2012 NSCS season at Kansas Speedway in April where Burton started 12th and finished 22nd. This chassis has seen significant track time including visits to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July 2011 (started-13th, finished-35th), Atlanta Motor Speedway in September 2011 (started-27th, finished-13th) and Kansas Speedway in October 2011 (started-31st, finished-21st). Burton also tallied a top-10 finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November, finishing 10th after starting 31st with this car.
Breakfast of Champions … The iconic Wheaties franchise returns to the Sprint Cup Series action this weekend. This is the second of six races in which Wheaties will be the primary partner of the No. 31 Chevrolet. Wheaties is also serving as an associate partner of the No. 31 for all races during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season. For more information, please visit www.wheaties.com or follow Wheaties on Twitter @Wheaties_FUEL and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Wheaties.
Career Charlotte Stats … The 2012 Coca-Cola 600 marks Burton’s 36th start at the 1.5-mile facility and 631st-career Sprint Cup Series entry. Burton notched his last Sprint Cup Series victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October 2008, and he amassed three wins, eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes at the track, leading 435 laps.
No Stranger to Victory Lane … Burton has made six previous visits to Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Victory Lane across Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series competition. He owns two Coca-Cola 600 race trophies from wins in 1999 and 2001, the 2008 Charlotte 500 race trophy, hardware from three Nationwide Series victories (2000, 2002 and 2007) and one Nationwide Series pole award (2001).
Getting Loopy in “the heart of NASCAR” … Burton has garnered impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Charlotte Motor Speedway since their inception in 2006. Of all drivers entering the 2012 600-mile marathon, he has the sixth most green flag passes (1,017) with 539 coming while running in the top 15 (10th-most). Burton has also spent 2,846 laps in the top 15, which ranks him eighth amongst his competitors. He also has the eighth-best average running position (15.03) and an 85.4 driver rating at the Concord, N.C.-based facility.
Looking Back … After qualifying fifth for the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Burton led twice for a total of six laps and had a solid run going until he was spun out by another competitor in the closing laps of the scheduled 400-lap showdown that erased a promising top-five run and turned it into a 21st-place result.
Sign Here Please … Burton and the No. 31 Wheaties Racing pit crew are scheduled to participate in an autograph session and other on-stage activities at Food Lion Speedstreet located in Uptown Charlotte, N.C. on Friday, May 25. The pit crew is scheduled to arrive to the Cheerios Stage in the Kid’s Zone at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time while Burton is slated to be there beginning at 5 p.m.
Live Positively … The Coca-Cola Family Track Walk returns Friday, May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Burton will make an appearance from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET The annual program, designed to encourage active family fun at the race track, gives all fans attending Sunday’s race the opportunity to walk a lap around the track. 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. Away from the track, fans can visit www.nascar.com/coca-cola where they can keep up with all of the ongoing news and stats about Burton and their favorite Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers.
RCR 2012 FAN DAY … Burton is scheduled to participate in an autograph session at Childress Vineyards on May 25 beginning at 2 p.m. ET with RCR Sprint Cup Series teammates Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard along with RCR team owner Richard Childress. The 2012 FAN DAY, co-hosted by the RCR Museum and Childress Vineyards, will include activities at each venue beginning at 9 a.m. with autograph sessions, show car and sponsor partner displays, guided museum and winery tours scheduled throughout the day. The RCR Museum will have a giant tent sale, also beginning at 9 a.m., with specific racing memorabilia sales to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. Fans can participate in drawings, hide and tweet, and Facebook trivia throughout the day for a chance to win prizes. The full-day event will conclude at Childress Vineyards with a concert on the lawn by Curb Records recording artist Tim Dugger. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $20 per person and are available by calling 336-236-9463 or online at .
Race Rewind … After a top-five qualifying effort, Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar/BB&T Chevrolet team brought home a top-10 result in the Sprint Showdown, finishing eighth-place in the non-points event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Points Racing … Burton has scored 275 points and sits 17th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 62 points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot. After 11 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has one top-five and three top-10 finishes. The veteran RCR driver has spent 1,409 laps running in the top 15, has made 1,197 green-flag passes and led 34 laps.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
Talk about the Coca-Cola 600. Is it one of the toughest races you guys run all year, on man and machine?
“I think it is. We’re seeing a lot of green-flag runs now. A few years ago we couldn’t have a long green-flag run. If you go back and think about it, you never know what’s coming in this sport. This year, we’ve had a lot of green-flag runs and it helps to have a break, especially in a 600-mile race. If you go back and think about Charlotte Motor Speedway in the fall, that place was wicked fast. High g-forces, long race, all that stuff adds up. Yeah, it is harder and there’s really nothing you can do. You need to be in shape, if you’re not in shape in April, it’s too late. You already need to be in shape because it is a long race.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway always goes all out on Memorial Day weekend, really very troop-minded and service-oriented. What are you thinking of down on pit road, when you are lining up for the national anthem with the flag and all the troops?
“I have been more involved over the last few years with veteran affairs and trying to help. I have a whole other appreciation of what it means to be a veteran and what Memorial Day is actually all about. Through those associations, it’s hard for me to not look at it differently because a lot of people unselfishly gave their lives. And that’s a heck of a thing to say. Some people raised their hands and fought for their country and some people were asked and didn’t really want to go, but went and lost their lives. You tend in everyday life to look over all that stuff. When you get to the nuts and bolts of it, Memorial Day is a really special weekend and day and I think on top of that it’s the best race weekend of the year. You look at that Sunday and there is the F1 race in Monaco, the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. That’s three iconic races on the same day, on Memorial Day weekend, and to me that’s as good as it gets.”
Somewhere in this world, some man or woman is belly down in the dirt in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, etc. in a life or death struggle and you’re out here running a race. Do you fully appreciate that all the time?
“Until you walk in a man’s boots, it’s hard to understand. There’s no way that someone that hasn’t served, like myself, can really appreciate what they go through. What I think about is their families. I’ve got children and I’ll go home that night and see my kids and talk about what’s coming up at school that week and we’re going to sit down and watch television or do something small. The troops go a year at a time and won’t get a chance to do that. There’s a sacrifice being paid not only by the servicemen, but the family. We take those things for granted. Just being able to lay in the bed at night with your five-year-old and talk, they go a long time without doing that. There are a lot of sacrifices being made that I think we overlook and take for granted. It’s easy to do and as you said, we need to do our best not to.”
Race: History 300
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Charlotte Motor Speedway … In 45 previous starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has visited Victory Lane on two occasions, most recently with Jeff Burton in 2007 and also with Jeff Green in 2002. The organization has started from the pole position four times and has 11 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. RCR entries have completed 93.4 percent of laps attempted, with 353 laps led.
The Season So Far … Through 10 races contested so far this season, RCR has acquired two wins in the Nationwide Series, both with Elliott Sadler, who notched the organization’s first victory of the 2012 season at Phoenix International Raceway and also earned the organization’s second win of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway. RCR has earned five pole awards in 2012, with Sadler at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Iowa Speedway, Paul Menard at Texas Motor Speedway and Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway. The organization has 15 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes and has led 539 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 795 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 58 wins, 265 top-five finishes, 435 top-10 finishes and 37 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.5 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 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 second (Sadler) and third (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet team sits third in the owner’s point standings while the No. 3 AdvoCare/American Ethanol/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team ranks fourth. The No. 33 Menards/South Point Hotel & Casino/Hunt Brothers/Armour Brands/Fast Fixin’/OneMain Financial/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet team driven by Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Menard, Tony Stewart and Max Papis sits fifth in the owner’s championship point standings.
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, @AustinDillon3, @KevinHarvick and @JoeyCoulter and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial and facebook.com/adillon3.
Live on ABC … Flag-to-flag coverage of the History 300 will be televised on ABC beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, May 26 and broadcast live on the Performance 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 Charlotte Motor Speedway … Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will utilize Chassis No. 108 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend. This chassis was built new for competition in 2012 and will make its first laps this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Nothin’ Finer than Carolina … Sadler will return to Charlotte Motor Speedway with 10 Nationwide Series starts under his belt. He earned two top-five and three top-10 finishes, with his best showing of second in 2005. He has 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, including one top-five and three top-10 finishes and 192 laps led. Sadler also made one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2010 with a fifth-place finish.
Last Time By … Sadler competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway twice in 2011, bringing home a 10th-place finish in the May event. The driver returned to the Concord, N.C., track in October and battled to a fourth-place finish.
Seeing Stars … This weekend the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet will sport a special paint scheme in conjunction with the NASCAR Unites – An American Salute program. Showcasing support for the troops on this Memorial Day weekend, the No. 2 will have a special red, white and blue paint scheme with stars adorning the side-skirt and spoiler, as well as a special patriotic Nationwide windshield application. The No. 2 will also run this patriotic-themed paint scheme at Daytona International Speedway in July.
The REAL Heroes … Beginning this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway through the event at Daytona International Speedway in July, the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will participate in “The REAL Heroes” program, a campaign designed to salute the troops. The No. 2 team will host military members at Nationwide Series races throughout the summer, as well as providing an opportunity for fans to send their thanks to the troops throughout social media outlets and at OneMain Financial branch appearances during that time. For more information, visit www.onemainracing.com and utilize #OMRREALHeroes.
Just the Stats … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in average starting position (4.1), average mid-race position (5.4), laps in the top 15 (1,856) and percentage of laps in the top 15 (95.5 percent).
To the Point … Sadler ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, 28 points behind Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
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.
Home Sweet Home … Several members of the OneMain Financial team hail from the Tar Heel State. Crew chief Luke Lambert was born in Mt. Airy, engine tuner Timmy Petty is from Level Cross, N.C., front tire carrier Shane Stevenson was raised in High Point, N.C., front tire changer Matt Humphries is from Conover, N.C., mechanic Mike Searce is from Reedy Creek, N.C., and shock specialist Dustin Stanley is from Lewisville, N.C.
Race Rewind: Iowa … After earning their third pole award of the season, the No. 2 OneMain Financial team battled their way to a second-place finish at Iowa Speedway last Sunday afternoon. The team notched their fifth top-five finish of the season at the Newton, Iowa track.
Meet Sadler … Fans have the opportunity to meet Sadler at the OneMain Financial branch at 1096 Concord Pkwy in Concord, N.C. on Friday, May 25 beginning at 5 p.m. Earlier in the day, Sadler will join RCR teammates Austin Dillon and Max Papis at Childress Vineyards at 1 p.m. as part of 2012 FAN DAY.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Charlotte Motor Speedway?
“I always enjoy racing at Charlotte (Motor Speedway). It’s fun to race in front of so many family and friends when we come to town, especially since it’s so close to most of the race shops. I’ve raced at Charlotte Motor Speedway many times, and I think that it really fits my driving style. This weekend will be special in front of so many military members on Memorial Day weekend, and I’m looking forward to getting the OneMain Financial Chevrolet to the front of the field.”
What does Memorial Day mean to you?
“Memorial Day means a lot to me, and the one thing that always comes to mind is freedom. It reminds me of what men and women are doing here in America and abroad, putting their life on the line to give us the opportunity to live in this great country. They fight every day to give me the opportunity to race each and every weekend. More than that, they fight so that we can live with the freedom that our forefathers fought for us. I want to thank all the men and women that are out there battling for our country. Your bravery is not measureable. We salute you not only this Memorial Day weekend, but every day.”
Austin Dillon No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 109 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This is a new Chevrolet that will be utilized for the first time this weekend.
Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway … The History 300 will mark Dillon’s first Nationwide Series start at CMS, but the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Truck Series, earning his best finish of seventh in the May 2011 event.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon has completed 99.38 percent of laps on the lead lap, ranking him second. He is the third-fastest driver late in a run and has completed 94.5 percent of his laps in the top 15, ranking him third. The Nationwide Series rookie has an average running position of 8.395 in the season’s first 10 Nationwide Series races, ranking him fourth among all drivers and maintains a driver rating of 102.3, ranking him fourth. He has the fifth-fastest green-flag speed and the fifth-fastest speed in traffic. He has made 482 Quality Passes, ranking him sixth, and is the seventh-fastest driver early in a run. He is ranked eighth in the Fastest Laps Run category with 91 laps so far this season.
Get to the Points … Dillon is third in the 2012 Nationwide Series driver championship point standings. He trails point leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr by 43 points and is 15 markers behind his RCR Teammate Elliott Sadler. Dillon currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
Flying Turkey … The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet will sport the National Wild Turkey Federation’s flying turkey logo this weekend as part of the “Racing for America’s Wildlife” program, designed to engage the NASCAR community in conserving America’s hunting and fishing heritage through habitat protection, restoration, education and outreach. For additional information on the program, visit nwtf.org.
Meet Dillon … Dillon has several public appearances scheduled this week. He will join his younger brother Ty, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor, and grandfather Richard Childress in an autograph session at Bass Pro Shops in Concord, N.C. on Tuesday, May 21 beginning at 6 p.m. The trio will also sign autographs at the RCR Museum in Welcome, N.C. at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 25 as part of 2012 FAN DAY. Dillon will sign autographs with Elliott Sadler and Max Papis on Friday, May 25 at 1 p.m. at Childress Vineyards.
King’s Cup … Austin Dillon Motorsports has put together an all-star team consisting of Dillon, Ty Dillon, Max Papis and others for the Fourth Annual King’s Cup–Karting for a Cause charity event. The kart race is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at Victory Lane Indoor Karting Center in Charlotte, N.C. Richard Petty co-chairs the event, which is designed to raise critical funds for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Tickets are available at pva.org.
Gone Fishing … Dillon and his younger brother Ty will fish with race fans as part of the 2012 FAN DAY events at Childress Vineyards and the RCR Museum on May 25. The Dillon Brothers will participate in a Bass Pro Shops fishing tournament at Childress Vineyards from 6-6:45 p.m. on Friday. Autograph sessions, show car displays and cornhole games are among the other festivities scheduled as part of the all-day event. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit rcrracing.com.
Rewind to Iowa … Dillon and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet team started sixth and finished fourth in Sunday afternoon’s Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway, marking their sixth top-five finish through the season’s first 10 races.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Do you like the speed at intermediate style tracks like Charlotte Motor Speedway?
“I love the speed. Intermediate tracks suit us well and it will be fun taking the No. 3 Chevrolet there and figuring out what we have. The track is a little bit different than Texas Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the other one-and-a-half mile tracks on the schedule that we have raced at this year. Charlotte Motor Speedway has a lot of grip. You have to adjust to getting off of the corner and making sure your car is turning.. It’s a day race so it will be interesting. Bass Pro Shops is putting the National Wild Turkey Federation on the car and the paint scheme is pretty cool looking. We want to get all of those folks a good run.”
What kind of sensation of speed do you have going into turn one at Charlotte Motor Speedway? It looks pretty fast.
“Charlotte Motor Speedway is fast, especially when you get a pack of cars racing together. The air is moving you all around and you are wide open trying to get into the corner going into turn one. It’s pretty awesome. It’s a crazy feeling. You really never get the feel for it. You just go through it and drive. It’s interesting that you can learn every time you go to mile-and-a-half tracks but it changes when it gets down to it and you just have to make it on instinct.”
Do you ever follow the Sprint Cup Series drivers during races even if you are faster than them in an attempt to learn something from them?
“If I’m better then the Cup drivers that are in the race I’m going to do my best to pass them. Its fun learning from those guys but it means so much when you can pass them because it shows how much progress you are making. Our No. 3 team expects the best each and every week. I think if you ask the people around us they will say we are doing better than they expected us to do as a rookie team in the Nationwide Series but we still expect more. We’ve been fortunate enough to get quite a few top five finishes this season and it’s a testament to how strong this series is when you go home with a fifth-place finish and you’re disappointed. We push ourselves hard. We’ll keep pushing ourselves but we do have to realize that there is a yellow sticker on the back of my car and we can’t get too down on ourselves when there are drivers and teams out there with thousands and thousands of more laps than us at these tracks.”
Joey Coulter
No. 21 Sherwin Williams Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Sherwin Williams Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 110 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in this weekend’s History 300. This is a brand new RCR racer that will be put through its first competitive laps this weekend.
Milestone Marker … The 21-year-old RCR driver will make his first Nationwide Series start this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Coulter tested a Nationwide Series car earlier this season at Nashville Superspeedway and at Rockingham Speedway, but he will make his first competitive circuits at the 1.5-mile track on Saturday afternoon in the 200-lap event.
A Bit of a Change … Coulter will sport a new look this weekend as RCR welcomes Sherwin Williams as the primary sponsor on the No. 21 Chevrolet for the History 300. Sherwin Williams is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been a continuing partner of the Welcome, N.C.-based organization since 2000.Founded in 1866 by Henry and Edward Williams, Sherwin Williams has grown to be the largest producer of paints and coatings in the United States. The Ohio supplier is among the world’s largest paint producers in the world with stores in North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean, Asia/Pacific and Europe.
A Team Effort … Coulter’s 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series No. 22 team will serve as pit crew this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in his Nationwide Series debut.His veteran crew chief Harold Holly brings his vast knowledge of NASCAR racing with him as he served as a crew chief in all of NASCAR’s top touring divisions working with drivers Jeff Green, Bobby Hamilton Jr and Alan Kulwicki. In Holly’s Nationwide Series career, he coached drivers to one driver championship, 13 wins, 11 pole awards, 56 top-five and 72 top-10 finishes.
Tar Heel State Stats … Although Coulter has yet to make any competitive laps during a Nationwide Series race, he has two previous starts at the Concord, N.C.-based facility in the Camping World Truck Series. Coulter earned his best starting position of third last weekend in the N.C. Education Lottery 200, as well as his best finishing position of seventh. In those two appearances, the Miami Springs, Fla., native holds a 13th-place average starting position combined with an 11.5 average finishing position, completing all of the contested laps at the 1.5-mile track.
Meet the Driver … Coulter is scheduled to participate in an autograph session at Childress Vineyards on May 25 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Coulter will sign autographs with fellow RCR Truck Series teammates Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan at the 2012 FAN DAY co-hosted by RCR and Childress Vineyards. Following the autograph sessions, fans in attendance will have the opportunity to play cornhole with the 2011 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year.
JOEY COULTER QUOTES:
You’ve raced at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series, but this is the first time you’ll be racing there in the Nationwide Series. What are your thoughts about making your debut at Charlotte?
“I’m really excited about running my first Nationwide Series race with RCR and can’t wait to get to the track and practice. I’m glad that we raced at Charlotte (Motor Speedway) last week in the Camping World Truck Series. I think it will help me with the preferred line and what to expect from the racing surface. I’m honored to have Sherwin Williams as the sponsor on the No. 21 Chevrolet.”
What is the biggest driving difference between a Camping World Truck Series truck and a Nationwide Series car?
“I’ve only tested a Nationwide Series car once before, so it’s hard for me to say what the biggest difference is between the two vehicles right now. I do know that the Nationwide Series cars have a lot less drag than a truck, so the corner entry speeds should be a lot faster.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 33 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 107 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. Built new for competition in 2012, RCR teammate, Paul Menard, drove this entry to a second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
Back in the Saddle Again … Friday’s History 300 will mark Harvick’s fifth of 14 scheduled appearances in the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet. During his first four Nationwide Series starts of the 2012 season, the 36-year-old driver has collected two top-five and three top-10 finishes. The Bakersfield, Calif., native was last behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this month where he settled for a 22nd-place finish after being involved in a late-race accident.
Racing in the Queen City … Harvick has made a combined total of 45 starts at the Concord, N.C.-based facility spread across each of NASCAR’s top-three series. The RCR veteran driver has completed 11,886 of 12,168 laps (97.7 percent) and has earned three pole awards, six top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. Harvick’s sole win at Charlotte Motor Speedway came in May 2011 at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran out of fuel on the final lap, allowing Harvick to grab the checkered flag and drive on to Victory Lane.
In the Loop … According to NASCAR’s Data Loop Statistics, Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of Harvick’s top tracks. While a Nationwide Series victory still eludes the two-time series champion at the 1.5-mile facility, Harvick is ranked second in Green Flag Passes (546) and Laps in the Top 15 (1,482). He ranks fourth in Fastest Restarts (166.343 mph) and Lap Led (85), and fifth in Fastest Laps Run (44).
Get to the Points … The No. 33 RCR Chevrolet team sits fifth in the Nationwide Series owner’s championship point standings, 63 points behind the No. 6 team. The No. 33 team has collected four top-five and eight top-10 finishes between four different drivers (Tony Stewart, Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, and Menard) thus far this season.
The Adventures of “Flat Kevin” … Earlier this season Hunt Brothers Pizza started a “Flat Kevin” promotion encouraging fans to take pictures with their “Flat Kevin” during everyday activities for a chance to win a VIP race package for the Nationwide Series event at Kentucky Speedway on June 29. The Hunt Brothers Pizza judges have selected 10 finalists and now need help selecting the Grand Prize Winner. To cast a vote, visit the Hunt Brothers Pizza Racing Facebook page and click on the Flat Kevin Photo Contest tab. Votes will be accepted through May 31, Facebook fans can vote once daily. The winner will be announced on June 1. To cast your vote visit: www.Facebook.com/HBPRacing.
Hunt Brothers Pizza … With more than 6,000 locations in 28 states, Hunt Brothers® Pizza is the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry. Perfect for today’s on-the-go lifestyle, Hunt Brothers Pizza offers regular, thin crust, and breakfast pizzas with All Toppings No Extra Charge®, plus the Hunt Brothers® Wings in Southern Style and Hot ‘n Spicy flavors. Family owned and operated for over 40 years and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., the company provides all of the food products, marketing programs, equipment and training for convenience stores to operate their own turnkey pizza program. For additional information, please visit www.huntbrotherspizza.com.
In the Rearview Mirror: Iowa Speedway … Gaughan scored a 10th-place finish at Iowa Speedway with the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino team last Sunday afternoon. The team started from the 13th position, and battled a tight-handling condition for much of the race before the Las Vegas native drove home with a top-10 finish in only his third appearance at the Newton, Iowa-based track.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on driving the No. 33 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
“Charlotte (Motor Speedway) is one of those places where I seem to run well, but haven’t had the finishes that I would have liked in the Nationwide Series. I run well at the intermediate-style tracks, so it will be fun to get back behind the wheel of the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet. I’m still trying to get that first Nationwide Series win at Charlotte, so I’m hoping things will go our way and I’ll be able to drive the Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet into Victory Lane Saturday afternoon.”
