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[/media-credit]Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Dover International Speedway
Race: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks
Location: Dover International Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR at Dover … Richard Childress Racing has earned four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Dover International Speedway, the latest coming in September 2006 when Jeff Burton drove the No. 31 Chevrolet to Victory Lane in the Dover 400. Three wins belong to Dale Earnhardt, who won both events at the “Monster Mile” in 1989 in addition to the spring race in 1993. In addition to the victories, RCR teams have amassed one pole award, 22 top-five and 48 top-10 finishes in 129 combined starts at the high-banked, one-mile oval. Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1980. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has a 19.8 average starting position, a 15.4 average finishing position, has completed 51,165 of the 56,312 contested laps (90.9 percent) with 2,193 laps led at the one-mile race track.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,201 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, Richard Childress Racing has amassed 100 wins, 430 top-five finishes, 893 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.9 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.
The Collective RCR … Over the season’s first 12 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched three top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 12,848 out of 13,074 total laps (98.3 percent) with drivers Burton, Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard, Elliott Sadler and Brendan Gaughan. The group has led a combined 173 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway,Harvick advanced to seventh in the driver championship point standings, 55 markers out of the top spot. Menard fell to 14th in the standings, while Burton remained in 17th.
Autism Speaks … RCR teams in all three NASCAR series will join together to support Autism Speaks during the June 1-3, 2012 race weekend at Dover International Speedway. Each RCR entry will feature a decal of the Autism Speaks puzzle piece logo on their cars in the June 1 “Lucas Oil 200” Camping World Truck Series race, the June 2 “Dover 200” Nationwide Series race and the June 3 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” Sprint Cup Series race.
NASCAR Unites … NASCAR Unites – An America Salute kicked off with the 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, fins 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.
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 FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks begins Sunday, June 3 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 13th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series calendar will air live on SPEED on Saturday, June 2 at 12 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 386 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet was built new for 2012 competition and was last seen on track at Texas Motor Speedway in April where Menard finished 19th after starting from the 11th position.
Menard at the “Monster Mile” … In his nine previous starts at Dover International Speedway, Menard has finished each contested race and has completed 98.5 percent of his laps (3,547 of 3,600). He has an average starting position of 20.7 and an average finishing position of 20.3. Menard made his best start of third during his last visit to the one-mile race track (October 2011) and claimed his best finish of seventh at the September 2010 event.
Getting Loopy in 2012 … With 12 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 14th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 35 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 19.4, an average finishing position of 16.1, maintaining an average running position of 19.3. and has completed 99.5 percent of his laps (3,869 of 3,888).
Paul Menard LIVE for Chevy Q&A … Fans can participate in a question-and-answer session with Menard on Sunday, June 3 at 9:30 a.m. ET on the Team Chevy Stage, located in the merchandise area at Dover International Speedway.
Racing Close to Home … The No. 27 team rear-tire carrier Ray Wright grew up in Charlotte Hall, Md., southeast of Washington D.C. and approximately 2.5 hours from the Dover, Del.-based race track.
Cheeseheads Battle for the Cover … The Drive for the Cover campaign has officially kicked off and Menard has the opportunity to grace the cover of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. The campaign positions 32 drivers in a five-round bracket-style tournament where fans will select the cover driver for this year’s game. In the first round, the Eau Claire, Wis., native faces Cambridge, Wisconsin’s Matt Kenseth. Fans can vote one time per day on the NASCAR The Game: Inside Line Facebook page at .
Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3 … Menard and the No. 27 Richard Childress Racing team are dusting off their road course skills in a test session May 29 and 30 at Virginia International Raceway. They are utilizing chassis No. 358 from the RCR stable, which was last seen in action at Sonoma in June 2011, where Menard started third and drove to a 17th-place finish at the California road course.
Race Rewind … Inclement weather forced the starting lineup for the 2011 FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway to be set per the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rulebook, lining drivers up based on points, positioning Menard 20th for the start of the event. While handling issues plagued the No. 27 team early in the 400-lap race, it was contact with a competitor during a restart that resulted in left-front fender damage and a flat tire. An unscheduled green-flag pit stop for repairs put Menard laps down to the leader late in the race, and he ultimately finished in the 24th position.
In the Rearview Mirror: Coca-Cola 600 … Menard started the No. 27 Serta/Menards Chevrolet from the ninth position in Saturday night’s Coca-Cola 600 and wrestled a tight-handling car in the early portion of the 400-lap race, losing a lot of ground in the process. As darkness fell over the 1.5-mile speedway, the handling on the No. 27 machine improved greatly and Menard drove it to a 15th-place finish under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
About Pittsburgh Paints … PPG Pittsburgh® Paints is a nationally recognized brand trusted by painting contractors, building owners, architects, designers, and homeowners for over 100 years. Products include interior/exterior pains and interior/exterior stains. For additional information, please visit www.ppgpittsburghpaints.com.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
Your statistics at Dover International Speedway don’t really reflect how you have run there. How do you feel you match up to the “Monster Mile?”
“Dover (International Speedway) is one of my favorite tracks. We’ve run really well there, and we’ve run badly there in the past. It seems that Goodyear has changed the tire compound every time we go back there, so you have to start from square one to figure out the tire and what the car needs.”
Do you feel that the “Monster Mile” is a well-deserved nickname, or is it not that much of a monster to you?
“Dover (International Speedway) and Bristol (Motor Speedway) are the two tracks that you get your greatest sense of speed. Darlington (Raceway) is like that, too. There are a few tracks where you feel like you’re going as fast as you are, and Dover is definitely one of them. The name is very fitting.”
Where do you feel the speed sensation the most at Dover International Speedway and how do you feel it?
“When you drop off into the corner is where you feel the speed the most. I’ve heard it’s like a two-story drop. On the reverse side when you come out, you pick up that load on the exit and that’s when you can tell.”
When you go down into the turn, do you have the sensation of driving straight down hill?
“Well, you have over 3,400 pounds of steel that’s not really stuck to the road that good, so when the ground falls away from you the car feels like it decompresses on entry and compresses on exit. Inside of the car you feel all of that movement and all of that weight.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Jimmy John’s Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 383 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. Built new for competition during the 2012 season, Harvick raced this chassis at Phoenix International Raceway where he earned a second place finish in March.
Battling the “Monster Mile” … Harvick has made 22 Sprint Cup Series starts at the one-mile track throughout the past 11 seasons, collecting two top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Harvick holds a 21.2 average starting position and a 16.6 average finishing position at the Monster Mile with a best starting and finishing position of third in the fall of 2003 and in the spring of 2006, respectively. Harvick has led 144 of the 8,804 laps he has completed.
Getting Loopy in 2012 … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Harvick has completed 12 Sprint Cup Series point-paying events so far this season while gathering solid stats among his fellow competitors in categories including: third in Green Flag Speed (8.273 average running position), fifth in Fastest Driver on Restart (12.5 average running position), seventh in Average Running Position (11.517), Fastest Driver Early in a Run (9.364 average running position), Fastest Driver Late in a Run (9.364 average running position) Percent of Laps Run on the Lead Lap (86.99 percent) and Fastest in Traffic (12.083 average running position). Harvick ranks eighth in Laps in the Top 15 (2,849).
Find a Jimmy John’s Near You … 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 Freaky Good menu and find your nearest location. You can order online or download the Jimmy John’s mobile application for Freaky Fast delivery.
Drive for the Cover … The Drive for the Cover campaign is underway, and Harvick has the chance to be featured on the cover of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. The campaign positions 32 drivers against each other in a five-round bracket-style tournament. Voting for the first round is going on now through June 9, fans can vote for Harvick once daily by visiting: .
Practice Makes Perfect … Harvick and the No. 29 Richard Childress Racing team will brush up on their road course skills in a test session on May 29 and 30 at Virginia International Raceway. The team is utilizing chassis No. 278 from the RCR stable, previously used while testing at VIR in 2009 and 2010.
Good Tickets Cheap! … Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Dover International Speedway and the Kevin Harvick Foundation (KHF) have partnered together for a special promotion. From now until June 2, Ollie’s customers can purchase “bargain” priced race tickets at any Ollie’s Bargain Outlet store location for the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks on Sunday, June 3. Ollie’s ticket holders will receive a free yellow KHF/Ollie’s Racing t-shirt at the race and will participate in the Ollie’s “yellow-out” section for the chance to win valuable prizes during Sunday’s Sprint Cup race. While in-store, customers can also learn more about the KHF and make a donation by purchasing and placing their name on a special No. 29 helmet badge that will be displayed at Ollie’s.
Grow One, Save A Million. … Harvick, the No. 29 team, several media members and more than 60 additional 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 to 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. All together, participating members of the NASCAR community have pledged to save more than 15,000 gallons of water.
Sunday Cruise for a Cause … Following driver introductions for the Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday, Harvick will participate in the NASCAR Dreams Parade lap, where one lucky fan will have the opportunity to ride in the parade vehicle with the Jimmy John’s Racing driver. The proceeds generated from the auction will benefit the NASCAR Foundation along with the Kevin Harvick Foundation. Harvick will also participate in the NASCAR Dreams Parade Lap program at Michigan International Speedway in June and August, along with Daytona International Speedway in July for the Sprint Cup events. Fans can bid on this once in a lifetime experience, while supporting two great organizations by visiting http://nascar.com/auction.
Double Duty … In addition to competing in the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks on Sunday afternoon, Harvick will also climb behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Kroger/Tide Chevrolet for the Lucas Oil 200 Friday evening. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race will air live on SPEED and will be broadcast live on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Looking Back …Harvick and the No. 29 RCR team scored a 10th-place finish in the FedEx 400 last year at Dover International Speedway after competing in the top five during the majority of the race. As weather conditions changed, so did the handling of Harvick’s Chevrolet as it became loose. Harvick continued to run within the top 10, but a final four-tire pit stop dropped the No. 29 Chevrolet team in the 15th position for the final restart of the race. Harvick continued to work his way toward the front of the pack, but time ran short leaving the team to settle for a 10th-place finish at the “Monster Mile”.
In the Rearview Mirror: Coca-Cola 600 … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Folds of Honor team captured aeighth-place finish last Sunday night during the Coca-Cola 600 after battling a tight-handling condition throughout the event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts heading into the Sprint Cup Race at Dover International Speedway?
“We’ll have to have our Jimmy John’s Chevrolet handling well because the track is so fast and there are so many things happening so quickly at Dover (International Speedway) that the driver has to be comfortable in the car. It seems like at Dover (International Speedway) they always have one of those runs where you have green-flag pit stops and halfway through that run the caution comes out, so you have to be a little bit lucky to not end up on the wrong side of that.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 BB&T Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s BB&T Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 393 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend. This is a brand new No. 31 Chevrolet that will turn its first laps at the “Monster Mile” this weekend.
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 appearances this season at Martinsville Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Darlington Raceway along with a special edition co-branded paint scheme with Caterpillar during NASCAR’s Sprint All-Star Race Weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Career Dover Stats … This weekend’s 400-mile event marks Burton’s 37th start at the one-mile facility and 632nd-career Sprint Cup Series entry. Burton garnered one win, eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes at the track, leading 136 laps.
No Stranger to Victory Lane … Burton has made two previous visits to Dover International Speedway’s Victory Lane in Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series competition. Both victories came with the Welcome, N.C.-based RCR during the 2006 season, notching one win in each series.
Getting Loopy in “The First State” … Burton has accrued impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Dover International Speedway since their inception in 2006. Of all drivers entering the event, he has the most green flag passes (660) with 358 coming while running in the top 15 (sixth-most). Burton has also spent 3,699 laps in the top 15, which ranks him 10th amongst his competitors. He also has the ninth-best average running position (13.47) and a ninth-best 90.0 driver rating at the Dover, Del.-based facility.
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.
Vote for Burton … The Drive for the Cover campaign has officially kicked off and Burton has the opportunity to grace the cover of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. The campaign will position 32 drivers in a five-round bracket-style tournament and fans will select the cover driver for this year’s game. Fans can vote one time per day on the NASCAR The Game: Inside Line Facebook page at .
Race Rewind … Burton and the No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet team finished 19th after a tire issue late in the race forced the RCR team to make an unscheduled green-flag pit stop in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Points Racing … Burton has scored 300 points and sits 17th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. After 12 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 1,451 laps running in the top 15, has made 1,346 green-flag passes and led 34 laps.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
What are your overall thoughts on Dover International Speedway?
“Dover (International Speedway) is a track where we normally run well. The track is pretty consistent between the two races in June and September. I really like the track. It is fun and you must be aggressive. We’ve had some good race cars there and won a race in 2006. It’s one of those race tracks where I’m really comfortable and feel like we should run well.”
Is Dover International Speedway really as intimidating as they make it out to be?
“If you say Dover (International Speedway) doesn’t intimidate you, you are lying. I couldn’t think of a more perfect nickname than the “Monster Mile.” You have to be exceptionally aggressive, but if you cross the line, you will be in trouble. It’s an incredible race track and a huge challenge, but I like going there.”
What kind of setup do you need to win at a track like Dover International Speedway?
“As long as I’ve gone to Dover (International Speedway), it has always been a fight between how loose I can be so that I can make speed, against how tight is too tight. It’s like that every time. You always know what the fight will be going into Dover. You see drivers go there and run well for a certain period of time, but then fall off for certain periods. For me, I know what our struggles will be going in and have an idea what we need to do to get into contention for a victory.”
Race: Dover 200
Location: Dover International Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Dover International Speedway … In 42 previous starts at Dover International Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has visited Victory Lane three times. Clint Bowyer is a two-time race winner at the track for RCR, earning victories in September 2009 and September 2006, while Jeff Burton earned a win for the organization in June 2006. The organization has started from the pole position four times and has 13 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. RCR entries have completed 95.4 percent of laps attempted, with 653 laps led.
The Season So Far … Through the 11 races contested so far this season, RCR has acquired two wins in the Nationwide Series, both with Elliott Sadler, who notched victories at Phoenix International Raceway and 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 17 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes and has led 631 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 799 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 58 wins, 267 top-five finishes, 438 top-10 finishes and 37 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.5 and an average finishing position of 12.8 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 full time Nationwide Series entries rank second (Sadler) and third (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into the Dover 200 at Dover International 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 Pizza/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, @TyDillon and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial, facebook.com/adillon3 and facebook.com/tydillon.
Live on ESPN … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Dover 200 will be televised on ESPN beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, June 2 and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Elliott Sadler No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s OneMain Financial Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload Chassis No. 104 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend. This is the fourth time the team has utilized this chassis, including a pole and third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a 12th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway. Most recently the team competed with this Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway, where a late-race incident relegated the team to a 24th-place finish.
The Monster Mile … Sadler heads to Dover International Speedway with eight Nationwide Series starts to his credit at the track, earning three top-10 finishes, one pole award and a best finish of sixth in September 1997 and in May 2011. Sadler also has experience at the one-mile track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 24 starts, three top-10 finishes and 188 laps led. The Emporia, Va., driver made one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the track in 2010, finishing 24th.
Last Time By … In 2011, Sadler has made two Nationwide Series starts at Dover International Speedway, finishing sixth in the May event. In the September race at Dover, the OneMain Financial 200, Sadler started from the pole position and raced in the top 15 for a majority of the day. An untimely caution flag was displayed while Sadler was on pit road and placed the team one lap down, leaving the team with a 14th-place finish.
Just the Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in average running position (6.526), average starting position (4.3), laps in the top 15 (2,051) and percentage of laps in the top 15 (95.7 percent).
To the Point … Sadler ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, 13 points behind leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Race Rewind: Charlotte … On a steamy Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sadler spent a majority of the 300-mile race in the top 10. Coming to the white flag, the OneMain Financial team surged into the top five, notching their sixth top-10 finish of the 2012 Nationwide Series season. The finish helped Sadler gain 21 points on the leader in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings.
Testing, Testing … Sadler traveled to Virginia International Raceway on Tuesday with several members of the RCR team to test in preparation for the upcoming road course events. Sadler and the Nationwide Series will head to three road course events this season, beginning June 23 at Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wis.), August 11 at Watkins Glen International (N.Y.) and finishing on August 18 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal, Canada).
The REAL Heroes … Beginning last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and continuing 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. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sadler and the OneMain Financial team spent time with two Gold Star families who lost loved ones in their service to the United States. Fans also have a way to get involved and send 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.
Autism Speaks … All RCR-fielded entries in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series will run a special Autism Speaks decal this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Sadler will sport the Autism Speaks puzzle piece logo on the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet to support autism awareness, a cause close to his heart.
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.
Meet Sadler … Fans have the opportunity to meet Sadler at the OneMain Financial branch at 1057 N. Dupont Hwy in Dover, Del., on Friday, June 1 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Sadler, take photos in front of the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet showcar and participate in “The REAL Heroes” program by submitting thank you cards to the troops. For more information, visit www.onemainracing.com.
Trackside … Sadler will serve as co-host on Friday for SPEED’s NASCAR Trackside from Dover International Speedway. The show will air on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on SPEED.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Dover International Speedway?
“I like racing at Dover (International Speedway). It is such a unique track. Now that the Nationwide Series does not race at Nashville Superspeedway, it is the only concrete track other than Bristol Motor Speedway. Dover has a lot of banking, and a lot of G-forces, and we seem to run well there. I’m excited to get up to Dover and try to put the OneMain Financial Chevrolet in Victory Lane.”
Last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the No. 2 OneMain Financial team launched “The REAL Heroes” program. What can you tell us about it?
“It is great to have a sponsor like OneMain Financial support the RCR team and me in supporting the troops. Last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, we were able to run a special red, white and blue paint scheme as part of the NASCAR Unites program to support the military. Our OneMain Financial team also launched participation in “The REAL Heroes” program, which is designed to show our support for the troops and get the fans involved. I was able to spend some time in Charlotte with two families that lost loved ones in service, and it never ceases to amaze me in their strength. We hope to continue to host the troops and military members from now until the race at Daytona International Speedway this summer to show our thanks. I’d love for our fans to get involved as well. We will have thank you cards at all the OneMain Financial branch appearances and online to send to the troops. The bravery these men and women have to protect our country is unreal, and I hope that through this program we can show our thanks.”
Austin Dillon No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 102 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This is the same Chevrolet that Dillon drove to a fifth-place finish at Darlington Raceway in May, a fifth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April and a seventh-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.
Dillon at Dover International Speedway … Although this weekend will mark Dillon’s first Nationwide Series start at Dover, the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at the track in the Truck Series, earning his best finish of fourth in the May 2011 event.
Think Green … RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet team will sport the black and green colors of American Ethanol this weekend at Dover International Speedway. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Led by Growth Energy, more than 100 different entities, from farmers and state corn growing boards to ethanol producers and biotech companies, are working with NASCAR to introduce a cleaner-burning fuel to America. The partnership with American Ethanol takes NASCAR’s environmental commitment to the next level.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon has completed 99.39 percent of laps on the lead lap, leading all competitors. He is the second-fastest driver late in a run and has completed 95 percent of his laps in the top 15, ranking him second. The Nationwide Series rookie has an average running position of 8.420 in the season’s first 11 Nationwide Series races, ranking him fourth among all drivers and maintains a driver rating of 101.9, ranking him fifth.He has the fifth-fastest green-flag speed and the fifth-fastest speed in traffic. He has made 521 Quality Passes, ranking him sixth and is the sixth-fastest driver early in a run. He is ranked eighth in the Fastest Laps Run category with 93 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 28 points and is 15 markers behind his RCR Teammate Elliott Sadler. Dillon currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
Rewind to Charlotte … After securing his career best Nationwide Series starting position during qualifying on Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dillon and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet team started the History 300 from the second position, battled a temperature-sensitive track and a loose-handling car throughout the 150-lap affair before posting an 11th-place finish.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What do you think about Dover International Speedway?
“I love Dover (International Speedway). I finished fourth there in the Camping World Truck Series race last year, and I think both times I have been to Dover our team has been in position to win. It’s definitely the most physically demanding circle track we go to, and I feel more prepared this year than any other because I’ve been working out a lot through the off season and into this race season. I think having more physical strength and endurance than I did last year will help me this weekend. It will be interesting to go to Dover in a Nationwide Series car and try to adapt to the track. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ty Dillon
No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 099 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in this weekend’s Dover 200. Most recently, Brendan Gaughan piloted this Chevrolet to a 10th-place finish after starting 13th at Iowa Speedway in May. This RCR Chevrolet was driven by Kevin Harvick at Phoenix International Raceway in March where he started 12th and finished fifth.
Milestone Marker … The 20-year-old RCR driver will make his Nationwide Series debut this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Dillon tested a Nationwide Series car earlier this season at Rockingham Speedway and will make his first competitive circuits at Dover this weekend.
Dover Nuggets … Although Dillon has yet to make any competitive laps during a Nationwide Series race, he has one previous start at the Dover, Del.-based facility in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race in 2010 where he started 14th and finished 17th.
The Dillon Duo … Austin and Ty Dillon will embark on their first Nationwide Series race together this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The brothers regularly compete against one another in dirt racing and faced off in three Camping World Truck Series events last season. In their last appearance together, Austin clinched the 2011 Camping World Truck Series championship, and Ty earned a sixth-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
A Team Effort … Veteran crew chief Ernie Cope will call shots for the team during the 200-lap affair. So far this season, Cope has coached Harvick, Gaughan and Paul Menard to five top-five and six top-10 finishes and two pole awards in the Nationwide Series. In addition, RCR’s No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pit crew will service the No. 33 Chevrolet on pit in the Nationwide Series race.
More than a Casino … South Point Hotel & Casino will adorn the hood of the No. 33 Chevrolet for the Dover 200. Located in the heart of the premiere southwest Las Vegas valley, minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip, South Point Hotel & Casino amenities also include a 16-screen century theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes.
Double Duty … Prior to competing in the Dover 200, Dillon will pilot the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the Lucas Oil 200 on Friday. Flag-to-flag coverage of the event is scheduled to be televised live on SPEED beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You’ll be making your Nationwide Series debut this weekend. What are your expectations?
“I want to go out there in practice and learn everything that I can possibly learn before qualifying and the race. I have a number of great RCR teammates I’m able to lean on for advice and assist with my learning curve. Joey (Coulter) will be helpful because he was in the same situation last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and all of our teammates were great in helping him as well. My brother Austin (Dillon) will also be a lot of help like he was in my Truck Series debut last year.”
South Point Hotel & Casino will sponsor you this weekend in the Dover 200. What are your thoughts on the partnership?
“I’m honored to be able to run the black and yellow colors of South Point Hotel & Casino. I know I can’t enjoy all that the Las Vegas resort has to offer because I’m not 21 years old yet, but they have a lot of fun things to do at the hotel including a bowling alley, movie theatre and great restaurants.”
Race: Lucas Oil 200
Location: Dover International Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes
RCR at the “Monster Mile” … Richard Childress Racing has three previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Dover, Del.-based facility, earning one top-five and two top-10 finishes at the one-mile race track. RCR boasts an 11.3 average starting position combined with a 10.3 average finishing position at the “Monster Mile”. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 99 percent of the contested laps at Dover International Speedway.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 223 Camping World Truck Series starts, Richard Childress Racing has earned 25 wins, 83 top-five finishes, 138 top-10 finishes and 31 pole positions, along with the inaugural series championship in 1995 with Mike Skinner and again with Austin Dillon in 2011. The organization has an average starting position of 9.7 and an average finishing position of 10.3.
Truck Line-up … Kevin Harvick will pilot the No. 2 Kroger/Tide Chevrolet this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The 200-lap event will mark Harvick’s second appearance with RCR in the Camping World Truck Series this season. The No. 2 team will join Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team along with Joey Coulter and the No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team for the Lucas Oil 200 on Friday.
Season in Review … Through the first five races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired one victory at Martinsville Speedway with Harvick and notched three pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway, Tim George Jr. at Kansas Speedway and, most recently, Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Welcome, N.C. organization has two top-five and six top-10 finishes, and has led 275 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With five 2012 Camping World Truck Series races in the books, Dillon improved one position, to third, and sits 16 markers behind the leader, while Coulter is 10th in the point standings, 55 points outside the top spot. RCR’s No. 2 team is seventh in the owner’s point standings utilizing three different drivers so far this season (Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George Jr.).
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 Camping World Truck Series team Twitter pages – @RCR3TDillon, @RCR22JCoulter and @RCR2CWTS. RCR’s NCWTS driver Twitter pages – @tydillon, @JoeyCoulter, @timgeorgejr, @Brendan62 and @kevinharvick.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of this weekend’s Lucas Oil 200 is scheduled to be televised live on Friday, June 1, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
Kevin Harvick No. 2 Kroger/Tide Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Kroger/Tide Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 025 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable. This chassis is new to competition for the 2012 season and will make its debut when Harvick hits the track this weekend.
Running at the “Monster Mile” … Harvick will return to the driver seat of the No. 2 RCR Chevrolet Silverado for his second of three scheduled appearances in the Camping World Truck Series during the 2012 season. The 36-year-old driver’s sole Camping World Truck Series run at the one-mile facility came in May of 2011 running for Kevin Harvick Inc. The KHI co-owner started the race from the second position before bringing home a fifth-place finish. He led 18 of the 200 laps contested.
Going for a Loop in Dover … According to NASCAR’s Loop-Data-Statistics, Harvick leads the Camping World Truck Series competition in the following categories: Average Running Position (5.260), Driver Rating (114.6) and Fastest on Restarts (147.702 mph). He ranks second in Fastest Driver Late in a Run (145.140 mph) and Speed in Traffic (143.581 mph).
Kevin’s Krew … Kevin’s Krew is an at-track outreach program for youth supported by the Kevin Harvick Foundation intended to expose kids to the fast world of racing. These children see by example that hard work, following your dreams and leading a drug-free lifestyle can be very rewarding. Harvick will host a group of children from the Boys and Girls Club of Dover Air Force Base for the third of seven scheduled at-track events Saturday afternoon at the “Monster Mile”. The kids in attendance will get a behind the scenes look at different professions in motorsports, ranging from pit crew jobs to merchandising careers. By attending a Kevin’s Krew event, the students are given hope that helps them to stay focused and work hard, despite any social and/or economical misfortunes.
Win Happy’s Chevy … One lucky winner will help children in need and take home Harvick’s 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Coupe. The vehicle includes gray leather interior, 21-inch black painted wheels, six-speed manual transmission, V8 engine, rear parking assist and much more. Proceeds will be used to further the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation through programs such as Kevin’s Krew, Chase Your Dreams Scholarships and the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund. For more information or to purchase a ticket for only $29, visit http://www.winhappyschevy.com/.
About Kroger … Kroger Mid-Atlantic, a division of the The Kroger Co., operates 125 stores and 60 supermarket fuel centers in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and eastern portions of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Kroger Mid-Atlantic focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.Kroger.com.
The Last Time By … Brendan Gaughan and the No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet team recovered from a pit road penalty to bring home a 12th-place finish during the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are the keys to being successful at Dover International Speedway, and what is tricky?
“The key to being successful at Dover (International Speedway) is rhythm. If you get into a rhythm with a particular setup, you’re going to be successful there. Getting the right balance is what is tricky. Just running a setup free enough where you can get back on the throttle in the middle of the corner and get off the corner without pushing the front tires. It’s a pretty sensitive race track and it is tough to get the balance right.”
Ty Dillon No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 008 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Friday’s Lucas Oil 200. Prior to a makeover during the off season, this truck was used by Dillon’s older brother, Austin, throughout the 2011 season,having success that included claiming the pole award at Lucas Oil Raceway last July where he went on to finish ninth. Austin also competed at Nashville Superspeedway in April (2011) with this chassis earning a second-place starting position and finished in the 11th position.
“Monster Mile” Details … Although the Lucas Oil 200 will mark Dillon’s first start in the Camping World Truck Series at the Dover, Del.-based facility, the 20-year-old is familiar with the “Monster Mile”.Dillon made one start at the one-mile facility in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race in October 2010 where he started 14th and finished 17th.
Points Racing … After a 10th-place showing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dillon improved one position, to third, in the Camping World Truck Series drivers championship point standings, 16 markers behind the leader Justin Lofton.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update …Dillon took over the lead for the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors after the inaugural race at “The Rock” last month. He now sits 25 points ahead of driver John King after five races on the Camping World Truck Series schedule.
Just Five Races In … Dillon earned impressive stats with five races complete on the Camping World Truck Series schedule. According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the Welcome, N.C., native is the Series’ second-fastest driver early in a run and second-fastest driver on restarts. Dillon has earned an average running position of 8.7, ranking him fourth overall. He also sits fourth in the Driver’s Rating category (98.2) and Laps Run in the Top-15 with 753 laps.
Making History … The 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion is making history yet again in his campaign for 2012 Rookie of the Year honors in the Camping World Truck Series. Dillon has posted top-10 finishes in each of the first five events of the season, matching the late Ricky Hendrick in 2001 for top-10 consecutive finishes earned by a rookie. The 20-year-old driver has accomplished what many other Series’ competitors haven’t over the years including Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch and 2003 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year Carl Edwards.
Double Duty … Dillon will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this weekend at Dover International Speedway in the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet. The Dover 200 will be televised on ESPN beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, June 2.
Rearview Mirror: Charlotte Motor Speedway … Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team earned their first Camping World Truck Series pole award of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Starting from the top spot, Dillon led for a total of 25 laps in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 before cutting a right-front tire early in the event. The team battled back from the 28th position, one lap down to the leader, to finish 10th in the 134-lap affair.
Meet the Driver … Dillon is scheduled to make a visit to the Team Chevy stage at 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time with RCR teammate Joey Coulter for a question-and-answer session.The Team Chevy display is located in the merchandise area at Dover International Speedway.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You earned the pole award at Charlotte Motor Speedway. What kind of confidence does that give you going into the race at Dover International Speedway?
“It gives me a lot of confidence along with everyone else on the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team. I know these guys work really hard and qualifying on the pole showed everyone just how hard they work. I’m excited to get that first one under my belt, and I hope that there will be many more this season.”
You’ve never raced at Dover International Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series before, but you’ve raced here in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race, how do you think that will help?
“Yeah, it’s nice to be able to go to a race track that I’ve run at before; it makes learning the track easier. I’ll have to work on the line of the track and figure out how to get the truck around there, but it will definitely help being familiar with Dover (International Speedway) than not having run there at all.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 018 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable for Friday’s Lucas Oil 200. This RCR racer was utilized five times in 2011, with the No. 22 team accruing finishes all within the top 15. Coulter drove this Chevrolet Silverado to a pair of sixth-place finishes at Pocono Raceway in August and Texas Motor Speedway in November, along with a seventh-place finish at Kentucky Speedway in July.
Coulter at Dover … Coulter will make his second start at Dover International Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series. In his 2011 debut, Coulter finished sixth and completed all 200 laps of the event.
Get to the Points … After a seventh-place finish in the N.C. Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Coulter moved up two positions to 10th in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship standings.
Rewind: Charlotte Motor Speedway … Coulter had a strong qualifying effort in the No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway, placing his truck third on the starting grid. During an early caution on lap 23, the team found an issue with the radiator hose. The RCR team corrected the problem and Coulter returned to the track in the 32nd position. As the laps wound down, Coulter proved his driving ability and the strength of the No. 22 truck, fighting back for a seventh place finish. Coulter picked up his second, top-10 finish of the 2012 season.
Top-10 in Nationwide Debut … Coulter made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 21 Sherwin Williams Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the 21-year-old qualified 21st for the Saturday afternoon event and was able to race his way to a 10th-place finish despite a lack of grip on the slick rack track.
Racing in Toledo… Coulter raced in the Menards 200 at the Toledo Speedway in the ARCA Racing Series for Coulter Motorsports, the same weekend as the N.C. Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After starting the race in the fourth-place position, Coulter finished the 200-lap event in the 14th place.
Meet Coulter … Coulter is scheduled to participate in a Camping World Truck Series autograph session at Dover International Speedway from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, June 1. Later that afternoon, the RCR driver will be making a stop at the Chevy stage for a Q&A session at 3:15 p.m. on Friday.
JOEY COULTER QUOTES:
You earned a top-10 finish last May in your first Camping World Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway. Does that give you additional confidence going into this weekend?
“We had a really good truck last year at Dover International Speedway. I learned a lot that weekend and I think it will really help this weekend when we go back to the track. Having a good finish builds confidence, but it’s also good to have the notes from last year to give us a starting point for this race.”
You made your NASCAR Nationwide Series debut last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Will it be difficult to go back to the truck after running in the car?
“No, I’m used to the truck and what it does on the track. It was a little difficult to adjust from the truck to the car because they handle so differently. I had a lot of fun racing in the Nationwide Series and learned a lot about how to drive those cars. I’m excited to get back into the truck and go for a win this weekend.”
