Richard Childress Racing Event Preview: Bristol Motor Speedway
Race: IRWIN Tools Night Race
Location: Bristol Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR in Thunder Valley … In 134 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing boasts nine wins – seven with Dale Earnhardt, one with Kevin Harvick and one with Jeff Burton – three poles, 32 top-five and 58 top-10 finishes. RCR Chevrolets swept the top three positions in the 2008 Food City 500 when Burton drove to Victory Lane, Harvick finished second and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top three. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds an average starting position of 16.7, average finishing position of 15.3 and has led for 3,593 laps at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.”
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,234 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 432 top-five finishes, 899 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 Earnhardt (1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93, ’94), 14 total championships (five NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck 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 … Throughout the season’s first 23 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched five top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 19,437 out of 19,721 total laps (98.5 percent) with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 183 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Harvick ranks eighth in the driver championship point standings, 85 markers out of the top spot. Menard sits 15th in the point standings, while Burton is now ranked 20th.
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 … ABC’s live coverage of the IRWIN Tools Night Race begins Saturday, August 25 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 24th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series will be broadcast live on SPEED on Friday, August 24 at 5 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Schrock/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Schrock/Menards Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 347 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the IRWIN Tools Night Race. This No. 27 Chevrolet was recently utilized at Darlington Raceway in May, where Menard started from the 14th position and finished 13th. The chassis was also used in 2012 competition at Bristol Motor Speedway in March where the Eau Claire, Wis., native started from the 11th position and finished 10th.
Menard at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” … In 10 previous starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Menard has finished each contested race and completed 99.6 percent of his laps (4,990 of 5,009). He has an average starting position of 21.3 and an average finishing position of 20.5. Menard’s best start of fourth and best finish of fifth came in last season’s March visit to the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 23 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 15th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 62 points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot on the merit of five top-10 and 13 top-15 finishes. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 16.6, an average finishing position of 15.2, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.415, and has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (6,017 of 6,037), the fourth-best of all drivers.
Race Rewind … Starting from the seventh position in the 500-lap annual event under the lights of Bristol Motor Speedway in August 2011, Menard and the No. 27 Sylvania/Menards team were relegated to a 30th-place finish following an early pit road penalty and a series of wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time events, typical at the half-mile bullring.
In the Rearview Mirror: Michigan International Speedway … Menard started the No. 27 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet from the 10th position in the Pure Michigan 400, driving to a ninth-place finish at the two-mile speedway nestled in the Irish Hills of Michigan.
About Schrock … Beautiful on the Outside. Smart on the Inside®. Schrock is a manufacturer of fine kitchen and bath cabinetry, offering on-trend styling and creative organization solutions for the entire home. Schrock’s legacy of expertly crafted quality and service is backed by MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., the No. 1 cabinet manufacturer in North America. For more information, visit www.schrockatmenards.com.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
Last year’s night race at Bristol Motor Speedway didn’t go quite as planned. Tell us about your night.
“If it could go wrong during last year’s night race, it did for the No. 27 team. We were put back in the field with a pit road penalty, and just never could make it back. Track position at Bristol (Motor Speedway) is so important, especially with the long green-flag runs at such a short track.”
Now that we have fewer cautions at Bristol Motor Speedway, is it a rhythm track more so now and how do you get in a rhythm when things are happening so fast?
“It’s a big rhythm track. It reminds me a lot of this quarter-mile track in Rockford, Ill. where we used to race. It has that progressive banking and you kind of run up the hill a little bit. You have to find your rhythm and just click off laps. You know you’ve found it when you understand your car and how it is going to react. Then you just sit back, try to drive smooth and do the same thing over and over again.”
You finished 10th at Bristol Motor Speedway in March of this year; do you feel like the team’s short-track program has something figured out?
“Track position is everything and we were able to stay out of trouble for 500 laps in March and walk away with a top-10 finish. This team has come a long way with the short-track program. We had a top-10 car at Phoenix (International Raceway) but caught up in someone else’s mess. We had a really fast car at Richmond (International Raceway), too. If we can qualify well and stay up front this weekend at Bristol (Motor Speedway), I think we’ll be fine.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Rheem Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 383 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s IRWIN Tools Night Race. Built new for competition during the 2012 season, Harvick raced this chassis at Phoenix International Raceway in March and Dover International Speedway in June, collecting second-place finishes in both races.
Racing in Thunder Valley … This weekend’s event at Bristol Motor Speedway marks Harvick’s 418th Sprint Cup Series career start. During the last 11 seasons, the 36-year-old driver has made 23 starts at the 0.533-mile oval and collected one win (spring 2005), nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Harvick maintains an 18th-place average starting position, an average finishing position of 12.4, has completed 98.1 percent (11,290 or 11,513) of laps contested and is credited with 427 laps led.
Going for a Loop in Bristol … Harvick has made 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has collected impressive statistics through the years and leads all competitors in the Closers category, after improving an average of 1.5 positions in the final 10 percent of the laps completed. Harvick is also ranked fourth in Green Flag Passes (713) and Fastest Driver Late in a Run (112.958 mph), seventh in Green Flag Speed (114.204 mph), ninth in Average Running Position (14.139) and Speed in Traffic (113.726 mph). Harvick has completed 4,361 Laps in the Top 15 ranking him 10th amongst all competitors.
Points Racing … With 24 point-paying events in the books, Harvick ranks eighth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 85 markers behind the leader. Harvick has collected three top-five and nine top-10 finishes thus far this season, completing 99.71 percent (5,864 of 5,847) of the laps contested.
Gotta Have a Rheem … Rheem will adorn the No. 29 Chevrolet for the seventh of 10 scheduled races during the 2012 season this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rheem is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing.
Saturday Evening Cruise for a Cause … Following driver introductions for the Sprint Cup Series event on Saturday night, Harvick will participate in the Speedway Children’s Charities Ride of a Lifetime parade lap, where one lucky fan will have the opportunity to ride in the parade vehicle with the Rheem racing driver. The proceeds generated from the auction benefit the Speedway Children’s Charities along with the Kevin Harvick Foundation. Harvick will also participate in the Speedway Children’s Charities Ride of a Lifetime parade lap at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September, Charlotte Motor Speedway in October and Texas Motor Speedway in November. For details on how you can bid on this once in a lifetime event visit the respective track’s website.
Meet Harvick … Prior to race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, Harvick will make a trek to the Northeast for the grand opening of an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet store located at 200 Blair Mill Road in Horsham, Pa. The RCR driver will be on-site to meet fans and sign autographs from 9 – 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 22. Ollie’s staff will distribute 250 tickets on a first-come, first-served basis the morning of the appearance.
Scoot & Shoot with Harvick … Hunt Brothers® Pizza is looking for NASCAR fans and hunting enthusiasts to show off their skills and compete in the ‘Scoot & Shoot Challenge’ on Thursday, August 23 at Food City Race Night in Bristol, Tenn. Sixteen lucky fans will be selected from the crowd at the Food City Race Night event to compete in the tournament-style competition, which challenges contestants to race big wheels through a relay course of target-shooting stations which will test their aim and speed. The winner of the ‘Scoot & Shoot Challenge’ will receive an autographed HBP die-cast car. Following the ‘Scoot & Shoot’ event, Harvick will meet with fans at the Hunt Brothers Pizza display to sign autographs from 5-6 p.m. Eastern Time. Only 200 wristbands will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the display.
The Last Time By … Harvick and the No. 29 Chevrolet team scored a 22nd-place finish in the 2011 IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harvick started the night from the 15th position and battled handling problems from the beginning of the race.
In the Rearview Mirror: Michigan International Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 team finished 16th at Michigan International Speedway after battling handling issues during the Pure Michigan 400.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES: Talk about racing at Bristol Motor Speedway, and share your thoughts on the recent round of changes to the track.
“I have always liked racing at Bristol (Motor Speedway). I’ve got a good record at this track, but to be honest, I have no clue what to expect when we head back. There have been so many changes made to the track over the last year, I wish they wouldn’t have made the changes, so who knows what we might happen this weekend.”
You won the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2005. Talk about the sense of accomplishment that came with winning at such notable track.
“You always have a sense of accomplishment when you win a race, but to win at a track like Bristol (Motor Speedway) was pretty cool. The racing gets really intense at Bristol and sometimes just being able to finish the race is an accomplishment itself, so to win there is something to be really proud of.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 CAT Global Mining Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Weekend’s No. 31 CAT Global Mining Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 385 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the IRWIN Tools Night Race. Burton has driven this No. 31 Chevrolet four times this season including Pocono Raceway in August (started-23rd, finished-22nd), the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May (started-22nd, finished-19th), Texas Motor Speedway in April (started-24th, finished 29th) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March (started-22nd, finished 14th).
Wherever There’s Mining … The No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet will be adorned with the colors of CAT Global Mining this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Wherever you go in the mining world, you’ll find Caterpillar. From underground coal mines in the United States to gold mines in Africa and iron ore mines in Australia, Caterpillar products are hard at work and CAT people are right there too with building and supporting products, training operators, helping customers mine more profitably and working with schools, organizations and communities. As industry leaders, Caterpillar is engaged in the mining industry at every level.
Winner, Winner … Burton claimed the 2008 Food City 500 trophy at Bristol Motor Speedway in a 1-2-3 RCR finish. In addition, he also visited Victory Lane in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition at BMS in April 1997.
Career Bristol Stats … This weekend’s 500-lap event marks Burton’s 38th start at the half-mile bullring and his 643rd-career Sprint Cup Series entry. Burton has garnered one win, eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes at the track and led 322 laps at the Bristol, Tenn.-based race track.
Getting Loopy in Thunder Valley … Burton has accrued impressive NASCAR Loop Data Statistics at Bristol Motor Speedway since its inception in 2006. Of all drivers entering the event, he has the third-most Green Flag Passes (791) with 350 coming while running in the top 15 (ninth-most Quality Passes). Burton has spent 4,254 laps running in the top 15, ranks third in the Closers category and ninth in Speed in Traffic and Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Sign Here, Please … On behalf of General Mills, Burton and crew chief Drew Blickensderfer will participate in Food City Race Night at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 23 along with several other Sprint Cup Series drivers and teams. Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door (all proceeds go to charity) and wristbands that guarantee an autograph from Burton and Blickensderfer are limited to the first 300 fans. The event is slated to take place in downtown Bristol on State Street.
First Response Team of America … Caterpillar has teamed up with RCR to show appreciation for the First Response Team of America by offering a special ticket discount for the Labor Day weekend race on Sunday, September 2, 2012. The ticket program consists of a $20 discount off any regularly-priced $99 Champions Grandstand seat for the AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup Series race at the 1.54-mile facility, located less than an hour from downtown Atlanta, Ga. For each ticket sold through this unique program, $29 will be donated to the First Response Team of America, a nonprofit emergency cleanup crew that provides immediate aid to areas hit by disasters. For more information, visit www.CATRacing.com or to donate directly to the First Response Team of America, please visit www.firstresponseteam.org.
Top-10 Finish in March … After qualifying 33rd, Burton and the No. 31 BB&T Chevrolet team scored their second top-10 finish of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season, placing sixth in the Food City 500 at BMS.
Race Rewind: Pure Michigan 400 … After starting from the 32nd position in the Pure Michigan 400, Burton and the No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet team scored a 19th-place finish in the Sprint Cup Series event at Michigan International Speedway.
Points Racing … Burton sits 20th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. After 23 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has two top-five and four top-10 finishes. The veteran RCR driver has spent 1,908 laps running in the top 15 and has made 2,250 green-flag passes.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
After testing at Bristol Motor Speedway, what do you expect to see from a racing standpoint with the track modifications?
“We are still going to see multiple race grooves. We are not going to see a single-file race track. We will see a nice mix of the new and old Bristol (Motor Speedway). You are going to choke down the number of grooves available to the drivers. That very top lane isn’t going to be available to us anymore. We won’t see as many escape routes, but more cautions. A little bit of mix between the old and new.”
Do you expect more wrecks or bumping and banging that people want to see?
“I anticipate some. It’s not going to be a night and day difference, but I anticipate some.”
You finished sixth-place at Bristol Motor Speedway in March. Were you happy with that finish?
“We ran well there. There were a few times when we even had the best car on the race track. We battled for the lead there a few times. We had a top-10 car, but ran well all day. It was one of our better outings.”
How do you feel about the No. 31 team’s short-track program this season?
“I’ve been pleased. We haven’t won any races, but our short track program has surpassed our 1.5-mile program this season.”
Race: Food City 250
Location: Bristol Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Bristol Motor Speedway … In 50 previous Nationwide Series appearances at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing leads all organizations with seven wins at the half-mile bullring, including a victory in the March 2012 race with Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team. Clint Bowyer earned RCR a win at Bristol in March 2008, while Kevin Harvick has contributed four wins for RCR with victories in March 2005, March 2003, August 2001 and August 2000. Jeff Green won in an RCR entry at Bristol in March 2002. RCR also has five pole awards at Bristol: Scott Wimmer in March 2008, Harvick in March 2006, March 2001 and August 2000, and Mike Skinner in August 2001.
Averages … RCR boasts a 10th-place average starting position and an average finishing position of 12.7 among all Nationwide Series races the organization has contested at Bristol Motor Speedway. RCR drivers have completed 94.1 percent of the laps attempted at the half-mile track (12,042 of 12,801 laps), with 1,624 laps led. In addition to seven wins and five pole awards, RCR has earned 21 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes at the track.
The Season So Far … In the 22 races contested this season, RCR has earned five wins in the Nationwide Series, with Sadler at Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Iowa Speedway and Austin Dillon at Kentucky Speedway. RCR has earned eight pole awards in 2012, with Sadler at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and both Iowa Speedway events, Paul Menard at Texas Motor Speedway, Harvick at Richmond International Raceway and Dillon at Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. The organization has 28 top-five and 49 top-10 finishes and has led 1,075 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 832 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, RCR has earned 61 wins, 278 top-five finishes, 460 top-10 finishes and 40 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.4 and an average finishing position of 12.7 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver points championships in 2001 and 2006 with Harvick and in 2008 with 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 Wimmer.
To the Point … RCR’s two full-time Nationwide Series entries rank first (Sadler) and fourth (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into this weekend’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The No. 2 team sits second in the owner point standings while the No. 3 team ranks fifth. The No. 33 team sits seventh in the owner 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 and @KevinHarvick, the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/RCRracing, facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial, facebook.com/austindillon3 and facebook.com/KevinHarvickOfficial.
Live on ESPN … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Food City 250 is scheduled to be televised on ESPN beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 24 and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Elliott Sadler No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s OneMain Financial Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload Chassis No. 101 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend in the Food City 250. This is the sixth time the OneMain Financial team will utilize this chassis. Sadler has driven this Chevrolet to three wins at Phoenix International Raceway in March, Bristol Motor Speedway in March and Iowa Speedway in August. He also earned a sixth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway, a second-place finish at Iowa Speedway in May and two pole awards (both Iowa Speedway events).
Rollin’ into Thunder Valley … Sadler has 11 Nationwide Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, earning wins in March 1998 and March 2012. He has earned one pole award (2010), four top-five and five top-10 finishes, including 161 laps led. Sadler also has experience in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at the half-mile track with 25 starts, one win (2001), one pole award, three top-five and four top-10 finishes. Additionally, Sadler has two starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with one pole award he earned last season and a best finish of ninth.
Last Time By … Under the lights at Bristol in 2011, Sadler bumped and battled around the 0.533-mile track to bring home an eighth-place finish.
Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Average Mid-Race Position (6.9), Average Finishing Position (7.5), Average Running Position (7.5), Quality Passes (928), Percentage of Quality Passes (71.6), Laps in the Top 15 (3566) and Percentage of laps in the Top 15 (95.5). After 22 events in the Nationwide Series season, Sadler has earned four wins, three pole awards, nine top-five and 16 top-10 finishes with 240 laps led.
To the Point … Sadler remains atop the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, leading Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Sam Hornish Jr. by 22 points.
Meet Sadler … Fans have several opportunities to meet Sadler in the Bristol, Tenn., area. Sadler will participate in a meet and greet on Thursday, Aug. 23 at the OneMain Financial branch at 2010 West State Street in Bristol, Tenn., beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. The Emporia, Va., native will then head to the Food City Race Night on the corner of 7th Street and State Street to sign autographs at 5 p.m.ET with Pierre Drive Thru Sandwiches. Sadler is also scheduled to sign autographs at the Realtree merchandise hauler on behalf of Hunt Brothers Pizza in the midway area at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, Aug. 24, beginning at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Race Rewind: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve … Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team relied on crew chief Luke Lambert’s fuel strategy in the final road course race of the season at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec. Starting from the 17th position, Sadler came down pit road on the first lap to top off with fuel, and continued with the team’s game plan to have enough fuel for potential green-white-checkered attempts. Leading for six laps, Sadler survived two overtime attempts to cross the finish line in the fourth position.
Taking a Tour … On Tuesday, August 21, Sadler took a trip to Virginia Beach, Va., where he spent the day at the Naval Air Station Oceana. Along with Richmond International Raceway, Sadler will met with Navy representatives to visit the VFA-81 hangar, watched flight activity and participate in flight simulation.
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. Fans have the opportunity to bid on his race-worn pink shoes throughout the season with benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information, visit www.sadlerfoundation.org.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Bristol Motor Speedway?
“I always look forward to any race at Bristol. This place means so much to me for many reasons. I was a fan here first, so getting to race a track that you grew up in the stands is something that really means a lot. The night races there, however, are something truly special. The atmosphere is just electric. I love the energy that the fans bring to Thunder Valley at night, and it creates a very different race than the day race at Bristol. I don’t think that we really know what to expect after the track was changed from the first race, but I know that it is going to be exciting.”
How does it feel to come back to Bristol Motor Speedway after your win here in March?
“It is definitely a good feeling. The win at Bristol was one of my proudest moments of my career, especially because my parents were there and able to celebrate in Victory Lane with me. I think that already having a win at Bristol earlier this season under our belts helps our OneMain Financial team to be that much more confident heading into this weekend. We know that we can win there, and that pushes us to get back to that Victory Lane.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 093 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Food City 250. Dillon drove this Chevrolet to a third-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, a ninth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway in April and a fourth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March. This is a former Kevin Harvick Inc., chassis which was refurbished during the off season.
Dillon at BMS … Dillon has one BMS start to his credit in the Nationwide Series, posting a 12th-place finish in March after he was thwarted by a NASCAR-issued penalty for exiting pit road too fast and challenged by a loose-handling condition throughout the race. He has two starts at the half-mile track in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, finishing 17th in 2010 and 23rd in 2011.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon has completed 88.2 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second and is ranked second in the Fastest Laps Run category with 279 laps so far this season. The Nationwide Series rookie has an Average Running Position of 9.450 in the season’s 22 contested Nationwide Series races, ranking him third among all drivers, has completed 95.69 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, ranking him third among all competitors, maintains a Driver Rating of 102.2, ranking him third, has the fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic and has 283 Laps Led this season, ranking him fifth. He is the sixth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run, has the sixth-fastest Green Flag Speed, is fifth-Fastest on Restarts, ranks sixth in Quality Passes with 810 and is the eighth-fastest Driver Early in a Run.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks fourth in the 2012 Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing RCR teammate and current point leader Elliott Sadler by 35 points. The Welcome, N.C., driver currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
Think Green … RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet team will sport the black and green colors of American Ethanol this weekend at Bristol Motor 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.
About POET … American Ethanol will feature POET on the No. 3 Chevrolet this weekend. POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 25-year-old company has a production capacity in excess of 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from its network of 27 production facilities. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic bio-ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk as feedstock, and expects to commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa through its joint venture with DSM. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a question and answer session for Bristol Motor Speedway season ticket holders at the Bristol Mall on Thursday, August 23 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The mall is located at 500 Gate City Highway, Bristol, Virginia, 24201.
Lizard Lickin’ … Dillon appeared on the truTV show Lizard Lick Towing on Monday. In the episode, RCR Teammates Ty Dillon and Elliott Sadler joined Ron, Bobby and Amy of Lizard Lick Towing to play a prank on Austin.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Recap … No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet team used fuel strategy to their advantage at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, scoring a ninth-place finish in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Dillon survived two late-race restarts and dodged several cars in front of him who slowed on the race track as they ran out of fuel in the closing laps to post a ninth-place finish, securing his first top-10 finish in Nationwide Series road course competition.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Are you excited to get back to oval racing after back-to-back road course races on the schedule?
“The road course races were fun for me because there is so much for me to learn about driving on a road course, but oval racing is our bread and butter on the No. 3 AdvoCare team so I am definitely looking forward to getting back to what I know, and that’s the ovals. We are going for it all these last 11 races. I don’t think our team is really points racing. We are just going out for wins. We still have a great shot at this championship and we are there and in the hunt. We are 11 races out from Homestead-Miami Speedway and we are going to be there towards the end. My team and I both have committed to each other that we are going to be there to the end and fight for this championship in our rookie year in the Nationwide Series. We want to be there and to get some wins along with it. We have only missed one lap this entire season and that was at Iowa Speedway, the place we have had the best car all year. We almost got the lap back but we couldn’t get a caution flag when we needed it. It’s been a great year and we just want to learn from here on out so that we have the experience to go kick their butt next year.”
For a while, it looked like Elliott Sadler had dug a hole in the point standings and wouldn’t be able to fight back. Do you feel like he is your biggest competition?
“Elliott and his team have done a good job of keeping the No. 2 Chevrolet in the driver championship points lead for a long time this year. Looking at how the team rallied and came back from a letdown at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to win Iowa Speedway was pretty telling how strong the team is. That was pretty big for them. It’s been fun working with the No. 2 team and the No. 33 team this year in the Nationwide Series. We have one common goal and that is to win a championship and races in the RCR Nationwide Series shop. It doesn’t matter who gets it as long as it comes out of our shop, so I enjoy racing with those guys on the Nos. 2 and 33 teams.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 33 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 099 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Food City 250. The Bakersfield, Calif., native drove this RCR machine to a fifth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March. This Chevrolet was also driven by Brendan Gaughan during both Iowa Speedway events and Ty Dillon at Dover International Speedway.
Harvick Returns to the Nationwide Series … The two-time Nationwide Series champion will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend as the Nationwide Series heads to the hills of Tennessee. This race marks Harvick’s 286th career Nationwide Series start and his ninth of 14 scheduled appearances of the 2012 season. In his first eight Nationwide Series races with RCR in 2012, Harvick has earned five top-five and six top-10 finishes.
Volunteer State Racing … Friday’s 250-lap event marks Harvick’s 23rd Nationwide Series appearance at the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility. During his 22 previous series starts at the half-mile track, the 36-year-old driver has captured five wins (Fall 2000, Fall 2001, Spring 2003, Spring 2005 and Spring 2009), three pole awards (Fall 2000, Spring 2001 and Spring 2006) 13 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. Harvick has completed 5,665 of 5,739 (98.7 percent) of the laps contested. He holds a 9.4 average starting position coupled with a 7.5 average finishing position.
In the Loop … Since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006, Harvick has competed in 12 Nationwide Series events at Bristol Motor Speedway. In those 12 starts, the RCR veteran driver has collected impressive statistics including a 115.997 mph Green Flag Speed to lead his fellow competitors. Harvick has earned a Driver Rating of 110.0, positioning him second within the category, and ranks third in the following categories: Average Running Position (8.385), Fastest Laps Run (245), Fastest on Restarts (113.630 mph), Green Flag Passes (333) and Laps Led (372). During his time on track, Harvick has spent 2,754 Laps in Top 15 ranking him fourth among all competitors.
To the Points … The No. 33 RCR Chevrolet team sits seventh in the Nationwide Series owner’s championship point standings, 72 points behind the No. 18 team in the lead. The No. 33 team earned eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes between six different drivers (Dillon, Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard, Max Papis and Tony Stewart) thus far this season.
Made My Way … With more than 6,500 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 original and thin crust pizzas with All Toppings No Extra Charge®, breakfast pizzas, plus Hunt Brothers® Wings and WingBites®. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Hunt Brothers Pizza is family owned and operated with 50 years of experience in offering all of the food products, marketing programs, equipment and training for convenience stores to operate their own turnkey pizza program. For more information, visit huntbrotherspizza.com.
Hunt to Win … RCR partners Hunt Brothers Pizza and Team Realtree have partnered up for the unique consumer contest, the ‘Hunt to Win Sweepstakes’. Consumers hunt for their nearest Hunt Brothers Pizza location by using the locator map on www.huntbrotherspizza.com/hunttowin. By completing the entry form, consumers are entered for a chance to win more than $25,000 worth of prizes, including the grand prize of a Bad Boy Buggies Recoil IS 4×4 hunting AVT valued at $15,000. The sweepstakes begins September 10 and runs until December 31. For more information about the sweepstakes visit www.huntbrotherspizza.com.
Scoot & Shoot with Harvick … Hunt Brothers® Pizza is looking for NASCAR fans and hunting enthusiasts to show off their skills and compete in the ‘Scoot & Shoot Challenge’ on Thursday, August 23 at Food City Race Night in Bristol, Tenn. Sixteen lucky fans will be selected from the crowd at the Food City Race Night event to compete in the tournament-style competition, which challenges contestants to race big wheels through a relay course of target-shooting stations which will test their aim and speed. The winner of the ‘Scoot & Shoot Challenge’ will receive an autographed HBP die-cast car. Following the Scoot & Shoot event, Harvick will meet with fans at the Hunt Brothers Pizza display to sign autographs from 5-6 p.m. Eastern Time. Only 200 wristbands will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the display.
In the Rearview Mirror: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve … Running the final road course race on the 2012 Nationwide Series schedule, Gaughan survived a late-race incident to bring home an 11th-place finish last weekend in the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
What are your thoughts on returning to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Nationwide Series?
“We’ve done well at Bristol (Motor Speedway) over the years, so it should be fun to head back there this weekend. The track has changed some since we were last there, so it will be interesting to see what happens. I have a lot of fun running in the Nationwide Series and hope that we can bring home a win for the team and Hunt Brothers Pizza.”
Race: UNOH 200
Location: Bristol Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes
RCR at Bristol Motor Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has eight previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility, earning one victory in 1996 with Mike Skinner, two top-five and four top-10 finishes. RCR boasts an 11.8 average starting position combined with an 11.5 average finishing position at the half-mile concrete track. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 98.9 percent (1,545 of 1,562) of the contested laps at Bristol Motor Speedway and led for 125 circuits.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 244 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 26 wins, 89 top-five finishes, 152 top-10 finishes and 33 pole awards, 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 9.5 and an average finishing position of 10.1.
Truck Line-up … Brendan Gaughan will pilot the No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet this week at Bristol Motor Speedway. 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 Steak-umm Chevrolet team for Wednesday’s 200-lap event.
Season in Review … Through the first 12 races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired two victories, one at Martinsville Speedway with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel and most recently, with Joey Coulter at Pocono Raceway. RCR has notched five pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway and Dover International Speedway, Tim George Jr. at Kansas Speedway, Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Coulter at Michigan International Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has eight top-five and 22 top-10 finishes, and has led 509 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With 12 Camping World Truck Series races completed so far in 2012, Dillon is tied for the driver championship points lead, and Coulter sits in the seventh position, 43 points outside the top spot. RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet team is tied for the owner championship points lead while the No. 22 team ranks seventh and the No. 2 team is ninth, utilizing three different drivers (Harvick, Gaughan and George).
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 personal Twitter pages – @tydillon, @JoeyCoulter, @timgeorgejr, @Brendan62 and @kevinharvick.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of Wednesday’s UNOH 200 is scheduled to be televised live on Wednesday, Aug. 22, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius-XM NASCAR Radio beginning at 7:45 p.m.
Brendan Gaughan No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot Chassis No. 008 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in the UNOH 200. This Chevrolet was last utilized by Gaughan’s RCR teammate Ty Dillon at Dover International Speedway in June where he started fifth and finished in the sixth position.
Back in Action … Gaughan returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet this Wednesday evening for the UNOH 200, his fifth of eight scheduled appearances in the 2012 season. Thus far this season, the Las Vegas native has collected two top-five and two top-10 finishes, maintaining an average starting position of 8.5 and an average finishing position of 9.5.
Bristol Fast Facts … Wednesday night’s Camping World Truck Series race marks Gaughan’s sixth series career start at the half-mile concrete race track. The 37-year-old driver earned two top-five finishes and completed 84.7 percent (1,019 of 1,203) of his contested laps. Gaughan holds a 9.7 average starting position and 15.3 average finishing position. Aside from the Camping World Truck Series, Gaughan raced at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for four events, earning the pole award in the spring 2009 race.
Going for a Loop … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan maintains an average starting position of 8.5 and an average finishing position of 9.5 in the Camping World Truck Series in his four races this season. He has made 228 quality passes while running within the top 15 for 528 laps.
To the Points … The No. 2 RCR Chevrolet team sits ninth in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings, 62 points behind the No. 17 team. The No. 2 team has earned three pole awards, one victory, three top-five and threetop-10 finishes between three different drivers (Gaughan, Tim George Jr. and Kevin Harvick) thus far this season.
Target Practice … Before heading to Bristol Motor Speedway, Gaughan is scheduled to compete in a Speedway Children’s Charities Shooting Stars Tournament presented by the National Rifle Association (NRA) at Shooters Edge in Piney Flats, Tenn. on Tuesday, August 21 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants are placed on four-person teams and will have the opportunity to shoot with Gaughan. All proceeds from the participants are donated to the Speedway Children’s Charities.
South Point Hotel & Casino … South Point Hotel & Casino will serve as Gaughan’s primary sponsor for the No. 2 Chevrolet this week at Bristol Motor Speedway Speedway. Located in the heart of the premiere southwest Las Vegas valley, minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip, South Point Hotel & Casino amenities include a 16-screen century theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes. The casino features a large selection of table games and the latest slot and video poker machines. The distinctive hotel features spacious rooms and suites with 42-inch LED televisions, Point Plush mattresses and wireless fidelity throughout. A unique feature to this property is its Equestrian Center, which is the finest horse facility in the country. South Point also has a fabulous 400-seat showroom that features headliner entertainment and dancing to live bands on weekends.
In the Rearview Mirror: Michigan … Tim George Jr. and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group team were relegated to a 21st-place finish in the VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway after the No. 2 Chevrolet spun on the backstretch in the late stages of the race. The RCR pit crew had to make an unscheduled pit stop under green-flag conditions on lap 66 to change tires before sending George back out on the racing surface two laps down to the leader. George produced lap times as quick as the leader and gained track position in the closing laps of the event, ultimately crossing the finish line in the 21st position.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts about racing at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday?
“I love racing at Bristol (Motor Speedway), especially under the lights. That track always brings a great crowd, and it’s a lot of fun to race in front of all those fans. Bristol is one of those races that everyone wants to win. It’ll be a battle until the end.”
Ty Dillon No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 021 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Wednesday’s UNOH 200. Dillon drove this Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway in March where he started second and finished second. This Chevrolet was also utilized in two events during the 2011 season, collecting a runner-up and third-place result with driver Austin Dillon.
First Timer … This week’s 200-lap race marks Dillon’s first appearance at the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility. Although the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender has yet to make any laps at Bristol Motor Speedway, Dillon has two previous starts on half-mile tracks this season, garnering one top-five and two top-10 finishes and led for two laps.
All Tied Up … Dillon is tied for the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship points lead with Timothy Peters.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update … Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings by 68 points over driver Cale Gale.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with 12 races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the Welcome, N.C., native is ranked second in the Fastest Driver Early in a Run category. Dillon is the series’ third-fastest Driver on Restarts and the third-highest Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (96.82 percent). He is ranked fourth in the following areas: Average Running Position (8.404), Driver Rating (100.6), Laps Run in the Top 15 (1,589) and Green Flag Speed. With 346 Quality Passes made over the first half of the season, Dillon ranks seventh amongst his competitors.
Meet the Driver … Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet is scheduled to sign autographs for fans at the UNOH display at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday, August 22 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Shooting for a Cause … Before heading to Bristol Motor Speedway, Dillon is scheduled to compete in a Speedway Children’s Charities Shooting Stars Tournament presented by the National Rifle Association at Shooters Edge in Piney Flats, Tenn. on Tuesday, August 21 at 6 p.m. ET. Participants are placed on four-person teams and will have the opportunity to shoot with Dillon. All proceeds from the participants are donated to the Speedway Children’s Charities.
It’s Bristol Baby … Bristol Motor Speedway has created a special ticket package with Ty Dillon for the upcoming Camping World Truck Series race on Wednesday, August 22. Fans that purchase Dillon’s ticket package receive a ticket to the UNOH Perfect Storm doubleheader race on Wednesday, a BMS hat and access to a question-and-answer session with Dillon and his grandfather and team owner Richard Childress all for $39.00. For more information about the ticket package, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Sponsor Spotlight … Not only is the University of Northwestern Ohio the title sponsor of the 13th Camping World Truck Series race this season at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Lima, Ohio-based college is an associate sponsor on Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet. UNOH offers a unique curriculum to young people interested in professional motorsports competition as a career with associate degrees and diploma programs in High Performance Motorsports.
Dirt Trackin’ … After competing in the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Dillon will travel to the Bulls Gap, Tenn.-based track, Volunteer Speedway to race the No. 41 dirt late model for Team Dillon Racing in the ninth annual “Scorcher” event on Thursday, August 23. Qualifying for the “Scorcher” begins at 8 p.m. ET with green flag racing starting at 9 p.m. ET.
Groundbreaking … Bass Pro Shops announced the arrival of a new store in the Bristol, Tenn., area, and expected to open late 2013 or early 2014. Dillon is schedule to attend the groundbreaking ceremonies on Friday, August 24 at 10 a.m. ET with founder Johnny Morris and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray. The 100,000-square-foot development will be located at Bristol West off Interstate 81’s exit 74.
Race Rewind: Michigan … Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team started the 100-lap event at Michigan International Speedway from the fifth position and remained a fixture in the top 10 for the majority of the race. The Welcome, N.C., native relinquished his third-place position on lap 84 when crew chief Marcus Richmond called the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet to pit road for fuel and right-side tires. As green-flag pit stops cycled through, Dillon was scored in the 11th position with eight laps remaining in the event. He improved five spots, to sixth, before the checkered flag was displayed.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
Wednesday’s UNOH 200 marks your first race at Bristol Motor Speedway. What are your thoughts about the 200-lap event?
“I’m really excited to race at Bristol (Motor Speedway) this week. I’ve been to a lot of races there, but I’ve never actually gotten behind the wheel and raced at the famed half-mile. It will be great to be able to race back-to-back this week. It’s easier to keep the momentum going when there aren’t a few weekends off between races. I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun to race there, so I’m going to have as much fun as possible and learn everything I can during practice.”
Talk about the tie for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship point standings.
“We didn’t have a great race at Michigan (International Speedway) last weekend, but we ended up with a pretty good points day. The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team has proven they have what it takes to contend for this championship. We’re getting closer, we just have to keep digging and putting together top-five finishes.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Steak-umm Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Steak-umm Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 009 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Wednesday night’s UNOH 200. Coulter drove this chassis to a top-10 finish in April at Rockingham Speedway. It was utilized seven times by Coulter during the 2011 season, in which he collected four top-10 results.
Coulter in Tennessee … Coulter has one previous start at the 0.533-mile short track in the Camping World Truck Series. During his lone appearance in August 2011, Coulter finished sixth posting his eighth top-10 finish of the season.
Last Time in Bristol … Coulter showed the strength of his No. 22 RCR Chevrolet by finishing sixth in the 2012 event. His Silverado proved to handle well during the entirety of the race as Coulter completed 197 of the 200 laps contested in the top-15 at the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility en route to the top-10 finish.
Twelve Races In … With 12 races complete in the 2012 season, Coulter has collected one win, one pole award, two top-five and seven top-10 results. He holds an average starting position of 8.8 along with an average finishing position of 10.6.
Get to the Points … With his seventh top-10 finish of the 2012 season at Michigan International Speedway last week, Coulter remains seventh in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 43 points behind the leaders.
Rewind: Michigan International Speedway … Coulter earned his career-first Camping World Truck Series pole award at the two-mile, Brooklyn, Mich.-based facility. The 22-year-old fought through an ill-handling racer for most of the 100-lap event; ultimately taking the checkered flag in the seventh position.
Shooting for a Cause … Before heading to Bristol Motor Speedway for the UNOH 200, Coulter is scheduled to compete in a Speedway Children’s Charities Shooting Stars Tournament presented by the National Rifle Association at Shooters Edge in Piney Flats, Tenn. on Tuesday, August 21 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants are placed on four-person teams and will have the opportunity to shoot with Coulter. All proceeds from the participants are donated to the Speedway Children’s Charities.
JOEY COULTER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts heading into the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway?
“I’m ready to keep building on the momentum that the No. 22 team has had for the past two weeks. We have accomplished a lot of our goals including our first win (at Pocono Raceway) and our first pole (award) last weekend at Michigan (International Speedway). It should be an exciting race and we will hopefully leave Bristol (Motor Speedway) with another solid finish as we fight for the championship.”
Does the short week leading up to Bristol Motor Speedway change your preparation?
“Not really, if anything the short week makes me even more excited to go racing. This season we have dealt with multi-week gaps between races and I’m excited to be able to have two races that are back-to-back.”
