Richard Childress Racing Event Preview: Richmond International Raceway
Race: Federated Auto Parts 400
Location: Richmond International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR at RIR … Richard Childress has eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories as a car owner at Richmond International Raceway – five with Dale Earnhardt, two with Kevin Harvick and one with Clint Bowyer. Additionally, in 132 starts at the Richmond, Va.-based, RCR drivers have claimed 33 top-five and 60 top-10 finishes at RIR. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 17.2 average starting position, a 14.9 average finishing position, has completed 49,690 of the 52,704 contested laps (94.3 percent) and has collectively led 3,229 laps around the 0.75-mile race track.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,240 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has earned 100 wins, 433 top-five finishes, 902 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.8 among all races contested. RCR has earned six Sprint Cup Series championships with 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 25 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched six top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 21,778 of 22,202 total laps (98.1 percent) with drivers Jeff Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 284 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Harvick ranks ninth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 72 markers out of the top spot, and is locked into the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Menard now sits 15th in the point standings and is mathematically eligible to secure a Wild Card position, while Burton is 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 Federated Auto Parts 400 begins Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 26th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series will be broadcast live on ESPN2 on Friday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Moen/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Moen/Menards Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 380 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the Federated Auto Parts 400. This No. 27 Chevrolet was utilized at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July where Menard earned a 14th-place finish after starting from the eighth position.
Menard at Richmond … In 11 starts at RIR, Menard has been running at the conclusion of each contested race and has completed 97.3 percent of his laps (4,291 of 4,410). He has an average starting position of 27.6 and an average finishing position of 27.5 with his best finish of 13th coming in this year’s April event. Menard posted his best start at the 0.75-mile tri-oval in his September 2010 visit to the Richmond, Va.-based facility when he took the green flag in the seventh position. He has recorded three top-five and five top-10 finishes and led for 160 laps at RIR in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 25 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 15th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 59 points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot on the merit of seven top-10 and 15 top-15 finishes. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 16.2, an average finishing position of 14.3, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.129, and has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (6,844 of 6,864), the fourth-best of all drivers.
Wild Card Contender … On the heels of three consecutive top-10 finishes, Menard and the No. 27 Moen/Menards Chevrolet team remain in contention for a Wild Card spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup as they travel to Richmond this weekend. Menard is scheduled to participate in the Wild Card Contenders Media Availability at RIR on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Paul Menard LIVE for Chevy Q&A … Fans can participate in a question-and-answer session with Menard on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 3:45 p.m. ET at the Chevy Stage, located in the merchandise area.
Race Rewind … After starting from the 15th position, the Moen/Menards team had their 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup hopes dashed when contact with a competitor forced the No. 27 Chevrolet into the outside wall. Menard and the No. 27 RCR team repaired the heavily damaged car and returned to finish 34th in the Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
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In the Rearview Mirror: Atlanta Motor Speedway … Menard and the Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet team started from the 18th position and overcame handling issues early in Sunday’s AdvoCare 500 to finish eighth under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
Richmond International Raceway is very different from the other two short tracks at which the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competes. How would you describe the difference to the race fans?
“Richmond (International Raceway) is a three-quarter mile short track, but it races like a track much bigger than that. You carry a lot of speed into turn one, you get hard on the brakes and then the groove opens up as you exit turn two and you can run where your car wants to run. You don’t have to stick to the bottom of the race track; you can run the middle and three-quarters of the way up the track.”
You finished 13th at Richmond International Raceway in April of this season, which is your best NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finish there. Is there something that you and the No. 27 team have finally figured out?
“It’s like every weekend. You unload the car on Friday morning and you have a sense of what direction your weekend is going to go. Last time when we were at Richmond (International Raceway), we had the throttle stick during practice and we wrecked our primary car. Fortunately, we had a really good backup car prepared. Who knows what could have happened if we had been able to get another practice session in with that car to tune it in a little more. We ran a solid race and left with a top-15 finish.”
What does it feel like to have a throttle stick in a Sprint Cup Series car?
“You just do what you can to get the car slowed down and stopped with minimal damage if possible.”
What have you done to learn and get better at Richmond International Raceway?
“As a team, we keep working to find a package that works at Richmond (International Raceway). What works at Richmond, doesn’t work at Bristol (Motor Speedway) or at Loudon (New Hampshire Motor Speedway). It’s our job to figure out that unique package. I’ve run well there in a NASCAR Nationwide Series car, but the Sprint Cup Series car is a different animal. So, I continue to figure out what the (NSCS) car needs so that we can run up front.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 320 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 400. This former No. 33 racer was transformed into a No. 29 entry during the off-season and has been was utilized at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June (started 12th, finished eighth) and Martinsville Speedway in April (started second, finished 19th).
Just the Stats … This weekend’s event at Richmond International Raceway marks Harvick’s 420th Sprint Cup Series career start. During the last 11 seasons, the 36-year-old driver has made 23 starts at the 0.75-mile tri-oval and has collected two wins (fall 2006 and fall 2011), six top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. Harvick maintains a 16.7 average starting position, an average finishing position of 11.8, has completed 98.7 percent (9,086 of 9,302) of laps contested and is credited with 942 laps led.
Going for a Loop in Richmond … Harvick has made 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Richmond, Va.-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has spent 5,525 Laps in the Top 15 and has made 488 Quality Passes, which ranks him first in each category. Harvick ranks second in Laps Led (895) and Fastest Drivers Early In a Run (119.474 mph). The RCR veteran driver has earned a Driver Rating of 111.6 ranking him third amongst his fellow competitors. Harvick also ranks third in Average Running Position (7.404), Fastest Laps Run (421), Fastest on Restarts (117.458 mph) and Green Flag Speed (116.590 mph).
In The Chase … With 25 point-paying events in the books, Harvick clinched a position in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and ranks ninth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. Throughout the 2012 season, Harvick has collected four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, completing 99.75 percent (6,691 of 6,674) of the laps contested.
Double Duty … In addition to competing in the Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday evening, Harvick will also drive RCR’s No. 33 Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event Friday night. The race is scheduled to air live on ESPN beginning at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The Last Time By: Defending Race Winner … After starting the 2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 from the seventh position, Harvick edged out Carl Edwards by 0.139-seconds to take the checkered flag and the No. 29 team to Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway, claiming his fourth win of the 2011 season.
In the Rearview Mirror: Atlanta Motor Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 Rheem team captured a fifth-place finish, and clinched a spot in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, after leading 101 laps while battling a tight-handling condition in the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday night.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES: You head into the race at Richmond International Raceway already locked into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. How does that change your outlook on the race this weekend?
“It definitely takes the pressure off of us as a team. Knowing that we are already locked into the Chase (for the NASCAR Sprint Cup), we’ll be able to race harder, take a few chances and direct our focus on getting that first win of the season.”
You are the defending race winner, and both of your wins at Richmond International Raceway have come during the fall event. Does that make you feel more confident about your chances of getting your first win of the season this weekend?
“Richmond (International Raceway) is a good track for me in general. Since I started racing, it seems I’ve been successful on the flatter-type race tracks; they really seem to fit my driving style. On paper, this is one of our best tracks. Over the past two weeks our team has really been stepping up our game and avoiding big mistakes. As long as we stay focused, avoid mistakes and make the right calls, we should have a shot to get the Budweiser Chevrolet back to Victory Lane.”
Do you approach Richmond International Speedway as more of a short track or a speedway?
“It really is a little of both, but I look at it with a short-track mindset. There is more contact at Richmond (International Speedway) than you have at a bigger track. I think sometimes drivers use the short track as an excuse to beat and bang, but as tight as the racing is there, it’s hard to not have incidental contact.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 382 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 400. This No. 31 Chevrolet was utilized in February at Phoenix International Raceway where engine issues thwarted Burton’s top-five run and relegated him to a 33rd-place finish. This car also raced at Richmond International Raceway in May where an on-track incident knocked Burton and the No. 31 team out of contention, forcing them to settle for a 31st-place finish. Burton most recently piloted this machine to a 21st-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.
Career Richmond Stats … Burton grew up two hours away from the Richmond, Va.-based facility in South Boston, Va. The Federated Auto Parts 400 marks Burton’s 37th start at the 0.75-mile facility and 645th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed one win, nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes along with one pole award at the historic track.
Getting Loopy in the “Old Dominion State” … Burton has garnered impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Richmond International Raceway since the inception of NASCAR Loop Data Statistics in 2006. Of all drivers entering the 400-mile event, he has the eighth-most Green Flag Passes (734), the 13th-most Quality Passes (342), the 11th-best Average Running Position (15.61) and has spent 3,570 Laps in the Top 15, ranking him 10th amongst his competitors.
No Stranger to Victory Lane … Burton has made three trips to Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway,
winning in the Sprint Cup Series in September 1998 and in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in June 1998 and
September 2000.
Featured Cat Dealer … Based in Salem, Va., Carter Machinery will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Richmond International Raceway’s weekend event. Since 1952, Carter Machinery has had a hand in the success of numerous construction, mining, forestry and industrial operations throughout their assigned territories. They’ve grown to be one of the leading Caterpillar dealers in the United States with over 20 locations and 1,100 employees. Carter’s technicians, technical advisors, salespeople and support staff have an old-fashioned devotion to doing the job right, because they know a solid reputation is built one satisfied customer at a time.
Team Chevy … Burton is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy stage in the RIR display area on Saturday, September 8 at 3:20 p.m. Eastern Time.
Race Rewind: Atlanta Motor Speedway … Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team battled to a 12th-place finish in the AdvoCare 500 under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway after starting from the 26th position
Points Racing … Burton sits 20th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. After 25 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 2,197 laps running in the top 15 and has made 2,359 green-flag passes.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
Some drivers call Richmond International Raceway the “perfect track.” Do you agree?
“I think it is an awesome track. I don’t know how you can build a better track. You can run any kind of car series on that track. It is the perfect size. Some of the tracks we visit are too big. This track is the perfect mix of size and banking. It is a very difficult race track to beat.”
Talk about your last few trips to Richmond International Raceway.
“Our finishes at Richmond (International Raceway) the last few races haven’t represented how strong our cars were there. There have been a few races were we have had fast race cars and silly things happen. The track is different every time we go there. We’ve seen some teams get hot at Richmond and consistently run good, but eventually they find themselves behind again. For whatever reason, the track is always changing.”
Why has Richmond International Raceway become a one-groove race track recently?
“The thing about Richmond (International Raceway) is that is has narrowed. We used to go there and have multi-groove racing, but not in the last few years. It was better multi-grooved in my opinion. You need that second groove. We just haven’t had it for whatever reason. I’ve asked NASCAR and track officials to go back to the Sawyer family to ask what they used to seal the track because they had a way of creating that second groove. The quality of racing was better with a second groove.”
Race: Virginia 528 College Savings 250
Location: Richmond International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes:
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Richmond International Raceway … Richard Childress Racing has earned five wins at Richmond International Raceway in the Nationwide Series with drivers Clint Bowyer (May 2007) and Kevin Harvick (September 2006, May 2006, September 2005 and May 2003). The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has three pole awards (Jeff Burton in September 2008, and Kevin Harvick in September 2003 and April 2012), 16 top-five finishes and 27 top-10 finishes in 48 starts.
Averages … RCR boasts an average starting position of 11.5 and a 13th-place average finishing position of 13th place among all Nationwide Series races the organization has competed in at Richmond International Raceway. RCR drivers have completed 95.2 percent of the laps attempted at the track with 1,157 laps led.
The Season So Far … In the 24 races contested this season, RCR has earned five wins in the Nationwide Series, with Elliott 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, Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway, and Dillon at Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. The organization has 32 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes and has led 1,341 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 838 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, RCR has earned 61 wins, 282 top-five finishes, 465 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 Burton and Scott 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 Richmond International Raceway 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/OfficialKevinHarvick.
Live on ESPN … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 is scheduled to be televised on ESPN beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Sept. 7 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 Richmond International Raceway … 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. The event at Richmond International Raceway marks the seventh time the No. 2 team will utilize this chassis. Three of the four wins the OneMain Financial team earned thus far this season came with this Chevrolet, including Phoenix International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway in March and Iowa Speedway in August. The team also competed with this chassis at Richmond International Speedway in April with a sixth-place finish, the May running at Iowa Speedway with the pole award a second-place finish, and the August event at Bristol Motor Speedway with a fifth-place finish.
Ol’ Virginia … Sadler heads to Richmond International Raceway this weekend with more starts at the 0.75-mile track than any other on the Nationwide Series circuit. With 18 starts, Sadler has notched two top-five and six top-10 finishes with 58 laps led and a best finish of second in 2005. The OneMain Financial driver also has 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the track with one top 10 finish. In addition, he has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at RIR.
Home Sweet Home … This weekend serves as a home race for Sadler and his family. Hailing from nearby Emporia, Va., Sadler grew up attending races at the 0.75-mile track as a kid with his father Herman.
Last Time By … Under the lights at Richmond International Raceway in April, Sadler and the OneMain Financial team battled a loose-handling condition to bring home a sixth-place finish in front of his hometown crowd.
Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Average Mid-Race Position (6.5), Average Finishing Position(7.2),Average Running Position(7.2), Quality Passes(991), Laps in the Top 15(4,011)and Percentage of laps in the Top 15(96.0). After 24 events in the Nationwide Series season, Sadler has earned four wins, three pole awards, 11 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes with 251 laps led.
To the Point … Sadler remains atop the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, leading Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by 12 points.
Meet Sadler … Fans will have the opportunity to meet Sadler on Friday, September 7 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time at the Nationwide Series autograph session, located at the amphitheater beneath the Commonwealth Tower at Richmond International Raceway.
Alert the Media … Sadler will field questions from members of the media on Friday, Sept. 7 at 11:50 a.m. ET in the Richmond International Raceway media center.
Race Rewind: Atlanta … Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team brought home a fourth-place finish under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway, notching the team’s 11th top five of the season.
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 benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information, visit www.sadlerfoundation.org.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Richmond International Raceway?
“I say this every year, but there is no place I would rather win than Richmond International Raceway. It is my home track, and I have so many memories there as a fan and as a driver. My family and friends have had tickets to the track for years, and we always have a great time with a cookout at the motorcoach. There is nothing I want more than to be able to bring home a win for the OneMain Financial team at Richmond, and be able to share it with all of my friends and family.”
You have a lot of experience at Richmond International Raceway. What is your favorite memory there?
“I honestly think the best memory I have at RIR wasn’t when I was driving. When I was a kid, I had the opportunity to be there to watch the track be torn down as a half-mile track for the reconfiguration as a 0.75-mile track. It was a cool experience to be there with my dad and watch the bulldozers begin the transformation of the track to what we know it as today. I’m hoping to replace that as my top memory this weekend with a win.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 116 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Dillon led 53 laps in this Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway in August before recording a 15th-place finish after making an unscheduled pit stop under green-flag conditions for a vibration.
Dillon at Richmond International Raceway … Dillon started third and ran in the top five for much of the Nationwide Series race at RIR in April, ultimately finishing ninth after developing a loose-handling condition following the final round of pit stops in the race. He made his Nationwide Series debut at the 0.75-mile track in September 2008, driving the No. 21 Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma Chevrolet to a 26th-place finish after starting from the 31st position.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Dillon has completed 95.60 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, ranking him second among all competitors. The Nationwide Series rookie has completed 89.3 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him third and is ranked third in the Fastest Laps Run category with 296 laps so far this season. He maintains a Driver Rating of 102.4, ranking him fourth, has an Average Running Position of 9.296 in the season’s 23 contested Nationwide Series races, ranking him fourth, has the fifth-fastest Speed in Traffic and has 283 Laps Led this season, ranking him fifth. He has the fifth-fastest Green Flag Speed, is sixth-Fastest on Restarts, ranks sixth in Quality Passes with 878, is the sixth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and is the seventh-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 37 points. The Welcome, N.C., driver currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
Spark your Engines … Dillon and the RCR team will sport the colors of award-winning premier health and wellness company AdvoCare on the No. 3 Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway. AdvoCare offers nutrition, weight loss, energy and sports performance products of the highest quality developed through comprehensive research and backed by a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Dillon trains with AdvoCare products throughout the week and is a distributor as well. For more information about Dillon’s favorite products, including Spark, Rehydrate, meal replacement bars and Post-Workout Recovery, visit .
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy display in the Richmond International Raceway Midway area at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 7.
Play Ball! … In conjunction with partner American Ethanol, Dillon is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball game on Wednesday, September 5 at 7 p.m. ET. Prior to the game, Dillon will participate in batting practice with the team and throw some balls in the bullpen with relief pitcher Drew Storen. On Thursday morning, September 6, Dillon will return the favor by driving Storen and other members of the Nationals team around Richmond International Raceway in a Chevrolet Camaro SS to give them a taste of NASCAR. Dillon was an avid baseball player as a child and participated in the Little League World Series in 2002.
Fantasy Football … Dillon and other drivers from the RCR lineup, along with select media members, other celebrities and race fans, participated in the inaugural RCR NFL Fantasy Football draft on Tuesday from 9 – 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Fans can keep track of Dillon’s picks throughout the season on SiriusXM Radio Fantasy Channel, as the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet is scheduled to be a regular contributor to the RotoeXperts Show on the Fantasy Channel throughout the NFL season.
Atlanta Motor Speedway Recap … Dillon drove the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet to a sixth-place finish in the NRA American Warriors 300 Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, securing the team’s 18th top-10 finish of the 2012 season. Dillon started the 300-mile race from the ninth position and struggled with a loose-handling condition until the first round of green-flag pit stops on lap 48 afforded the team an opportunity to make sweeping air pressure and chassis adjustments to correct the handling issues.Dillon raced to as high as third in the field but dropped to sixth in the closing laps following a hard charge from teams with fresher tires.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What do you think about Richmond International Raceway?
“We learned a lot at Richmond International Raceway in April that I think will be helpful this weekend. The biggest thing is that we have a notebook now. My crew chief, Danny Stockman, is one of the best there is at studying and building a notebook to prepare for races. That, combined with me getting more experience and logging some laps at Richmond in the Spring race, will help our No. 3 AdvoCare team perform well this weekend. For me, the best thing about Richmond International Raceway is that it’s similar to Iowa Speedway, a track where I have logged a lot of laps at. It’s a fun track because you really slide around.”
Talk about your dynamic with Elliott Sadler coming down the last stretch of races. He’s trying to go for the championship as well; how has that dynamic been working out for you as you get closer to him in the points?
“Well, you know, we are a team here at RCR and we have been working together, sharing information, just like we have from the start. You know, some weeks Elliot is faster than I am and we might use his setups; and some weeks, he might use our setups. 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. We’ve been racing hard all year and what we’re here to do is to try and win a championship and bring it home to RCR. I think there are four players in this championship. There are four guys out there that are very strong and can get it done, and two of those players are from the RCR stable with Elliott and me both in contention. It’s going to get wild.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 33 Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 106 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Built new for competition in 2012, Harvick raced this RCR Chevrolet to a ninth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in March, a third-place finish at Richmond International Raceway in April and a fourth-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.
Three In a Row … The two-time Nationwide Series champion will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Chevrolet for a third consecutive week in the Nationwide Series event Richmond International Raceway. The 250-lap event marks Harvick’s 288th career Nationwide Series start and the 11th of 14 scheduled appearances of the 2012 season. In his first 10 Nationwide Series races with RCR in 2012, Harvick has earned six top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
Racing in the Old Dominion State … Harvick will make his 23rd Nationwide Series appearance at the Richmond, Va.-based facility Saturday night. In 22 previous starts at the 0.75-mile tri-oval, the Bakersfield, Calif., native has captured five wins (spring 2003, fall 2005, spring and fall 2006 and fall 2010), 14 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes and three pole awards (fall 2003, fall 2010 and spring 2012). Harvick maintains an 8.6 average starting position, 7.2 average finishing position, has completed 5,506 of 5,513 (99.9 percent) of the laps contested and is credited with 948 laps led.
In the Loop … Since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006, Harvick has competed in 14 Nationwide Series events at Richmond International Raceway. In those 14 starts, the RCR veteran driver has collected impressive statistics and leads his fellow competitors in Fastest Laps Run (370) and Laps Led (803). Harvick maintains a 118.4 Driver Rating and has spent 3,111 Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second in both categories. The 36-year-old driver is the third-fastest Driver Late In a Run (119.908 mph) and ranks third in Green Flag Speed (117.785 mph). Harvick also ranks fourth in Fastest Driver Early In a Run (119.908 mph) and fifth in Average Running Position (7.445), Green Flag Passes (337) and Speed In Traffic (117.089 mph).
To the Points … The No. 33 RCR Chevrolet team sits seventh in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, 77 points behind the No. 18 team in the lead. The No. 33 team has earned nine top-five and 16 top-10 finishes between six different drivers (Ty Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard, Max Papis and Tony Stewart) thus far this season.
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Double Duty … In addition to competing in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250Friday evening, Harvick will also drive RCR’s No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Series Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday night. The race is scheduled to air live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
In the Rearview Mirror: Atlanta Motor Speedway … Harvick and the No. 33 Bad Boy Buggies team brought home a disappointing third-place finish in the NRA American Warriors 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway after leading 157 laps and dominating the 300-mile event Saturday night.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on returning to Richmond International Raceway the Nationwide Series?
“We had a good run at Richmond (International Raceway) in the spring and I’ve had a lot of success there in the past. Richmond is a flat track that really fits my driving style. This is also the third consecutive weekend that I’ve driven the No. 33 Nationwide Series car for Richard Childress Racing, we’ve been competitive each week and I think we have a great chance to get the Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet in Victory Lane Friday night.”
Ty Dillon
No. 51 WESCO Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s WESCO Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 115 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in Friday’s Virginia College Savings 250. This Chevrolet was the same RCR Chevrolet Dillon drove to a third-place finish in the inaugural Nationwide Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.
First Timer … Although Dillon has yet to make any laps at Richmond International Raceway, he has 13 starts on tracks less than one-mile in length earning three victories, four pole awards, nine top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
Nationwide Racing … Most recently, Dillon competed in the inaugural Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July where he started third and finished in the third position. The 20-year-old driver made his Nationwide Series debut at Dover International Speedway in June, earning an eighth-place finish in the No. 33 Chevrolet after starting from the third position.
Welcome to the Family, WESCO … Dillon and the No. 51 team will sport the colors of WESCO Distribution this weekend for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway. WESCO Distribution is a leading full-line wholesale distributor of electrical, industrial, utility and data communications products and advanced supply chain procurement services. The Pittsburgh -based company develops strong, enduring relationships with leading-edge regional, national and global organizations in a variety of markets and industries including: construction, education, government, healthcare and industrial manufacturers.
Takin’ a Break … Before heading to Richmond International Raceway, Dillon will join sponsor WESCO and their partners, for a friendly competition at a local go-kart track in Richmond on Thursday, Sept. 6.
Meet the Driver … Prior to competing in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250, Dillon is schedule to participate in the Nationwide Series autograph session at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, Sept. 7 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Dillon is also scheduled to make an appearance at the Nationwide Insurance display in the RIR fan display area at 5:40 p.m. ET. He will participate in a question-and-answer session and sign autographs for fans.
Nationwide Series Rewind: Indianapolis … Dillon and the No. 51 WESCO team qualified in the third position for the inaugural Nationwide Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July. The Welcome, N.C., native would remain a fixture in the top-five for the first portion of the 100-lap affair but slipped to the 10th position just passed the halfway mark when another competitor spun in front of Dillon. After confirmation from the spotter’s stand that the No. 51 Chevrolet sustained minimal damage, Dillon was instructed to remain on track. With 12 laps remaining in the event, Dillon drove the No. 51 racer into the top five and passed two additional cars en route to a third-place finish in his second-career Nationwide Series race.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You qualified and finished third in your last NASCAR Nationwide Series event. What are your expectations for this weekend’s race at Richmond International Raceway?
“I have high hopes going into Richmond (International Raceway) this weekend. The same team that was at Indianapolis (Motor Speedway) will be there this weekend working on the WESCO Chevrolet. We know we can qualify and finish well. It’s just a matter of working hard and putting forth 100 percent to do it again this weekend.”
