Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Chicagoland Speedway & Iowa Speedway
Race: GEICO 400
Location: Chicagoland Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR in the Windy City … Richard Childress is tied for second place for number of car owner victories at Chicagoland Speedway with two wins out of the 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. Kevin Harvick scored back-to-back wins for RCR in the 2001 and 2002 Tropicana 400. In 35 starts at the 1.5-mile suburban Chicago tri-oval, Richard Childress Racing teams have combined for eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes with ten different drivers including Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Robby Gordon, Jeff Green, Harvick, Casey Mears, Paul Menard, Steve Park and Mike Skinner.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,243 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 433 top-five finishes, 904 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 26 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched six top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 22,976 of 23,402 total laps (98.2 percent) with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 284 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway,Harvick will represent RCR in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. His record of four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes so far this season seeds him ninth, 12 points out of the top spot, as the top-12 drivers battle it out for the Sprint Cup Series driver championship title over the next 10 events, starting this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Menard currently sits 17th in the point standings, while Burton is now ranked 19th.
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 … ESPN’s live coverage of the GEICO 400 begins Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 27th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series will be broadcast live on SPEED on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Libman/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Libman/Menards Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 371 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the GEICO 400. This Chevrolet was utilized as a No. 29 racer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July where RCR teammate Kevin Harvick drove it to a 13th-place finish, and was used in 2011 competition as the No. 33 entry at Texas Motor Speedway (November-finished ninth), Kansas Speedway (October-finished seventh) and Chicagoland Speedway (September-finished seventh).
Sweet home, Chicago … Located only six hours from his hometown of Eau Claire, Wis., Chicagoland Speedway is the closest “home track” that Menard visits on the Sprint Cup Series schedule. In five previous starts at Chicagoland, he has completed 86.8 percent of his laps (1,159 of 1,335). Menard holds an average starting position of 16.2 and an average finishing position of 26.6 with his best finish of 10th coming in the July 2010 NSCS race at the 1.5-mile oval. Menards best start at Chicagoland was last season, when he took the green flag from the second position.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 26 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 17th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings 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 16.6, a 15th-place average finishing position, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.351, and has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (7,242 of 7,264), the fourth-best of all drivers.
Meet Menard … Menard is scheduled to meet with fans and sign autographs at the Menards in Morris, Ill. on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 8-9 p.m. Eastern Time (7-8 p.m. Central Time). The home improvement store is located at 500 Menard Drive, Morris, Ill.
Double Duty Weekend … In addition to his driving duties with RCR’s No. 27 team, Menard will drive the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet in Saturday’s 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland. The race will air live on ESPN beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Race Rewind … After inclement weather postponed the first race in the Chase for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup to the following day, Menard and the Zecol/Menards team started the GEICO 400 from the second position and were a mainstay in the top 10 until a fuel mileage gamble left the No. 27 Chevrolet one lap shy of the fuel needed to take the checkered flag under full power, forcing the team to coast to a 20th-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway.
About Libman … For over 110 years, the Libman family has made quality their utmost priority. William Libman started The Libman Company in 1896 with one mission; to make the finest, most durable wire-wound corn brooms. William’s sons, grandsons and great grandchildren have since expanded that mission to include the finest mops, brooms, brushes and cleaning tools. For more information on Libman, please visit www.libman.com.
In the Rearview Mirror: Richmond International Raceway … Menard and the No. 27 Moen/Menards Chevrolet team were plagued with handling issues throughout the 400-lap race that extended into the early Sunday morning hours under the lights of Richmond International Raceway, resulting in a 23rd-place finish.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You’ve qualified well recently at Chicagoland Speedway; what does it take to get around there fast?
“There’s no trick to it. You need to bring a fast car to Chicagoland Speedway. You do the best you can during the week, and when you unload on Friday morning, you hope that what you did to prepare was the right thing.”
You finished in the 20th position in last year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. What do you remember about that event?
“I honestly don’t remember that much about the race. It was pretty uneventful. Since we were out of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, we were going for wins in those final 10 races and we took a gamble on fuel mileage that cost us on the final lap.”
How much different is the racing at Chicagoland Speedway compared to its sister track, Kansas Speedway?
“The groove at Chicagoland (Speedway) is a little wider right now than it has been in years past. It seems like it keeps getting wider. Kansas Speedway was recently repaved, so we don’t know how that will race now. The old Kansas and Chicagoland were very similar. There’s a little more banking and it’s a little faster at Chicagoland. The backstretch there is slightly curved, but it doesn’t affect the car a lot. You’re turning left, but you’re not turning left much. It’s still a straightaway.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 396 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s GEICO 400. Built new for competition during the 2012 season, this RCR racer was utilized by Austin Dillon at Michigan International Speedway where he captured a 24th-place finish in his lone 2012 Sprint Cup Series start and by Harvick at Pocono Raceway in August where he finished 14th.
Just the Stats … This weekend’s event at Chicagoland Speedway marks Harvick’s 421st career start in the Sprint Cup Series and 11th at the 1.5-mile track Since 2001, the 36-year-old driver has collected two wins (2001 and 2002), six top-five and seven top-10 finishes at Chicagoland Speedway. Harvick maintains a 17.4 average starting position, an average finishing position of 10.4, has completed 99.4 percent (2,923 of 2,940) of laps contested and is credited with 282 laps led.
Going for a Loop in the Windy City … Harvick has made seven Sprint Cup Series starts at the Joliet, Ill.-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The Bakersfield, Calif., native ranks third in Speed in Traffic (167.657 mph) and Fastest Driver Late in a Run (167.206 mph). Harvick has spent 1,361 Laps in the Top 15 and averages a Green Flag Speed of 168.538 mph positioning him fourth in each category. The RCR driver has the fifth-fastest Average Running Position (11.246) and has earned a Driver Rating of 98.5 positioning him fifth amongst his fellow competitors.
Designate a Driver … Harvick’s No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet will feature a special “Designate a Driver” paint scheme this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in support of Anheuser-Busch’s worldwide effort to promote the responsible enjoyment of the company’s beers with “Global Be(er) Responsible Day.” Friday, Sept. 21, will mark 30 years of Anheuser-Busch’s leadership in alcohol responsibility. Anheuser-Busch employees will canvas street corners, place signs in their yards and visit restaurants, bars and grocery stores to spread the message. Adults are encouraged to join Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver team in the Nation of Responsible drinkers by taking the pledge a www.NationOfResponsibleDrinkers.com.
The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Begins … Sunday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway kicks off the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Harvick starts the Chase seeded ninth in the standings. He’s 12 points back from the top spot and just six markers out of the top five.
Chase Across America … As the top 12 drivers head to different markets this week as part of NASCAR’s “Chase Across America” program, Harvick will visit Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Tuesday, Sept. 11 to help promote next month’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500. After “Painting Talladega Pink” he will travel to Chicago where he and the other Chase for The Sprint Cup drivers will participate in media interviews and the NASCAR Contenders Live fan event on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Chicago House of Blues. Fans can purchase tickets to the event for $10, with proceeds benefiting the NASCAR Foundation. SPEED will air a special one-hour television broadcast of the event on Thursday, Sept.13 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. For additional information, please visit NASCAR.com/ContendersLive.
Meet the Driver … Race fans in the Chicagoland Speedway area can meet Harvick on Thursday, Sept. 13 at Dominick’s Grocery Store, located at 19965 S. LaGrange Road, in Frankfort, Ill., from 5:30 – 7 p.m. ET (4:30 – 6 p.m. Central Time). Fans can contact the store for more details on wristband distribution. Harvick will also make an appearance at Chicagoland Speedway’s Turn 4 Club for a fan question-and-answer session Sunday, Sept.16, at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT). Fans can purchase tickets to see Harvick at www.chicagolandspeedway.com or by calling 815.722.5500.
Kevin’s Krew … Harvick will host a group of children from the George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club for the sixth scheduled Kevin’s Krew at-track events Saturday at Chicagoland Speedway during the NASCAR Nationwide Series event. Kevin’s Krew is an at-track outreach program for youth supported by the Kevin Harvick Foundation intended to expose kids to the fast world of racing. These children see by example that hard work, following your dreams and leading a drug-free lifestyle can be very rewarding. The kids in attendance will get a behind the scenes look at different professions in motorsports, ranging from pit crew jobs to merchandising careers. By attending a Kevin’s Krew event, the students are given the hope that helps them to stay focused and work hard, despite any social and/or economical misfortunes.
The Last Time By … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team earned a runner-up finish in the 2011, rain-delayed, GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway after starting the race from the 30th position.
In the Rearview Mirror: Richmond International Raceway … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team brought home a 10th-place finish in the rain-delayed Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway Saturday night. The Richard Childress Racing driver started the 400-lap event from the 13th position and alerted his crew he was battling a loose-handling condition as he traveled around the 0.75-mile race track during the early laps of the final race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Harvick worked his way to as high as the fourth position following a 51-minute mid-race rain delay, but continued to battle the loose-handling issue and ultimately crossed the finish line 10th.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
Thirty years ago Anheuser-Busch launched the company’s first national responsible drinking campaign. What does it mean to you to carry the “Designate a Driver” message on your No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway?
“First of all I think it’s a privilege to drink a Budweiser and I think we all share the responsibility. I think Anheuser-Busch recognized that there’s a huge responsibility that comes with drinking. To carry the Designate a Driver scheme on the car at Chicagoland (Speedway), I look at it as something that sends a great message to the people in the grandstands and on TV to drink responsibly, because it is a privilege to drink. Anytime you are drinking you need to designate a driver and do it responsibly.”
How do you guys attack the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup this year?
“We don’t have anything to lose. The last few years we’ve been expected to race for a championship. This year the expectations are low going in because of the mediocre year we’ve had. Even though we’ve had a mediocre year, we’re still here talking about being in the Chase and racing for a championship so I think that says a lot about the team and the organization, and just getting in there and making the most out of our days.”
What are your thoughts going into this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup?
“It’s all about momentum. In this sport we’ve seen it and in other sports we’ve seen it. We saw it with Tony (Stewart) last year. We just don’t know. We don’t know how it’s all going to turn out. We’ve got to go race some races and I know I feel a lot better about where we are the last few weeks than I did three months ago.”
Are there any unknowns for you with tracks coming up that we’ve haven’t raced at this year?
“Well, I feel like even though the year hasn’t gone the way we wanted it to, at the beginning we ran decent. We ran well at Dover (International Speedway) and decent at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Charlotte (Motor Speedway). There are a lot of tracks in the Chase (for the NASCAR Sprint Cup) that we have a pretty good notebook for. Hopefully when we apply some of the things that we feel like we needed to do different over the last few weeks, everything will keep clicking and we’ll keep moving forward. Everybody’s confidence is up right now and we know that things are getting back to the way they need to be.”
What is more important to you – consistency or wins?
“You don’t know how this whole thing is going to play out. You don’t go in expecting to win five races and win the (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver) championship, so it’s one of those deals where it could be a Chase where someone does that again or it could be a Chase where someone goes and has top five finishes every week and doesn’t make a mistake and wins the championship. You’ve got to get into it and see how it all plays out.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 367 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend. This No. 31 Chevrolet has been utilized three times this season at Kansas Speedway in April (started-12th, finished-22nd), Pocono Raceway in June (started-20th, finished-15th) and Michigan International Speedway in August (started-32nd, finished-19th).
Career Chicago Stats … The GEICO 400 marks Burton’s 12th start at the 1.5-mile facility and 646th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed one top-five and four top-10 finishes along with one pole award (2006) at the track while leading 60 laps.
Getting Loopy in the Windy City … Burton has garnered impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Chicagoland Speedway since the inception of NASCAR Loop Data Statistics in 2006. Of all drivers entering the 400-mile event, he has the seventh-most Green Flag Passes (386), 140 Quality Passes (passes made while running in the top 15) and has spent 832 Laps in the Top 15.
Featured Cat Dealer … Altorfer Inc. will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Chicagoland Speedway’s weekend event. Altorfer Inc. has been serving customers in the Midwest since being founded in 1957 by Ed Altorfer. Representing Caterpillar with 22 locations in 15 cities and over 720 employees, Altorfer Inc. serves 88 counties across Eastern Iowa, Northern Missouri and Central Illinois. They offer sales, rental, parts and expert service for all their equipment lines. Among the industries they serve are construction, agriculture, landscaping and trades, manufacturing, material handling, mining, government, trucking and power generation.
Special Guest … Burton has been added to the Chicagoland Speedway fan hospitality lineup on Saturday, Sept. 15. He will have a question-and-answer session with fans prior to the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola with Ryan Newman in the Checkered Flag Fan Zone. Located just outside the main entrance, the Checkered Flag Fan Zone provides race fans with a unique hospitality opportunity to enhance their race day experience. In addition to behind the scenes driver access and a full buffet meal in a climate-controlled tent with unlimited soda, water and three beer tickets (must be 21 years of age or older), fans will also have access to self guided pit tours, music, entertainment and prizes. Tickets to the Checkered Flag Fan Zone are as low as $99 for Nationwide Series event and $129 on Sunday, Sept. 16 for the Sprint Cup Series event. For tickets, call 1-888-629-RACE (7223).
Race Rewind: Top-10 Finish in Richmond … Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team persevered through the rain-delayed Sprint Cup Series race under the lights at Richmond International Raceway and brought home a sixth-place finish in the Federated Auto Parts 400.
Points Racing … Burton sits 19th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. After 26 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has two top-five and five top-10 finishes. The veteran RCR driver has spent 2,528 laps running in the top 15 and has made 832 green-flag passes.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on heading to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend?
“Chicagoland Speedway is an up and down track for us. We’ve run well there, but never great. We’ve struggled at 1.5-mile tracks throughout the season, but have made gains and had a good run at Atlanta (Motor Speedway). We are definitely headed in the right direction. While it isn’t our best track, we need to go in this weekend and work on improving our 1.5-mile program.”
The No. 31 team’s 1.5-mile program has progressed over the course of the season. Why is that?
“We are definitely starting to see a consistent improvement with our cars everywhere. It really started at Bristol (Motor Speedway and continued through Atlanta (Motor Speedway) and Richmond (International Raceway). We have put a lot emphasis on the program this year with testing. The rules packages continue to change and it definitely complicates the matter. We ran a certain rules package and NASCAR officials ended up changing it again. Trying to keep up with evolving rules is difficult. We didn’t know some of the things they were approving for other teams and didn’t realize they would allow teams to do that. It was so out of the box from what they normally do and we were shocked when they approved our setup when we submitted it. However, we are back to where we started because NASCAR stopped approving it for all teams. There are a lot of questions this late in the season on what is legal and what isn’t legal which is unusual. We are fighting that a little bit, but it is on us to make it happen.”
Race: Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola
Location: Chicagoland Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes:
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Chicagoland Speedway … In 24 previous Nationwide Series appearances at Chicagoland Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has four wins at the 1.5-mile track, including a victory with Elliott Sadler in July, in addition to wins with Kevin Harvick in 2007 and 2005 and Johnny Sauter in 2002. RCR drivers have completed 95.1 percent of the laps attempted at the track (4,570 of 4,806), with 264 laps led.
The Season So Far … In the 25 races contested this season, RCR has earned six wins in the Nationwide Series, with Elliott Sadler at Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Iowa Speedway, Austin Dillon at Kentucky Speedway and Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway. 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 33 top-five and 57 top-10 finishes and has led 1,496 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 841 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, RCR has earned 62 wins, 283 top-five finishes, 467 top-10 finishes and 40 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.3 and an average finishing position of 12.6 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 Scott Wimmer. To the Point … RCR’s two full-time Nationwide Series entries rank first (Sadler) and third (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into this weekend’s race at Chicagoland Speedway. The No. 2 team sits second in the owner point standings while the No. 3 team ranks fourth. The No. 33 team sits sixth 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 and @AustinDillon3, the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/RCRracing, facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial, facebook.com/austindillon3 and facebook.com/PaulMenard27.
Live on ESPN2 … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Sept. 15 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 Chicagoland Speedway … Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload Chassis No. 104 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend. The is the eighth time the team will utilize this Chevrolet, which includes the victory the No. 2 team earned the last time the Nationwide Series visited Chicagoland Speedway in July. Sadler also earned a pole award and third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 12th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, 24th-place finish at Darlington Raceway, seventh-place finish at Dover International Speedway, 11th-place finish at Michigan International Speedway and fourth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in this Chevrolet.
Chicago Style … In his Nationwide Series career, Sadler has made six starts at Chicagoland Speedway with one win (July 2012), one top-five and two top-10 finishes and 67 laps led. Sadler also brings experience from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at the 1.5-mile track with 10 starts and one top-10 finish.
100 Years … The No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet will sport a special 100-year badge on the hood throughout the month of September. Since 1912, OneMain Financial has helped people across the country with their financial needs. In 2012, OneMain Financial has more than 1,300 branches nationwide, specializing in providing personal loans and customized service.
Home of OneMain Financial … To commemorate OneMain Financial’s 100th year history, Sadler made a special trip the company’s headquarters in Baltimore, Md., earlier this week to visit with employees where the city of Baltimore declared September 10th “OneMain Financial day”. While in town, Sadler also took in the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals Monday Night National Football League game.
Last Time By … After starting the second event at Chicagoland Speedway in 2011 from the fifth position, Sadler drove the OneMain Financial Chevrolet to a sixth-place finish in the 200-lap event.
Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Average Mid-Race Position (6.3), Average Finishing Position (7.4), Average Running Position (7.3), Quality Passes (1,061), Percentage of Quality Passes (72.4), Laps in the Top 15 (4,205) and Percentage of laps in the Top 15 (95.0). After 25 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 one point.
Meet Sadler … Fans will have the opportunity to meet Sadler on Friday, September 14 at 11 a.m. Central Time at the OneMain Financial branch at 3078 Caton Farm Road in Joliet, Ill. In addition, the driver of the No. 2 Chevrolet will also sign autographs on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. ET at the Realtree merchandise hauler at Chicagoland Speedway on behalf of Hunt Brothers Pizza.
Race Rewind: Richmond … After competing in the top five for much of the 250-lap event at Richmond International Raceway last Friday night, Sadler spun late in the race. The OneMain Financial Chevrolet received damage on the right-side and rear of the car, but the No. 2 RCR crew strategically worked to repair the damage under the yellow flag. Sadler worked his way from as far back as the 29th spot during the final laps of the race to finish in the 12th position.
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 Chicagoland Speedway?
“I’m thrilled to head back to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. We are bringing the same car back that we won with in July at the track. I know that the OneMain Financial team is hungry to get back to Victory Lane, and we are going to do everything we can to get there. I always enjoy racing in front of the fans at Chicagoland because they are so passionate about racing.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 118 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola. This is a new Chevrolet that will be utilized for the first time this weekend.
Dillon at Chicagoland Speedway … In July, Dillon started his first Nationwide Series Chicagoland Speedway race from the second position and posted a sixth-place finish after battling a tight-handling condition. The 22-year old driver earned a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at the 1.5-mile track in September 2011 and finished ninth in August 2010.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Dillon has completed 95.84 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, ranking him second among all competitors. The Nationwide Series rookie has completed 89.9 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second and is ranked third in the Fastest Laps Run category with 321 laps so far this season. He maintains a Driver Rating of 103.0, ranking him third, has an Average Running Position of 9.083 in the season’s 24 contested Nationwide Series races, ranking him fourth, has the fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic and has 297 Laps Led this season, ranking him fifth. He has the fifth-fastest Green Flag Speed, is fifth-Fastest on Restarts, ranks sixth in Quality Passes with 893, is the fifth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and is the sixth-fastest Driver Early in a Run.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks third in the 2012 Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing RCR teammate and current point leader Elliott Sadler by 30 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 Chicagoland 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.
Richmond International Raceway Recap … Dillon led 14 laps of the Virginia College Savings 529 at Richmond International Raceway last weekend but developed a tight-handling condition in the center of the corners on the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet, ultimately posting a sixth-place finish.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What do you think about Chicagoland Speedway?
“Chicagoland Speedway is getting pretty rough. The track is building a lot of character and as racers, that’s what you really want to see. It gives you a chance to work on the cars and try and make them turn better than the other drivers around you. It’s very fast. We’ll be out there fighting grip and it will be a fun race.”
How much more pressure is it on the crew going into the second half of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season?
I think we’re sitting in a great spot right now so while there is pressure, we have a lot to look forward to. As a rookie team, we have accomplished so much this year. Anything from this point on is just going to be a bonus. But we don’t look at it that way. We look at it as we want to win a championship. We don’t take just Top 10’s; that’s getting by for us. We want to run up front each and every week. We want to be in the Top three and we want to compete with the Cup guys who come race in the Nationwide Series. Right now, we are visiting several tracks that we have already been to this year so it’s exciting because we have a notebook to work off of. We have already been to Chicagoland Speedway and we earned our first win at Kentucky Speedway, so it will be fun to go to some of those race tracks and go all out for some more wins. There is pressure for us to perform as a team, but we thrive on that pressure and enjoy the challenge. The good thing about the No. 3 team is that we are all racers,have racing backgrounds and enjoy competition.”
Paul Menard
No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 107 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This No. 33 Chevrolet was built new for 2012 competition and was previously driven by Menard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in June and at Michigan International Speedway in August where he earned eighth-place finishes in both events. The 32-year old driver also piloted this chassis at Texas Motor Speedway in April where he started from the pole position and finished second after leading the most laps (100).
By the Numbers in the “Windy City”… In seven Nationwide Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, Menard has three top-10 finishes, completing 84 percent of his laps (1,179 of 1,403). He holds an average starting position of 16.4 coupled with an average finishing position of 17.9. He claimed his best finish of sixth in the 2007 Nationwide Series race with his best start of third in the 2011 Dollar General 300.
A Little Loopy the Last Time Around … Menard posted some top-10 NASCAR Loop Data Statistics with his ninth-place performance at the Joliet, Ill. facility in September 2011. The Eau Claire, Wis., native tied for third in the category Closers (8 positions), ranked seventh in Green Flag Passes (275) and ninth in Laps in the Top 15 (757).
Meet Menard … Menard is scheduled to meet with fans and sign autographs at the Menards in Morris, Ill. on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 8-9 p.m. Eastern Time (7-8 p.m. Central Time). The home improvement store is located at 500 Menard Drive, Morris, Ill.
2012 in the Nationwide Series for Menard … This weekend marks Menard’s fifth of seven scheduled starts in the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for RCR in the 2012 Nationwide Series season. He holds one top-five and four top-10 finishes this season, earning one pole award (Texas Motor Speedway, April) and leading for 137 laps. Menard has a fifth-place average starting position and an average finishing position of 6.5. He will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for his final appearances of the season in two weeks at Dover International Speedway and at Kansas Speedway in October.
Race Rewind: Chicagoland … Menard qualified the No. 33 Chevrolet in the third position for the 200-lap event and competed among the top 10 throughout the day while battling a tight-handling condition before earning a ninth-place result.
Winner, Winner … The No. 33 Chevrolet team and RCR teammate Kevin Harvick visited NASCAR Nationwide Series Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway last weekend. The Ernie Cope-led team has earned 10 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes, holding an average starting position of 5.6 and an average finishing position of 8.4 while leading for a series-high 956 laps so far this season with drivers Ty Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Menard, Max Papis and Tony Stewart.
In the Rearview Mirror: Watkins Glen … Menard started the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet from the third position in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Zippo 200 at The Glen and persevered through battery issues to earn a top-10 finish at Watkins Glen International.
About Rheem … Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) 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, and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You are running in both series this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. How much different is the NASCAR Nationwide Series car compared to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car?
“The Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series cars are very different. There isn’t much that translates between the two. You benefit from the extra track time when you run both series there. It helps you see what the track does when it rubbers up and how it is going to change throughout the race.”
How competitive is the NASCAR Nationwide Series today, now that there are fewer Sprint Cup Series drivers entered each week?
“The Nationwide Series is very competitive. I’d say it may be the best that it has ever been right now. When I started in the Nationwide Series eight years ago, we didn’t have as many Sprint Cup Series guys in it as we did a couple of years ago. I think we’re getting back to that, where the Cup drivers are being weaned out now that we can only accumulate driver championship points in one series. The Nationwide Series is always competitive. It always has been, and always will be.”
Race: American Ethanol 200
Location: Iowa Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes:
RCR at Iowa Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has seven previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Newton, Iowa-based facility, earning one victory with Austin Dillon in 2010, one pole award, three top-five and five top-10 finishes. The organization also boasts an 8.9 average starting position combined with a 7.1 average finishing position at the 0.875-mile track. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 100 percent of their contested laps (1,405 of 1,405) at Iowa Speedway and led for 314 circuits.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 250 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 27 wins, 92 top-five finishes, 156 top-10 finishes and 34 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 9.4 and an average finishing position of 10.2.
Truck Line-up … Tim George Jr. will pilot the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Chevrolet this week at Iowa 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 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team for Saturday’s American Ethanol 200.
Season in Review … Through the first 14 races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired three victories, one at Martinsville Speedway with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel, one with Coulter at Pocono Raceway and most recently, Dillon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. RCR has notched six pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway and Dover International Speedway, George at Kansas Speedway, Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Coulter at Michigan International Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has 11 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes, and has led 550 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With 14 Camping World Truck Series races completed so far in 2012, Dillon is third in the driver championship point standings, nine points behind the leader and Coulter sits in the sixth position, 44 points outside the top spot. RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet team is 10th in the owner championship point standings, utilizing three different drivers (Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George), while the No. 3 team ranks third and the No. 22 team is fifth.
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 Saturday’s American Ethanol 200 is scheduled to be televised live on Saturday, Sept. 15 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Tim George Jr. No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Tim George Jr. will pilot Chassis No. 002 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable this weekend in the American Ethanol 200. George drove this Chevrolet to a 15th-place finish in July at Iowa Speedway after starting 18th. This RCR Chevrolet was also utilized by Austin Dillon in 2010 where he earned two pole awards, three top-10 and four top-15 finishes in his rookie season in the Camping World Truck Series.
Iowa Stats … This weekend’s 200-lap affair will mark George’s second Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway after earning a 15th-place result in his first appearance at the 0.875-mile track in July. In addition to his Camping World Truck Series start, he has made two ARCA Racing Series starts at the track,completing 98.8 percent of his contested laps (395 of 400) and holds a 17th-place average starting position combined with an average finish position of 15.5. George’s best finish at Iowa Speedway came in the ARCA Racing Series race last July when he finished 12th after starting from the 15th position.
Through the First Half … George has completed seven of his 12 scheduled races on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. At this point in the season, the RCR driver earned one pole award at Kansas Speedway (April) and completed 92.1 percent (918 of 997) of the contested laps. George holds an average starting position of 11.1 and an average finishing position of 19.4. Following this weekend’s 200-lap event, he is scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series events at Kentucky Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Owner Points … After 14 races in the 2012 season, the No. 2 Chevrolet team currently sits 10th in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings courtesy of drivers Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George.
In Your Neighborhood … George is scheduled to make appearances at two local Iowa Applebee’s restaurants before strapping into the No. 2 Chevrolet on Saturday. On Thursday, Sept. 13, George will visit the Applebee’s located at 3781 W. 8th Street SW in Altoona, Iowa at 12 p.m. Central Time and 1001 E. First Street in Ankeny, Iowa at 5 p.m. CT. The RCR driver will sign autographs for Applebee’s team members and restaurant guests.
Another Chance to Meet the Driver … Prior to competing in the American Ethanol 200, George is scheduled to make an appearance at the Team Chevy stage for a question-and-answer session with RCR teammates Ty Dillon and Joey Coulter at 2 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 15.
Rearview Mirror: Atlanta Motor Speedway … George earned a 28th-place finish in the Camping World Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after damage from an on-track incident incurred to the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet and forced the team to retire from the race early.
TIM GEORGE JR. QUOTES:
What are your thoughts about racing at Iowa Speedway this weekend? “Iowa (Speedway) hasn’t always been my best race track, but I feel like I learned a lot more about racing there in July. The No. 2 team and I set our goal on a top-15 finish, and we did just that. I’m excited to set another goal and work towards it this weekend.”
What are your goals for the rest of the 2012 season?
“We have been working hard to have consistent finishes each weekend that I’m in the truck. The No. guys work really hard to put together a fast truck, and I’m becoming more comfortable behind the wheel. Our biggest goal is to get that first win.”
Ty Dillon No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 005 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s American Ethanol 200. Dillon drove this Chevrolet to an eighth-place finish after starting 12th at Rockingham Speedway earlier this season. Dillon also utilized this racer in his three Camping World Truck Series starts in 2011, Kentucky Speedway (started 15th, finished 18th), Texas Motor Speedway (started eighth, finished third) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (started 12th, finished eighth). This Chevrolet was previously driven by Dillon’s older brother, Austin, who collected one victory (Iowa Speedway – July, 2010) and seven top-10 finishes behind the wheel of this Silverado.
Iowa Nuggets … This week’s 200-lap race marks Dillon’s fourth appearance at the Newton, Iowa-based facility. In the July edition of the Camping World Truck Series event at Iowa Speedway, the 20-year-old driver earned a seventh-place finish after starting from the 15th position. Dillon also holds impressive stats in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at the track. In his two ARCA Series showings at the track, Dillon earned two pole awards, one victory and a runner-up finish. He has completed 100 percent of the contested laps and led for 201 circuits.
Points Battle … After earning his first-career Camping World Truck Series victory two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Dillon remains third in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, nine markers behind leader Timothy Peters.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update … Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings by 82 points ahead of driver Cale Gale.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with 14 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 leads the series in the Fasteston Restarts and Green Flag Speed categories. He ranks second in the Fastest Driver Early in a Run, Laps Run in the Top 15 (1,917) and Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (98.61 percent) categories. Dillon has the series’ third-highest Average Running Position (8.074), Driver Rating (101.6) and the third Fastest Speed in Traffic. With 399 Quality Passes made over the first half of the season, Dillon ranks sixth amongst his competitors.
A Team Affair … Fans will have the chance to meet Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team on Thursday, Sept. 13 at Bass Pro Shops located at 1000 Bass Pro Drive in Altoona, Iowa. The Atlanta 200 race winning team will sign autographs for fans beginning at 6 p.m. Central Time.
Welcome to the Stage … Dillon and his RCR teammates, Joey Coulter and Tim George Jr. are scheduled to appear at the Team Chevy stage on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. CT in the midway area at Iowa Speedway.
Welcome Home … Front-tire changer Caleb Baker and rear-tire carrier Justin Voss return home this weekend as the Camping World Truck Series heads to Iowa Speedway. Baker calls Clearfield, Iowa home and currently resides in North Carolina. He moved to North Carolina five years ago to pursue a career in motorsports and started working on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer’s dirt late model team in 2008. He now works at RCR as a front-tire changer and mechanic on the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team. Voss hails from Parkersburg, Iowa and currently calls North Carolina home. The 2012 season marks Voss’ third year at RCR. During the week, Voss works in the Sprint Cup Series shop as a fabricator and on the weekends, travels with the No. 3 team as the rear-tire carrier.
Winner, Winner … Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team earned their first-career Camping World Truck Series win two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Starting from the pole position for the second time this season, Dillon battled a tight-handling Chevrolet throughout the 130-lap event. During the final caution period of the night, the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team fired off a four-tire pit stop and placed Dillon in the top spot for the restart. Battling three-wide for the lead, Dillon slipped to the third position, but continued to click off fast lap times and drove past the leader with six laps remaining in the race before taking the checkered flag to earn his first victory of the 2012 season.
Nationwide Racing … Dillon competed in his third-career NASCAR Nationwide Series event last weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Driving the No. 51 WESCO Chevrolet, Dillon started the 250-lap affair from the 11th position and competed within the top 15 for the majority of the race before crossing the finish line in seventh-place, earning his third top-10 finish in three Nationwide Series starts.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You’ve had some success at Iowa Speedway in the past, what are your thoughts heading there this weekend?
“Iowa (Speedway) has always been a great track for me. If I had to pick a favorite race track, Iowa would definitely be one of them. The fans out there are some of the best. It’s always a really cool feeling when you perform well in front of such a good group of fans. I’m excited to get back there and put on a show for the fans.”
You earned your first-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory two weeks ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Now that you’ve had some time, can you reflect on the win?
“It’s such a great feeling to finally get that first win in NASCAR. I’ve waited all my life for that moment, and I finally got to celebrate in Victory Lane with the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team, my brother, my dad and my grandfather. It’s a big confidence booster for the team and me. I hope we can carry that momentum into this weekend at Iowa (Speedway).”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 020 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday night’s American Ethanol 200. Coulter drove this Chevrolet to an eighth-place finish in July at Iowa Speedway after starting from the 12th position. This RCR racer was also utilized by Coulter in 2011 at Iowa Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Coulter in the Hawkeye State … Coulter has two previous starts at the 0.875-mile facility in the Camping World Truck Series collecting one top-five and two top-10 finishes. He holds a seventh-place average starting position and a 6.5 average finishing position. In addition, Coulter has two starts at the Newton, Iowa-based track in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, with his best finish of fifth occurring in 2009.
Last Trip to Iowa … In the July edition of the American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway, Coulter and the No. 22 RCR team started the event from the 12th position and despite battling a loose-handling condition, drove to an eighth-place finish.
Season so Far … With 14 races complete in the 2012 season, Coulter has collected one win, one pole award, three top-five and nine top-10 results. He holds an average starting position of 9.1 along with an average finishing position of 9.9 and completed 98.9 percent (2,134 of 2,158) of the contested laps.
Going for a Loop … Coulter has earned impressive stats with 14 races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the 22-year-old driver is the series’ fastest Early in a Run and the leads the series in Quality Passes (474). He ranks second in Fastest Speed in Traffic and third in Green Flag Speed. Coulter holds a 96.4 Driver Rating and 10.327 Average Running Position ranking him sixth and seventh, respectively amongst the competitors.
Get to the Points … With his ninth top-10 finish of the 2012 season at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Coulter is sixth in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 44 points behind the leader.
Highest Scorer … Over the last 10 races that have been completed on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season beginning at Charlotte Motor Speedway and ending with Atlanta Motor Speedway, Coulter has earned the most points (376) of any driver competing for the points championship.
Meet the Driver … Coulter and his RCR teammates Ty Dillon and Tim George Jr. are scheduled to appear at the Team Chevy stage on Friday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. Central Time in the midway area at Iowa Speedway.
Rewind: Atlanta Motor Speedway … Coulter qualified the No. 22 Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet in the 14th position for the 130-lap affair at Atlanta Motor Speedway and reported a loose-handling condition in the early stages of the race. The Miami Springs, Fla., native continued to battle handling issues throughout the event and ultimately took the checkered flag from the seventh position.
JOEY COULTER QUOTE:
You earned an eighth-place finish in July at Iowa Speedway, what are your thoughts heading into this weekend’s event?
“Harold Holly (crew chief) and the guys put together a really fast truck last time we were at Iowa (Speedway), and I think we’ll have a solid starting point when we get there this weekend. I like racing there and enjoy seeing all the fans that come out. Our hopes are set on a top-five finish for Saturday night.”
