Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Dover International Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Race: AAA 400
Location: Dover International Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
Richard Childress Racing at Dover … RCR has earned four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Dover International Speedway, most recently in September 2006 when Jeff Burton drove the No. 31 Chevrolet to Victory Lane in the Dover 400. Three additional victories came with Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel, winning both events at the “Monster Mile” in 1989 as well as the spring race in 1993. RCR has earned one pole award, 23 top-five and 49 top-10 finishes in 132 combined starts at the high-banked, one-mile oval. Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed three of those top 10s from 1976-1980.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,249 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 15.7 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 28 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched six top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 24,675 of 25,103 total laps (98.3 percent) with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 284 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Harvick, who represents RCR in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, is ranked eighth, 31 points out of the top spot. Menard currently sits 16th in the driver championship point standings, while Burton is 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 AAA 400 begins Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 29th points-paying event of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season will be broadcast live on SPEED Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 379 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s AAA 400. This Chevrolet was last raced at Pocono Raceway in August, where he started third and finished 11th. It was also utilized earlier this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway (July) in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race where Menard finished 16th, Kansas Speedway where he finished 18th and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March where he finished seventh.
Menard at the “Monster Mile” … In 10 previous starts at Dover International Speedway, Menard has finished each contested race and has completed 98.5 percent of his laps (3,947 of 4,000). He has an average starting position of 20.6 coupled with a 20th-place average finishing position. Menard made his best start of third during the 2011 AAA 400 (October) and claimed his best finish of seventh at the September 2010 event.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 28 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 16th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings on the merit of seven top-10 and 17 top-15 finishes. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has a 16th-place average starting position, an average finishing position of 14.9, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.164 and has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (7,809 of 7,831), the fourth-best of all drivers.
Racing Close to Home … The No. 27 team rear-tire carrier Ray Wright grew up in Charlotte Hall, Md., southeast of Washington D.C. and approximately 2.5 hours from the Dover, Del.-based race track.
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 200-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Dover, Del.-based facility The race will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Race Rewind … Menard and the Pittsburgh Paints/Menards team rallied back to a 16th-place finish in the closing laps of the 2011 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway after working to neutralize the handling of the No. 27 Chevrolet Impala throughout the majority of the day at the “Monster Mile.”
About CertainTeed … CertainTeed Corporation is a leading North American manufacturer of building materials including roofing, vinyl and fiber cement siding, trim, fence, railing, decking, foundations, insulation, gypsum, ceilings and pipe products. Headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, CertainTeed has approximately 7,000 employees and 70 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world. Saint-Gobain’s North American companies operate nearly 200 manufacturing facilities in industries as diverse as industrial ceramics and containers, reinforcements and flat glass, abrasives and building materials. For more information, please visit www.certainteed.com.
In the Rearview Mirror: New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Starting from the seventh position, Menard drove the No. 27 SYLVANIA/Menards Chevrolet to a 12th-place finish in the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, earning both his career-best start and finish at the one-mile oval.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You finished 17th at Dover International Speedway earlier this year. Talk about your run.
“Dover (International Speedway) is a track that we’ve run well at in the past and we’ve struggled at in the past. It’s a tough place. It changes a lot. It seems like every time we go there, we have a different Goodyear tire. The track rubbers in differently, so a lot of times you don’t know what to expect. You prepare all you can, and when you unload you see how the tires work with the surface. You really don’t know until that first practice session.”
Have you progress enough that you anticipate breaking into the top 10 at Dover International Speedway?
“Absolutely. We’ve finish in the top 10 at Dover (International Speedway) before and we can do it again.”
Talk about narrowness of Dover International Speedway and how careful you have to be there.
“The corners at Dover (International Speedway) are really wide and then it funnels down into pretty narrow straightaways with walls on either side. So if something happens, there’s a strong likelihood that everything is going to stack up. We’ve seen the straightaways completely blocked before. The spotters have to stay on their toes and drivers have to be looking ahead, which is tough because there’s so much banking and it’s hard to see very far ahead.”
Bristol Motor Speedway is another high-banked concrete race track. Are there any similarities between it and Dover International Speedway?
“Things happen quicker at Bristol (Motor Speedway), but you’re going faster at Dover (International Speedway). At both tracks, the seams of the concrete both affect the car. It’s a rougher ride on concrete. Outside of that, you can’t translate your setup from one track to the other.”
What did you think of Dover International Speedway the first time you raced there?
“It was an eye-opener for sure. Dover (International Speedway) is a fast place. But it’s a race track like the others. It’s a circle that you turn left at a lot. At Dover you have to deal with falling into the corner and the banking. You drive into the hold on entry and that’s probably the hardest part.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No.383 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s AAA 400. Harvick raced this chassis at Phoenix International Raceway in March and Dover International Speedway in June, collecting second-place finishes in both events. Most recently, the Bakersfield, Calif., native drove this Chevrolet to a 15th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in August.
Just the Stats … This weekend’s event at Dover International Speedway marks Harvick’s 423rd career start in the Sprint Cup Series and 24th at the one-mile track. Since 2001, the 36-year-old driver has collected three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, with his best finish of second coming during the event in June 2012. Harvick maintains a 20.6 average starting position, coupled with a16th-place average finishing position, has completed 98.5 percent (9,064 of 9,204) of laps contested and is credited with 144 laps led.
Getting Loopy at the “Monster Mile” … Harvick has made 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Dover, Del.,-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. Harvick has spent 3,372 Laps in the Top 15 and is credited with 11 Laps Led. The RCR driver holds an Average Starting Position of 19.5 and a 15.7 Average Finishing Position. He has completed 646 Green Flag Passes, ranking him third in the Loop Data category.
The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup … Following the second event of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Harvick moved up two positions, to eighth, in the “Chase” standings, 31 markers behind leader Jimmie Johnson.
Good Tickets Cheap! … Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Dover International Speedway and the Kevin Harvick Foundation (KHF) have partnered together once again for a special promotion. Ollie’s customers can purchase “bargain” priced race tickets at select Ollie’s Bargain Outlet store locations for the AAA 400 on Sunday, Sept. 30. Tickets start at $39.99, with a portion of each ticket sale benefiting the KHF. For more information, please visit www.olliesbargainoutlet.com.
You’re Invited to Happy’s Birthday Bash … Harvick will celebrate his 37th birthday when Budweiser presents Happy’s Birthday Bash at The Fox Theater in his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 1. Country music star Craig Morgan will headline the charity event benefiting the Kevin Harvick Foundation with a special guest appearance by Bridgette Tatum. Tickets to the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.vallitix.com, by phone at 1-888-825-5484, The Bakersfield Fox Theater Box office or any Vallitix outlet.
Win Happy’s Chevy … One lucky winner will help children in need and take home Harvick’s 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Coupe. The vehicle includes gray leather interior, 21-inch black painted wheels, six-speed manual transmission, V8 engine, rear parking assist and much more. Proceeds will be used to further the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation through programs such as Kevin’s Krew, Chase Your Dreams Scholarships and the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund. For more information or to purchase a ticket for only $29, visit .
The Last Time By … Harvick and the No. 29 Chevrolet team picked up a 10th-place finish in the 2011 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway and inherited the lead in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings.
In the Rearview Mirror: New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team captured an 11th-place finish after battling handling issues in the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What does it take to be successful at Dover International Speedway?
“Dover (International Speedway) is one of those places as a driver that feels really fast. With these kinds of cars, it seems like the forward drive off the corner is the most important thing, but you still have to make your car turn in the center of the corner. As a driver, the car has to be comfortable to be really aggressive. It’s just a fine balance for everything.”
What are some of the challenges for your team in going to Dover International Speedway this weekend?
“We’ve had a good car at Dover International Speedway the last several times and haven’t necessarily got the finishes that we probably have deserved with where we ran all day, but it’s been a decent race track for us. It’s a fast race track. You’ve got to keep up with the track as the groove moves around and the rubber builds up on the track. The biggest challenge is being able to get the car up off of the corner under power, wide open throughout the whole run.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Weekend’s No. 31 Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 392 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend. This No. 31 Chevrolet was utilized in June at Dover International Speedway where engine issues thwarted Burton’s top-five run and relegated him to a 22nd-place finish. This was car also raced at Kentucky Speedway in June where Burton piloted this machine to a 24th-place finish after starting 29th.
Featured Cat Dealer … Foley CAT will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Dover International Speedway’s weekend event. Based in Piscataway, NJ, Foley is the Caterpillar Dealer in North and Central New Jersey, Staten Island and Bermuda. Since 1957, Foley offers solutions for Power Generation, On-Highway Applications, Construction Equipment and other job site rental needs. Foley continually strives to offer their customers the best products and services available in the marketplace.
Career Dover Stats … This weekend’s 400-mile event marks Burton’s 38th start at the one-mile facility and 648th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. Burton has garnered one win, eight top-five and 15 top-10 finishes at the track and has led 136 laps.
No Stranger to Victory Lane … Burton has made two previous visits to Dover International Speedway’s Victory Lane in Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series competition. Both victories came with the Welcome, N.C.-based RCR team during the 2006 season, notching one win in each series.
Getting Loopy in “The First State” … Burton has accrued impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Dover International Speedway since their inception in 2006. Of all drivers entering the event, he has the most Green Flag Passes (715), with 383 coming while running in the top 15 (sixth-most). Burton has also spent 3,939 Laps In The Top 15, which ranks him 10th amongst his competitors. He also has the 12th-best Average Running Position (13.47) and a 12th-best Driver Rating (89.1) at the Dover, Del.-based facility.
Race Rewind: New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Burton and the No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet team battled handling issues throughout the day and persevered for a top-15 finish in the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after starting the race in the 11th position.
Points Racing … After 28 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has scored 696 points and sits in the 19th position in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. The veteran RCR driver has two top-five and five top-10 finishes, has spent 2,658 laps running in the top 15 and made 2,510 green-flag passes thus far this season.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Dover International Speedway?
“Dover International Speedway is such a cool race track. You just got to attack it. It is so much fun because everyone is attacking the race track. It is so fast and the grip level changes so much throughout the long green-flag runs. There are also multiple grooves which makes it a really fun race track. There is a price to pay when things go bad because the track is so narrow. It is a huge challenge for the teams, drivers and everyone involved. When you go to Dover (International Speedway), you need to be on your A-game.”
You had a top-five run going at Dover International Speedway in June and finished 22nd. What happened?
“We definitely had a top-10 finish going at Dover International Speedway in June and our engine expired with about 30 laps to go. It was very frustrating. We were running top-five lap times and catching the cars in front of us too. It happens to everyone. No team goes through the year without engine problems and issues. It makes you mad when it happens, but everyone is working together for that same goal so you can’t be mad at the engine tuners or anything like that. We win together and lose together.”
Race: OneMain Financial 200
Location: Dover International Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes:
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Dover International Speedway … In 45 previous Nationwide Series starts at Dover International Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has visited Victory Lane three times. Clint Bowyer is a two-time race winner at the track for RCR, earning victories in September 2009 and September 2006, while Jeff Burton earned a win for the organization in June 2006. The organization has started from the pole position four times and has 13 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. RCR entries have completed 95.7 percent of laps attempted, with 653 laps led.
The Season So Far … In the 27 races contested this season, RCR has earned seven wins in the Nationwide Series, with Elliott Sadler at Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Iowa Speedway, Austin Dillon at both Kentucky Speedway events and Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway. RCR has earned nine 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 both Kentucky Speedway races. The organization has 38 top-five and 63 top-10 finishes and has led 1,709 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 847 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, RCR has earned 63 wins, 288 top-five finishes, 473 top-10 finishes and 41 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 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 Dover International Speedway. The No. 2 team sits third in the owner point standings while the No. 3 team ranks fourth. The No. 33 team sits sixth in the owner championship point standings.
Vote for Team RCR … Austin Dillon and Elliott Sadler are in the running for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award. Fans can vote online at nascar.com/nnsmpd through November 16. Two lucky fans and their guests will win an all-expense paid trip to the 2012 Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series awards banquet on Nov. 19 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel by registering for the MPD vote sweepstakes after placing their vote on NASCAR.com.
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 and facebook.com/austindillon3.
Live on ESPN2 … Flag-to-flag coverage of the OneMain Financial 200 is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Sept. 29 and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Elliott Sadler No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s OneMain Financial Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload Chassis No. 104 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This weekend’s event at Dover International Speedway marks the eighth time the No. 2 team will utilize this chassis. Sadler drove this Chevrolet to a win at Chicagoland Speedway in July, in addition to racing it at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March (pole and finished third), Texas Motor Speedway in April (started fifth, finished 12th), Darlington Raceway in May (started sixth, finished 24th), Dover International Speedway in June (started sixth, finished seventh), Michigan International Speedway in June (started sixth, finished 11th) and Atlanta Motor Speedway in August (started seventh, finished fourth).
Taming the Monster Mile … In his Nationwide Series career, Sadler has made nine starts at Dover International Speedway in the Nationwide Series. He four top 10 finishes, one pole award, 11 laps led and a best finish of sixth in 1997 and 2011. Sadler also has NASCAR Sprint Cup Series experience at Dover, with 24 starts, three top-10 finishes and 188 laps led. He also made one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start in 2010.
OneMain Financial 200 … OneMain Financial returns for the second year in a row as the title sponsor of the fall Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway this weekend.
100 Years … The No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet will sport a special 100th-year badge on the hood throughout the month of September. With roots dating back to 1912, OneMain Financial has been helping people with personalized loan solutions for 100 years.
Open Track Session … Ticketholders for the OneMain Financial 200 will have the opportunity to attend a free open track session prior to the race on Sept. 29 at Dover International Speedway and will have special access to the frontstretch. Team owner Richard Childress, Kevin Harvick and Sadler will make an appearance at the event for a question-and-answer session at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, and the track will be open from 10-11:30 a.m.
Last Time By … Starting from the pole position in the 2011 OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway, Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet team raced among the top 15 for the majority of the day before an untimely caution put the OneMain Financial team one lap down to the leader and left the team to finish 14th.
Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Average Mid-Race Position (6.2), Average Finishing Position(7.3),Average Running Position(7.0), Quality Passes(1,089), Percentage of Quality Passes (73.33),Laps in the Top 15(4,603)and Percentage of laps in the Top 15(95.3).After 27 events in the Nationwide Series season, Sadler has earned four wins, three pole awards, 12 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes with 347 laps led.
To the Point … Sadler moved back to the top of the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, four points ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Race Rewind: Kentucky Speedway … Starting from the eighth position, Sadler and the OneMain Financial team quickly worked their way to the front of the field to lead 93 of the 200 laps in last Saturday’s event. Late in the race, the No. 2 Chevrolet lost power steering capability, but Sadler continued to battle around the 1.5-mile track to finish fifth.
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 proceeds benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information, visit www.sadlerfoundation.org.
Re-election … Sadler, winner of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award, is eligible this year for re-election to the title. Fans may vote once per day now through November 16 on www.bitly.com/ESMPD.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Dover International Speedway?
“Wow, Dover is a huge weekend for us with the OneMain Financial 200. I know there is a lot of pressure because we are going to have a lot of people there from a lot of different branches and the home office in Baltimore, Md. We love all the support the entire organization gives to us, and we want to go out there and win for everyone that will be at Dover International Speedway that weekend. We were able to sit on the pole for the OneMain Financial 200 last year, but we were not able to pull out the win. I think that we have learned a lot about the track and our set ups since then. We definitely want to perform well in our sponsor’s race, and we will come as focused as ever looking to be in Victory Lane at the Monster Mile.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 093 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the OneMain Financial 200. Dillon drove this Chevrolet to a fourth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in August, a third-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, a ninth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway in April and a fourth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March. This is a former Kevin Harvick Inc., chassis which was refurbished during the off season.
Dillon at Dover International Speedway … Dillon has one previous start at Dover International Speedway in the Nationwide Series, posting a sixth-place finish in June after starting from the 11th position. The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at the track in the Truck Series, earning his best finish of fourth in the May 2011 event.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Dillon has completed 96.15 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, ranking him second among all competitors. The Nationwide Series rookie has completed 90.8 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second and has an Average Running Position of 8.580 in the season’s 26 contested Nationwide Series races, ranking him second. He is ranked third in the Fastest Laps Run category with 399 laps so far this season, maintains a Driver Rating of 105.3, ranking him third, has the fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic, is the fourth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and has 414 Laps Led this season, ranking him fourth. He has the fifth-fastest Green Flag Speed, is fifth-Fastest on Restarts, ranks fifth in Quality Passes with 949 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 current leader and RCR teammate Elliott Sadler by 19 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 Dover International Speedway. 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 .
Vote for Austin! … Dillon is in the running for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award. Fans can vote online at nascar.com/nnsmpd through November 16. Two lucky fans and their guests will win an all-expense paid trip to the 2012 Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series awards banquet on Nov. 19 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel by registering for the MPD vote sweepstakes after placing their vote on NASCAR.com.
Kentucky Speedway Recap … Returning to the site of his first-career Nationwide Series victory in July, Dillon started the Kentucky 300 from the pole position and led 65 laps en route to his second Nationwide Series win in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Chevrolet. The win marked his first with primary sponsor AdvoCare and positioned him within 19 markers of the Nationwide Series championship driver points lead with six races remaining in the 2012 season.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What do you think about Dover International Speedway?
“Dover International Speedway is one of my favorites! We ran really well there at the beginning of this year and going back I think we have a package that will be able to compete against the Joe Gibbs Racing cars, which have been dominant there. We ran sixth at the last Dover race and there were three Joe Gibbs Racing cars that finished ahead of us, so I think that if we have a package that can beat them we will be competitive there.”
You swept both Nationwide Series events at Kentucky Speedway this year. What made you so successful there?
“My win at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday did not come as easily as my win at Kentucky Speedway in July. No wins come easy but I feel like we did not have the best car in the field this time around. However, we were able to get up front and fight. We had to get this win by getting on and off pit road well. When we got the chance to take the lead, I just took it. On the last restart I chose the bottom groove and we were able to take off really well. Earlier in the race I lost all of the restarts on the top groove so I knew we had to try something different. Clean air is big. If you could get lots of air on the nose the car would turn.”
What does it mean to you to bring AdvoCare their first NASCAR win?
“I’m so happy for AdvoCare. They are a big part of why we are able to run for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship this year and run all of the races. AdvoCare is a sponsor that came in to talk to us at Atlanta Motor Speedway last year and we were able to put this program together. To come here and get their first win for them at Kentucky Speedway was very cool and I’m excited for them. I’m sure they are cheering. It’s going to be a fun championship race, we’ve closed to within 19 points of the leader and all we need to do is win races and we’ll have a shot at winning the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.”
Four of the last six races are 1.5-mile tracks, which seem to be your strength. Can you talk about that?
“Mile-and-a-halves have been good for us, especially in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and then we were able to transfer that success to the Nationwide Series. I’m looking forward to places like Kansas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway but truthfully, I really like the flat tracks. I’m really looking forward to Phoenix International Raceway.”
Paul Menard
No. 33 Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 99 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This No. 33 Chevrolet was previously driven by Kevin Harvick at Phoenix International Raceway in March (finished fifth) and at Bristol Motor Speedway in August (finished 15th), by Brendan Gaughan at both Iowa Speedway events (finished 10th in May and 14th in August) and by Ty Dillon at Dover in June, where the youngest grandson of team owner Richard Childress drove it to an eighth-place finish in his career-first Nationwide Series start.
By the Numbers at the “Monster Mile” … In nine Nationwide Series starts at Dover International Speedway, Menard owns three top-10 finishes, completing 94.5 percent of his laps (1,708 of 1,807). He holds an average starting position of 15.1 coupled with an average finishing position of 20.8. He claimed his best finish of sixth in the May 2009 Nationwide Series race with his best start of fifth coming in both the 2010 and 2006 Dover 200.
2012 in the Nationwide Series for Menard … This weekend marks Menard’s sixth of seven scheduled starts in the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for RCR in the 2012 Nationwide Series season. He holds two top-five and five top-10 finishes this season, earning one pole award (Texas Motor Speedway, April) and leading for 137 laps. Menard has an average starting position of 5.4 and an average finishing position of 6.2. He will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for his final appearance of the season at Kansas Speedway in October.
Race Rewind: Dover International Speedway … Menard qualified in the fifth position for the 2012 Dover 200 and competed among the top 10 throughout the 200-lap event while battling a tight-handling condition before earning a seventh-place result.
In the Rearview Mirror: Chicagoland Speedway … Menard and the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet team rallied to a top-five finish in Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola after battling handling issues at Chicagoland Speedway.
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:
Does the additional track time running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series help you for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race?
“The racing does because you can see which way the groove is going to go. But as far as translation between our Chevrolets, there isn’t a whole lot you can take with from one to the other. Anytime you can race in a competitive situation on the same race track, it’s helpful.”
Do you enjoy running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series?
“It is pretty hectic jumping between the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car and the Nationwide Series car. But the racing in the Nationwide Series is a lot of fun. The best part is being able to jump behind the wheel on race day and learn things about the track conditions that will translate the next day. We don’t do it for fun. We do it for knowledge.”
Race: Smith’s 350
Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes:
Richard Childress Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, earning one victory with Austin Dillon in 2012, four top-five and five top-10 finishes. The organization also boasts an average starting position of 9.5 combined with an average finishing position of 10.2 at the 1.5-mile track. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 94.2 percent of their contested laps (1,224 of 1,299) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and led for 97 circuits.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 256 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 27 wins, 95 top-five finishes, 159 top-10 finishes and 35 pole awards, along with the inaugural series championship in 1995 with Mike Skinner, and again with Austin Dillon in 2011. The organization has an average starting position of 9.5 and an average finishing position of 10.2.
Truck Line-up … A Las Vegas native, Brendan Gaughan, will pilot the No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The No. 2 team will join Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team along with Joey Coulter and the No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team for Saturday’s Smith’s 350.
Season in Review … Through the first 15 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 one with Dillon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. RCR has notched seven 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 and Kentucky Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has 14 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes and has led 589 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With 16 Camping World Truck Series races completed so far in 2012, Dillon is the driver championship point leader by four markers and Coulter sits in the fifth position, 46 points outside the top spot. The No. 3 team is first in the owner championship point standings and the No. 22 team is fourth, while RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet team is 10th utilizing three different drivers (Harvick, Gaughan and George).
Vote for Team RCR … Joey Coulter, Ty Dillon and Tim George Jr. are in the running for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award. Fans can vote online at nascar.com/ncwtsmpd through November 16. Two lucky fans and their guests will win an all-expense paid trip to the 2012 Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series awards banquet on Nov. 19 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel by registering for the MPD vote sweepstakes after placing their vote on NASCAR.com.
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 the Smith’s 350 is scheduled to be televised live on Saturday, Sept. 29 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 7:45 p.m. ET.
Brendan Gaughan No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot Chassis No. 061 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable. Gaughan drove this Chevrolet Silverado to a second-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway in July after starting from the sixth position. He also raced Chassis No. 061 at Texas Motor Speedway in June, earning a fourth-place result.
Vegas Details … In 11 Camping World Truck Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Gaughan has one victory, three top-10 and five top-20 finishes. He holds a 14.5 average starting position coupled with a 19th-place average finishing position. The Las Vegas native has completed 85.8 percent (1,446 of 1,686) of the laps contested and has led for 122 laps.
Winner, winner … Gaughan is no stranger to Victory Lane in the high-rolling state of Nevada. In the Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2003, Gaughan earned the pole award and led for 106 circuits en route to his first win at the 1.5-mile track.
A Look Back … Gaughan’s last Camping World Truck Series start under the RCR banner came atBristol Motor Speedway in August where he started the 204-lap event from the 11th position. The No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino team battled handling issues throughout the majority of the race, but rallied back to the fifth position before the checkered flag was displayed to the field.
Where it All Started … The Las Vegas-native started racing the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in 1998 at tracks in close proximity to “The Strip.” The 2000 and 2001 K&N Pro Series West champion holds one win, four top-five and five top-10 finishes in eight combined starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the LVMS Bullring between the years of 1998 and 2002 in the Pro Series.
Meet Gaughan … Gaughan is scheduled to participate in a Camping World Truck Series autograph session on Friday, Sept. 28 beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific Time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with fellow RCR teammates Joey Coulter and Ty Dillon.
Rusty Pickle … Gaughan owns the Rusty Pickle, a full-service mobile dinner that brings southern foodto the streets of Las Vegas. The diner on wheels offers a wide range of dishes including salads, pulled pork and homemade potato chips. Gaughan made a personal appearance at the Rusty Pickle after his top-five finish in the Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. To learn more about Gaughan’s latest food endeavor, visit www.rustypickletruck.com.
Just a Few More … This weekend’s Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marks Gaughan’s fifth appearance behind the wheel of the No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet for RCR this season. After Saturday’s 146-lap affair, the 37-year-old driver is slated to compete in two more Camping World Truck Series races this season at Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway in November.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What will it be like to race in front of a hometown crowd again?
“Racing in Las Vegas has always been special to me because the people in this town have been so supportive of my family. It feels good to show up and know that the locals are really cheering for you.”
This will be your first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race since Bristol Motor Speedway in August, what are your thoughts heading into the weekend?
“I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel in the Camping World Truck Series. It’s a great series to race in, and I love driving the trucks. The No. 2 team has given me fast trucks every time I’ve been in them this year.”
Ty Dillon No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 019 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s Smith’s 350. Dillon earned his first career Camping World Truck Series pole award with this Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He also drove this RCR racer to a seventh-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in June after starting third and a 12th-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway in July after starting from the third position.
First Timer … This week’s 146-lap event marks Dillon’s first appearance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Although he has yet to make any laps at the speedway, Dillon has garnered one win, two pole awards, four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in 12 career Camping World Truck Series starts on tracks 1.5-mile or larger.
Points Leader … After his third-place finish last weekend at Kentucky Speedway, Dillon remains the leader of the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, leading by four points.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update … Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over driver Cale Gale.
2012 Season Recap … Throughout the course of the last 16 Camping World Truck Series races, Dillon has one win (Atlanta Motor Speedway), two pole awards (Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway), five top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. The 20-year-old driver holds an average starting position of 5.4 and a seventh-place average finishing position. He has completed 99.9 percent (2,490 of 2,492) of the contested laps and led for 112 circuits.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with 16 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 leads the series in the Fasteston Restarts, Laps Run in the Top 15 (2,251), Fastest Drivers Early in a Run and Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (97.19 percent) categories. He ranks second in the Average Running Position (7.870), Driver Rating (102.5) and Green Flag Speed categories. Dillon has the series’ third-Fastest Speed in Traffic.With 470 Quality Passes made so far this season, Dillon ranks fourth 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. 27 at Bass Pro Shops located at 8200 Dean Martin Driver in Las Vegas. The Atlanta 200 race-winning team will sign autographs for fans beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Calling All Voters … NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver contest is underway. Cast your vote for Dillon at NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd and be entered to win an exclusive trip to the Camping World Truck Series year-end awards banquet in Miami, Fla. Fans may vote once every 24 hour period until Nov. 19.
Rearview Mirror: Kentucky Speedway … Dillon started the 134-lap event at Kentucky Speedway from the third position and battled handling issues for a majority of the event. Crew chief Marcus Richmond called for various two and four-tire pit stops with chassis adjustments to combat the handling issues that the young driver was experiencing. Dillon took over the second position with 15 laps remaining in the event, but a tight-handling condition plagued the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team in the final stages of the race relegating them to a third-place finish.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You’ll make your first laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Friday during practice. What are your thoughts about this weekend never having raced here in the past?
“I’m confident that we’ll have a fast truck at Las Vegas (Motor Speedway). My brother, Austin, won here in the past, and we’ll have the notes from that win to start off with on Friday when we unload. I really like racing on 1.5-mile tracks, and I’m excited to race in (Las) Vegas.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 022 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s Smith’s 350. Coulter drove this Chevrolet to his first career Camping World Truck Series win at Pocono Raceway and first career pole award at Michigan International Speedway in August.
Vegas Odds … Coulter has one previous start at the 1.5-mile track in the Camping World Truck Series, recording a 22nd-place finish after hitting the wall in turn-four from a flat right-front tire at the midpoint of the race.
By the Numbers … With 16 races complete in the 2012 season, Coulter has collected one win, two pole awards, four top-five and 10 top-10 results. He holds an average starting position of 8.9 along with an average finishing position of 9.7 and has completed 99.0 percent (2,467 of 2,492) of the contested laps.
Going for a Loop … Coulter has earned impressive this season, and according to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the 22-year-old driver is the series’ leader in Quality Passes (528).He ranks second in Fastest Speed in Traffic, Green Flag Speed and Fastest Drivers Early in a Run. He is ranked fourth in Fastest on Restarts and Driver Rating (98.0). Coulter holds an Average Running Position of 9.974 and has run the Fastest Lap in an event 124 times, ranking him fifth and sixth, respectively,amongst his fellow competitors.
Get to the Points … Coulter is fifth in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 46 points behind the leader and RCR teammate Ty Dillon.
Meet the Driver … Coulter and his RCR teammates Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan are scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series driver autograph session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, Sept. 28 beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Vote Today! … NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver contest is underway. Cast your vote for Coulter at NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd and be entered to win an exclusive trip to the Camping World Truck Series year-end awards banquet in Miami, Fla. Fans may vote once every 24 hour period until Nov. 19.
