Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Martinsville Speedway
Race: TUMS Fast Relief 500
Location: Martinsville Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR at Martinsville … In 132 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned three pole awards and posted seven wins with drivers Dale Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd, as well as Kevin Harvick who claimed the checkered flag in April 2011. RCR Chevrolet teams have earned 27 top-five and 53 top-10 finishes at Martinsville dating back to April 10, 1972. RCR teams boast a 16.8 average starting position, a 15.9 average finishing position and have completed 61,520 of the 65,698 contested laps (93.6 percent) at the paperclip-shaped, oval race track. Richard Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed four of the top-10 finishes from 1976-1978.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,261 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 42 pole awards, 434 top-five finishes and 906 top-10 finishes, 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 32 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched seven top-five and 25 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 28,163 of 28,673 total laps (98.2 percent) with drivers Jeff Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 305 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the Kansas 400 at Kansas Speedway, Harvick, who represents RCR in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, is ranked 10th, 59 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 TUMS Fast Relief 500 begins Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 33rd points-paying event of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season will be broadcast live on SPEED Friday, Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Zecol/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Zecol/Menards Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 349 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Tums Fast Relief 500. This Chevrolet was last raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, where Menard started seventh and finished 12th, his career-best result at the one-mile race track. This chassis was also utilized this season at Martinsville Speedway (April – started 11th/finished 26th) and at New Hampshire in July (started 13th/ finished 17th).
By the Numbers at Martinsville … In 10 previous starts at Martinsville Speedway, Menard has completed 94.9 percent of his laps (4,779 of 5,034), has an average starting position of 23.4 and a 23rd-place average finishing position. His best finish of 13th came in the October 2010 event and his best start at the 0.526-mile speedway came in March 2010 when he took the green flag in the ninth position.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 32 points-paying events of the 2012 season completed, Menard sits 16th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings on the merit of one top-five and eight top-10 finishes. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 16.3, an average finishing position of 15.6, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.279 and has completed 99.6 percent of his laps (8,988 of 9,021), the third-best of all drivers.
Virginia is for…racing! … No. 27 Zecol/Menards team tire specialist Chris Sherwood is a Portsmouth, Va., native, growing up four hours east of the Martinsville, Va.-based facility.
Race Rewind to 2011 … Menard and the No. 27 Richmond/Menards team escaped the 2011 action-packed fall race at Martinsville Speedway with a top-25 finish. Menard started the 500-lap race from the 21st position and by the event’s midpoint, handling had improved on the No. 27 machine and he was scored 15th in the running order. Contact on lap 425 with another competitor left Menard’s yellow No. 27 racer with significant right-side damage. Menard spent the remainder of the race trying to secure track position and ultimately earned a 24th-place result.
Golfing for a Cause … Crew chief Slugger Labbe, shock specialist Kris McCabe and tire specialist Chris Sherwood are scheduled to participate in the Gear Heads Golfing to Wreck Cancer tournament on Thursday, Oct. 25 at Mallard Head Golf Course in Mooresville, N.C. All proceeds from the charity golf event will benefit fellow NASCAR family members, Sammy Gonzalez and Monty Grice, both battling pancreatic cancer.
About Zecol … Zecol offers the most innovative automotive chemical line in the industry. Their unique product mix offers competitively priced, high quality additives, cleaners and functional fluids along with winter commodities and bulk sizes to meet the needs of the professional mechanic and retail consumer. For more information, please visit www.twincoromax.com.
In the Rearview Mirror: Kansas Speedway …Menard took what he learned of the new track surface at Kansas Speedway during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday and, with crew chief Slugger Labbe back on top of the pit box after a six-week hiatus, turned it into a very strong third-place finish in the Kansas 400 Sprint Cup Series race.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
As we head to Martinsville Speedway for the last short-track race of the year, how do you feel the No. 27 Chevrolet team has performed on the short tracks this season?
“Our short-track program has been our weakness this year. We’ve had good speed at Martinsville (Speedway) in the past, however, it’s just a game of track position – when to pit, when not to and when to put tires on. We’ve had fast cars; it’s just a matter of making the right adjustments, me giving the right feedback and Slugger (Labbe, crew chief) making the right calls to pit when we need to and stay out when we don’t in order to get the finish we should.”
You grew up racing on short tracks. How come Martinsville Speedway is so difficult for drivers to ‘figure out’?
“The track (Martinsville Speedway) itself is pretty straightforward. It’s pretty easy to drive, to be honest. What makes it difficult is it is a 500-lap race and you have only one lane with 43 cars on the track. It becomes a game of bumper cars for the most part, and it is very easy to get shuffled out of line and to lose a lot of spots.”
How difficult is it to get into a rhythm at Martinsville Speedway?
“It is really hard to get into a rhythm when you’re surrounded by other cars for 500 laps. You can get into a rhythm for a couple of laps, but then it gets broken when you try to pass someone or you’re getting passed. It’s an ongoing battle. If you have space, you can get back into your rhythm. But, if you don’t have space, you can’t be in a rhythm.”
Last year’s race at Martinsville Speedway got pretty physical. Were you surprised that there were so many crashes in that event?
“It didn’t surprise me at all. I’m actually surprised that we don’t have more crashes (at Martinsville Speedway) with as little room as there is and how much is at stake when we go there in the fall.”
Where does Martinsville Speedway rank in race tracks for you? Do you dread going there?
“I don’t really care one way or another, honestly. It’s not my favorite track, but it’s not my least favorite either.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Rheem: Chasing the Cure Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Rheem: Chasing the Cure Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No.400 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the TUMS Fast Relief 500. The No. 29 team utilized this Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September and brought home an 11th-place finish after starting 16th.
Martinsville Stats … Harvick will make his 427th career Sprint Cup Series start and 23rd appearance at the concrete oval. In his first 22 showings, the Bakersfield, Calif., native has earned one win (March 2011), one pole award (March 2010), three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Harvick maintains an average starting position of 13.4, along with a 16th-place average finishing position, is credited with 363 laps led and has completed 97.5 percent (10,763 of 11,034) of the laps contested.
Going for a Loop on the Short Track … Since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006, Harvick has made 15 starts at the Martinsville, Va.-based track and ranks fifth in the Closers category after gaining an average of 1.3 positions during the last 10 percent of the laps in each race. The 36-year-old driver has earned a Driver Rating of 119.7 and has spent 4,773 Laps in the Top 15 positioning him seventh amongst his fellow competitors. Harvick is the eighth-Fastest Driver Early in a Run (91.834 mph), sits eighth in Average Running Position (14.4), Fastest Laps Run (186), Laps Led (216) and is the ninth-Fastest on Restarts (89.618 mph).
The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup … With six Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup events complete, Harvick remains 10th in the standings, 59 markers behind the leader.
Meet the Driver … Fans will have two opportunities to join Harvick in Fan Question-and-Answer Sessions at Martinsville Speedway prior to the start of the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, Oct. 28. The RCR driver will make an appearance at the Martinsville Speedway Fan Zone at 10:10 a.m. Eastern Time, followed by a visit to the Rheem Chasing the Cure event benefiting the Young Survival Coalition at 10:30 a.m. ET. Tickets start at $42, and Martinsville Speedway will donate $5 to the YSC for each Harvick YSC ticket package purchased. For more information or to purchase your tickets to both events contact the Martinsville Speedway ticket office at 877-RACE-TIX or visit, http://www.martinsvillespeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Tickets-Overview/Special-Offers.aspx.
Chasing the Cure … For a second year, Rheem presents the “Chasing the Cure” contest for Rheem Racing fans during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The contest will encourage breast cancer survivors to share a 30-60 second digital video that gives a firsthand account of their personal “victory” over breast cancer. Rheem will reward the winner and an adult companion with a VIP race experience for two in 2013. The official contest runs until Oct. 24. To enter the contest visit, http://www.facebook.com/rheemracing/app_95936962634.
Rheem … Gotta Have a Rheem … Rheem will adorn the No. 29 Chevrolet for the eighth of 10 scheduled races during the 2012 season this weekend at Martinsville Speedway with a special pink and black paint scheme highlighting their “Chasing the Cure” program and partnership with the Young Survival Coalition. Rheem is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing.
The Last Time By … In a race mired with 18 cautions, Harvick and the No. 29 team avoided trouble and ran solidly in the top 10 for most of 2011 TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway before taking the checkered flag in the fourth position.
In the Rearview Mirror: Kansas Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 RCR team earned an 11th-place finish at Kansas Speedway after starting 10th and spending much of the 267-lap event running in the top 20 while battling handling issues.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
Rheem is running a special “Chasing the Cure” paint scheme; share your thoughts on being involved in this program.
“It’s great to be partnered with a company that is willing to use their influence and presence in our sport to help others. As everyone knows, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Rheem has partnered with the Young Survival Coalition to raise funds and awareness for them. The YSC is a non-profit organization that helps breast cancer survivors that were diagnosed under the age of 45, cope with life’s challenges after surviving cancer. It’s a good feeling knowing that I can help bring attention to such a great cause just by doing my job and driving the No. 29 Rheem: Chasing the Cure Chevrolet at Martinsville (Speedway).”
It has been mentioned that Martinsville Speedway is considered a ‘wild card’ race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Do you agree with this assessment?
“I think Kansas (Speedway) was much more of a wild card than Martinsville (Speedway) will be. I think any race can be a wild card. You can have some crazy things happen at any time, so I really think every race is a wild card at this point, especially if you’re in the championship race and need every point that you can get. You never know what’s going to happen, when the caution is going to fly, when you’re going to blow a tire, whatever the case may be. Anything can happen.”
At this point in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, what mindset do you think most drivers have going into the next race?
“Well, I really think for 99 percent of the guys the approach is going to be to go out and run as fast as you can. Our approach really doesn’t change from race to race. We’re going to bring the best car we have in the shop, and we’re going to put the same effort each week to try and win the race. If you can’t win the race, you try to get the best finish you can. A lot of people talk about points and what you change or do different each. Our team doesn’t do anything different. We take the fastest car we have to the racetrack each week and try to win the race.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 EnerSys/ODYSSEY Battery Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s No. 31 Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 329 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend. This No. 31 Chevrolet, originally built in 2010, has seen significant track time over the last two seasons including Texas Motor Speedway in November 2010 (started-16th, finished-36th), Bristol Motor Speedway in August 2011 (started-21st, finished-15th) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September 2011 (started-18th, finished-13th). Burton also tallied a top-five finish at Phoenix International Raceway last November, finishing fourth after starting 14th and finished 22nd at Martinsville Speedway in April after suffering electrical issues near the halfway point of the event.
Virginia is for Lovers … Burton grew up an hour away from Martinsville in South Boston, Va. Sunday’s event marks Burton’s 37th start at the half-mile facility and 651st-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes, led 940 laps and made one trip to Victory Lane in 1997.
Loopy in the “Hot Dog City” … Burton has garnered some impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Martinsville Speedway since 2006. He has the ninth-best Driver Rating (88.9), spent 4,494 Laps Running in the Top 15 (eighth-most) and ran the fastest lap on track 282 times (seventh-most). Burton has also made 728 Green Flag Passes with 384 of them coming while running in the top 15 under green-flag conditions (Quality Passes).
About EnerSys/ODYSSEY Battery … EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, along with their ODYSSEY Battery brand, will be primary sponsor of the No. 31 Chevrolet this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. ODYSSEY Battery, a RCR partner since 2009, delivers the extreme power that racing enthusiasts demand and EnerSys guarantees longer service life to save time and money. The five-second cranking power of ODYSSEY batteries is double to triple that of conventional batteries. In addition, the ODYSSEY battery’s sealed drycell construction makes it safe, explosion proof, leak proof and it can be mounted in any position. Its rugged construction also offers improved vibration resistance and durability.
Race Rewind: Kansas Speedway … Contact with another competitor on lap 84 of 267 sent Burton’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet spinning into the outside retaining wall and relegated the team to a 28th-place finish at Kansas Speedway.
Points Racing … After the 32nd points-paying event of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has scored 780 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 six top-10 finishes, has spent 2,789 laps running in the top 15 and made 3,158 green-flag passes thus far this season.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
You were running in the top 15 before suffering electrical issues in April. Do you expect the same effort this weekend?
“Short tracks have been our strong point so far this season. We ran pretty well in April and typically Martinsville Speedway has been a strong track for us so we expect to go there and run well. The track does seem to be changing lately and we’ve been a little behind the curve on setup stuff, but I feel pretty good about going back there and running well.”
What is the difference between racing at Martinsville Speedway in April and October?
“There really isn’t much of a difference running Martinsville Speedway between April and October. The weather is pretty similar and I think the biggest thing that changes is the technology. The sport moves so fast where something that works in April doesn’t necessarily work in October. It still works, but it just won’t be good enough to win. Keeping up with everyone else is the hardest thing by far. Everyone is trying to get better and if you don’t keep trying to get ahead, you are going to fall way behind.”
Race: Kroger 200
Location: Martinsville Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes
Richard Childress Racing at Martinsville Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has 14 previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the half-mile race track. In those 14 appearances, the Welcome, N.C.-based organization boasts three wins with Mike Skinner in 1996, Jay Sauter in 1998 and Kevin Harvick in March 2012. Accompanying those wins are two pole awards, seven top-five and nine top-10 finishes with a 99.3 percent (3,244 of 3,267) completion of the laps contested and 609 laps led at Martinsville Speedway. RCR holds a 13.6 average starting position coupled with a 8.5 average finishing position.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 262 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 27 wins, 98 top-five finishes, 164 top-10 finishes and 37 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 10.1.
Truck Line-up … Kevin Harvick will pilot the No. 2 Kroger/Tide Chevrolet this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Tim George Jr. will also climb behind the wheel of the No. 93 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet for the 200-lap affair. The No. 2 and No. 93 teams 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 Kroger 200.
Season in Review … Through the first 18 races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired three victories, one at Martinsville Speedway with Harvick behind the wheel, one with Coulter at Pocono Raceway and one with Dillon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. RCR has notched nine pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway and Dover International Speedway, George at Kansas Speedway, Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway and Coulter at Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has 17 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes and has led 659 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With 18 Camping World Truck Series races completed so far in 2012, Dillon is the driver championship point leader by one marker and Coulter sits in the fifth position, 50 points outside the top spot. The No. 3 team leads 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, Brendan Gaughan and George).
Vote for Team RCR … Coulter, Dillon and 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 Nov. 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. 16 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, @RCR2CWTS and @BeesRacingBuzz. RCR’s NCWTS driver personal Twitter pages – @tydillon, @JoeyCoulter, @timgeorgejr, @Brendan62 and @kevinharvick.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Kroger 200 is scheduled to be televised live on Saturday, Oct. 27 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 1:45 p.m. ET.
Kevin Harvick
No. 2 Kroger/Tide Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Kroger/Tide Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 058 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable. Harvick drove this Chevrolet to Victory Lane after starting from the pole position and leading all but two laps of the March event at the half-mile short track.
Martinsville Track Master … Harvick returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 2 RCR Chevrolet Silverado for his final Camping World Truck Series appearance of the 2012 season. Since 1998, the Bakersfield, Calif., native has made a total of 14 Truck Series starts. During those appearances, Harvick has collected two pole awards (March of 2010 and 2012), three wins (March of 2009, 2010 and 2012), seven top-five and nine top-10 finishes. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular has earned an average starting position of 7.1, an average finishing position of 9.4, has completed 97 percent of the laps contested (3,212 of 3,310) and is credited with 483 laps led.
Getting Loopy on the Short Track … According to NASCAR’s Loop-Data-Statistics, Harvick leads the Camping World Truck Series competition in Fastest Driver Early in a Run (92.393 mph), Fastest Laps Run (322), Green Flag Speed (91.746 mph) and Laps Led (483) at the Virginia short track. The 36-year-old driver sits second in Average Running Position (6.720), Driver Rating (118.8), Fastest Restarts (89.720 mph) and Speed in Traffic (90.973 mph). Harvick is the third-Fastest Driver Late In a Run (91.309 mph) and has spent 1,996 Laps in the Top 15 ranking him fifth amongst all Truck Series Competitors.
About Kroger … Kroger Mid-Atlantic, a division of the The Kroger Co., operates 125 stores and 60 supermarket fuel centers in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and eastern portions of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Kroger Mid-Atlantic focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.Kroger.com.
Rewind to 2011 … Harvick climbed behind the wheel of the No. 2 Kroger/Tide Chevrolet for Kevin Harvick Inc. as the Camping World Truck Series made traveled to Martinsville Speedway for the 2011 Kroger 200. Harvick started the 200-lap event from the sixth position and went on to lead two laps before crossing the finish line sixth, after his Chevrolet Silverado developed a loose-handling condition during the latter portion of the event.
In the Rearview Mirror: Talladega Superspeedway … Tim George Jr. and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group team scored a top-10 finish in the Camping World Truck Series event at Talladega Superspeedway.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway?
“Martinsville (Speedway) is a great track for me and it’s really one of my favorite places to race. I’ve had a lot of success at Martinsville over the years, and I think it’s because the track reminds me so much of the short tracks where my racing career started. It’s a lot more enjoyable going to a track where you know you do well at. I’m really hoping that we can repeat the success the No. 2 RCR team found in March and take the Kroger/Tide Chevrolet back to Victory Lane.”
Ty Dillon
No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 021 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s Kroger 200. This is the same Chevrolet that Dillon drove to a runner-up finish in the spring event at Martinsville Speedway.
The First Time Around … This week’s 200-lap event marks Dillon’s second appearance at Martinsville Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series. The 20-year-old driver qualified the No. 3 Chevrolet in the second position and remained a fixture in the top-three for the entire 250-lap affair at the half-mile short track. Dillon led for two laps en route to a second-place finish in his first Camping World Truck Series appearance at the Martinsville, Va.-based facility.
Points Leader … Dillon remains the leader of the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, ahead of second-place driver by one point.
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 18 Camping World Truck Series races, Dillon has one win (Atlanta Motor Speedway), three pole awards (Charlotte Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway), six top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C., native holds an average starting position of 5.2 and a seventh-place average finishing position. He has completed 99.9 percent (2,730 of 2,732) of the contested laps and led for 142 circuits.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with 18 races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule.According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender leads the series in the Fastest on Restarts, Laps Run in the Top 15 (2,482) and Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (97.44 percent) categories.He ranks second in the Average Running Position (7.594) and Driver Rating (103.1).Dillon holds the third position in Fastest Drivers Early in a Run and Fastest Speed in Traffic. The RCR driver is fourth in Green Flag Speed. With 566 Quality Passes made this season, he is ranked sixth amongst his competitors.
Welcome Home … Tracy Ramsey, the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops hauler driver hails from Fredericksburg, Va., a town 217 miles from the Martinsville, Va., short track. Ramsey, a 10-year veteran of the RCR team, came over to the No. 3 team from Jeff Burton’s No. 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team where he worked as the tire specialist.
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. 16.
Rearview Mirror: Talladega Superspeedway … Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team earned their third pole award of the season at Talladega Superspeedway. Starting from the point position for the 94-lap event, Dillon was scored in the top 10 for the entire race and led for 25 laps en route to a fourth-place finish.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
This weekend’s Kroger 200 marks your second appearance at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. What are you expectations heading into the weekend?
“We had a really fast truck when we came here in the spring. I think we can definitely give Kevin Harvick a run for the win. The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team has grown a lot since the last race at Martinsville (Speedway). I know we have what it takes to contend for the win.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 003 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s Kroger 200. This RCR racer was reconstructed after the 2010 season from a No. 3 into a No. 22 Chevrolet for Coulter. He drove this Chevrolet in the spring edition of the race this year and acquired a 30th-place result. The No. 22 machine also saw on-track action on four occasions during Coulter’s rookie season at both 2011 Martinsville Speedway events where Coulter started 23rd and finished 17th (March) and started 12th and finished fifth (October). Coulter also competed with the No. 003 at Lucas Oil Raceway in July (started third, finished seventh) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September (started third, finished 11th).
The Stats Say … Coulter has three previous starts at the half-mile short track in the Camping World Truck Series, recording one top-five finish at the track. The Miami Springs, Fla., native holds an 18.7 average starting position combined with a 17.3 average finishing position.
By the Numbers … With 18 races complete in the 2012 season, Coulter has collected one win (Pocono Raceway), three pole awards (Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway),five top-five and 11 top-10 results. He holds an average starting position of 8.6 along with an average finishing position of 9.6 and has completed 99.1 percent (2,707 of 2,732) of the contested laps, leading for 90 circuits.
Going for a Loop … Coulter has earned impressive stats this season, and according to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the 22-year-old driver is the series’ leader in Fastest Driver Early in a Run and Quality Passes (672). He ranks second in Fastest Speed in Traffic, and third-Fastest Green Flag Speed. He is ranked fourth in the following categories: Fastest on Restarts, Driver Rating (99.5), Average Running Position (9.548), Fastest Driver Late in a Run, and Fastest Laps Run (155 laps). With 2,201 Laps Run in the Top 15, Coulter is seventh among his fellow competitors.
Get to the Points … Coulter is fifth in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 50 points behind the leader and RCR teammate Ty Dillon.
Trackside Live … Stop by and see the RCR driver as he joins the cast of NASCAR Trackside on Friday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time at Martinsville Speedway in the midway area outside turn three.
Goin’ Back Home … The engine tuner on the No. 22 RCR Chevrolet, Justin Adkins, grew up 15 minutes from Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Va. Adkins is a member of the ECR team and is in his second full season with the organization.
Slingin’ Dirt … With two weeks off from Camping World Truck Series competition, Coulter headed to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in the World of Outlaws Late Model event. The 2011 Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year made contact with another competitor in the consolation race preventing him from qualifying into the main event.
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. 16.
Race Rewind: Talladega Superspeedway … The No. 22 Husky Liners team started the 94-lap event at Talladega Superspeedway from the 11th position. Coulter remained in the top 15 for the majority of the race and was scored in the 15th position for the final restart. He hooked up with a drafting partner and maneuvered into the top 10 with five laps remaining but lost contact with the draft and was shuffled back to the 22nd spot. Coulter was able to improve to the 14th position before crossing the finish line.
JOEY COULTER QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading into this weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway?
“We hit some bad luck when we raced at Martinsville (Speedway) in March. Our right-side tire blew, and the No. 22 Chevrolet suffered a lot of damage. Other than that, we had a pretty decent truck. I think if we can keep all four wheels on it, we’ll be able to run up front.”
Tim George Jr.
No. 93 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway … Tim George Jr. will pilot Chassis No. 002 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable this weekend in the Kroger 200. George drove this Chevrolet to 15th-place and 22nd-place finishes in the July and September events at Iowa Speedway. 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.
Rookie Stripes … George will make his first appearance at the half-mile facility in the Camping World Truck Series. However, the New York City native competed in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model event at Martinsville Speedway last weekend under the Team Dillon Racing banner. With engine problems plaguing the team, George didn’t advance into the feature race on Sunday afternoon.
Season in Review … George has completed 10 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), one top-10 finish and completed 93.1 percent (1,327 of 1,425) of the contested laps. George holds an average starting position of 13.6 and an average finishing position of 18.5. Following this weekend’s 200-lap event, he is scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
A Bit of Change … George will pilot the No. 93 Chevrolet with the familiar Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group colors this weekend in the Kroger 200, instead of the No. 2 Chevrolet. Crew chief Gere Kennon will call the shots for George and his RCR pit crew will service the truck during the 200-lap affair.
In Your Neighborhood … George is scheduled to make an appearance at a local Virginia Applebee’s restaurant before strapping into the No. 93 Chevrolet on Saturday. On Friday, Oct. 26, George will visit the Applebee’s located at 281 Commonwealth Blvd. West in Martinsville, Va., at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and the RCR driver will sign autographs for Applebee’s team members and restaurant guests.
Who Are You Voting For? … NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver contest is underway. Cast your vote for George 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. 16.
Rearview Mirror: Talladega Superspeedway … George and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet team played the drafting game and earned a 10th-place result at Talladega Superspeedway earlier in the month.
TIM GEORGE JR. QUOTES:
This weekend’s Kroger 200 marks your first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway. What are your thoughts heading into the weekend?
“This will not only be my first start at Martinsville Speedway in the (NASCAR Camping World) Truck Series, but my first short-track experience in one of NASCAR’s top-three series. Gere (Kennon, crew chief) and I really connected on short-track setups in the ARCA Racing Series (presented by Menards), and we seemed to get pretty close to where we need to be during a test session in our Chevrolet Silverado to prepare for Martinsville. Coming off a decent finish at Talladega (Superspeedway), we have more confidence as a team going in to the event this weekend. I’m also excited to visit local Applebee’s while we are in Martinsville, Va.!”
