Alex Bowman
No. 99 Port of Tucson Toyota Camry
Event Preview Fact Sheet
Event/Date: Sam’s Town 300 – March 9, 2013
Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
News & Notes:
This Week’s Port of Tucson Toyota Camry… Alex Bowman will pilot RAB Racing with Brack Maggard chassis No. 42 in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A workhorse of the RAB Racing stable, Bowman last raced this chassis at Kentucky Speedway in September.
Welcome Back … Port of Tucson returns this weekend as primary sponsor of the No. 99 Toyota Camry. Port of Tucson is a multi-faceted rail facility in Tucson, providing a wide variety of rail-oriented transportation options in and around the southwest.
First Timer … Though Bowman has recorded laps at many of the tracks on the Nationwide Series circuit throughout his seasons in the K&N Pro Series and the ARCA Racing Series, he has not yet competed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As he heads out on the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval for Nationwide Series practice this Friday afternoon, his first laps will truly be his first laps here.
RAB at Vegas … RAB Racing has fielded Nationwide Series entries at Las Vegas Motor Speedway four times since 2009, with Scott Riggs, John Wes Townley and Wallace. The team’s best showing at the Diamond in the Desert is a 10th-place finish, which was posted by Wallace in 2011’s running of this race.
Rice at Vegas … Crew chief Chris Rice has sat atop the pit box as a Nationwide Series crew chief at Las Vegas Motor Speedway seven times in his career, posting one top-10 and two top-20 finishes. His highest finish at the 1.5-mile oval is 10th, which he posted in 2003 with driver Scott Wimmer.
Get to the Points … As we head into the third race of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, Bowman currently occupies the 10th position in the drivers’ point standings, only 11 points out of the top five and 25 points behind leader Sam Hornish, Jr. Owner Robby Benton holds down the 15th position in the Nationwide Series owners’ point standings.
Rookie Battle… Though falling out of the top spot following an early-race incident at Phoenix International Raceway, Bowman sits comfortably in the third position of the Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year battle, with one Sunoco Rookie of the Race contingency award already under his belt.
Catch the Action … Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live Saturday, March 9th beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network. NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying will be televised live Saturday, March 9th beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET on SPEED.
Get Social … Don’t miss any updates from Bowman and RAB Racing. Follow them on Twitter @AlexBRacing and @RAB_Racing.
Alex Bowman Quotes:
“I’m really pumped up to get to Vegas. I’ve never run here before, but I’ve heard its challenging and I’m excited to see what the track is about. I already know that I’m comfortable in this racecar. It’s the same chassis I ran at Kentucky Speedway last season and if it weren’t for a small part failure, we would have had a great finish there. I’m looking forward to regaining my momentum again. Last weekend was tough, but I think we will be strong here with the support of Port of Tucson and my RAB Racing team.”
Chris Rice Quotes:
“Alex Bowman has never been to Las Vegas Motor Speedway before, but this is one of my favorite tracks. Because of how bumpy the surface is, it is a chassis-tuning track. Aero is going to play a part this weekend, but it will be most important for our Toyota Camry to drive smoothly over the bumps so Alex can maneuver and do the things he needs to do. The city of Las Vegas is fun, but the racetrack is as well. You can carry so much speed here and are able pass on the inside and the outside. Because of Alex’s driving style, I think he’ll run well here and bring home a solid finish for our No. 99 team.”
