Event/Date: Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 – August 17, 2013
Venue: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
News & Notes:
- This Week’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Toyota … Alex Bowman will pilot RAB Racing Chassis No. 55 in Saturday’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. This chassis last saw action at Watkins Glen International last weekend, where Bowman drove this Camry to a 13th-place finish.
- Riding with Janet … Nationwide Children’s Hospital returns this weekend as primary sponsor of the No. 99 Toyota Camry. RAB Racing will dedicate their hood to 17-year-old Janet Gregory, who was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital after a sledding accident left her paralyzed in January of this year. Janet was discharged on May 30th and is moving freely about her home in her power wheelchair thanks to the therapy and guidance she received. To make a $10 donation to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, text KIDS to 50555.
- Bowman’s Road Course Stats … Bowman has two career Nationwide Series road course starts to his credit. This past weekend he brought home a 13th-place finish at Watkins Glen International.
- RAB Racing’s Road Course Stats… RAB Racing with Brack Maggard has competed in 13 Nationwide Series events at road courses since their inaugural year of competition in 2009, garnering a victory in 2011 with Boris Said at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
- Rice’s Road Course Stats… Crew chief of the No. 99 Toyota Camry, Chris Rice, has sat atop the pit box at road courses seven times in his Nationwide Series career, posting a career-best finish of 13th last weekend with Bowman at Watkins Glen.
- Get to the Points … As we head into the 22nd race of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, Bowman currently occupies the 11th position in the drivers’ point standings, 72 points out of the top 10. Owner Robby Benton holds steady in the 15th position of the Nationwide Series owners’ point standings.
- Rookie Battle… Following his 13th place finish at Watkins Glen International, Bowman retained the second position in the Rookie of the Year point standings, 61 points behind Kyle Larson.
- Catch the Action … The Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 from the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will be televised live Saturday, August 17th beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST on ESPN and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network.
- Get Social … Don’t miss any updates from Bowman and RAB Racing. Follow them on Twitter @AlexBRacing and @RAB_Racing.
Alex Bowman Quotes:
“This is a race we as a team have had circled on our calendar for a while now. It’s the first race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, a big race for one of our partners Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and a really challenging road course. I’ve been practicing as much as I can on racing simulators but I have a feeling nothing will prepare me for the real thing, so I’m excited to get on the track Thursday and start testing. Most importantly, we’ll have Janet Gregory on the hood of our Nationwide Children’s Hospital Toyota, and joining us for the race. This weekend we’ll be trying to raise as much money as we possibly can for the Children’s Hospital and everyone can help out by texting ‘KIDS’ to 50555 to donate $10.”
Chris Rice Quotes:
“Well I wish I could tell you about Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but I really can’t. It’s a narrow track that doesn’t have as much grip as the other two road course races we’ve had so far this season, and that’s about all we know. It’s very technical with a lot of corners, all with different radiuses and a lot of elevation changes. Not only will it be a challenging track for the drivers, but also for the crew chiefs. I’m glad we get all day Thursday and Friday to figure it out and try different combinations, so I’m sure by the end of those two days we will have a good handle on the car setup. Since Alex Bowman is always quick to adapt to different tracks he will definitely figure this 2.4 mile, 15 turn road course out by the time Saturday rolls around.”
