RCR Event Preview – Daytona 500 and DRIVE4COPD 300

Save Kids’ Lives by Joining the Childress Champions … Help support the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma by selecting your favorite driver when making a bronze level donation of $33 (Austin Dillon), $27 (Paul Menard) or $31 (Ryan Newman) to CIPT. To make a tax deductable donation, visit: . The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma invests resources in research, education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children in the U.S. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center was established through the generosity of Richard and Judy Childress. For more information, please visit www.InjuredKids.org.

Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR3ADillon, @RCR27PMenard, @RCR31RNewman, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3, @RyanJNewman and @BScottRacing. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages – www.facebook.com/austindillon3 , www.facebook.com/PaulMenard27 and www.facebook.com/RyanNewmanNASCAR.

Catch the Action … The 56th running of the Daytona 500 will be televised live Sunday, Feb. 23 beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The Duels at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races will take the green flag Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Austin Dillon
No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date:  Daytona 500 – February 23, 201
Venue:          Daytona International Speedway -Daytona Beach, Fla.

Race Notes and Quotes

This Week’s Dow Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 440 in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon utilized during January testing, where he topped the speed charts.

Dillon at Daytona … Dillon made his first start in the Great American Race in last year’s Daytona 500 driving the No. 33 Honey Nut Cheerios Chevrolet to a 31st-place finish, after he was involved in a multi-car incident on lap 137 of 200. In four Nationwide Series starts at the 2.5-mile restrictor-plate track, the Welcome, N.C., driver has three top-five finishes, with a best finish of fourth in July 2012. He also has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Daytona.

Pole Sitter … Dillon will lead the 43-car starting field to the green flag on Sunday afternoon after earning his career-first Sprint Cup Series pole award with a lap of 196.019 mph (45.914 seconds). It marks the fourth time the No. 3 has won the pole for the Daytona 500, and its 67th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole, overall.

Welcome, Dow …Dillon’s rookie year in the Sprint Cup is also Dow’s first year as a primary sponsor with RCR and the No. 3 Chevrolet. Together, both teams embrace the power of safety, science and technology as RCR tests Dow products under the most strenuous conditions. Dow also drives innovation to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems, bringing a broad range of sustainable products and solutions to customers in nearly 180 countries. www.dow.com

#CheerThe3 … Beginning this week, limited edition Cheerios boxes to commemorate the return of the No. 3 to NASCAR’s premier series with NASCAR champion Austin Dillon will be available to shoppers exclusively at The Kroger Co. Family of Stores nationwide. The collectible Cheerios box, which required rare brand approval to replace the traditional red heart with the iconic No. 3, also features historic photos and facts about the legendary number. Fans can interact and receive unique content about Austin Dillon and the No. 3 race team throughout the 2014 season by visiting the “Cheer the 3” social media communities on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/Cheerthe3 ) and Twitter @Cheerthe3.

Time to Duel … The Duel at Daytona features two 150-mile races from which the majority of the final starting grid for the Daytona 500 will be set. By virtue of qualifying first in last Sunday’s qualifying session, Dillon will be on the pole in the first of the two qualifying races on Thursday, Feb. 20.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What does it mean to you to sit on the pole for the Daytona 500 driving the No. 3 car?

“It’s amazing. Dow has had a good start.  They actually just got the first Olympic medal for us in the luge, in the women’s luge for a bronze, and now they got the pole at the Daytona 500.  It shows that the technology that that group is able to bring, not only as a partner with us, but as a performance partner.  So, it’s pretty cool to see what they’ve been able to do. As far as starting the year off with a pole right here, it brings some momentum into our season already to show that RCR cars have speed, and I’m so happy to be working with Gil Martin and all of our guys.  I sat down at the test at Nashville Superspeedway we had, and it was fun just to sit back and watch them work.  They’re so experienced and good at what they do.  I know I’m the young guy out of the group, the rookie of the group, and I really think I’m going to learn a lot this year from these guys.”

How much responsibility is it to drive the No. 3 car?
“I think it is a huge responsibility. Everybody knows who made this number famous, and with my grandfather and his friendship they were able to build something great that will never be touched. But, we feel like with bringing it back as my grandfather’s grandson and working with RCR it’s going to be special. And I feel like we’ve put in a lot of hard work and effort at the shop and we’re prepared for everything that’s to come. I’m just so thankful that we were able to work with great sponsors like Dow and Cheerios to make this happen. It takes a lot of things to come into place to get this opportunity and it’s a dream come true to be in the situation that I’m in. I’m going to take it every day and I feel fortunate to be in this situation. I want to go out there and run well, and go out each time try and set goals to be able to crush. We want to go out there and set high goals and maintain those. I feel like if we do that, it makes everything that much sweeter.”

Paul Menard

No. 27 PEAK/Menards Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date:     Daytona 500 – February 23, 2014
Venue:             Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

NOTES:

This Week’s PEAK/Menards Chevrolet … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 447 for both the Budweiser Duel and Daytona 500. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS is a new addition to the Richard Childress Racing stable this season.

Stats for “The Great American Race”… Menard has 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Daytona International Speedway. His best start of first came in July 2008 and his best finish of sixth came in the 2012 Daytona 500. The Wisconsin native has completed 2,156 of 2,309 laps attempted at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, leading 38 of them.

About PEAK… PEAK’s parent company, Old World Industries, is an independent, family-owned business that has been a leader in the development and distribution of high-quality automotive products for over four decades. There’s a 40-year history of American ingenuity constantly pushing and never settling for less than quality products at a fair price. Forty years of entrepreneurs developing products for the most extreme climates & working conditions that equal billions of miles on the road in big rigs and billions of hours of heavy equipment in the mines and on the farm. The PEAK brand has always been a little different – and always about the customer. We’re not here to sell you more performance than your car needs just to make a few extra dollars for shareholders – We don’t have shareholders. Great products. Great prices. Do right by your ride and your wallet. For more information, visit www.peakauto.com.

Time to Duel … The Budweiser Duels at Daytona feature two 150-mile races to determine the final starting grid for the Daytona 500. By virtue of qualifying 10th in last Sunday’s qualifying session, Menard will start fifth in the second of the two qualifying races on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

Meet Menard at the Chevy Q&A … Fans can participate in a question-and-answer session with Menard on Friday, Feb. 21 at 1:40 p.m. Eastern Time on the Team Chevy Stage, located in the merchandise area outside of Turn 4.

PAUL MENARD QUOTES:

Paul Menards Thoughts about Teammate Changes This Season:

“The atmosphere is good around Richard Childress Racing with the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. The No. 27 team is pretty intact with the exception of two new engineers, but for the most part we have the same core group of guys. There are a lot of changes around us with Ryan (Newman) and Austin (Dillon), which is exciting. Ryan brings a new outlook to RCR and a level of experience to our group as a consistent Chase (for the NASCAR Sprint Cup) driver with multiple wins and has worked with several premier racing organizations. Austin has more NASCAR championships than Ryan and I combined. He’s a young kid full of energy and he’s a lot of fun to be around. I think it’s going to be a great and I’m ready to get it all started.”

Menard’s Thoughts on the Daytona 500: “The Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the year for our sport. You can hear and feel the excitement building through the day as we get ready for the green flag. RCR and our No. 27 Menards team has put a lot of work into this race and we feel good about our Chevrolet. The best part for me is getting in the car, strapping in and thinking about the 500 miles of intense racing that lies ahead at Daytona. Winning this race is a dream for any driver and I hope we’re right there when the checkered flag flies on Sunday.”

Ryan Newman

No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date:       Daytona 500 – February 23, 2014
Venue:               Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

NOTES

This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Daytona International Speedway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 446 in Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. This No. 31 Chevrolet SS is brand new and will take to the track for the first time on Wednesday for the two scheduled practice sessions.

Newman in the Daytona 500 … Newman is the proud owner of a Harley J. Earl trophy by winning the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008. In total, the South Bend, Ind., native has 25 starts at the 2.5-mile superspeedway as well as four top-five and six top-10 finishes. His average start is 20th, average finish is 20th and he’s led 101 laps of completion.

About Caterpillar … For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc., has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent.  Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Power Systems – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.More information is available at: www.caterpillar.com.

Down to the Duels … Newman recorded the fifth-fastest lap on Sunday during NASCAR’s Daytona 500 qualifying session earning him the third starting spot in Thursday night’s first 150-mile Duel event. He’ll start directly behind the Daytona 500 pole sitter and teammate Austin Dillon. The top-15 finishers in each Duel race — excluding Dillon and Martin Truex Jr. who are starting first and second in the field — will earn an automatic spot in the Daytona 500 by filling positions three through 32.

Ask Ryan Anything … Newman is schedule to participate with fans in a one hour NASCAR Reddit AMA session presented by Quicken Loans on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

Race Rewind … Last season, Newman led three laps in the Great American Race on his way to a fifth-place finish.

RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:

What are your thoughts heading into this weekend’s Daytona 500 with your new CAT Racing team at RCR?

“I am really looking forward to it, especially seeing how fast we have been running so far here in Daytona. I feel it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has been so successful in so many ways and on so many levels. I have had three heroes as race car drivers growing up. They were Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt and Dale Earnhardt. The point about Dale Earnhardt was a lot of people that are still at RCR had an influence and were a part of so many great championships. Those championships happened because Earnhardt could beat the competition before he ever got to the race track. That’s our chore or our task to replicate that and have every organization out there fearing us when we show up at the track. As a member of this RCR team, I look forward to the next couple of days of racing. It’s all about having fun. If I can see that checkered flag before everybody else, then it’s a good day. It will make the start to 2014 so much better.”

What does winning the 50th Daytona 500 mean to you?

“It was such a special day for so many reasons especially when you look at the history of NASCAR. I joined a prestigious group of drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty and Buddy Baker. I always thought if I was going to amount to anything in NASCAR, I would need to win the Daytona 500. I did and let me tell you, winning that race meant, and still means, a lot.”

Richard Childress Racing

NASCAR Nationwide Series News and Notes

Race: DRIVE4COPD 300

Location: Daytona International Speedway

RCR’s NNS History at Daytona … Dating back to 2000, Richard Childress Racing has collected five victories, (most recently with Tony Stewart in February 2013), 26 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes at Daytona International Speedway. Brian Scott, Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan are each looking to bring home their first Daytona victory this weekend.

2014 Driver Line-Up … Brian Scott returns to the RCR driver line-up for his second Nationwide Series season at RCR. Scott is joined by teammate Ty Dillon, who will race for Rookie of the Year honors. Brendan Gaughan made the move from the Truck Series into the Nationwide Series for his second full-time season at RCR.

Social Media … To stay on track with the latest news and information and to view exclusive, behind the scenes content visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team Twitter pages – @RCR2BScott, @RCR3TDillon and @RCR62BGaughan. RCR’s Nationwide Series driver twitter pages – @bscottracing, @tydillon and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.

Catch the Action … Coverage of this weekend’s DRIVE4COPD 300 will be televised live on Saturday, February 22, beginning at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN and broadcasted live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott
No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway… Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 137 in Saturday’s DRIVE4COPD300. This is a new chassis from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable being utilized for the first time under race conditions this weekend.

Newly Wed… Congratulations to Scott and new bride, Whitney Scott, on their marriage. The pair wed on January 25 at the Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho. To see exclusive behind the scenes footage from the wedding, visit http://bit.ly/1gXorVM.

Nationwide Series Veteran … The Boise, Idaho native enters his fifth year of Nationwide Series competition with 142 series starts under his belt, two pole positions, eight top-fives and 36 top-10 finishes.

Daytona History … The 26-year-old driver has eight previous starts at “The World Center of Racing”. His best start of fourth came at the Series’ last visit to the 2.5-mile track in July. He scored his best finish of sixth during the 2013 season opener. Additionally, Scott has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts with a ninth-place finish in his 2008 Daytona debut.

Shore Lodge Back in 2014 … Shore Lodge will serve as primary sponsor for Scott and the No. 2 team in 2014. Set on the southern shore of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, four seasons of adventure await at this idyllic location. A family favorite since 1948, the travel destination allows guests to enjoy the spectacular views, friendly service and generous accommodations at the lake front resort. Shore Lodge serves as the perfect mixture of adventure and luxury featuring 26 spa adventures, fitness studio, golf privileges at Whitetail Club, jet skiing, and a private beach for guests.

Season Kickoff from Home …Thomas Costello, underneath mechanic for Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet, will kick off the season from his home track of Daytona International Speedway. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., Costello joined the RCR family in 2005 and is in his second season with Scott.

Return to the Top of the Box … Phil Gould returns for his sophomore season as crew chief for Scott and his Shore Lodge team. Gould, an 11-year employee of RCR, led the No. 2 Nationwide team to Scott’s highest finishing season (seventh). With two runner-up finishes, the Kendall Park, N.J. native knows his way to victory lane at DIS after collecting the victory as car chief on the No. 29 cup crew in 2007.

Double Duty … In addition to competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 this weekend, Scott is scheduled to drive the No. 33 Whitetail Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 23. The Daytona 500 is live on FOX at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Meet Scott … Scott is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Souvenir Rig located outside Turn 4 in the DIS Midway on Thursday, February 20 with NNS teammate Brendan Gaughan from 5 to 5:30 p.m. A limited number of wristbands will be distributed on Thursday morning on a first come, first-served basis. A wristband guarantees one autograph per wristband holder.

BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES
What do you think about the new qualifying changes that will take place in 2014?

“I like to greet the rule changes and the adjustments that NASCAR makes with an open mind, jump on it and try to get a leg up on the competition before anybody else. The key for me will be to figure it out before anyone else and try to get some pole positions out of it.”

Ty Dillon

No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 128 in Saturday’s DRIVE4COPD 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series chassis race. This chassis was used last season by older brother Austin Dillon in the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro at Talladega Superspeedway in May and Daytona International Speedway in July. The No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro qualified on the pole last July in Daytona.

Dillon in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Daytona International Speedway … Dillon has one previous Nationwide Series start at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 33 WESCO Chevrolet last July where he quailed third and finished 27th. This will be Dillon’s 13th overall start in the Nationwide Series, after competing in races in 2013 and three in 2012. In the Camping World Truck Series, Dillon has two starts at Daytona International Speedway with two top-10 finishes.

Bass Pro Shops continues partnership with RCR … Bass Pro Shops will be a primary sponsor in 2014 for the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro, continuing its long-standing relationship with Richard Childress Racing. Bass Pro Shops has 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 113 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America and a restaurant division with 26 locations. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO. Tracker Marine Group manufactures and sells Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe, Grizzly and Mako boats through Bass Pro Shops retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. Visit www.trackerboats.com

Same team, different driver … Last season, the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro team won the Nationwide Series championship with driver Austin Dillon. Younger brother Ty Dillon will compete full time behind the wheel in 2014, with the same team returning, as Austin moved up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Two-time, championship-winning crew chief Danny Stockman will remain on top of the pit box in 2014.

Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender … This season, Dillon will compete for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year in the Nationwide Series after winning the honors  2012  NASACR Camping World Truck Series honors.

Meet Ty Dillon … Fans can participate in a question-and-answer session with Dillon on Friday, Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. ET at the Team Chevy Stage located in the Midway at Daytona International Speedway. Following the Team Chevy Stage appearance, Dillon will sign autographs at the Dillon merchandise hauler located in the Midway from 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. A limited number of wristbands will be distributed on Saturday morning on a first-come, first-served basis. A wristband guarantees one autograph per wristband holder.

Yuengling me, Ty … On Friday, February 21, Dillon will be at Buffalo Wild Wings on 2479 W International Speedway Blvd. from 4 to 4:45 p.m., and from 5 to  7 p.m. at Bahama Breeze on 1786 W International Speedway Blvd. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Dillon and enjoy a Yuengling Light Lager with him as he “celebrity bartends” at the two establishments.

TY DILLON QUOTE
What are you expecting this season moving up to the NASCAR Nationwide Series?
“I’m really excited about competing full time in the Nationwide Series this year after running a few races last season and in 2012. I couldn’t be more excited about our team, these guys are some of the best in the business and won a championship last year with Austin. I’m expecting to compete for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year and get the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro back in victory lane several times.”

What are your thoughts on the changes NASCAR made to qualifying in the off-season?
“You know, I really think the changes NASCAR make only make our sport more exciting for our awesome fans. I’m ready to get out there any try it out. Hopefully, we’ll get this No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro on the pole a couple of times this season.”

Brendan Gaughan
No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway …
Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 138 in the DRIVE4COPD 300. This No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro is a new addition to the Richard Childress Racing stable this season.

RCR NNS Newcomer … The 2014 season opener marks the Las Vegas native’s fifth Daytona Nationwide Series start and his first full-time Nationwide season with RCR.

South Point Hotel & Casino … Returns as the primary sponsor for the No. 62 Chevrolet. South Point Hotel offers more than 2,100 guestrooms and overlooks the famous Las Vegas Strip. The Casino offers top-of-the-line gaming technology, more than 60 table games and a race and sports book area; a fabulous 400-seat showroom featuring headliner entertainment; a 16-screen Cinemark movie complex; a state-of-the-art, 64-lane bowling center; and a 165,000-square foot convention center; South Point Arena and Equestrian Center features more than 1,200 climate-controlled stalls and plays host to some of the country’s most unique events. For more information, call (702) 796-7111 or visit www.southpointcasino.com.

Dynamic Duo … Shane Wilson will return as crew chief for Gaughan in 2014. The duo accumulated 10 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes en route to a seventh place finish in the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship standings

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Meet Gaughan … Fans will have the opportunity to meet Gaughan at the RCR merchandise hauler in the  DIS Midway outside Turn 4 from 5 to 5:30 p.m on Thursday, February 20. where he and fellow RCR teammate, Brian Scott, will be signing autographs. Wristbands for the autograph session will be distributed Thursday morning on a first -come, first-served basis.

BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES
After the success that RCR had this past weekend, how are you feeling about getting down to Daytona?
“For me, showing up in Daytona is different this year because I have never been on a team where you can qualify well and race well; it is typically one or the other, not both. Last year in trucks, and this year in the Nationwide car, we have the ability to do both. I am looking forward to hopefully starting up front at Daytona and staying there all day.”

Do you start the year with winning expectations?
“Absolutely! When you look at what RCR did with Brian Scott, having his career best season in 2013 and Austin winning the championship, people can see that RCR is a team to be reckoned with. I have the same group of guys that I had with the truck deal last year and we all have a great mentality for this season. I am feeling the best that I have ever felt knowing that I have great teammates and strong Camaros. The best years of my racing career are happening right now.”

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