CORNELIUS, N.C. — Do you ever watch a NASCAR race and wish you could ask a racing expert a question? Is there something about the sport you’ve always wanted to know?
Now’s your chance to get those answers. Throughout race weekends in 2014 MWR will collect questions hash-tagged #AskMWR on its @MWRteam Twitter handle.
No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Jackman Wes Evans will host a 3-minute video each Wednesday on www.michaelwaltripracing.com featuring MWR experts answering the best fan questions from the weekend.
If you think you know everything about the sport take a look at the videos from the first few weeks of the season and see if there is a gem of knowledge that might have slipped through the cracks during your years of race watching.
Evans has already answered questions about pit crew communication through hand signals, transportation challenges posed by west coast races, the weight of tire inner liners and car setups in night versus day races.
Sarah Vickers, Brian Vickers’ wife, tweeted #AskMWR for an explanation of how the teams calculate fuel mileage without gauges in the car.
Her husband is a viewer.
“This is a really cool idea and a great way to connect with our fans no matter how much they know about racing,” said Brian Vickers. “You have to be a hardcore race fan to ask about the weight of inner liners and some of the things that are asked. Wes also takes the time to explain some of the stuff new fans might not know. They do a good job with the videos and you get answers from the people that know best.”
Vickers hopes next week’s questions will be about where he’ll showcase his new grandfather clock— the unique trophy presented to the winner at Martinsville Speedway where the Sprint Cup Series races this weekend.
“I’d love to get a clock. I don’t have one of those yet. We’ve come close. We’ve led laps, but we need to get a clock. I think it’s a beautiful piece. It’s one of the most unique and special trophies I think on the circuit. I know a few guys that have one — it’s one of their prized trophies,” said Vickers who is 14th in points after two consecutive top-10 finishes in the Aaron’s Dream Machine.
“I actually remember coming to Martinsville as a kid and watching races. We stood in the corners before pit road changed and watched the cars go by. As a kid I always thought it was pretty cool the train went by the race track. Martinsville has always been a special place for me whether it was coming as a fan, running my first stock car race there, running Late Models or now running in the Cup Series here.”
NOTES:
· CHASSIS: Primary 807— Never raced. Backup 785 — Elliott Sadler finished 25th subbing for Vickers at Martinsville in October.
· TESTING: The No. 55 team tested at Sonoma Raceway Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a Goodyear tire test.
· MWR AT MARTINSVILLE: In 2012 and 2013 only Penske Racing’s 9.63 and Hendrick Motorsports’ 10.75 average finish is better than MWR’s 13.83 average finish at Martinsville.
· CREW CHIEF BILLY SCOTT: The Daytona 500 marked the first race for No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Crew Chief Billy Scott. The 36-year-old began racing motorcycles as a 5-year-old and stock cars when he turned 15. He worked in the truck series as a mechanic before he returned to college to obtain an engineering degree. After graduating in 2005 Scott worked at Robert Yates Racing and began as an engineer at MWR in 2008. He has served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons.
· AARON’S: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. The Atlanta-based company has grown from 500 to 2,100 stores in that time. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, appliances and computers and offers a variety of flexible payment options. It’s really easy to get started owning at Aaron’s – you are pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise without needing credit. Visit Aarons.com for more information.
· No. 55 CREW:
Billy Scott Crew Chief
Ryan Langley Front Tire Changer
Chris Hall Front Tire Carrier
Shannon Myers Rear Tire Changer
Blake Haugland Rear Tire Carrier
Wes Evans Jack Man
Jeff Kerr Gas Man
Steve Channing Car Chief
David Cropps Interior Mechanic
Roman Pemberton Spotter
Brandon Pope Race Engineer
Joe Bisson 2nd Engineer
Jeremy Sharpley Shock Specialist
Jacen Johns Front Mechanic
Joe Zanolini Rear Mechanic
Kevin White Tire Specialist
Denny Chandler Engine Tuner
Tim Bruce Engine Engineer
Glenn Shano Truck Driver
Al Nelson 2nd Truck Driver
· FANTERN: MWR is offering fans a chance to become an official MWR Fantern. This person will get the opportunity to be an “intern” on race day with MWR; duties including helping the pit crews with set-up activities, attending driver appearances and getting full access to the pit and garage areas. Fans can write in a submission to webmaster@michaelwaltrip.com or share a video on our social channels explaining why they should be the Fantern at the race of their choosing during the 2014 season.
· FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@brianlvickers
@mw55
@mwrteam
@aaronssports
@aaronsinc
@toyotaracing
