Southern 500 and VFW Sports Clips Help a Hero 200
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes
Event: Southern 500
Location: Darlington Raceway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Darlington Raceway … Richard Childress is tied for third in all-time car owner victories with Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers at Darlington Raceway with eight wins each. Dale Earnhardt collected all of RCR’s victories at the South Carolina-based track. In 109 collective starts, RCR boasts 22 top-five and 36 top-10 finishes at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval with five different drivers including Clint Bowyer, Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Robby Gordon. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds an average starting position of 17th, an average finishing position of 18th, has completed 33,623 of the 37,441 contested laps (89.8 percent) and has collectively led 2,597 laps.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,402 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 44 pole awards,105 wins, 450 top-five finishes and 953 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.8. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
The Collective RCR …Throughout the season’s first seven races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have earned one pole award with Dillon at Daytona International Speedway in February. Collectively, the organization has notched one top-five and seven top-10 finishes with drivers Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 10th (Menard), 11th (Newman) and 12th (Dillon) in the driver championship point standings.
RCR Texas Rewind … In the Sprint Cup Series event at Texas Speedway last weekend, teammates Menard, Newman and Dillon finished ninth, 16th and 21st, respectively.
#NASCARGreen … All Richard Childress Racing Chevrolets this weekend will sport a green windshield header in support of NASCAR’s Race to Green Initiative. For more information about NASCAR’s efforts in sustainability, visit NASCAR.com/green.
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 and @RyanJNewman. 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 Southern 500 will be televised live Saturday, April 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon
No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Dow Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 453 in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon raced to a 16th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.
Dillon at Darlington Raceway …. Although Dillon has not yet competed at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, he has made two appearances at the “Lady in Black” in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, securing his best starting position of third and his best finish of a fifth in 2012. He also finished 11th after starting eighth in 2013. The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at the track in the Truck Series, earning his best finish of fifth in August 2010, coupled with a 15th-place result in March 2011.
Welcome, Dow …Dillon’s rookie year in the Sprint Cup Series 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
Get to the Points … Dillon is tied for 11th in the driver championship point standings entering this weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway, 57 markers behind current leader Jeff Gordon.
The Season So Far … Dillon started off his rookie campaign in the Sprint Cup Series with a pole award in the 56th running of the Daytona 500, making him the youngest polesitter in Daytona International Speedway history in the Sprint Cup Series. He earned a ninth-place finish in the “Great American Race.” From there, the Series traveled to Phoenix International Raceway where Dillon finished 24th, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he posted a 16th-place finish. He has earned back-to-back 11th-place finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway and Auto Club Speedway. He finished 15th at Martinsville Speedway and 21st at Texas Motor Speedway.
#ALLin Challenge … Dillon is asking fans whether they are #ALLin for a new and exciting challenge every Wednesday on his Twitter account, @austindillon3. From capturing an “awkward hug” via video to submitting your best “poker face” photo to helping crew chief Gil Martin’s son Ford find a date for his upcoming prom, each challenge is unique and the winner, as voted on by Austin, wins race tickets or unique memorabilia. Follow @austindillon3 on Twitter every Wednesday for the #ALLin Challenge.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on running at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series?
“We’re going to get some time at Darlington Raceway running right by the wall. It’s a fun place. You can really have some exciting racing there. I’m looking forward to competing there in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. I’ve never been there in a Cup car, so it will really be a learning experience there and at all of these short tracks that we are going to in the Sprint Cup Series car for the first time. Bristol Motor Speedway treated us well and hopefully Darlington Raceway will also.”
I’m assuming now with the repaved Darlington Raceway is not eating up tires now like it used to?
“It’s not as bad but you do fall off quite a bit. It’s very similar to some of these places that fall off, like Richmond International Raceway. It’s probably about where Richmond is now. Darlington will probably be worse when we go back the next time.”
Paul Menard
No. 27 CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 463 in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS has been never been used in competition and is new to the RCR stable of Sprint Cup cars.
Menard-to-Date … Paul Menard is making his 263rd-career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start this Saturday. During that span, the native of Eau Claire, Wisc. has one victory, one pole, 11 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes while leading 272 circuits.
Darlington by the Digits … At the 1.36-mile oval of Darlington Raceway, Menard has seven previous starts with a best start of 14th and finish of 13th, which both took place in the 2012 event. His average start at the “Track too Tough to Tame” is 24.4 and average finish is 23.7. Menard has completed 2,527 of 2,573 laps attempted (98.2 percent) and led three laps.
Say “Hello Paul”… Fans are invited to the Team Chevy Stage located on the Darlington Raceway Midway when Menard is scheduled to visit the stage on Friday afternoon from 4 to 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
Say Hello to Slugger … Fans are invited to a come by and ask crew chief Slugger Labbe some questions at the No. 27 CertainTeed/Menards pit box Saturday afternoon from 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. ET.
About CertainTeed … CertainTeed Corporation is a leading North American manufacturer of building materials including roofing, vinyl and fiber cement siding, trim, fence, railing, decking, foundations, insulation, gypsum, ceilings, and pipe products. Headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, CertainTeed has approximately 6,000 employees and 65 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world. Saint-Gobain employs approximately 19,000 people in North America and approximately 109,000 people in 64 countries world-wide. Saint-Gobain’s North American companies operate 130 manufacturing facilities in industries as diverse as industrial ceramics and containers, reinforcements and flat glass, abrasives, and building materials. For more information, please visit www.certainteed.com.
Race Rewind … In this race last year at Darlington Raceway, Menard started the No. 27 Chevrolet SS from 15th place and took the checkered flag in the 19th position.
One Week Ago … Last Monday at Texas Motor Speedway, Menard started 13th and finished ninth in the event delayed one day by rain. As a result of his third-consecutive top-10 finish, he currently sits 10th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings heading into the eighth race of the 2014 season.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What are your thoughts on racing Darlington Raceway?
“Darlington Raceway is a very unique track with the way its laid out. We race right up against the wall in the turns, which is even more challenging with how the cars transition out of turn 2 for the backstretch. Tire wear isn’t as tricky as it was after they repaved it a few years ago, but it still offers a challenge because of how the asphalt has weathered so quickly. We get to race under the lights on a Saturday night and drivers and fans seem to enjoy these types of race. Being one of the original tracks on the NASCAR circuit means there is some great history to the Lady in Black. We just hope we get to add our name to the history books this weekend.”
Ryan Newman
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Darlington Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 441 in Saturday night’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Chassis No. 441 was raced on March 2 at Phoenix International Raceway where the No. 31 team qualified 15th and finished seventh.
The Rocket Man at Darlington … Newman is looking to capture his first-career victory at his favorite track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit. The Rocket Man won the 2003 pole at the 1.366-mile oval. In total, he owns seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. The South Bend, Ind. native has an average start of ninth and average finish of 12th. Plus, Newman ranks third in most championship points earned in the last five races at Darlington and ranks sixth in points earned over the last 10 events.
Featured Caterpillar Dealer … Blanchard Machinery Company has been supplying South Carolina customers with Caterpillar equipment since 1982. The family owned company has established retail and rental stores throughout the state which offer a wide range of Cat and non-Cat brands of equipment. From full-sized bulldozers to small machine parts, Blanchard is committed to providing their customers the best products and services available. Blanchard has 14 locations throughout South Carolina representing six divisions, including Blanchard Compact Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Ironmart, Pioneer Forestry Equipment, Peninsula Equipment, Blanchard Power Systems and Blanchard Rental Services.
Point of Interest … Newman ranks 11th in the championship driver point standings entering the eighth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event of 2014.
Race Rewind … Last season, Newman earned his 10th top-10 finish at “The Track Too Tough To Tame” after starting 21st.
Put to the Test … This week the No. 31 team will participate in a Goodyear Tire test at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday. Newman will address the media on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. Eastern Time in the media center.
#31in31 … Quicken Loans announced the 31 Mortgages of May sweepstakes where they will be selecting a winner each day in May and making their monthly mortgage payment. For more details and to enter, visit QLRacing.com.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on racing at your favorite track?
“Darlington Raceway is my favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series track. It’s so challenging. You have to race the track in order to get to the end. It’s a challenge to pass there. When you go into Turn 1, you lift on the straightaway and then you are pretty much wide open all the way through Turn 1 and 2. You drive it like no other track on the circuit. I don’t know what it’s going to be like with the new rules package or the tire combination they come up with. Regardless, it’s such a fun racetrack to drive because you have to hustle the car around. Plus, the history of the track is what makes it so amazing. The racetrack was designed to race on the apron and not on the banking. It’s amazing how much it hasn’t changed, but yet, it still produces great races.”
What is your advice for the rookie class on a Darlington stripe?
“They’ll find out. You can give all the advice you can, but they’ll still probably end up with one. It took me awhile. It actually took me a long time to get mine which was good. I was probably more paranoid than anything. I just didn’t want to get one. It’s not cool to get one.”
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series News and Notes
Race: VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200
Location: Darlington Raceway
Richard Childress Racing at Darlington Raceway … In 37 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at the Track Too Tough to Tame, Richard Childress Racing has one pole award, led 233 laps and accumulated nine top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. In Nationwide Series starts at Darlington, the organization has an average starting position of 11.7 and an average finishing position of 14.1.
Texas Rewind … In the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway last Friday night, Ty Dillon finished ninth, Brendan Gaughan 11th and Brian Scott was 12th when the checkered flag waved.
Get to the Points … Richard Childress Racing’s three full-time Nationwide Series drivers remain inside the top-10 of the drivers point standings. Ty Dillon leads the RCR drivers ranking third, only 10 points behind the leader, Brendan Gaughan is sixth and Brian Scott seventh heading into this weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway
Social Media … To stay on track with the latest news, 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, @RCR33NNS and @RCR62BGaughan. RCR’s Nationwide Series driver twitter pages – @bscottracing, @tydillon, @CaleConley and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Coverage of the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 … Coverage of this weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway will be televised live on Friday, April 11, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. It will also be broadcasted live on MRN and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott
No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Brian Scott and his No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro will race chassis No. 126 this weekend at Darlington Raceway. This chassis has finished 17th or better in three previous races it has been utilized. One of which was when Scott earned an 11th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway last spring.
Scott at The Lady in Black … Scott will be making his sixth-career start this weekend in the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200. In five previous starts, Scott captured one top-10 finish, has an average start of 16.4 and an average finish of 19th. Scott finished 14th in the Nationwide Series’ last visit to the 1.36-mile track.
Dining at Shore Lodge … Shore Lodge dining is unlike any other resort. The McCall, Idaho community, along with resort guests have three dining experiences to indulge. The Narrows, an award winning restaurant, has a frequently changing menu with an extensive list of wines and ports. The Lake Grill is your hot spot for breakfast and lunch and is best known for their gourmet burgers. The Narrows Grill is for patrons looking to kick back and enjoy a light snack and a cocktail with live entertainment.
What are your points? … Brian Scott and his No. 2 RCR Chevrolet Camaro team enter Darlington Raceway seventh in the Nationwide Series driver point standings.
Where is Brian? … On Friday, Scott is scheduled to participate in a NASCAR Nationwide Series autograph session at Darlington Speedway in the fan midway in front of the Coca-Cola mobile stage from 1 to 2 p.m. ET.
Rearview Mirror … Brian Scott and his No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro qualified 13th for the 200-lap Nationwide Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. Scott was racing inside the top-10 within one lap after the initial green flag. Scott continued to fight through the field for the remainder of the race and collected a 12th-place finish. The finish secured Scott’s seventh-place position in the driver point standings heading into Darlington Raceway this Friday night.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
After the repaving at Darlington Raceway, it seems like it’s getting its own character back. Do you feel that?
“Darlington has always been one of the most difficult tracks on the circuit for me. It’s a tough place. Normally, I am able to practice really well there and have really good speed. Then, the race starts and it’s just a struggle to race. I feel like it’s a struggle to pass, it’s a struggle to run side-by-side and it’s a struggle to find out what you need in practice for the race. I do feel like the track is wearing out and I think that helps. I think when you have tires that fall off, it is going to make it easier to race it and pass cars. I really hope that’s the case. It seems like it’s been that way the last couple years. So, I hope to see some more tire wear come into play.
Is it true you have to race the track instead of racing the competition?
“I haven’t figured out the right way to race there yet. I’ve gone in there thinking, I’m not going to worry about anybody. I don’t know what the right thing to do is. The first thing you’ve got to do is have a fast car. I feel like track position at Darlington is the most crucial of anywhere we go. I feel like qualifying well and keeping your car up front is huge. I think a little is luck of the draw. You need the right lane on restarts. But, we’ll see. If it wears out and tire wear comes into play, I think that could really change the dynamic of the race a lot.”
Ty Dillon
No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway… Ty Dillon will pilot NASCAR Nationwide Series chassis No. 116 in Friday’s VFW Sports Clips Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway. The chassis ran earlier this season at Bristol Motor Speedway where Dillon finished sixth. Last season the chassis ran five races in the Nationwide Series gathering three top-five finishes, one top-10 and one pole award.
Dillon in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Darlington Raceway … Dillon is making his second-career start at Darlington Raceway. His previous start was last season in the Nationwide Series No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing. After qualifying 15th, Dillon finished 13th in the 147-lap event.
Yuengling Celebrating #185thAnniversary… D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., America’s Oldest Brewery, is celebrating its 185th anniversary this year. Family owned and operated since 1829, Yuengling is based in Pottsville, Pa. Now in its sixth generation of operation, Yuengling beer is available in 16 different states, most recently in Massachusetts. Fans can help celebrate its 185 years of success by posting congratulations on social media using #185thAnniversary. For more information, visit www.yuengling.com.
Grab a Yuengling Summer Wheat… Hitting stores this month is Yuengling’s seasonal Summer Wheat Traditional Weizen Beer. Summer Wheat, available for a limited time, is brewed with a combination of wheat and barley malts, Hallertau hops and authentic Bavarian-style top fermenting yeast. Its flavorful character with overtones of banana and clove esters makes it a perfect match for backyard grilling and while watching the race.
Last Friday at Texas Motor Speedway … Dillon drove the No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro to its fifth top-10 finish of the season. After failing to qualifying due to a delay in technical inspection, Dillon was forced to start 38th. It took him only 69 laps to crack the top-10, where he eventually finished ninth in his second-career NNS start at TMS.
What’s your points? … Dillon remains third in the Nationwide Series driver point standings trailing the leader by just 10 markers. The 22-year-old, Welcome, N.C. native has mustered five top-10 finishes and one pole award in six races, thus far. He is also competing for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award where he is currently in second place.
Meet Ty Dillon … Fans have two opportunities to see Dillon in a question-and-answer session on Friday, April 11. He is scheduled to make a stop at the Team Chevy Stage located in the midway at 12:30 p.m. ET and the fan hospitality area to speak with Motor Racing Network at 6:45 p.m.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“The hospitality at Darlington Raceway is always top-notch and makes for a great racing weekend. I’m excited to race under the lights and put on a show for all the fans that come out. It’s cool because it’s not too far from the shop, so a lot of family and friends get to come see the action. This will only be my second time racing in Darlington, but I learned a lot last year in the No. 33 car. It’s a unique track and we’ll have to really hone in and focus during practice on Thursday to get it right for the race.”
Cale Conley
No. 33 Okuma Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s OKUMA Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Cale Conley will pilot chassis No. 118 in Friday evening’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Darlington Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet saw track action four times in 2013 with Dakoda Armstrong behind the wheel, with a best finish of 15th at Chicagoland Speedway in July. Additionally, this chassis has been raced on three separate occasions in 2012 with a best finish of third at Chicagoland Speedway.
Date Night with The Lady in Black … Conley will log his first-career laps at The Lady in Black this week in Darlington, S.C. The Vienna, W. Va. native will run a limited schedule teaming up with crew chief Nick Harrison. The 21-year-old driver has competed throughout the open wheel ranks, including the World of Outlaws. In 2011, Conley made his K&N Pro Series debut and has since recorded one win, four pole awards, eight top-five and 10 top-10 career finishes. The RCR driver claimed his first career K&N Pro Series East victory in dominating fashion at Columbus Motor Speedway in 2012 after starting on the outside pole and leading all 150 laps.
About OKUMA … Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world leader in CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. The company is the industry’s only single-source provider, with the CNC machine, drive, motors, encoders, spindle and CNC control all manufactured by Okuma.
Meet Cale … Conley is scheduled to make two appearances Friday at Darlington Raceway. At 12:30 p.m. ET, Conley will join teammate Ty Dillon at the Team Chevy Stage located on the midway. Fans can also meet Conley at the Nationwide Series driver autograph session in the midway area in front of the Coca-Cola fan stage with fellow Series competitors from 1 to 2 p.m.
Last Time Behind the Wheel … Conley made a strong impression in his Nationwide Series debut last month at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Vienna, W. Va. native qualified his No. 33 OKUMA Chevrolet Camaro 12th and never fell outside the top-15 taking the checkered flag in the 11th spot.
Follow Cale … Fan’s can follow the young driver on Twitter @CaleConley, Facebook www.facebook.com/caleconleyracing and Instagram @CaleConley
CALE CONLEY QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading into Darlington Raceway this week?
“I was able to go down last week with Casey Mears and the No. 13 Cup team for their test at Darlington. Getting to talk with him and ride around the track was helpful and intimidating at the same time. It seems like there’s a lot of grip, everything is nice and smooth until it gets out from under you and there isn’t room to recover.”
What is your approach for the weekend?
“If I approach Darlington like I did Bristol, just calm and easy getting through the weekend with a learning mentality, I think we’ll be good. I’m definitely more confident now than I was going into Bristol. All-in-all, I want to come out with the best finish possible while learning as much as I can. It’s a heck of a track to go to for your second Nationwide race.”
Brendan Gaughan
No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 109 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway. This will be the second start this season for the chassis with the previous start at Bristol Motor Speedway where Gaughan qualified 20th and finished seventh. Chassis No. 109 also qualified on the pole at Michigan International Speedway in June 2012 and Dover International Speedway in June 2013. In addition to three top-five finishes at Michigan, Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July 2012 and Auto Club Speedway in March 2013.
The Track Too Tough To Tame Stats … The South Point Hotel & Casino driver will make his fourth Nationwide Series start at Darlington Raceway this Friday night. The driver of the No. 62 averages a 12.3 start. Gaughan also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Lady in Black, completing 98.6 percent of laps driven and accumulating one top-five and one top-10.
South Point Hotel & Casino to Host Las Vegas All-Star Bowling Classic…South Point and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have teamed up for a celebrity bowling tournament to benefit Strikes For Kids. The Las Vegas All-Star Bowling Classic will be held on Saturday, April 12 beginning at 7:00 p.m. PST. The bowling tournament & silent auction for all ages and skill levels will be hosted by NFL players & PBA Bowlers. The NFL stars will be not only bowling, but also interacting with participants, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. For more information on the event please visit www.lasvegasallstarclassic.com.
Strikes For Kids … A non-profit organization based in Sacramento, Calif. that partners professional athletes benefiting youth organizations in their community by traveling across the United States to uphold its mission of youth enrichment by organizing charity golf and bowling events. For more information on Strikes For Kids please visit www.strikes4kids.org.
In the Rearview Mirror: Texas Motor Speedway … Gaughan qualified seventh for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway and drove the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro to an 11th place finish under the lights.
To the Points …The No. 62 Richard Childress Racing team remains sixth in the driver point standings, only 31 points behind the leader, heading into the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway.
Meet Brendan Gaughan … Don’t miss your chance to meet Gaughan at the Nationwide Series autograph session Friday, April 11 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m ET. The Las Vegas native will be signing with 14 other drivers from the series in the Fan Midway in front of the Coca-Cola mobile stage.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
How comfortable are you at Darlington Raceway?
“Darlington is one of the best tracks that I have raced on; it is just so much fun. I still remember my first race there, any track you can remember just about every time you’ve been there. Darlington is wild and crazy. Last year we had some bad luck and blew a right front toward the end of the race, but we are excited to get back there because it is definitely my style of race track.”
Why is Darlington your style of race track?
“My style is running the high groove, so getting to race right at the wall and hugging the wall makes Darlington right up my alley. The key will be to see how few times you can earn that Darlington Stripe and how gently you can stripe it when you do. It is just my style place.”
