Quaker State 400 and
John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes
Event Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,440 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 452 top-five finishes and 961 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 16 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have earned one pole award with Austin Dillon at Daytona International Speedway in February. Collectively, the organization has notched three top-five and 15 top-10 finishes with drivers Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank eighth (Newman), 12th (Menard) and 18th (Dillon) in the driver championship point standings.
RCR Sonoma Rewind … Last weekend, RCR teammates Menard, Newman and Dillon finished fifth, 11th and 17th, respectively, in the Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.
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 Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts will be televised live Saturday, June 28 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon
No. 3 Cheerios Protein Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Cheerios Protein Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 465 in the Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon raced to a 16th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and a 21st-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
Dillon at Kentucky Speedway …. Dillon has made one previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Kentucky Speedway, driving the No. 51 Chevrolet to a 24th-place finish in 2013.
Winner, Winner … Kentucky Speedway is the site of Dillon’s career-first win in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In fact, the 2013 Nationwide Series Champion earned back-to-back Nationwide Series wins at the 1.5-mile track in 2012, sweeping both races and earning the pole award for both the June and September events. In four Nationwide Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Dillon has not started worst than second or finished worst than sixth. The Welcome, N.C., driver also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, acquiring two pole awards, one top-five and two top-10 finishes among 46 laps led. In his lone ARCA Racing Series start at the track, he finished 15th after starting 34th in 2009.
#CheerThe3 … 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 at @Cheerthe3.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 18th in the championship point standings entering this weekend’s race event at Kentucky 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.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in this week’s Tweetup at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday at 3:45 p.m., which will take place on the edge of the track’s Turn 4 Quaker State Tower Grandstand, easily accessible to fans via tram. Fans who attend will have a chance to meet Dillon and win prizes, courtesy of Kentucky Speedway and Cheerios.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on racing at Kentucky Speedway?
“The schedule goes from Sonoma Raceway to Kentucky Speedway, so it’s pretty much going from my newest track to my favorite track. I’m looking forward to Kentucky Speedway. I wish we could have had a test in there, just because I feel like it’s one of those places where we can go out there and have a shot to win. We’ll do our best this year to get after it in that race, I think we will have a solid run there.”
Why does Kentucky Speedway appeal to you so much? What do you love about it?
“I don’t know. I just have a line there that I like to run and I kind of just know what I want going into the weekend, and that’s what you’re looking for everywhere. If you can create that feeling for every track, that concept that you have, and you can stick with it. That’s what I’ve been working on really hard, so when we go back to these places for the second and third times, is to have a concept I can stick with and really focus on going into the race.”
Paul Menard
No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … This weekend in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, Paul Menard and the No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS will race chassis No. 454. This Chevrolet SS produced one top-five and three top-10 finishes in 2014; Las Vegas Motor Speedway (third-place finish) Texas Motor Speedway (ninth-place finish) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (eighth-place finish).
Menard at Kentucky … In three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Menard has an average starting position of 16.3 and an average finish of 22. Menard has completed 98.9 percent of the laps around the 1.5-mile oval. In addition, Menard has four NASCAR Nationwide Series starts.
About Quaker State … Quaker State® motor oil has a 70-year history as a leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care. Quaker State is among the industry’s most innovative motor oil brands and offers a full line of products to meet every type of vehicle engine need. Quaker State is one of the first brands to develop high mileage engine motor oil. For more information about the full line of Quaker State products, visit www.quakerstate.com.
Season-to-date … Through the first 16 Sprint Cup Series races of the 2014 season, Menard has completed 4,702 of 4,827 laps contested (97.4 percent), led 45 laps and is currently 12th in the driver point standings.
What’s Your Point … After finishing fifth at Sonoma Raceway, Menard moved up in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings and sits 12th, only 11 markers out of 10th, heading into Kentucky this weekend.
Double Duty … In addition to driving the No. 27 Quaker State / Menards Chevrolet SS in Saturday night’s race, Menard will pilot the No. 33 Libman / Menards Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Friday night. This race is scheduled to air live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, along with the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Test, Test … Menard along with his Richard Childress Racing teammates Brian Scott, Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan, will be testing at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
Looking Back … Menard qualified 24th for last year’s event in Kentucky and finished in 30th-place after fighting handling issues all day.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What are your thoughts on racing in Kentucky?
“It’s definitely a unique track with the surface. It’s one of the oldest surfaces we go to with the bumps that are characteristic of an old, worn-out track. It’s real flat, very wide. The fact that it is so multi-grooved makes it a fun track. You can run the middle, years ago we ran by the fence, which has gone away a little bit, but you can run all over the place.”
Do you avoid the bumps or do you have to make your car work over top of them?
“A lot of tracks you try to avoid them, but in Kentucky you can’t really avoid them. They’re everywhere and some are worse than others, so you just pick and choose where you need to run. Our shock packages are very important to absorb the brunt of the bumps and maintain some kind of platform. They’re always there, so you just have to deal with them.”
Ryan Newman
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Kentucky Speedway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 441 on Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. Chassis No. 441 has competed in three Sprint Cup Series events so far in 2014 producing two top-10 finishes (Phoenix International Raceway – seventh and Darlington Raceway – 10th). Newman also utilized the chassis in Dover where he ran in the top 10 before a mechanical issue ended the solid effort.
Newman in the Bluegrass State … In three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the 1.5-mile track, Newman owns one top-five and one top-10 finish. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 10th and average finish of 17th.
Featured Caterpillar Dealer …Whayne Supply Company is one of the oldest and largest Caterpillar dealers in the U.S., based in Louisville, Kentucky. Whayne Supply Company has 16 locations across Kentucky and Southern Indiana serving the construction, mining, highway, ag and power industries.
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.
Point of Interest … Newman ranks eighth in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings, just 39 markers out of fifth. He trails the current leader by 107 points entering the 17th event on the schedule, the Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway.
Media Availability … On Friday, Newman will be available at 3 p.m. ET to talk to members of the media outside the No. 31 Cat hauler.
Where’s Ryan? … On Saturday, Newman is scheduled to participate in a question and answer session at the Sprint Experience at 3:50 p.m. ET located in the Kentucky Speedway midway.
Race Rewind … Last season, Newman was on mark for a top-10 finish but a late-race caution lined him up in the wrong spot ,despite a discussion with NASCAR. The driver did his best to regain lost spots, but was relegated to a 14th-place finish.
Team Test … This week, the No. 31 team participated in a test at Nashville Speedway on Tuesday.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on racing under the lights at Kentucky?
“I love racing under the lights just about anywhere. I think it’s cool in Kentucky. I like that it has character and it has bumps. It is one of our one offs, so-to-speak. I think it falls at the most pivotal time in our season as far as racing to the Chase. Where you finish can make a big difference. I know the No. 31 Chevrolet was fast there last season, so I hope we can take what was done last season and improve upon it to be even better.”
What produces fast laps at Kentucky?
“Kentucky Speedway is one big circle. The trickiest part at Kentucky is Turn 3. Everything else has a pretty good radius to it. It’s a big straightaway from Turn 3 all the way back to Turn 1.”
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series News and Notes
Race: John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 200 presented by Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Date: Friday, June 27, 2014
Location: Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky.
Richard Childress Racing at Kentucky … The organization has seen success at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, earning three victories, one with Kevin Harvick in 2001 and back-to-back wins with Austin Dillon in June 2012 and September 2012. The organization has started from the pole-position in the last three races at Kentucky, all with Austin Dillon. RCR has led 596 laps and also earned 14 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes. The average start for the team is 11.4 and average finish is 9.5.
Back-to-Back NNS Victories … The RCR NASCAR Nationwide Series-stable backed up Paul Menard’s win at Michigan International Speedway two weeks ago with a victory at Road America. last weekend. After 98 career Nationwide Series starts, Brendan Gaughan earned his first victory.
Recap of Road America … Brendan Gaughan, Brian Scott and Ty Dillon posted first, 16th and 19th-place finishes, respectively, in the Gardner Denver 200 at Road America.
Getting to the Points … Heading into Kentucky, all three full-time RCR Nationwide Series drivers remain inside the top-10 of the driver point standings: Ty Dillon, fourth, Brian Scott jumps to fifth, and Brendan Gaughan remains seventh.
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 and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Kentucky Coverage… Coverage of this weekend’s race at Kentucky will be televised live on Friday, June 27, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. It will also be broadcasted live on PRN and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott
No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro will race brand new Richard Childress Racing chassis No. 148 at Kentucky Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300. This chassis will make its first on-track laps during the Wednesday test session at the Sparta, Kentucky venue.
Scott at Kentucky … In six Nationwide Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, Scott has finished 17th or better in four of the six events. Scott has an average starting position of 12.7 and an average finish of 19.2. He is also credited with one lap led, which was during the Series last visit to the Speedway. In addition to his Nationwide Series starts, Scott has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts with one top-five and two top-10 finishes and 43 laps led.
4 Races into 2014 … Brian Scott and his No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro team continues to dominate the Nationwide Series regulars this season in qualifying. Scott’s average has continued to increase as race weekends pass, currently leading with a 7.1 average starting position. He also is the top Nationwide Series regular in most laps spent inside the top-15 (2,262, 95.2 percent) and average running position (7.6.). Scott has finished 17th or better in 13 of the 14 races this season.
Dog Friendly at Shore Lodge … Want to go on vacation but don’t want to leave Fido at home? For an additional $25 pet fee per night, any Garden View room has been designated as dog friendly – including dog bowls, and a dog mat. Your pet will also enjoy the amenities with a welcome letter, baggie mitt and dog treat. For more information on bringing your dog to the Shore Lodge, visit www.ShoreLodge.com.
What are your points? … Brian Scott and his No. 2 RCR Chevrolet Camaro team enter Kentucky Speedway fifth in the Nationwide Series driver point standings.
Rearview Mirror … Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro team started the Gardner Denver 200 presented by Johnsonville in the sixth position at Road America. The Shore Lodge team gambled on fuel mileage and was forced to pit in order to complete the green-white-checkered finish. After three-final laps around the 14-turn road course, Scott crossed the finish line 16th.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
What are your thoughts about Kentucky Speedway? Is it getting rough?
“Kentucky has been rough. I love Kentucky though. It’s been a good race track for me through the years. Normally we are pretty fast there with our ECR Engines. Last year, we had some mechanical issues because of how rough it is. I feel like RCR has good history at Kentucky and I think we know what to do to get over the bumpiness in the race track.”
Is the bumpiness of the race track what makes Kentucky Speedway unique?
“Yeah, it is. It’s kind of a flatter mile-and-a-half and really bumpy, but has good grip. It’s really a unique race track. You really have to know how to handle through the bumps and how to drive through the bumps to be fast. For whatever reason, it normally fits my style and has been a decent race track for us.”
If they were going to repave Kentucky Speedway tomorrow, would you tell them to leave it alone?
“I think we need to have a hiatus from the repaves for a little bit. Obviously, some tracks need to have it. But if there is any way around it, it would be nice to keep some race tracks on the circuit that have a lot of character.”
Ty Dillon
No. 3 Alsco/Red Kap Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Alsco/Red Kap Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … This weekend Ty Dillon will race chassis No. 142 in the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared chassis is new to the Nationwide Series stable this season and will make its debut Friday night.
Dillon at Kentucky Speedway … Dillon will be making his NNS Kentucky Speedway career debut this Friday night. In the Camping World Truck Series, Dillon has past success and is the defending race winner at the 1.5-mile track and has three top-five finishes in four starts.
Stockman at Kentucky Speedway … Two-time, championship-winning crew chief Danny Stockman knows his way around the 1.5-mile speedway. In four Nationwide Series races on top of the pit box for RCR, Stockman has two wins, three poles and three top-five finishes.
Red Kap & RCR … This week Red Kap will be featured as a primary sponsor on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro. The official provider of high performance work-wear and uniforms for RCR, Red Kap has been in business since 1923.
Alsco on board … Alsco, a family owned and operated business, is a worldwide leader in linen and uniform rental. This year, Alsco is celebrating 125 years in business and will be featured on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro.
Road America race rewind … Dillon qualified seventh and managed to stay inside the top-10 for the first 26 laps before having to put Goodyear Racing rain tires on his No. 3 Camaro. For the remainder of the race, Dillon used a windshield wiper and rain tires to guide him to the checkered flag, where he finished 19th.
Points update … The 22-year-old, Welcome, N.C.-native remains fourth in the driver point standings. Also competing for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award, Dillon remains in second for that ranking.
Kentucky Speedway Racing to Excellence School Program … Ty and Austin Dillon are scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session on Saturday, June 28 at 4:15 p.m. at the Racing Excellence Display located in the Midway.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
What is your approach to this weekend at Kentucky Speedway?
“Kentucky has been a great track to me in the past. I’ve had a lot of success there and got a really big win there last June in the Camping World Truck Series race. I’m very optimistic about this weekend because my crew chief and team has done very well in Kentucky. Having the right attitude each weekend, before even getting to the track, can make a big difference.”
Paul Menard
No. 33 Libman/Menards Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Libman / Menards Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … This weekend in the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300 presented by Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over at Kentucky Speedway, Paul Menard and the No. 33 Libman / Menards Chevrolet Camaro will race chassis No. 146. This Chevrolet Camaro is the same chassis Menard drove to Victory Lane at Michigan International Speedway on June 14.
Menard at Kentucky … In four NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Menard has earned two top-10 and one top-five finishes with an average starting position of 10.8 and an average finish of 15. Menard has completed 94.4 percent of the laps around the 1.5-mile oval in the Nationwide Series. In addition, Menard has three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts.
About Libman … For over 110 years, the Libman family has made quality their utmost priority. William Libman started ‘The Libman Company’ in 1896 with one mission, to make the finest, most durable wire-wound corn brooms. William’s sons, grandsons and great grandchildren have since expanded that mission to include the finest mops, brooms, brushes and cleaning tools. For more information on Libman, please visit www.libman.com.
Double Duty … In addition to driving the No. 33 Libman / Menards Chevrolet Camaro in Friday night’s race, Menard will pilot the No. 27 Quaker State / Menards Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on Saturday night. This race is scheduled to air live on TNT at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, along with the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90.
Test, Test … Menard, along with his Richard Childress Racing teammates Brian Scott, Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan, will be testing at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
Looking Back … Menard’s last visit to the 1.5-mile oval in the Nationwide Series was in 2010 where he qualified eighth, but was relegated to at 32nd-place finish after being collected in an on-track incident.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading in to Kentucky?
“Kentucky (Speedway) is a track that I enjoy coming to. I think we will all have high expectations coming off of the win in Michigan. We’re actually racing with the same chassis this weekend that we won with in Michigan, so it’ll be interesting to see what carries over. I know that Nick (Harrison) and the guys worked hard all week to give me a fast Libman / Menards Chevy so we’ll see what happens.”
Brendan Gaughan
No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Kentucky… Brendan Gaughan will drive chassis No. 140 at Kentucky Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300. This No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino previously ran at Charlotte Motor Speedway this season, where Gaughan qualified 20th and finished 17th.
Gaughan’s Stats at Kentucky …The Las Vegas-native will make his fourth Nationwide Series start at the 1.5-mile tri-oval this weekend. In three previous starts, Gaughan has led seven laps, completed 100 percent of the 600 laps ran and finished inside the top-five in all three starts. His average starting position is 10.7 and average finish is 3.7. The 38-year-old driver also has nine starts at Kentucky in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he led 72 laps and earned two top-five finishes. Gaughan’s average starting position is 13.4 and average finish is 18.2.
Road Course Winner … Gaughan ended his 11-year winless streak at Road America’s 14-turn road course on Saturday. This was Gaughan’s first Nationwide Series win in 98 starts and first top-five finish of the season.
In the Rearview Mirror: Road America … After qualifying fifth at Road America, Gaughan faced many challenges during the 53-lap race. Despite the challenges and changing track conditions, Gaughan and his No. 62 RCR team came out victorious becoming a first-time Nationwide Series winner.
To the Points …Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team remain seventh in the Nationwide Series driver point standings, currently 48 points out of the top-five heading to Kentucky Speedway.
Spa Costa Del Sur at South Point … With more than 40,000 square feet, 28 treatment rooms and a full-service salon, relaxation is their specialty. A visit to Spa Costa del Sur steam, sauna, whirlpool and treatment rooms will leave any guest feeling like they can take on the world, or at least the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. For more information or to request an appointment, visit www.spacostadelsur.com.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
What are your thoughts on Kentucky Speedway?
“It is the only track with that flat 1.5-mile surface, with a ton of bumps. I hope they never change it. Kentucky is one of the best tracks of that size we have left on the circuit. You get slipping and sliding with multiple grooves racing three wide. Kentucky is one of the last tracks that has my preferred style of racing. I love Kentucky and I cannot wait to get on track.”
STAY CONNECTED WITH RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR TEAMS AND DRIVERS ON TWITTER
@RCR3ADillon @RCR27PMenard @RCR31RNewman
@RCR2BScott @RCR3TDillon @RCR62BGaughan
@RCR33NNS
