TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
CROWN ROYAL PRESENTS THE JOHN WAYNE WALDING 400 AT THE BRICKYARD
JULY 27, 2014
CHEVROLET GOING FOR 12 IN A ROW AT THE BRICKYARD
Chevrolet has Intricate Role in the History of NASCAR Racing at IMS
DETROIT – (July 22, 2014) – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rolled over the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time 20 years ago. The first winner of the Brickyard 400, Jeff Gordon, drove his iconic No. 24 Chevrolet across the ‘yard of bricks’ start/finish line to become the first driver in a stock car to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 20 years later Chevrolet continues its winning ways. Over the past 11 seasons a Chevrolet driver and team has ‘kissed the bricks’ in celebration at conclusion of 200 laps around the 2.5-mile track.
The names of Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman are all etched into the history of Chevrolet at Indy. When the green flag falls on Sunday July 27th, marking the 21st running of the Brickyard 400, Chevrolet will be going for an unprecedented 16th win at Indy and 12th consecutive victory.
As impressive as those statistics are, it is not a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series record. Chevrolet won 13 consecutive races at Talladega Superspeedway spanning 1999-2005.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds special meaning to all drivers, many of whom grew up watching the Indianapolis 500 and dreamed of being superstars like those that came before them. Winning at Indy ranks as one of the top honors a driver and team can achieve. In 2014 a win at Indy not only carries with it the prestige and history, but another opportunity to make it into this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup. With only seven (7) races remaining to make the Chase, the intensity is heating up for those who have yet to record a victory.
Former Chevrolet winners at Indianapolis Stewart, McMurray, Menard and Newman all hope to be able to rekindle the magic they found at the track in the past and assure themselves a spot in this year’s playoff with a win.
As the Chevrolet drivers and teams focus on bringing home the hardware for Chevrolet, fans will have several opportunities to meet with their favorite drivers. An annual fan favorite ‘Chevy Day at the Brickyard’ returns once again. On Friday July 25th wristbands will be handed out to fans in Pagoda Plaza for two autograph sessions. The first session features Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Austin Dillon and Kurt Busch. The second session includes Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray and Martin Truex, Jr. After each autograph session these drivers will make their way to the Team Chevy stage for question and answer sessions. While at the display fans can check out a number of Chevrolet production vehicles including: Sonic RS, Cruze Diesel, Malibu, Impala, Traverse, Chevrolet SS, Camaro Z/28, Volt, Stingray Convertible, Corvette Z06, Corvette Coupe, Trax and Malibu with 4G LTE.
Several other Team Chevy drivers will also make appearances at the Chevy display throughout the weekend including: Ty Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Josh Reaume, Dylan Kwasniewski, Tony Stewart, Chad Boat, Justin Allgaier, Danica Patrick, Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson.
Chevrolet will pace every race during the Kroger Super Weekend July 25-27, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition to leading the field with the Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Chevrolets will pace with: Camaro ZL1 in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge; Corvette convertible in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship; and Camaro 1LE in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
The quest for 12-in-a-row beings as the 21st running of the Brickyard 400 commences on Sunday July 27th at 1:00 p.m. ET. Live coverage will be available on ESPN, IMS Radio Network, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.
TEAM CHEVY IN NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES (NSCS) COMPETITION:
· Chevrolet has won 37 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Manufacturers’ Championships
· Team Chevy drivers have scored 727 wins and 655 poles in NSCS competition
CHEVROLET ON THE TRACK—INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY:
Chevrolet drivers have won 15 of 20 races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Victories by current Team Chevy drivers are:
Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS, has four (4) wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (’94,’98, ’01 & ‘04)
Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet SS, has visited Victory Lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (4) times (’06, ’08, ’09 & ‘12)
Tony Stewart, No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS, has kissed the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway twice (2) (’05 & ‘07)
Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS, has one (1) trophy from Indianapolis Motor Speedway (’03)
Jamie McMurray, No. 1 CESSNA Chevrolet SS, has one (1) win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (’10)
Paul Menard, No. 27 Moen/Menards Chevrolet SS, has one (1) victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (’11)
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Quicken Loans Chevrolet SS, has one (1) win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (’13)
A Chevrolet driver has won 11 of the last 11 races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway nine (9) times
Team Chevy drivers have scored 44 top-five and 83 top-10 finishes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A Chevrolet has led 1,756 laps (54.9% of possible 3,201 laps) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
TEAM CHEVY FOR THE FANS AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY:
· Chevy Day at the Brickyard – Friday July 25
o Team Chevy Driver Autograph Sessions – Fans can obtain a wristband for one of two Team Chevy driver autograph sessions. Wristbands will be distributed on Friday at 8:00 a.m. at the Pagoda Plaza. 150 wristbands will be distributed for each autograph session. Only wrist banded individuals will be able to the autograph session.
o Autograph Session Times:
§ 8:30 am – 9:30 am: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Austin Dillon and Kurt Busch
§ 9:35 am – 10:35 am: Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne and Martin Truex, Jr.
· Fans can check out great Chevrolet vehicles including: Sonic RS, Cruze Diesel, Malibu, Impala, Traverse, Chevrolet SS, Camaro Z/28, Volt, Corvette Stingray Convertible, Corvette Z06, Corvette Coupe, Trax, Malibu 4G LTE, T4 Bumble Bee (as seen in the movie Transformers) and Stingray Crosshairs
· At the display fans can see a variety of show cars including: Jeff Gordon’s 1994 winning Brickyard 400 Chevrolet Lumina and the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS show car
Fans can see a sample of engines, parts and accessories in the Team Chevy Display available for purchase from Chevrolet at their local Chevrolet dealer
· Other activities at the Team Chevy Racing Display include a variety of interactive games for adults and kids
DRIVER FAN Q/A APPEARANCES:
· Friday July 25th – Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray and Martin Truex, Jr. will stop by the Team Chevy stage for a question and answer session at 9:00 a.m. Followed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kurt Busch and Austin Dillon at 9:35 a.m. Ty Dillon will stop by the Team Chevy stage at 1:00 p.m. followed by teammate Brendan Gaughan at 1:15 p.m. Josh Reaume will make a stop at the Team Chevy stage at 1:30 p.m. Dylan Kwasniewski will make an appearance at the Team Chevy stage at 1:45 p.m. Two-time Indianapolis Motor Speedway winner Tony Stewart will stop by the Team Chevy stage at 2:00 p.m. Chad Boat will round things out at the Team Chevy stage at 2:15 p.m.
· Saturday July 26th – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year candidate Justin Allgaier will kick things off at the Team Chevy stage at 11:45 a.m. Danica Patrick will stop by the Team Chevy stage for a question and answer session at 12:00 p.m.
· Sunday July 27th – Fans can collect autographs from the No. 42 Chevrolet SS over-the-wall pit crew at 9:00 a.m. at the Team Chevy stage. 2013 Brickyard 400 winner Ryan Newman will stop by the Team Chevy stage at 9:35 a.m. followed by Kevin Harvick at 10:00 a.m. and Jimmie Johnson at 10:20 a.m. Chevrolet SS Pace Car driver and star of the upcoming movie ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Chris Pratt will make an appearance at the Team Chevy stage at 10:35 a.m.
· Hours of operation: Fri. July 25 – 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sat. July 26th – 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Sun. July 27th – 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
CHEVROLET SPOTLIGHT: This weekend Chevrolet will compete for a 12th consecutive victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however is NOT the record for victories by a single manufacturer at one track. Chevrolet holds that milestone at Talladega Superspeedway where the Bowtie Brand collected 13 consecutive victories from 1999-2005.
BOWTIE BULLET: 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet’s Jeff Gordon won the inaugural race at the ‘Brickyard’. He drove his No. 24 Chevrolet Lumina to Victory on August 6, 1994. Since that day Gordon has three additional victories at the 2.5-mile venue all driving Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s.
DID YOU KNOW? General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) sold 2,505,889 vehicles around the world in the second quarter of 2014, with year-over-year sales in the United States and China up 7 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Total sales were up one-half percent in the second quarter. In the first half, GM sold 4,921,928 vehicles, up 1.4 percent.
ENGINEER EXPERTISE FROM THE GARAGE AREA –– ALBA COLON, PROGRAM MANAGER, NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES – CHEVROLET RACING:
“After a well-deserved weekend off for everybody involved in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, we are all looking forward to the race at the famed Brickyard. There is always a very special kind of excitement when we visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The prestige of this event is huge, and every driver wants to acquire at least one win here and have the opportunity to kiss that famous Yard of Bricks.
“The Brickyard is a very beloved place for Team Chevy; not only because of its significance on our brand founder and his family, but because Chevrolet’s Sprint Cup drivers have won 15 of the 20 races run to-date at Indy, including the last 11 in-a-row! What an accomplishment! It is not an easy task, but we are very proud of each and every one of our wins.
“Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a demanding 2.5-mile track, with long straightaways and fast, flat corners; which puts pressure on drivers and crews alike. Because of the high speeds, track position is critical. So, our teams will be really focused on finding a good qualifying setup. Starting up-front will provide an advantage early in the race, but having the speed to run down and pass cars that are in the front will be key too.
“Starting with the Tudor United Sportscar Championship & Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge on Friday, the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, Team Chevy is looking forward to ‘kissing the bricks’ three days in a row!”
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE THE CHEVROLET SS RACE CARS?
This weeks’ race is at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. 23 Chevrolet SS race cars will attempt to qualify at the 2.5-mile track. Fans can watch and/or listen to all the action at the Brickyard on ESPN, IMS Radio Network, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com
TEAM CHEVY FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT:
JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS – POINTS LEADER
(ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF INAUGURAL BRICKYARD 400 VICTORY IN 1994.): “It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years. That was such a big event, and Ernie Irvan and I had a great battle where we were passing each other for the top spot before he had a tire issue. Growing up in nearby Pittsboro (Indiana) made that such a special win for me.”
(ON CHALLENGES OF INDIANAPOLIS MOTORSPEEDWAY.): “The track presents a lot of challenges – how you brake, how you turn in, how you apply the throttle in each of those four corners – but it’s a lot of fun. And when you win, there is nothing sweeter than a win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”
DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET SS – 2ND IN STANDINGS
“The shape of the track is unique compared to anything else we race on. Indianapolis is a real technical track. The car must go through each corner pretty much the same and what you might be fighting in one corner you would probably assume you would fight in all of them but all the corners are really different. That makes it a bit of a challenge, a good challenge, trying to get a car that goes fast and doesn’t have trouble at one end of the track to make things difficult.”
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S/KOBALT TOOLS CHEVROLET SS – 5TH IN STANDINGS
“Everyone risks it all for Indianapolis. I’m excited because for a long stretch now we have been able to go there and get it right and be competitive with this Lowe’s team. So now I unload there and I understand how to drive the track and I’m able to get us in that window to be competitive. It’s a huge honor to be out there kissing the bricks at the end – something I would love to do again.”
RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 QUICKEN LOANS CHEVROLET SS – 7TH IN STANDINGS
“It’s hard to rationalize a race beating the Daytona 500, but with all that happened to me last year, winning the 2013 Brickyard 400 is kind of in a tie with me winning the 50th running of the Daytona 500. I went through a lot last year. Plus, I am from Indiana and that place is important to my state. I think the most important part of winning at Indy is appreciating the history of the speedway and the history of all the race car drivers who have competed there. Then, to see the list of drivers who have actually fulfilled their dreams of winning there, it’s pretty amazing.”
PAUL MENARD, NO. 27 MOEN/MENARDS CHEVROLET SS – 11TH IN STANDINGS
“Indy is the greatest race track in the world. It’s the one I circle every year, even before I won there. I spent a lot of time there as a kid watching IndyCar races. I was at the inaugural Brickyard 400. The track holds a special meaning to me for sure.”
KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 4 JIMMY JOHN’S CHEVROLET SS – 13TH IN STANDINGS
“Indianapolis is a very hard racetrack to pass on. Obviously with how narrow the racetrack is and how fast the cars are going, so you have to try and maintain your track position all day. It takes really everything – you have to have great motors, good handling and all the things you hear about a lot of racetracks. You can’t overcome a lack of horsepower or a lack of downforce and I feel like we’ve done a good job with both of those things all year. Hopefully we can find the right handling package to go with the great pieces and parts that we have to go on the cars.”
KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – 14TH IN STANDINGS
I’m definitely looking forward to racing in my first Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. To be able to race at a track that has such a rich history is a really cool experience. The team is excited about our chances in the Brickyard, and I know the guys back at the shop have put together a really good Target Chevy for this weekend. We will be looking to build upon the solid race we had in Loudon just before the break, and keep pushing hard for a spot in The Chase.
AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW/MYCOGEN SEEDS CHEVROLET SS – 15TH IN STANDINGS
“Everybody knows how prestigious this race is and just being a part of it with Mycogen Seeds was huge last year, and we get to come back with them this year, too. I’m excited to have a good run. I feel like we have a little momentum going into this race. We’ve been running a little better as of late on the ovals, so I’m definitely looking forward to Indy. Hopefully it will cut the learning curve in half and we can rely on some of our notes and what we’ve done in the past to make our car better, so hopefully that plays out for us. It’s a really special track and I have a lot of fond memories there walking down pit road with my grandfather and watching races from the Pagoda. I remember him being perched up there watching his cars, so it’s so cool now that I have a chance to add to that history. To become the fourth driver from Richard Childress Racing to win and to do it my first year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series would be crazy. It would definitely be an amazing experience.”
KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 TIME WARNER CABLE CHEVROLET SS – 17TH IN STANDINGS
“For me, winning at the Brickyard is definitely at the top of my list. When I was coming up through the sprint car ranks, I raced in the Indianapolis area a lot and learned early on how significant winning at the Brickyard was. It would really mean a lot to me to add my name to the list of drivers that have won at Indy over the years. We’ve been close a few times, and we had a great run there last year. It’s a neat track so I’m looking forward to getting back there this weekend.”
TONY STEWART, NO. 14 MOBIL 1/BASS PRO SHOPS CHEVROLET SS – 19TH IN STANDINGS
“In an Indy car you just don’t lift – if the car’s right. But in a stock car, even if it’s right, you’ve got to lift and you’ve got to brake for at least two of the corners. With the other two corners, you just lift, basically. It’s a challenging track in a Cup car. It’s a challenging track in an Indy car too, but if you can get it right in an Indy car then you can run it wide-open around there, and that’s one less variable you’ve got to worry about when it comes to getting around the racetrack.”
JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 1 CESSNA CHEVROLET SS – 21ST IN STANDINGS
“I think the Brickyard 400 is about as special as it gets. I feel that It is one of the toughest tracks to win at because we only race there once a year. Although NASCAR has only been racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for 20 years, the history of the track makes it a special place. I think that as far as racing there, it is critical to get off of turns two and four to get down the long straights, you can make up or lose a lot of time there. It is another flat track so it is hard to pass and track position will be crucial”.
MARTIN TRUEX, JR., NO. 78 FURNITURE ROW CHEVROLET SS – 23RD IN STANDINGS
“Indy is not an easy place to drive. The biggest reason is that the speeds are so high and there’s not a lot of banking. There are other things such as a temperature-sensitive racetrack with all four corners being different. You really got to get your car figured out for all four corners, which is a huge challenge, especially when the sun and shade move around. Aero also comes into play with the high speeds. It’s just a very difficult place to race.
“With that said, I have had a few good runs there over the years. I really enjoy the track and all the history that comes with it. A victory at Indianapolis would be the ultimate double. A win would most likely secure us a spot in the Chase and winning at Indianapolis will go a long way in history of capturing one of NASCAR’s crown jewels. It’s a place where every driver and crewmember wants to kiss those bricks following a victory.”
CASEY MEARS, NO. 13 GEICO CHEVROLET SS – 24TH IN STANDINGS
“Indianapolis is a special place for our family, with my Uncle Rick’s success there, along with my Pole in 2004 and holding the track record until recently. It’s a place where we always look forward to racing. Everyone should be well rested after the week off, so I’m excited to get there and get the No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet SS on-track.”
KURT BUSCH, NO. 41 HAAS AUTOMATION CHEVROLET SS – 25TH IN STANDINGS
“Indianapolis is tough. It’s been a tough place for me but it became even more of a challenge when they did the diamond cutting of the track. It’s just hard trying to find the balance you need that works at the beginning and will get you to the end of the race. We tend to have long, green-flag runs there and, for some reason, it has just been a track where I’m still trying to figure out the nuances you need to have a proper-handling car that gets around there and is fast.”
AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KINGSFORD CHARCOAL CHEVROLET SS – 26TH IN STANDINGS
“Indy is a tough place to get your Kingsford Chevrolet SS to turn and not over rotate. Turn 1, you are just going so fast and that corner comes up quick and invites you to drive in too deep. It’s about flow. Turn 2 is loose in, but critical to get back to power. Turn 3 is the most wide open corner with a lot of grip and the most speed in. Turn 4, when you get off the corner, it gets loose on exit. Indy is a rhythm place. Being up front is critical because in traffic is worse. When you are up front, it makes the race easier to call and drive. It’s just so tough when you are in traffic.”
DANICA PATRICK, NO. 10 GODADDY CHEVROLET SS – 27TH IN STANDINGS
“I don’t care what I drive around Indy, I love being there. I just like everything about it. I like the facility, obviously. And, to me, the special thing about Indy is, obviously, I’ve had great experiences, but it’s about the track. It doesn’t matter what kind of car I drive there, I’ve had great experiences, memories. So that’s what I like so much about it. And I love the tradition. The older I get, the more I realize how much history and tradition plays a role in what’s important and what matters and what means the most to you.”
JUSTIN ALLGAIER, NO. 51 COLLISION CURE BODY WERKS CHEVROLET SS – 29TH IN STANDINGS
“Indianapolis [Motor Speedway] will definitely be a challenge. It’s a difficult track to begin with, and then add the fact that it’s my first time in a Sprint Cup car there. I’ve only raced there twice before in the Nationwide Series because we were over at the little track up until that point. We just need to put a solid weekend together, and bring back an undamaged car.”
MICHAEL ANNETT, NO. 7 PILOT FLYING J CHEVROLET SS – 30TH IN STANDINGS
“I finished sixth in my first Nationwide race at Indy and got another top-10 finish last year. It’s definitely a different atmosphere than what we’re used to, and there’s so much history at that place, but for us it’s a big track that offers another opportunity for a good finish. Our speedway program has improved so much this year and that’s showing in our results. We need to take advantage of what Indy offers, because it certainly plays to one of our strengths.”
Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics
Manufacturers Championships
Total (1949 – 2013): 37
First title for Chevrolet: 1958
Highest number of consecutive titles: 11 (2003-2013)
Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Drivers Championships
Total (1949 – 2013): 29
First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)
Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005 – ’11)
Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Event Victories
Record for total race wins in single season: 26 – (in 2007)
2014 STATISTICS:
Wins: 9
Poles: 8
Laps led: 2940
Top-five finishes: 48
Top-10 finishes: 105
CHEVROLET IN NASCAR SPRINT CUP CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:
Total Chevrolet race wins: 727(1949 – to date); (2,408 possible = 30.0%)
Poles Won to Date: 655
Laps Lead to Date: 216,600
Top-Five Finishes to Date: 3,663
Top-10 Finishes to Date: 7,486
Total NASCAR Cup wins by Corporation, 1949 – To-Date
GM: 1,062
Chevrolet: 727
Pontiac: 155
Oldsmobile: 115
Buick: 65
Ford: 726
Ford: 626
Mercury: 96
Lincoln: 4
Chrysler: 466
Dodge: 217
Plymouth: 190
Chrysler: 59
Toyota: 65
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About Chevrolet:
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
