Race: Auto Club 400
Date: Sunday, March 22, 2015
Location: Auto Club Speedway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Auto Club Speedway … In 76 overall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway, RCR Chevrolet teams have earned one win (Kevin Harvick – 2011), one pole award (Mike Skinner – April 2000), 10 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. RCR has a 20.6 average starting position, a 16.5 average finishing position and has completed 17,565 of the 17,855 laps (98.4 percent) contested at the moderately-banked, D-shaped race track.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,517 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards, 105 wins, 462 top-five finishes and 982 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.9. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY 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 …RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank eighth (Newman), 11th (Menard) and 22nd (Dillon) in the driver championship point standings.
RCR Phoenix Rewind … In the Sprint Cup Series’ fourth race of the season at Phoenix International Raceway last weekend, teammates Newman, Menard and Austin Dillon finished third, 14th and 15th, respectively.
Did You Know … Life threatening injury is the No. 1 killer of kids in America. Nearly 10,000 children lose their lives every year from serious injuries, and many more are treated in the emergency room. It can happen anywhere, at any time, to any child. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma discovers and shares the best ways to prevent and treat severe injuries in children. The Institute funds research, education and advocacy to improve the care and treatment injured kids receive across the U.S. Visit www.SaveInjuredKids.org or find them on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
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 Auto Club 400 will be televised live Sunday, March 22 beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Dow Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 481 in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Dillon raced this Chevrolet to a 39th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March, after spending time in the garage making repairs. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon raced in 2014 to a 25th-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a 13th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October, a 16th-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway in September, a 22nd-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in August and a 10th-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.
Dillon at Auto Club Speedway … Dillon has one previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start to his credit at Auto Club Speedway, earning an 11th-place finish after starting 20th last year. He has made two previous starts at the two-mile track in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, earning a pair of fifth-place finishes (2012 and 2013).
Welcome Back, Dow … Returning primary sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet SS, Dow enters its second season with RCR and driver Austin Dillon. Together, both teams embrace the power of science, technology and safety 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 with more than 6,000 products manufactured across the globe. See our YouTube video “Dawn to Dusk” to see how Dow products touch the lives of everyone…from dawn to dusk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSspiG8DkOs). More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
RCR Salutes … The No. 3 Dow Chevrolet team pit box sports a patriotic theme this season in homage to the United States military, current service members and the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. On Sunday, the team honors NASCAR Troops to the Track U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton to Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 400. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the Corps’ largest West Coast expeditionary training facility and encompasses more than 125,000 acres of Southern California terrain. The NASCAR Troops to the Track program is a season-long initiative that honors members of the military for their services and treats them to customized experiences at a NASCAR race.
In the Rear View … Last week at Phoenix International Raceway, Dillon earned a 15th-place finish in the Dow Chevrolet after starting 11th.
Double Duty … Dillon is double-duty driver this weekend, competing in the XFINITY Series in the No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet on Saturday and the Sprint Cup Series in the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet on Sunday. Saturday’s XFINITY Series race is live on FOX Sports 1 at 4 p.m. ET while Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race is live on FOX beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
You finished 11th in Fontana, Calif., last year. Do you like Auto Club Speedway?
“I like Auto Club Speedway. I think restarts are very important there. You saw it in the race last year. We kind of struggled during the race on long runs, but if we can get the long run paired up with our short runs we’ll be pretty decent. We really restarted well there last year.”
What is the key to getting a good restart these days? Everybody seems to have a different theory. You can’t just blast off and spin those tires …
“You have to have a solid car in order to have a good restart. A good rear spring package can help you as far as fire off. Not lifting for anybody is another big part of it, and finding that hole, using it and taking it when you can because it is hard to pass. I think restarts are very important and you really have to look into everything, including transmission ratios, to really match your best restart.”
Paul Menard, No. 27 FVP/Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s FVP/Menards Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 487 for this weekend’s 400-mile event in Fontana., Calif. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS has already seen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action in 2015 at Atlanta Motor Speedway where Menard started and finished in the 13th spot.
Fontana Stats … Menard has 12 Sprint Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway. His best start of 15th came in 2011 and best finish of eighth came in 2013. Menard has two top-10 finishes and has completed 2,647 of 2,685 laps (98.6 percent).
About FVP … Built on a commitment to quality and delivered with unmatched service, FVP has been the confident solution for customers nationwide since 2005. FVP products are engineered to provide OE quality that is equal or superior in performance to national brands at a competitive price. FVP offers batteries, radiators, condensers, hub assemblies, automotive filters, antifreeze, DEF, oil, ATF and automotive chemicals. See why FVP is the only confident solution for your automotive and recreational vehicle needs. FVPparts.com.
Where Do You Stand … Menard currently sits 11th in the Sprint Cup Series championship driver point standings, after finishing 14th at Phoenix International Raceway.
California Dreaming … Last time at the two-mile, D-shaped track, Menard battled his way from the 31st spot after a driver change and crossed the finish line 200 laps later in the ninth position.
Meet Menard … Menard will participate in an autograph session at 9:15 a.m. Pacific Time on Sunday morning at Autograph Alley in Auto Club Speedway.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
What have you learned so far in the first three races of the season?
“We’re kind of just learning the new car right now. I think at the two intermediate tracks, Atlanta and Vegas, we have things figured out. I’m looking forward to going to Fontana and race off of what we learned from those first two races and trying to figure out where the car needs to be. They weren’t great runs by any means, but they were solid and something that points us in a direction a little bit. We have some work to do, but know what direction we need to go.”
What about Auto Club Speedway do you like?
“Fontana is cool because I think it’s the oldest surface that we race on. You can run all over the track, kind of like we do in Atlanta. It’s pretty fast for qualifying but then the pace really backs up for the race. It almost drives like a short track the way the cars can slide around and stuff. It’s a lot of fun for drivers.”
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Auto Club Speedway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 504 in Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. This No. 31 Chevrolet SS is a brand new car and will take to the track for the first time on Friday when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams practice and qualify at the two-mile, D-shaped oval.
Newman at Cali … In 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Auto Club Speedway, Newman owns one pole and has earned four top-five and eight top-10 finishes. His best result of third place was in the May 2004 race. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 14th and average finish of 17th. When calculating points earned over the last five races at Auto Club Speedway, Newman has collected the third most amount of points as a result of two top-five and four top-10 finishes.
Featured Caterpillar Dealers … Johnson Machinery and Quinn Company will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS this weekend in the Auto Club 400.
Johnson Machinery: Johnson Machinery is Caterpillar’s only Platinum level dealer, and has served Riverside and San Bernardino counties since 1940. Johnson offers the complete line of Caterpillar construction equipment products, new and used parts, service and rentals. Headquartered in Riverside, they have locations in Indio, Victorville, and Temecula. For more information, visit: http://www.johnson-machinery.com.
Quinn Company: Quinn Company provides new and used equipment sales, parts, service and rentals on Cat® brand machines. Quinn’s operations span fifteen counties throughout Central and Southern California, including a portion of Arizona, covering over 50,000 square miles and representing 32% of the State of California. The Company serves its customers through a dedicated employee population of more than 1,000, based out of 18 locations. From Salinas to Foothill Ranch, Quinn is your one-stop-shop for all your earthmoving, agriculture, engine, lift truck and equipment rental service needs. For more information, visit: http://www.quinncompany.com.
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. With 2013 sales and revenues of $55.656 billion, 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 Energy & Transportation – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.
Get to the Points … Newman now ranks eighth in the championship point standings entering this weekend’s race event at Auto Club Speedway. Last weekend’s third-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway was the No. 31 team’s second-straight, top-five and third top-10 finish of the season. Through the last three Cup events, Newman has scored the third most amount of points.
Last Time Around … Last season, Newman drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS to a 20th-place finish after a cut tire ended the team’s top-10 effort with less than 10 laps remaining.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
Would you call Auto Club Speedway a tricky track?
“Auto Club Speedway is not tricky. It actually has turned into a really fun track to drive. As it’s aged, it’s a whole lot of fun. It’s like a flat Atlanta Motor Speedway. You have to drive the racecar, avoid the seams or at least split the seams. It has a lot of character, and character is what makes a great race track.”
Is the key to Auto Club Speedway avoiding the seams?
“It all depends what your racecar needs. Sometimes you can use the seam to your advantage but usually the seam is less grip so it is not ideal, but you can use the seams to manipulate your car.”
What is the best thing about California that doesn’t have anything to do about racing?
“I think the weather since it is typically really nice. It depends what time of year you are out there. It is definitely a different environment than what we are use to in the southeast.”
Event: DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300
Date: March 21, 2015
Venue: Auto Club Speedway – Fontana, Calif.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Auto Club Speedway … In 43 XFINITY Series starts at Auto Club Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned one victory with Jeff Burton in 2007, four pole awards and led 259 laps. The Welcome, N.C., organization has accumulated 15 top-five finishes, 27 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 10.7 and an average finishing position of 11.1 at the two-mile speedway.
Recap of Phoenix International Raceway … All four of the RCR drivers earned top-10 finishes in Saturday’s 200-lap event. Austin Dillon finished fourth, Ty Dillon sixth, Brendan Gaughan eighth and Brian Scott 10th in the XFINITY Series Phoenix 200 at Phoenix International Raceway.
The Points … After four XFINITY Series races, Ty Dillon is the current leader of the driver point standings, Brendan Gaughan is sixth and Brian Scott 14th. The RCR No. 33 RCR entry is currently second in the Series owner point standings.
Did You Know … Life threatening injury is the No. 1 killer of kids in America. Nearly 10,000 children lose their lives every year from serious injuries, and many more are treated in the emergency room. It can happen anywhere, at any time, to any child. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma discovers and shares the best ways to prevent and treat severe injuries in children. The Institute funds research, education and advocacy to improve the care and treatment injured kids receive across the U.S. Visit SaveInjuredKids.org or find them on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
Social Media … To stay on track with the latest news and information and to view exclusive, behind the scenes content visit RCR’s Twitter account – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR XFINITY Series team Twitter accounts – @RCR2BScott, @RCR3TDillon, @RCR33NXS and @RCR62BGaughan. RCR’s XFINITY Series driver Twitter accounts – @bscottracing, @tydillon, @austindillon3 and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Catch the Action … XFINITY Series coverage from Auto Club Speedway will begin on Friday, March 20 with both practices being televised live on FOX Sports 1 at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Series qualifying will be aired live on Saturday, March 21 at 12:30 p.m. followed by coverage of the DRIVE4CLOTS.com beginning at 4 p.m. on FOX Sports 1 and broadcasted live on the MRN and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Vons/Reser’s Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Vons / Reser’s Chevrolet at Auto Club Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 156 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300. This Richard Childress Racing prepared chassis was brand new to the fleet at Atlanta Motor Speedway where Scott qualified second and finished seventh.
Auto Club History … Scott will be making his eighth start this weekend at the two-mile track. In seven previous XFINITY Series races, Scott has captured one top-five and three top-10 finishes with an average start of 11.0 and an average finish of 12.1. Scott has completed 100 percent of the laps, with five laps led at the Fontana, California track.
Albertsons on Board … This weekend at Auto Club Speedway, the No. 2 XFINITY Series team welcomes back their partner, Albertsons. Albertsons and the Safeway family of stores, which combined is the second-largest supermarket chain in North America, has partnered with RCR, Scott and the No. 2 XFINITY Series team for 2015. In addition to their partnership in the XFINITY Series, the team will also partner with Scott in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. RCR also welcomes Albertsons’ supporting partners Reser’s Fine Foods and Sanderson Farms. Albertsons Safeway stores operate under store banners Albertsons, ACME, Shaw’s, Star Markets, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Jewel-Osco, Tom Thumb, Randalls, VONS, Pavilions, Carrs, and Safeway. With more than 2,200 stores, 250,000 employees and 27 distribution centers across 34 states, Albertsons rich legacy in the grocery business synchronizes with the roots of NASCAR and RCR. Additional information on “your favorite local supermarket” and Brian Scott can be found online.
Race Rewind … Scott and the No. 2 Albertsons/Sanderson Farms Chevrolet Camaro team started 12th and finished 10th in the Phoenix 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday afternoon. Once the 200-lap race began, Scott moved up to 10th in three laps and seventh by lap 20. When the race ended, Scott earned his second top-10 finish of 2015 and moved up three positions to 14th in the driver point standings.
Last Time at Auto Club … Scott and his No. 2 Anderson’s Maple Syrup Chevrolet Camaro qualified ninth at Auto Club Speedway. Scott was a contender for the race win early on as he battled inside the top 10. Scott fought hard for the remainder of the race with tight-handling conditions and collected a 12th-place finish.
Meet Brian Scott … Scott is scheduled to visit the Vons Tailgate Experience in the FanZone at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday morning at 9AM, followed by a Vons at-track store appearance in the infield at ACS at 9:30AM.
To The Points … Brian Scott is currently 14th in the XFINITY Series driver point standings after the fourth of 33 races.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
You finished 12th at Auto Club last season; what are your thoughts heading into the race weekend?
“Our 12th-place finish was not indicative of how we ran. We led some laps, we ran up front, we battled for the lead, it was a good race for us at the end. We hung on to finish 12th so again, I feel like that’s been a great track for me and I’m looking forward to Auto Club again this year.”
Do you feel more comfortable at a track that you go to once a year?
“Of course not. You always have a higher comfort level with tracks where you have more experience. And the fact that we hit Auto Club only once a year and its early in the season, means you may not be as comfortable there as you are at, say, Chicagoland Speedway. As far as the track, I feel like I have a lot of experience there and it’s been a good track for me.”
How does it feel to be so close to home?
“Yeah, normally when we hit the West Coast that becomes more home races for me. Being from Idaho I see more family and get to spend time with them. This year with three back-to-back races we have stayed out on the West Coast and been with our family, it’s been fun.”
Ty Dillon, No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s WESCO Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway… Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 151 for this weekend’s DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Atlanta Motor Speedway where Dillon cruised to a third-place finish.
Dillon at Auto Club Speedway… The 23-year-old, Welcome, N.C.-native made his NASCAR XFINITY Series career debut at Auto Club Speedway last spring in the No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro. Dillon qualified third and finished eighth in his only start at the two-mile speedway.
Points Leader … Four races into the 2015 XFINITY Series and Dillon sits in first place in the driver point standings, 14 points ahead of second place. Dillon has recorded four top-10 finishes and two top-five finishes, leads all XFINITY Series drivers with laps inside the top-15 (666 of 683, 97.5 percent), leads XFINITY Series regulars in driver rating (102.9) and ranks second for most quality passes (249).
Welcome back, WESCO … WESCO International, Inc. will return for its fourth season as a primary sponsor on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro. WESCO, a leading provider in electrical, industrial and communication supply, began its relationship with RCR in 2012. WESCO employs approximately 9,400 people, maintains relationships with over 18,000 suppliers, and serves over 65,000 active customers worldwide. Its 2014 annual sales were approximately $7.9 billion.
Welcome Home Danny & Bug! … Crew chief Danny Stockman and car chief Robert “Bug” Strmiska are both making trips back to their respective hometowns this week as the XFINITY Series heads to Auto Club Speedway. Stockman, of Yucaipa, Calif. and Strmiska, of Manteca, Calif., are both in their sixth season with RCR. The duo guided driver Austin Dillon to the 2013 XFINITY Series championship and have accumulated three XFINTIY Series victories during their tenure.
Race Rewind … Dillon had his best qualifying effort of the season starting 11th at Phoenix International Raceway. The No. 3 team spent a majority of the 200-lap race inside the top-10 despite chasing rapidly changing track conditions. In the end, Dillon avoided a late-race incident to cruise to his fourth top-10 finish of the season, crossing the finish line sixth.
Meet Ty Dillon … Fans have the opportunity to meet Dillon on Friday, March 20 at Auto Club Speedway. Dillon is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autographs session beginning at 5:30 p.m., Pacific Time.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
Where does the No. 3 team stand after four races?
“We’re in a good spot with the points lead and some solid finishes so far. This time last year our whole XFINITY Series program was still looking for some momentum, still looking for a win. We’re happy with some of our results, but always looking for more. We’d like to get to victory lane this weekend in California.”
What should we expect this weekend at Auto Club Speedway?
“I’ve only made one career XFINITY Series start at Auto Club, but it’s a very competitive “racey” race track. The track is older and bumpy, which makes for some really great races. You can carry some high speeds off the corners and there is a lot of passing. Last year it was one of the most entertaining races of the season.”
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Ruud Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 146 in the DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was driven to victory lane by Paul Menard last year at Michigan International Speedway and earned three additional top-10 finishes in 2014.
Fontana Nuggets … The Welcome, N.C., native driver has made two starts at the two-mile oval, collecting two fifth-place finishes in both appearances. Along with a pair of top-five finishes, Dillon has an average starting position of 7.5 and a Driver Rating of 113.2, placing sixth overall compared to other competitors.
Welcome Aboard Ruud … Like RCR, Ruud is a pioneer in reliable performance. In 1889, Edwin Ruud invented the first automatic gas water heater and since then, the Ruud brand has grown into one of North America’s largest and most respected makers of quality heating, cooling and water heating products for residential and light commercial use. The Ruud reputation for engineering excellence, reliability, strength and top performance has been consistently recognized by leading consumer publications as a brand that can be trusted to deliver efficient, reliable performance day in and day out. Today, the proud performance histories of Ruud and RCR come together to serve as the cornerstones of future championship performance of two great brands, Austin Dillon and the No. 33 RCR-Ruud XFINITY Series team.
Looking Ahead … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in three NASCAR XFINITY Series events collecting one victory, three top-five finishes and two pole awards. The 2013 Series champion is scheduled to compete in the next five-consecutive races for RCR in the No. 33 Chevrolet.
In the Rearview Mirror … After starting from the fifth position in last weekend’s 200-lap event at Phoenix International Raceway, Dillon earned a fourth-place finish while battling for track position throughout the race.
Double Duty … In addition to Saturday’s DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS in the Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, which airs live on FOX at 3:30 p.m. ET.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
In three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts this season, you’ve earned a top-five in each event.
“Yeah, that says a lot about the RCR NASCAR XFINITY program and the No. 33 team. They’ve worked really hard to put together these cars over the off season and make us competitive. Nick (Harrison, crew chief) and the guys never give up. Just because we earned a couple of pole awards and won a race doesn’t mean we can sit back and not find other ways to continue to be fast each week. I’m really proud of all of their hard work and am confident we’ll be able to run up front and contend for the win at a lot of tracks this season.”
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Auto Club Speedway… Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 149 this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was previously utilized by Gaughan in the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. Chassis No. 149 averages a starting position of 12.7 and a finishing position of 14.3.
California Stats … In seven NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Auto Club Speedway; Gaughan has accumulated three top-10 finishes and averages a starting position of 19 and a finishing position of 19.7. Gaughan also has seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the two-mile speedway where he earned two top-five finishes, two top-10 finishes and led 71 laps. Also, in 2001 Gaughan won the K&N Pro Series West race at Auto Club Speedway.
Double Duty … Along with Saturday’s DRIVE4CLOTS.com XFINITY Series race, Gaughan is scheduled to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday in the No. 62 Premium Motorsports entry.
Did You Know … Gaughan currently leads all XFINITY Series drivers with the number of quality passes in the 2015 season with 254.
Last year in Fontana… Gaughan qualified in the 10th position for last year’s XFINITY Series event at Auto Club Speedway. The No. 62 WIX Filters team battled a loose-handling condition for most of the day. Gaughan raced in the top-10 for a majority of the race until a pit road mishap caused the team to restart in 16th. Gaughan was able to earn his lap back and race to a 15th-place finish.
In the Rearview Mirror: Phoenix … The No. 62 RCR Chevrolet Camaro took the green flag in Saturday’s Phoenix 200 in the ninth position. Gaughan experienced a loose wheel early in the race and as a result, fell two laps down. The South Point team made up track position for the remainder of the race and when the checkered flag fell, Gaughan had not only finished on the lead lap, but also earned his second top-10 finish of the season by finishing eighth.
To the Points … After a top-10 finish at Phoenix International Raceway, Gaughan is sixth in the driver point standings as the Series heads to Auto Club Speedway.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on heading to Auto Club Speedway?
“This is our last weekend of the West Coast swing and hopefully it is the most successful one for our South Point Chevrolet. This RCR team was extremely fast during the weekend last year. Auto Club Speedway is fast and bumpy. It has those seams in the track that you have to miss, but a ton of fun to race on for the drivers. You can run in a lot of different places at Auto Club, but my preferred line is always the high line. Hopefully this RCR South Point Chevrolet team and I can keep up the trend we have started in the other two West Cost races with good finishes.”
Why do you prefer to race the high line?
“I really don’t have an exact answer to that. Shane (Wilson, crew chief) always asks me that question. When I was winning races back in 2002 and 2003, the banking and asphalt played a huge role. Everyone else wanted the bottom and I just moved to the high line because no one else was there. So it became more of a necessity early in my career and then I just became comfortable driving that line and I found ways to really make it work. So I guess you can just say it is my comfort zone.”
