RCR Event Preview - Richmond 400 and Richmond 150

Event: Richmond 400
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015
Venue: Richmond International Raceway

Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Richmond International Raceway … Richard Childress has nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories as a car owner at Richmond International Raceway – five with Dale Earnhardt, three with Kevin Harvick and one with Clint Bowyer. Additionally, in 147 starts at the Richmond, Va.-based track, RCR drivers have claimed 36 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 17.4 average starting position, a 14.7 average finishing position, has completed 55,701 of the 58,722 contested laps (94.9 percent) and collectively led 3,252 laps.

RCR in the NSCS … In 2,530 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 464 top-five finishes and 986 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.

RCR Bristol Rewind … In the Sprint Cup Series’ eighth race of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, teammates Newman, Dillon and Menard finished fifth, 10th and 11th, respectively.

Remembering Poncho … All RCR entries are running decals this weekend in memory of Richard “Bob” “Poncho” Myers, the brother of one of the longest-tenured employees at RCR, Danny “Chocolate” Myers. Myers was born on February 22, 1950 in Winston-Salem, N.C., to NASCAR pioneer Bobby Harris Myers and Laura Lorene Younts. For over 30 years, he worked for Boeing/ULA. Myers loved fishing, his family, church and racing, especially RCR.

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.

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 facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at RCRracing.com along with official driver pages – facebook.com/austindillon3 , facebook.com/PaulMenard27 and facebook.com/RyanNewmanNASCAR.

Catch the Action … The Richmond 400 at Richmond International Raceway will be televised live Saturday, April 25 beginning at 7 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Austin Dillon, No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 475 in the Richmond 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Dillon recently participated in a NASCAR-sanctioned open test with this Chevrolet SS at RIR and earned a 15th-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March 2015. In 2014, Dillon raced this Chevrolet SS to a 21st-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in November, an eighth-place finish at Kansas Speedway in October and a 15th-place finish at Pocono Raceway in August. He also utilized this Chevrolet SS at Michigan International Speedway in June, where he ran in the top 10 for a majority of the event before making two unscheduled pit stops in the closing laps of the event, resulting in a 30th-place finish.

Dillon at Richmond International Raceway …. In two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Richmond International Raceway, both in 2014, Dillon earned a 20th-place finish in September and a 27th-place finish in April. He has also made five NASCAR XFINITY Series appearances at the track, earning two top-10 finishes and leading 14 laps.

Think Green … The No. 3 Chevrolet team will sport the black and green colors of American Ethanol this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, along with the support of other partners, American Ethanol is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, and takes the NASCAR Green initiative to the next level. Since the program launch for the 2011 season, NASCAR® drivers have run more than 7 million miles on renewable Sunoco Green E15.

Getting Loopy … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranks third in the Closers category, advancing an average of 3.1 positions in the last 10 percent of each contested race so far this season.

In the Rear View … Last week at Bristol Motor Speedway Dillon earned a 10th-place finish in the Dow Chevrolet after starting 12th. He now ranks 21st in the driver point standings leading into the Richmond 400.

How Many Candles … Dillon will celebrate his 25th birthday on Monday, April 27.

#NASCARGreen … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a press conference on behalf of American Ethanol in the Richmond International Raceway Infield Media Center on Saturday, April 25 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Double Duty … In addition to racing the American Ethanol Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series on Saturday, Dillon is scheduled to compete in the XFINITY Series this weekend driving the No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro for RCR. Watch the 2013 Series Champion live on Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on FOX Sports 1.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
What do you think about racing at Richmond International Raceway? Did you take anything away last year from your first two starts there?

“Richmond International Raceway is probably the toughest track we go to for me. I’ve had decent runs there and I’ve qualified well there but I just haven’t raced well there. It’s just so hard. I’ve really enjoyed the fact that it widened out all the way to the wall last year. I thought that was cool. You could really start moving around there when the rubber was laid down. You could definitely change your lines. I’m really looking forward to going back. We were able to test there, so we’ll try and use that to our advantage.”

Paul Menard, No. 27 CertainTeed / Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s CertainTeed / Menards Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Paul Menard will utilize chassis No. 485 during Saturday night’s 400-lap event at Richmond International Raceway. This Chevrolet SS was utilized earlier this year at Phoenix International Raceway where Menard started 21st and finished 14th.

Richmond by the Numbers … Menard currently has 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the 0.75-mile track. He has three starts from the top 10 as well as one top-five and one top-10 finish. He has led four laps and completed 98.1 percent of the laps in competition.

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 certainteed.com.

Meet Menard … Come to the Chevy Stage, located in the track’s midway, at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday for a question and answer session with Menard.

Where Do You Stand … Menard currently sits 14th in the Sprint Cup Series driver point standings after finishing 11th at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Last Time in Richmond … Menard started last year’s September event in the 14th position and quickly reported he needed “drive off” during the 300-mile race. The No. 27 team made several adjustments on pit road during routine pit stops and had the RCR-prepared Chevrolet SS handling better at the end when Menard crossed the finish line 18th.

PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

The way that Richmond is shaped, can it be compared to any other track on the schedule or is it too unique to be compared to anything else on the schedule?

“Not really, it’s unique in its size and shape. It’s pretty wide for how small it is and races wide also, similar to an intermediate track. It’s abrasive on tires so the pace falls off quite a bit throughout a run, which changes how the car handles as well. So you’re always fighting some changing balance issues. Because it is wide, and is abrasive, it allows us to move around and find a groove that works for what your balance is doing.”

Ryan Newman, No. 31 Quicken Loans Filters Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s Quicken Loans Chevrolet SS at Richmond International Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 462 at Richmond International Raceway. This No. 31 Chevrolet competed for the first time this season at Phoenix International Raceway. Newman qualified fifth and finished third.

Career Stats at Richmond … In 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at RIR, Newman visited victory lane at the fall event in 2003. The “Rocket Man” also owns one pole award from the fall of 2004. In total, he owns seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 12th and average finish of 11th. He’s led 454 laps in competition. In the last four events at the 0.75-mile facility, Newman ranks fourth in most points earned.

Engineered to Amaze … Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc. is the nation’s second largest retail home mortgage lender. The company closed $140 billion of mortgage volume across all 50 states in 2013-2014. Quicken Loans generates loan production from web centers located in Detroit, Cleveland and Scottsdale, Arizona. The company also operates a centralized loan processing facility in Detroit, as well as its San Diego-based One Reverse Mortgage unit. Quicken Loans ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Primary Mortgage Origination” in the United States by J.D. Power for the past five consecutive years, 2010 – 2014, and highest in customer satisfaction among all mortgage servicers in 2014.

Quicken Loans was named among the top-30 companies on FORTUNE magazine’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the last 12 consecutive years, ranking No. 12 in 2015. It has been recognized as one of Computerworld magazine’s ‘100 Best Places to Work in IT’ the past ten years, ranking No. 1 in 2014, 2013, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The company moved its headquarters to downtown Detroit in 2010, and now more than 10,000 of its nearly 12,000 team members work in the city’s urban core. For more information about Quicken Loans, please visit QuickenLoans.com, on Twitter at @QLnews, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/QuickenLoans.

Where’s Ryan? … Newman is scheduled to visit the Chevy Stage located in the track’s Midway starting at 3:55 p.m. ET on Saturday for a question and answer session.

Get to the Points … After finishing fifth at Bristol Motor Speedway, Newman moved up four positions to 16th in the championship point standings and just 25 markers out of the top 10 entering this weekend’s race event at Richmond. In the first eight Cup events in 2015, the No. 31 team has earned four top-five and five top-10 finishes.

Last Time Around … Newman earned his sixth Chase for the Sprint Cup berth after finishing ninth in the 400-lap event. For the majority of the race, Newman competed in the sixth position. The final restart of the night happened on lap 336 with Newman scored in the seventh spot. The RCR driver remained poised and cross the finish line in ninth place.

RYAN NEWMAN QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on Richmond International Raceway?

“It’s a really good race track. I’m not sure that it suits my driving style any different than other tracks. It just makes for good racing. It’s so much fun because you can go there and have several options to make a pass. Corner exits are really important and a key to running well at Richmond. You need good drive off in Turns 2 and 4. Those are the two places where you can make the most time.”

Event: Richmond 250
Date: Friday, April 24, 2015
Venue: Richmond International Raceway

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Richmond International Raceway … In 66 Series starts at the 0.75-mile race track, RCR has accumulated six victories (Kevin Harvick – May 2003, September 2005, May 2006, September 2006, September 2012 & Clint Bowyer – May 2007). On five separate occasions RCR has started from the pole position five times (Kevin Harvick, 2003 & 2012, Jeff Burton, 2006, Brian Scott, 2013 & 2014). The Welcome, N.C. organization has also earned 21 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes, led 1,692 laps and average a starting position of 10.8 and a finishing position of 12.7.

Bristol Recap …Ty Dillon was the highest RCR finisher in fifth place, Brian Scott eighth, Brendan Gaughan ninth and Austin Dillon 16th, respectively, in the XFINITY Series Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The Points … Ty Dillon is currently tied for the XFINITY Series point standings lead, Brendan Gaughan is seventh and Brian Scott is ninth. The RCR No. 33 RCR entry is currently seventh in the Series’ owner point standings.

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 Richmond International Raceway will begin on Friday, April 28 on FOX Sports 1 at 3:30 p.m Eastern Time with qualifying. Live coverage of the Richmond 250 will begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. XFINITY Series coverage will also be broadcasted live on MRN and SiriusXM channel 90.

Brian Scott, No. 2 Safeway / Reser’s Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s Safeway / Reser’s Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 141 in Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Richmond 250. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable has an average starting position of third and an average finishing position of fourth. Scott collected back-to-back pole positions last year at Chicagoland Speedway with this chassis and most recently raced No. 141 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Richmond Statistics … Friday night’s 250-lap event will mark Scott’s 12th XFINITY Series start at the 0.75-mile track. Scott has completed 2,586 of 2,753 laps (93.9 percent) with three top-five and three top-10 finishes, an average start of 10.5 and an average finish of 19.9. Scott has earned two pole positions at the Richmond, Va. race track.

Safeway / Reser’s … This weekend at Richmond International Raceway, the No. 2 XFINITY Series team welcomes back their partner, Albertsons. Albertsons and the Safeway family of stores, the second-largest supermarket chain in North America, has partnered with RCR, Scott and the No. 2 XFINITY Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2015. 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 Shore Lodge Chevrolet qualified in the fourth position for the XFINITY Series Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, his fifth top 10 starting position this season. Early on in the 300-lap event, the Richard Childress Racing entry was lacking rear grip while exiting the corners. On the final restart, Scott was scored eighth and crossed the finish line in that position.

Last Time at Richmond … Scott and the No. 2 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevrolet qualified inside the top 10 for the ninth-straight week at Richmond International Raceway in the fifth position. The Smokey Mountain Chevy battled tight-handling conditions in the center of the corner and lacked forward drive off the corners. Scott brought home a fifth-place finish for the RCR team.

To The Points … Scott is currently ninth in the XFINITY Series driver point standings after the seventh of 33 races.

Meet Scott … Scott will be celebrating with the Series sponsor XFINITY as Comcast celebrates the grand opening of its store at 13700 Hull Street Road in Midlothian, VA on Thursday starting at 3:00 p.m. The event will start with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by media interviews and an autograph session. The new 4,000 square-foot store provides Comcast customers with an opportunity to explore, learn about and interact directly with the latest XFINITY products and services, and experience them firsthand.

BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:

Talk about racing at Richmond International Raceway?

“Richmond has been a great track for me. We’ve gotten a couple pole’s, I’ve led a lot of laps there, finished second, and many top-five finishes. Of course, I think back to a year or two ago when we should’ve won, led 240 out of 250 laps. It was heartbreaking, so Richmond has been a great race track for me as of lately and I’m looking forward to collecting a trophy there.

What has changed about the track over the years?

“What has changed is that NASCAR seems to bring a different Goodyear Racing tire compound each time we come to Richmond. For some reason they can’t seem to land on a product they like that seems to please everybody. That seems to be the biggest adjustment for our team. It seems like the race track itself has really stayed the same. It’s one of the most challenging race tracks in my opinion that we visit. With the corner entry in turn one and how unique turns one and two are, Turns three and four are completely different. When you look at the overhead of the track you might think that it is symmetrical but it’s really not. It drives totally different in turns one and two than in three and four. I really like that. It’s a short track that wears out a lot. Your fall off on tires is huge and it’s always been a place you have to manage your tires. It’s fun; it’s challenging. The racetrack itself I feel doesn’t change much except for maybe temperature. Depending on how hot or cold it is, that’ll adjust the racetrack. Really it will be getting our hands around a new tire compound when we go back.”

Ty Dillon, No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … NASCAR XFINITY Series points leader Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 145 for this weekend’s Richmond 250. Dillon raced this Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro to a sixth-place finish earlier this season at Phoenix International Raceway. Last season, Dillon piloted chassis No. 145 to six top-10 finishes, three top-five finishes and a win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Dillon in the XFINITY Series at RIR … In four XFINITY Series starts at the 0.75-mile short track, Dillon has recorded two top-10 finishes. In his last start at RIR on September 6, 2014, Dillon drove the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro to a ninth-place finish.

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. partners with RCR for 2015 season … Yuengling Light Lager, the 99 calorie light beer produced by America’s Oldest Brewery, will be featured on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro during the 2015 season. Based in Pottsville, Pa., D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., is family owned and operated since 1829. Principal Beer brands include Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Premium, Light, Black and Tan, Dark Brewed Porter, and Lord Chesterfield Ale. For more information, visit yuengling.com.

#RaceHardTy … Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook every race weekend by using the hashtag #RaceHardTy and have the opportunity to win free Yuengling Light Lager swag.

Last week at Bristol Motor Speedway … Dillon qualified the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro 16th before moving inside the top 10 by lap 41. Having a race car strong on long green-flag stretches, Dillon was able to move inside the top five midway through the race. In the end, the Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet had enough steam to cruise to its third top-five finish of the season.

Points Leader … Dillon remains the XFINITY Series points leader for the sixth consecutive race weekend. To date, the 23-year-old driver has three top-five finishes, four top-10 finishes, and leads the Series in total laps (1333) and average finishing position (7.3).

Meet Ty Dillon … Have a cold Yuengling Light Lager with XFINITY Series points leader Ty Dillon this Thursday night at Kickback Jack’s in Henrico, Va. beginning at 6:30 p.m. Light Lager bottles will be on sale for $2.50 and Yuengling’s seasonal beer, Summer Wheat, will be available on draught. Following Kickback Jack’s, Dillon will head over to Buffalo Wild Wings in Glen Allen, Va. beginning at 7:15 p.m. Summer Wheat and Light Lager will also be on sale.

TY DILLON QUOTE:

The Series heads to another short track; what is your goal for this weekend?

“Obviously the goal every weekend is to win, so that’s what we’ll be after. But Richmond has always seemed to be a difficult race track for our team. We set a goal at the beginning of the season to win this race to prove that we can overcome our obstacles. Practice will be important Friday morning, but obviously track conditions will change throughout the day with it being a night race. We’re excited for the challenge this weekend and I hope we can get this Yuengling Light Lager Chevy in Victory Lane.”

Austin Dillon, No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s Ruud Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 150 in the Richmond 250 at Richmond International Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was most recently driven by Dillon at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this year where he started fifth and finished in the fourth position.

Richmond Details … The Welcome, N.C., native driver has made five NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 0.75-mile track, collecting two top-10 finishes. Dillon holds an average starting position of ninth and an average finishing position of 17.6 with 14 laps led.

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 NASCAR XFINITY Series team.

Getting Loopy in 2015 … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon holds some impressive stats so far in the 2015 season. The 24-year-old driver ranks first in speed by quarter.Dillon is second amongst his competitors indriver rating (106.2), fastest drivers early in a run,fastest drivers on restarts and green-flag speed. He also ranks third in fastest drivers late in a run, fastest laps run (122), mile leaders and laps led (189).

Looking Ahead … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in six XFINITY Series events, collecting one victory, four top-five finishes and two pole awards. The 2013 Series champion is scheduled to compete in the next two consecutive races for RCR in the No. 33 Chevrolet.

Birthday Candles … Dillon will celebrate his 25th birthday on Monday, April 27. He will spend his birthday with his younger brother, Ty Dillon and grandfather, Richard Childress on a hunting trip in Calhoun, Mo.

Double Duty … In addition to Friday night’s Richmond 250 at Richmond International Raceway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Richmond 400, which airs live on FOX Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

How much does running the NASCAR XFINITY Series going to help you as the season unfolds?

“I think just having that extra experience is going to be good. It really helps me get focused and gives me a little edge on Sunday for the Cup race. It helps me know what to expect in that first run. Those first runs on Sunday are really important. I’m really enjoying running the Ruud Chevrolet in the XFINITY Series.”

Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Brendan Gaughan will utilize chassis No. 147 this Friday at Richmond International Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro has previously been raced on six separate occasions, most recently at Phoenix International Raceway in March. Chassis No. 147 averages a starting position of 13.0 and a finishing position of 17.8.

Richmond Stats … In six XFINITY Series starts at Richmond International Raceway, Gaughan has completed 1,494 laps of the 1,502 (99.5 percent) that he has competed. The Las Vegas native has earned one top-10 finish and averages a starting position of 14.8 and finishing position of 18.5. Gaughan also has three starts at RIR in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The 39-year-old driver’s best starting and finishing position in the Series came in 2003, qualifying second and finishing fourth.

South Point Packages … South Point Hotel & Casino is offering guests a chance to book a room and show package. A one night, two days package that includes your room, food credit and two tickets to your favorite performer in the showroom. To make reservations, please call 1.866.791.7626 or email reservations@southpointcasino.com.

Last April at RIR … After patiently waiting out a more than three hour rain delay, Gaughan took the green flag in the 22nd position and battled through the field and advancing his position to 13th by lap 58. The RCR team was forced to make a premature stop when Gaughan reported the right-front tire was starting to go down. The No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet brought home a 20th-place finish.

In the Rearview Mirror: Bristol …. Brendan Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet started the NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the eighth position, the sixth top-10 starting position for the RCR team this season. The Shane Wilson-led team battled loose-handling conditions at the beginning of the 300-lap event, but made the proper adjustments that improved the Chevrolet. The Las Vegas, native crossed the finish line in the ninth position, the team’s fourth top-10 finish of the season.

To the Points … Gaughan gained one position in the driver point standings, moving him to seventh place, nine points behind the fifth place position.

BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on Richmond International Raceway?

“Shane (Wilson, crew chief) has told me that I am not allowed to hate Richmond this year. I have already asked if Austin (Dillon) could put a few pillows in a firesuit, double as me and run the race in my Camaro. I don’t know what it is about Richmond, but it is my Achilles heel. Since we are going for the XFINITY championship, this track will be our biggest test. I just need to get through the weekend and race with a nice solid day. If we can come home with a top 10, that would be a phenomenal day for us. Shane and the boys have their work cut out for them, but I am excited because I am trying to take it differently and keep everything in perspective for us. I am open to all the advice and help I can get this weekend.”