Event: Sonoma 350
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2015
Venue: Sonoma Raceway
Richard Childress Racing in Wine Country … In 58 starts at the 10-turn stadium course, Richard Childress Racing owns two wins, with Dale Earnhardt in 1995 and Robby Gordon in 2003, one pole award (Earnhardt 1995), 14 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.,-based team has led 137 laps at Sonoma, completed 6,234 of the 6,280 laps contested (99.3 percent) and recorded just one DNF (Did Not Finish) through that stretch (1989-2015).
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,556 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards, 105 wins, 466 top-five finishes and 992 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 … Throughout the season’s first 15 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series have collectively notched six top-five and 13 top-10 finishes with drivers Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 12th (Menard), 16th (Newman) and 23rd (Dillon) in the driver championship point standings.
RCR Michigan Rewind … Last weekend, RCR teammates Menard, Newman and Dillon finished eighth, 18th and 20th, respectively, in the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
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 Sonoma 350 will be televised live Sunday, June 28 beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Dow Chevrolet at Sonoma Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 469 in the Sonoma 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Dillon has raced this Chevrolet SS on two previous occasions, finishing 16th at Watkins Glen International and 17th at Sonoma Raceway in 2014.
Dillon at Sonoma Raceway …. Dillon has one previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at the 10-turn, 1.99-mile Sonoma Raceway road course, finishing 17th after starting 26th in 2014
Welcome, 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.
About Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company … Utility Trailer Manufacturing is America’s oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Founded in 1914, the company designs and manufactures dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, Tautliner® curtainsided trailers and side skirts. Utility currently operates five trailer manufacturing facilities across the United States. Utility’s 3000R® and the 3000R® multi-temp refrigerated trailers are manufactured at the Marion, Virginia and Clearfield, Utah plants. The 4000D-X Composite® and 4000D™ dry vans are manufactured at the Glade Spring, Virginia and Paragould, Arkansas plants. The 4000A®, 4000S™, drop deck and double flatbeds as well as the Tautliner® are all manufactured at the Enterprise, Alabama facility. Utility also has an extensive independent dealer network with over 100 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Visit www.utilitytrailer.com and http://www.utilitytrailer.com/press-room/press-releases?id=106#sthash.bpnRfZju.dpuf for more information.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 23rd in the championship point standings leading into the Sonoma 350.
In the Rear View … In the Sprint Cup Series’ most recent race at Michigan International Speedway, Dillon and his No. 3 American Ethanol team made it to the final round of “knockout qualifying” for the fourth-consecutive week earning a seventh-place starting berth. When the Quicken Loans 400 rain-shortened race was called, they ended up with a 20th-place finish.
Double Duty … Dillon is scheduled to race in the K&N Pro Series West Race at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Sonoma Raceway is said to be one of the more technical race tracks on the circuit. What are your thoughts heading into the weekend?
“It’s actually my favorite road course of the two we visit. I had a lot of fun when we ran there last year, and we had a decent finish for being my first race there. We had some times when we were really fast, and I hope we can improve on where we were last year and be in position to give ourselves a solid finish.”
Last year, you raced in the K&N West race. How much did that help you, and will you do that again this year?
“I am actually. I’m running it with Mike Hillman. I went and sat in the seat this past week. It’s really good to be able to practice getting through the corners and shifting, just getting to practice that type of racing helps a lot. It was a lot of help last year, so I think it’ll do the same this year and we’ll gain.”
Paul Menard, No. 27 Richmond / Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Richmond/Menards Chevrolet at Sonoma Raceway … The Richard Childress Racing driver will pilot chassis No. 470 this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. This Chevrolet SS will be on track for the first time this season during first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice on Friday at 3 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2.
Sonoma Stats … The Wisconsin native has seven starts at the Sonoma, Calif. track which includes one top-three and two top-10 starts, as well as one top-five finish. He’s completed 99.9 percent of the laps contested and has an average start of 18.9 and finish of 19.0.
Rookie Stripe … Justin Alexander has impressive stats in his first year as a full-time Sprint Cup Series crew chief. In 18 races with Menard, Alexander has led the team to 14 top-20 and 10 top-15 starts. He’s also collected 14 top-20, 12 top-15 and three top-five finishes. Alexander is also the first three-time winner of the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race award this season.
About Richmond … Richmond®, a member of the Rheem family of quality brands, is committed to offering exceptional value and performance with a complete line of water heating products for residential environments. Known as, “the water heater experts,” Richmond is the go-to brand for value-conscious buyers. Innovations including “Fast Recovery” technology for peak-time water use and EverKleen™ Self-Cleaning tanks make choosing Richmond products easy. Richmond water heating products are available in Menards® stores throughout the Midwest. For more information, visit www.richmondwaterheaters.com.
Where Do You Stand … Menard currently sits 12th in the Sprint Cup Series driver point standings, 13 points away from 10th, after finishing eighth at Michigan International Speedway.
Last Time in Sonoma … Last year at the 1.99-mile road course, Menard started from the ninth spot and raced within the top 20 all day en route to his third top-five finish of 2014.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
Sonoma Raceway is a difficult track. What are your thoughts on road-course racing there?
“I enjoy racing at Sonoma (Raceway). Racing at Sonoma and Watkins Glen (International) is a lot different from what we do every week. I wouldn’t mind if we had a couple more road course races added to the schedule to break up the oval racing a bit. I would say the key in Sonoma is to keep the car on course. There is a lot of shifting involved and we make both right and left turns.”
Ryan Newman, No. 31 WIX Filters Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s WIX Filters Chevrolet SS at Sonoma Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 514 in the season’s first road course event at Sonoma Raceway. The Sonoma 350 marks the first time this year the No. 31 team will utilize this Chevrolet in competition.
Newman at Sonoma … In 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course, Newman owns two top-five and five top-10 finishes. He has led 11 laps and completed all 1,327 laps of competition. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 12th and average finish of 13th. In the last 10 races at the road course, the RCR driver ranks fourth in most points earned.
About WIX Filters … Since 1939, Wix® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications. For more information, visit http://www.wixfilters.com/. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wixfilters, follow us on Twitter @WIXFilters and visit our YouTube page at youtube.com/TheWIXFilters.
About Affinia Group Inc. … Affinia Group Inc. is an innovative global leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and marketing of industrial grade products and services, including extensive offerings of aftermarket products for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles. With approximately $1.4 billion in annual revenue, Affinia has operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com.
Get to the Points … Newman currently ranks 16th in the championship point standings and is eligible for a Chase berth heading into the 16th event on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. The No. 31 team is just 34 markers out of the top 10.
Last Time Around at Sonoma Raceway … The South Bend, Ind., driver started seventh and raced into the top three before two cautions on laps 31 and 71 forced crew chief Luke Lambert to retool the team’s strategy in hopes of enabling the No. 31 the best chance to regain track position and contend for the win. The new plan called for one final pit stop on lap 92 under caution. Newman restarted in 17th position and methodically maneuvered his way up through the field to finish in 11th place.
“Drive Home a Winner” Sweepstakes … Back by popular demand, the Quicken Loans “Drive Home a Winner” sweepstakes is looking to once again make a lucky grand prize winner’s dreams come true with a year’s worth of mortgage payments and a brand-new Chevrolet Colorado. The sweepstakes, open to those 18 and older, is a collaboration between Quicken Loans and General Motors. For more information, or to enter, visit www.qlracing.com. Entries must be submitted before July 13.
Watch last year’s grand prize winner Stephanie Gaines of Dalhart, Texas be surprised at her home by No. 31 Quicken Loans Chevy and Richard Childress Racing driver Ryan Newman with a brand new Chevy SS and a year’s worth of mortgage payments.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the key to racing at Sonoma Raceway?
“Forward drive is super important there as well as track position and fuel mileage. It’s a big track, so fuel mileage comes into play. It’s also important to keep the fenders on it. It’s a tough place to pass. You can pass there but it’s tough. Just getting that forward drive off the corner is a premium.”
What’s the hardest thing to figure out about that road course?
“Mostly it’s about strategy … when to pit. The fuel strategy depending on how you qualify and depending on if you have any damage. Do you need to work on the car? Do you need to pull a fender off a tire? Things like that can change your strategy. A lot of your strategy depends on where you qualify and then how your race unfolds.”
What is your favorite part of the track?
“I like braking into Turn 11. It’s that last area of the track before heading up to the start/finish line. It is usually a lot of fun and a great place to pass. You can get a lot out of it, if you do it right.”
