CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota driver David Ragan visits the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway for Sunday’s AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
The concrete, high-banked track is among Ragan’s favorites on the circuit.
“For a driver, Dover is one of the most challenging tracks we race on,” Ragan said.
“The track changes throughout the day and you have to really be in tune to keep up with the changes. Between the tire rubber accumulating on the track, the sun going behind a cloud and some other things, it is a constant challenge. That’s kind of the fun of the place. The drivers and teams that adjust will do well.”
Ragan tested at Dover then finished 13th in the May 31 race. He has even higher expectations this time.
“I felt like we had about a 10th- to 15th-place car on the short runs, but we were really good on the long runs. I felt like that was our strong suit,” he said. “But, In order to win these races you’ve got to be perfect.”
Ragan’s Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Clint Bowyer needs a strong effort and some luck to advance from 16th place in the Chase to the top 12 and advance to the next round of competition.
Ragan said he’ll work with Bowyer on car setup Friday and Saturday in Dover then run as well as he can Sunday.
“Ever since this Chase began I said our job is to go out there and win races and do well to reward Aaron’s and everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing. If we can’t win then our next goal is to finish ahead of all those guys Clint is chasing.”
NOTES:
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· 60th ANNIVERSARY SALE-A-BRATION: Aaron’s is celebrating its 60th Anniversary! Come take advantage of the anniversary lease rate of only $60 per month on select items from October 1-31. Visit Aarons.com for more details.
· No. 55 CREW CHIEF BRIAN PATTIE: Pattie, 40, joined MWR in 2012 when it formed the No. 15 team-leading driver Clint Bowyer to three victories and a second-place finish in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The Zephyrhills, Fla., native began crew chief duties in the XFINITY Series for Joe Nemechek’s NEMCO Motorsports in 1997 before moving to a similar role at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in 2004. In May 2008, he moved to the Sprint Cup Series with driver Juan Montoya. The duo earned a berth in the 2009 Chase and a win at Watkins Glen in 2010. Pattie owns four Sprint Cup and 10 XFINITY Series victories as a crew chief. The father of four is an avid golfer and supporter of the Florida State Seminoles. In June 2015, MWR paired Pattie with David Ragan on its No. 55 team.
· 55 CREW:
Brian Pattie
Crew Chief
Ryan Langley
Front Tire Changer
Chris Hall
Front Tire Carrier
Shannon Myers
Rear Tire Changer
Blake Haugland
Rear Tire Carrier
Wes Evans
Jack Man
Jeff Kerr
Gas Man
Steve Channing
Car Chief
David Cropps
Interior Mechanic
Roman Pemberton
Spotter
Brandon Pope
Engineer
Tim O’Brien
Engineer
Jeremy Sharpley
Shock Specialist
Billy Curwood
Engineer
Kevin White
Front Mechanic
Joe Zanolini
Rear Mechanic
Scott Swift
Tire Specialist
Kirk Butterfield
TRD
Tim Bruce
TRD
Stump Lewis
Truck Driver
Al Nelson
2nd Truck Driver
· CAREER STATISTICS:
MWR
DAVID RAGAN
BRIAN PATTIE
· TELEVISION
Friday, Oct. 2
11 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, NBCSN
1:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, NBCSN
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN
5 p.m., NASCAR America Live, NBCSN
Saturday, Oct. 3
11 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, CNBC
Noon, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice, FS2
12:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN
1:30 p.m., NASCAR America Live, NBCSN
2 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, NBCSN
3 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN
3:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 200, NBCSN
7 p.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying, FS2
10 p.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rhino Linings 350, FS1
Sunday, Oct. 4
11:30 a.m., NASCAR Race Day, FS1
1:30 p.m., NASCAR America Sunday, NBCSN
2 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Countdown to Green, NBCSN
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Post-Race Show, NBCSN
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lap, NBCSN
11:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lap, NBCSN
12:30 a.m., NASCAR Victory Lane, FS1
