CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota driver David Ragan visits Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday for the next-to-last race in the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
This marks Ragan’s first race at Phoenix driving a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota. He finished 21st in March driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Ragan goes to Phoenix after finishing 23rd at Texas Motor Speedway. With only two more races left in the season as well as MWR’s full-time participation in Sprint Cup racing, Ragan would like nothing better than to win a race.
DAVID RAGAN: “You want to win every race you enter. That started when we began racing. But, I think if either (teammate) Clint (Bowyer) or I were fortunate enough to get a victory in the next two weeks it would be extra special. It would be a great way to honor the people who’ve worked at Michael Waltrip Racing. We will certainly give it our best shot like we have every race this year. But, yeah it would be a special victory lane. Phoenix is a little bit of a different challenge for the race teams than any other place we visit on the circuit. It’s a very fast mile oval that’s also without a lot of banking. So, it has the speed of a bigger track but you have to approach it as a short track. Track position is crucial and you really have to time your passing. Good qualifying effort and quick pit stops all day are essential.”
NOTES:
· No. 55 CREW CHIEF BRIAN PATTIE: Brian 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 Ragan on its No. 55 team.
· AARON’S: Aaron’s offers top name brands in furniture, electronics and appliances – without needing credit – with affordable monthly payments. Aaron’s makes lease ownership easy by offering customers the option to lease to own online at Aarons.com with delivery and setup – or shop at one of more than 2,000 local Aaron’s stores all across North America. Aaron’s is ready to help customers own it and will work with them every step of the way. Beginning Nov. 11, Aaron’s will offer active and reserve military members, veterans and their spouses up to $200 dollars off on any new 12-month lease agreements. Recipients will receive up to $100 dollars off their first and last lease payments plus 10% off on all new lease payments.
· 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, Nov. 13
12:30 p.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying, FS1
2 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, NBCSN
3:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series practice, NBCSN
4:30 p.m., NASCAR America Live, NBCSN
5 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, NBCSN
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN
8 p.m., NCWTS Setup, FS1
8:30 p.m., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 150, FS1
Saturday, Nov. 14
11:30 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, NBCSN
12:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN
2 p.m., NASCAR America Live, NBCSN
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, NBCSN
3:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN
4 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans, NBCSN
Sunday, Nov. 15
11:30 a.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
1:30 p.m., NASCAR America Sunday, NBCSN
2 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Countdown to Green, NBC
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500, NBC
6 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Post-Race, NBCSN
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lap, NBCSN
Midnight, NASCAR Victory Lane, FS1
