Event: Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2015
Venue: Phoenix International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Phoenix International Raceway … Team owner Richard Childress has five victories at Phoenix International Raceway, ranking him third on the all-time car owner victories list at the Avondale, Ariz. facility. This includes wins with Kevin Harvick in November 2013, November 2012 and March and November 2006. Prior to that, Dale Earnhardt won the Checker 500 on Nov. 4, 1990. In 100 starts at PIR, the Welcome, N.C.-based organization boasts 18 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,621 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 468 top-five finishes and 1,004 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.0. 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 34 contested races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have collectively notched seven top-five and 23 top-10 finishes with drivers Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. Newman and Menard rank 11th and 14th, respectively, in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, while Dillon ranks 21st in the standings.
RCR Texas Rewind … RCR teammates Dillon, Menard and Newman finished 11th, 13th and 22nd, respectively, in the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor 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 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 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 will be televised live Sunday, November 15 beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Realtree / Bad Boy Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Realtree / Bad Boy Chevrolet SS at Phoenix International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 475 in the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon drove to a 22nd-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, an eighth-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, a 27th-place finish at Richmond International Raceway in April and a 15th-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March. 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, a 15th-place finish at Pocono Raceway in August, and a 30th-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in June.
Dillon at Phoenix International Raceway … Dillon has three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway to his credit, earning a 15th-place finish in March 2015, a 38th-place finish in November 2014 and a 24th-place finish in March 2014. The Welcome, N.C., driver has made six NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the one-mile track, earning a fourth-place finish in March 2015, a fifth-place finish in November 2013, a sixth-place finish in March 2013, a sixth-place finish in November 2012, a fourth-place finish in March 2012 and a 34th-place finish in April 2009. In two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the track, he has a pair of top-10 finishes and has made one start in the K&N Pro Series West at PIR (finished 15th in 2009).
Realtree On Board … Realtree’s presence on the No. 3 Chevrolet this weekend continues a friendship between the Dillon/Childress family and Realtree designer and president Bill Jordan that dates as far back as 1997 when the world’s leading camouflage designer, marketer, and licensor first began sponsoring No. 3 Chevrolets fielded by Childress and driven by Dale Earnhardt.
Think, Bad Boy® … Bad Boy pioneered the category of electrically powered 4×4 vehicles, ideal for hunting and outdoor recreation due to their silent, odorless operation and environmentally friendly, emissions-free drivetrains. The Bad Boy product line also includes the hybrid Ambush® iS, which features the flexibility to switch between independent gas and electric powertrains, the utility of Regen Mode™ to recharge the vehicle’s batteries on the fly, and the ability to engage both powertrains at once for four-wheel-drive power. The line also features 4×4 electric machines such as the Recoil® iS, which offers an innovative, highly efficient 72-volt AC electric drivetrain; and the Work Series of diesel and gas-powered utility vehicles such as the XD, a versatile 4×4, diesel-powered utility vehicle with a total capacity of 1,600 pounds. Bad Boy vehicles are designed and manufactured by Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 21st in the championship point standings leading into the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
In the Rear View … In the Sprint Cup Series’ most recent appearance at Phoenix International Raceway in March 2015, Dillon started 11th and battled a tight-handling car during the beginning of the race. He ultimately finished 15th in the Dow Chevrolet.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to greet race fans at the Chevrolet Display in the Phoenix International Raceway Midway at 8:40 a.m. MT on Sunday and will debut the New Era Signature Collection at the NASCAR Fanatics Merchandise Display on Sunday at 9:05 a.m. MT.
Double Duty … Dillon is double-duty this weekend, competing in the XFINITY Series in the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet on Saturday and the Sprint Cup Series in the No. 3 Realtree/Bad Boy Chevrolet on Sunday. Saturday’s XFINITY Series race is live on NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. ET while Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race is live on NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Does that cut through you use to get around the corners seem odd or does it feel normal now that you’ve done it for awhile?
“It’s still challenging. I feel like the cut through is not that much of an advantage anymore. You stay on the track pretty much the entire time. On a restart you might run down there, but I feel like the tri-oval that Phoenix International Raceway has is pretty wild.”
Paul Menard, No. 27 Duracell / Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Duracell / Menards Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Crew chief Justin Alexander has chosen chassis No. 520 for this weekend’s Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. This Chevrolet SS was previously raced this year at Chicagoland Speedway in September where Menard started 16th and finished 17th.
Phoenix Stats … In 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the Arizona-based track, Menard has two top-10 finishes. He has completed 99.6 percent of laps in competition with an average finish of 18th and finish of 21st.
About Duracell … Part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years. Our products serve as the heart of devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries, Duracell also innovates in lighting, renewable power and wireless charging technologies to help consumers live life without limits. Visit duracell.com for more information, follow us on Twitter.com/Duracell, and like us on Facebook.com/Duracell.
Rookie Stripe … Alexander has impressive stats in his first year as a full-time Sprint Cup Series crew chief. In 39 races with Menard, Alexander has led the team to one top-five, 17 top-15 and 25 top-20 starts. He’s also collected 27 top-20, 22 top-15 and three top-five finishes. Alexander is a four-time winner of the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race award this season. He’s also led Menard to his first-career berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
#MenardNation … The No. 27 Chevy team is currently 14th on the Chase grid after finishing 13th at Texas Motor Speedway.
Last Time in Phoenix … Last time the Sprint Cup Series visited the one-mile track, Menard and the No. 27 team finished 14th after starting 21st. Menard easily made his way into the top 10 in the opening laps, but soon reported a tight-handling condition. Crew chief Justin Alexander remedied the condition through routine pit stops and had Menard back inside the top 15 within the closing laps. Menard crossed the finish line 14th, capturing his third top-15 finish of the season.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What’s different in the fall race at Phoenix International Raceway?
“The summers are obviously harsh in Arizona so it’s going to have changed a lot from the spring to the fall with the new surface just aging. So what worked in the spring is probably not going to work this time. It’s really just a cool, unique one-mile track. It kind of drives like an intermediate track but you use the brakes really hard like you would on a short track. The last couple races there the track has taken a pretty big swing as far as aging, which is promising.”
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Global Mining Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Caterpillar Global Mining Chevrolet SS at Phoenix International Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 511 on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. This Chevrolet raced earlier this season at both Michigan International Speedway events (St: 23/ Fin: 18) and (St: 17/ Fin: 8), the spring race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (St: 19/ Fin: 6) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (St: 43/ Fin: 11). The No. 31 team also utilized this car during the PIR test on October 14.
Newman at Phoenix International Raceway … Newman will make his 511th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start when the series returns to PIR and in 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the one-mile track, the South Bend, Ind., native owns one victory. He won the spring event in 2010. He also owns four pole awards, nine top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. His average start is 12.7 and average finish is 17.9. He’s led 213 laps in competition. In the last 10 races, Newman ranks third in most points earned.
@CatMining … The No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet promotes the official Caterpillar Global Mining Twitter account this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. @CatMining provides updates and information about Caterpillar and its support of the mining industry as it faces some of its toughest challenges. Caterpillar is committed to going beyond equipment to help mining companies solve problems, leveraging its global expertise and game-changing technologies to provide solutions that help mine sites operate more efficiently and productively, keep people safe, and lower overall owning and operating costs.
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. 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.
Cut to the Chase … Newman enters the 35th event on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule 11th in the Chase Grid, just four points out of 10th and six points out of ninth, after a 22nd-place finish Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.
Phoenix Flashback … Earlier this season, Newman and the No. 31 team started fifth and raced in and around the top five throughout the event. On the final restart, the No. 31 Chevrolet lined up fifth and picked up two more positions before the checkered flag waved.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the key to a good finish at Phoenix International Raceway?
“When Phoenix changed the track, restarts became so critical when you consider the back dogleg and being doubled up and being able to pass two for one. To me, that’s one of the key times to be able to pass somebody. It’s so open there. It’s a pretty fast track especially since it’s been repaved. It’s super smooth. We went out there and tested and it’s really quick. That makes passing even more difficult and therefore the restarts are even more important.”
What is the hardest part of the track for you to figure out?
“It’s really getting a good run off of Turn 2 because of the dogleg on the backstretch. It’s so long. You really lose a lot of speed if you cannot get through Turn 2. It seems as if it’s twice as important as Turn 4 which you wouldn’t think but it really is.”
We raced at Phoenix earlier in the season. Can you learn from that event?
“Phoenix was one of our strongest runs of the season so it’s really a good track for the Cat Global Mining team. We can’t forget finishing 10th in last year’s event that allowed us to compete for the championship. It’s a really fun track. I hope in eight or 10 years from now, it will resemble the old track.”
How crazy do you think this race will be for team’s trying to make the transfer?
“As the Chase unfolds, it will certainly get crazier. Phoenix can have a lot of potential for the things we like to speculate about.”
Event: DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015
Venue: Phoenix International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Phoenix International Raceway … In 56 Series starts at the one-mile track, RCR has captured three victories with drivers Kevin Harvick (2006), Clint Bowyer (2007) and Elliott Sadler (2012). The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 10,926 laps of the 11,147 (98.0 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated two pole awards, 22 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes, led 543 laps and averages a starting position of 11.7 and finishing position of 11.3.
Texas Review … Austin Dillon finished third and was the highest finishing Richard Childress Racing driver in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. Ty Dillon finished fifth, Brian Scott seventh and Brendan Gaughan finished 12th.
The Points … With two races remaining in the 2015 season, all three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brain Scott, eighth and Brendan Gaughan, ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is fourth in the 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, @RCR33NNS 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 … Coverage of this weekend’s XFINITY DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans at Phoenix International Raceway will be televised live on Saturday, November 14, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network. It will also be broadcast live on Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Albertsons / Kraft Singles Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Albertsons / Kraft Singles Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 141 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable has an average starting position of 3.6 and an average finishing position of 11.5. Scott collected back-to-back pole positions last year at Chicagoland Speedway with this chassis. Most recently, Scott raced No. 141 at Kentucky Speedway where he started on the outside pole.
Scott at Phoenix … Scott will be making his 13th XFINITY Series start at the one-mile track on Saturday. In 12 starts at PIR, the 27-year-old has collected five top-10 finishes. In 2012, Scott recorded a victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at PIR, his second in the Series. In addition to the victory in four NCWTS starts, he has completed 100 percent of the laps raced with two top five and two top-10 finishes with 48 laps led. Last February, Scott made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at PIR.
Two Races Remain … After 31 XFINITY Series races this season; Scott has captured five top-five, 17 top-10 finishes, sits eighth in the driver point standings and has led 251 laps with an average starting position of 6.6 and an average finish of 13.4. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 6.6.
Albertsons on Board … Albertsons is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. The retailer operates stores across 33 states and the District of Columbia under 18 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market and Carrs.
Texas Race Rewind … Heavy amounts of rain visited the Fort Worth, Texas area on Friday evening affecting Saturday’s NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway. The rain saturated the 1.5-mile speedway, taking extensive drying efforts and ultimately canceling XFINITY Series qualifying. The starting lineup was set by final practice speeds per the NASCAR rulebook. RCR driver Scott started the 200-lap event in the 11th position and battled with a tight-handling No. 2 Albertsons / Sanderson Farms Chevrolet. A competition caution brought the team to pit road on lap 25 to alleviate some of the handling issues. Additional adjustments were made during pit stops under caution on lap 79, 117, 180 and under green-flag conditions on lap 163. The 27-year old driver battled in and around the top 10 for the majority of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge and ultimately took the checkered flag in the seventh position.
Last Fall at Phoenix … Scott and the No. 2 Whitetail Chevrolet Camaro team collected their 29th top-10 qualifying position of the season at Phoenix International Raceway starting in the ninth position for the DAV 200 – Honoring America’s Veterans. The 200-lap event only saw five cautions giving the team ample chances to make the correct adjustments to move the Whitetail Chevrolet to the front. A green-white-checkered finish allowed Scott to move up on the final restart, finishing seventh.
Meet Brian Scott … Scott is scheduled to sign autographs at the Safeway grocery store in the Cotton 2 Campground at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
What are some of your favorite things about going to Phoenix International Raceway?
“I got to spend some time in Phoenix a few weeks ago to draw support out here for the race. I’ve always considered Phoenix a home track for me. It’s one of the closest proximity tracks to Boise, Idaho where I am from. I always have a lot of family that comes out and supports me that weekend. So, I always am looking forward to Phoenix and always want to run well there more so than a lot of the other places given its history, the proximity, my family and everything there. I’ve had good success in the Camping World Truck Series. Our RCR team has come a long way in our short-track program and I’m looking forward to get back there.
Does it feel strange to take the ‘short cut’ around the track?
“No. We are all pretty used to it now. The reconfiguration has been in place for a couple years now and the drivers I feel have figured it out.”
Ty Dillon, No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro at Phoenix International Raceway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 157 for this weekend’s DAV 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Kansas Speedway where Dillon started fifth and finished fourth. Dillon drove chassis No. 157 to a second-place finish at Kentucky Speedway in September.
Dillon at Phoenix International Raceway … In three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at PIR, Dillon has one top-five and three top-10 finishes. His best finish came last fall where he took the checkered flag fourth. Dillon also drove the No. 33 Chevrolet SS to a 27th-place finish last fall in his second-career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
Think, WESCO … WESCO International, Inc. has returned 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.
Race Rewind, Texas Motor Speedway … Dillon drove the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro to a fifth-place finish at the 1.5-mile speedway, recording the team’s 11th top-five finish of the season. The team started ninth after XFINITY Series qualifying was cancelled due to wet track conditions, but Dillon proved his Chevrolet was a top-five race car. A late caution allowed Dillon to come to pit road for fresh Goodyear racing tires and a 14 lap sprint to the finish line. He took the checkered flag fifth and improved his position in the driver championship point standings to third, with two races remaining.
No. 3 team Season-to-Date … In 31 XFINTIY Series races in 2015, Dillon has recorded 11 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes, led 109 laps and is currently third in the XFINTIY Series point standings. According to NASCAR Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranks third in laps inside the top 15 and has the fourth highest driver rating (97.3).
TY DILLON QUOTE:
How has short-track racing gone for the No. 3 team this season?
“We’ve had a lot of success at tracks one mile and shorter this season; several top-10 finishes and a few top-five finishes. We were strong at PIR earlier this season and we’ll look to improve on that sixth-place finish. Overall, short-track racing is fun for me. It’s what I grew up doing and it’s a great show for the fans. I’d love to get a win this weekend in Phoenix and really prove how good RCR’s short-track program has become.”
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 145 in the DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans at Phoenix International Raceway. Dillon drove this Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet on two occasions this season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July and Richmond International Raceway where he finished second and ninth, respectively.
Desert Details … The Welcome, N.C., native has six previous NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the one-mile track, collecting three top-five and five top-10 finishes. Dillon is credited with an average starting position of 10.0 and average finishing position of 9.5 with four laps led. In his last five starts at Phoenix International Raceway, Dillon has earned a top-nine starting position and finished within the top-six of the running order.
Performance Counts . . . RCR and Rheem understand that winning is the result of a commitment to unparalleled achievement and continuous improvement. Rheem, a global leader in heating, cooling and water heating products is dedicated to keeping families and businesses comfortable through reliable, energy efficient products and systems customized to any lifestyle and budget. As at RCR, Rheem invests in talented professionals, advanced technology, R&D and world-class facilities that deliver Victory Lane performance. Rheem is . . . The New Degree of Comfort.
33 Team by the Numbers … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Dillon, Paul Menard and Brandon Jones behind the wheel. In 31 races, the RCR team has garnered five wins, six pole awards, 16 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes with 568 laps led.
Race Rewind: Texas … Dillon was credited with the pole position following cancelation of qualifying on Saturday morning due to wet track conditions. After visiting pit road for a potential flat tire on lap 76, Dillon fell one lap down to the leaders, but a timely caution allowed the No. 33 Rheem team to take the wave around on the following lap. Restarting 18th, the RCR driver climbed his way back into the top five and resumed the race lead with less than 40 laps to go. Dillon battled three-wide for the lead on the final restart and slipped to third where he crossed the finish line.
Last Time Around … In the spring edition of the race at Phoenix International Raceway, Dillon qualified the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet in the fifth position and recorded a fourth-place result after leading four laps.
Getting Loopy in 2015 … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon holds some notable stats in the 2015 season. The 25-year-old driver ranks first in the following categories: drivers fastest late in a run, fastest driver on restartsand green-flag speed.Dillon is second amongst his competitors in drivers fastest early in a run,fastest laps run (366 laps)and mile leaders.He also ranks fourth in laps led (528 laps).
Season in Review … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in 18 XFINITY Series events, collecting four victories, 12 top-five finishes, 15 top-10 finishes and six pole awards. Dillon has led a total of 528 laps with an average starting position of 4.5 coupled with an average finishing position of 6.9.
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 200-lap event at Phoenix International Raceway, Dillon is scheduled to compete in the No. 33 Chevrolet for the season finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Double Duty … In addition to Saturday’s DAV 200 Honoring American’s Veterans at Phoenix International Raceway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 Realtree/Bad Boy Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500, which airs live on NBC Sunday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
Can you compare Phoenix to any other track on the schedule?
“No, Phoenix is a unique animal. It’s very different from any of the other tracks I’ve been to before. I don’t exactly know what to expect. I think it will be extremely challenging.”
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 149 this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway for the DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Richmond International Raceway in September where Gaughan started 11th and finished 16th.
Gaughan at Phoenix International Raceway … In eight NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at PIR, Gaughan has completed 1,572 of 1,581 (99.4 percent) of the laps he has competed. The Las Vegas native is credited with a 18.0average starting position and a 14.4 average finishing position having led three laps in spring of 2015. In 11 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Gaughan has led nine laps with an average finish of 14.6 at PIR.
Tune In: … Gaughan is scheduled to join the Motor Racing Network (MRN) for live coverage of the Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 from Phoenix International Raceway, coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time with live streaming on MRN.com and on the MRN App.
This Week at South Point … South Point Hotel & Casino will host the Las Vegas National Horse Show November 10 – 15, 2015.The show will feature the hunter and jumper nationals. For more information, visit southpointcasino.com.
In the Rearview: Texas Motor Speedway… Gaughan started the 200-lap race 13th after qualifying was canceled due to damp track conditions. During the first run, Gaughan reported loose conditions with the South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet. During a caution on lap 76, crew chief Shane Wilson made changes including chassis and air pressure adjustments. Gaughan fluctuated from 11th to 15th as the team handled tight conditions through the middle of the turn. The final caution left Gaughan with a tight-handling car and a 12th-place finish.
No. 62 team Season-to-Date … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics over 31 XFINITY Series races in 2015, Gaughan ranks eighth in Quality Passes with 1,001 passes so far this season. He also ranks ninth in Driver Rating with an 87.7. Gaughan has spent 80.5 percent of his contested laps competing in the top 15 of the running order in the first 31 events this year.
To the Points … With two races remaining this season, Gaughan is currently ninth in the driver point standings as the XFINITY Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“Anytime we race on the West Coast I feel a sense of territorial pride. Shane (Wilson, crew chief) and I have had a lot of good runs at Phoenix over the years together and hope we can add another to the books this weekend.”
