Event: Homestead-Miami 400
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2015
Venue: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Homestead-Miami Speedway is one of the few race tracks where team owner Richard Childress has yet to earn a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. Richard Childress Racing entries have finished second on four occasions: 2003 (Kevin Harvick), 2008 (Harvick), 2009 (Jeff Burton) and 2014 (Ryan Newman. In 50 starts, RCR has earned nine top-five and 23 top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile, progressively-banked oval with drivers Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Green, Harvick, Newman, Paul Menard and Mike Skinner. Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway are the other tracks on the current Sprint Cup Series schedule where RCR is still on the hunt for hardware.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,624 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 35 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 Phoenix Rewind … RCR teammates Newman, Menard and Dillon finished 11th, 13th and 20th, respectively, in the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
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 Homestead-Miami 400 will be televised live Sunday, November 22 beginning at 3 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Dow Chevrolet SS at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 532 in the Homestead-Miami 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team is closing out the 2015 season in a brand new chassis built and prepared at Richard Childress Racing.
Dillon at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Dillon has one previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway, securing a 25th-place finish in November 2014. The Welcome, N.C. driver has plenty of positive memories at the 1.5-mile intermediate-style track. In 2013, he clinched the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship at HMS by finishing 12th in the Series’ season finale. He also clinched the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title at the track in 2011.
The Human Element at Work … Returning primary sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet SS, Dow concludes its second season with RCR and driver Austin Dillon this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 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 dow.com.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 21st in the championship point standings leading into the Homestead-Miami 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In the Rear View … Last year at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dillon started 24th in the Dow Chevrolet and noted a loose-handling condition during the beginning portion of the race, which was alleviated through chassis adjustments on pit road. Despite gaining track position and working his way into the top 15, Dillon ultimately finished 25th after losing spots to teams with four tires after taking right-side tires only during the last round of pit stops with less than 30 laps remaining.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to greet race fans at the NASCAR Fanatics Merchandise Display on Sunday at 11:05 a.m. ET alongside his brother Ty.
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 Dow Chevrolet on Sunday. Saturday’s XFINITY Series race is live on NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET while Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race is live on NBC beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?
“I love racing in Miami in November. I have always been partial to 1.5-mile tracks, and this race is always so cool because the fans bring so much energy to the track and so much excitement. It will be an exciting race with the battle for the Championship 4 but also so much more going on in the background in addition to that. Our team is going into the race with the goal of winning. We want to win for RCR. It would mean a lot to everyone in Welcome.”
Paul Menard, No. 27 Richmond / Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Richmond / Menards Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … This week the No. 27 team will debut a brand new chassis at the 1.5-mile track during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale weekend. Chassis No. 531 will make its first laps during Friday’s Sprint Cup Series practice session at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network.
Miami Stats … Menard has competed in nine Sprint Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Wisconsin native has one top-five finish at the track and has led one lap in competition.
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 richmondwaterheaters.com.
Rookie Stripe … Alexander has impressive stats in his first year as a full-time Sprint Cup Series crew chief. In 40 races with Menard, Alexander has led the team to one top-five, 18 top-15 and 26 top-20 starts. He’s also collected 28 top-20, 23 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 Phoenix International Raceway.
Last Time in Miami … Menard qualified 16th, but an uncontrolled tire during a pit stop on lap 12 sent Menard to the back of the field for the restart. Throughout the 267-lap event, Menard gained 31 spots even after scrapping the wall and having a right-rear tire go down on lap 186 which put the RCR driver one lap down. The Alexander-led team battled back with good adjustments and fast pit stops resulting in a fourth-place finish.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading into the last race of the season?
“It’s always bittersweet going into the last race of the season. I’m ready for a bit of a break, but it will be an adjustment not jumping in a race car every weekend. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a track that has a lot of different grooves, which makes it fun for drivers. It’s a wide track, which allows for some passing. It’s fun to go to Homestead because the track atmosphere is always electric. It’s the last event of the season for the fans and it’s championship weekend, so there is so much extra excitement around the races.”
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 528 on Sunday in Homestead. This Chevrolet raced earlier this season at Kansas Speedway in the fall where Newman started 10th and finished 11th.
Newman at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Newman will make his 512th Sprint Cup Series start when NASCAR hosts its season finale. In 13 starts at the 1.5-mile oval, the South Bend, Ind., native owns two top-five and five top-10 finishes. His average start is 13.1 and average finish is 15.8. He’s led 143 laps in competition. In the last five events at Homestead, Newman ranks fourth in most points earned.
Featured Caterpillar Dealer … Kelly Tractor Co., will be the featured Cat dealer on the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet this weekend in the season finale.
Since 1933, Kelly Tractor Co., has provided rentals, leasing, sales, and servicing of all types of construction and industrial equipment to the following markets: highway and bridge building, water and sewer, land development, housing, aggregate quarries, agriculture, warehousing, seaports, marinas, and more. Kelly Tractor Co. and its affiliates employ more than 450 people in South Florida and 322 of them provide parts and service support. The company is headquartered in Miami, with branch locations in Davie, West Palm Beach, Clewiston, FT Myers, Orlando, and Mulberry.
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Cut to the Chase … Newman enters the final event on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule 11th in the Chase Grid, just four points out of 10th, after an 11th-place finish in Sunday’s rain-shortened event at Phoenix International Raceway.
Homestead-Miami Speedway Flashback … Last year, Newman was one of the Championship 4 drivers competing for the coveted Sprint Cup championship. He started 21st and raced into the top 10 within the first 65 laps and then fifth by circuit 75. It all came down to a five-lap dash for the championship with the No. 31 scored in second on the restart. Newman pedaled as fast as he could to challenge the No. 4 car for the win and the title. He simply fell a few feet short to earn the runner-up finish and also earned RCR a second-place finish in the standings.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the key to a good finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
“Homestead-Miami Speedway is such a great track. You are able to run both the bottom and the top. It changes from day to night. Usually by the end of the night, you need to be able to work the bottom. It’s just a really fun track. It’s well designed and well built. It is such a good quality track as far as quality of racing. As a driver, that’s one thing you get to look forward to and I consider the track one of my favorites.”
What is the hardest part of the track to figure out?
“I think it’s the transition from day to night. It seems to be fairly sensitive. Typically at some point you are going to be super fast and racing up against the wall and hope you don’t stick it into the fence. Running that wall is pretty demanding.”
How tough is the track considering we only race there once a year?
“I don’t think it’s tough because you go there once a year, it’s really just a great track. I think it goes unnoticed because we only go there once a year.”
What kind of tension do you feel as a championship-title contender entering that race? What did it feel like for you last season?
“I never really felt any tension. Maybe I should have. In the end, I was just enjoying what I was doing. It was so fun getting to that point in our season and having a shot at the championship. It was obviously bittersweet because we came so close with several other people wanting to be in our position.”
Event: Homestead-Miami 300
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2015
Venue: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway … In 33 Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, RCR has captured two victories with drivers Kevin Harvick (2004) and Jeff Burton (2007). The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 6,392 laps of the 6,633 (96.4 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated two pole awards, seven top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, led 590 laps and averages a starting position of 13.5 and finishing position of 13.7.
Phoenix Review … Ty Dillon finished fifth and was the highest finishing Richard Childress Racing driver in the DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans at Phoenix International Raceway. Brian Scott finished 11th followed by Brendan Gaughan, 12th and Austin Dillon, 14th.
The Points … With the final race of the 2015 season knocking at the door, all three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway 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 Homestead 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, November 21, beginning at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC. It will also be broadcast live on Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 148 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable has an average starting position of 8.0 and an average finishing position of 10.8.
Scott at Homestead … Scott will be making his sixth XFINITY Series start in the Homestead 300 on Saturday. In five starts at the Homestead, Fla. track, the 27-year-old has collected three top-10 finishes. The Boise, Idaho native also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck starts claiming one top-five and one top-10 finish.
Season Finale … Only one race remains in the XFINITY Series this season. In 32 previous races this year, 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 6.8 and an average finish of 13.3. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently ranks fourth in green-flag passes (331), is ranked eighth in laps inside the top-15 (774) and third in quality passes (233).
Shore Lodge … As the quintessential McCall lodging experience since 1948, Shore Lodge is the authentic Idaho destination for those in search of nature’s true luxuries. Poised on the majestic Shore of Payette Lake, in the idyllic town of McCall, spellbinding experiences await you and yours. For more information visit www.ShoreLodge.com.
Phoenix Race Rewind … Scott and the No. 2 Albertsons / Kraft Singles Chevrolet started in the 13th position for the DAV 200 Honoring America’s Veterans at Phoenix International Raceway. The Mike Hillman Jr., led team made adjustments on the lap 63 and 114 visits to pit road to work on the changing track conditions for the 200-lap event. On initial start, Scott battled loose-handling conditions and as the green-flag laps clicked away, he then battled a tight-handling Camaro. Scott was scored as high as ninth but ultimately crossed the finish line in the 11th position.
Last time in Miami … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro team collected their 30th top-10 qualifying position of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway starting in the seventh position for the Homestead-Miami 300. The 200-lap season-finale event saw 11 cautions which gave the team enough time to work on the ill-handling Shore Lodge Chevrolet. A green-white-checkered finish allowed Scott to move up on the final restart, finishing 10th. Scott’s 10th-place finish earned the team’s 10th consecutive and 23nd top-10 finish of the 2014 season and a fourth-place finish in the driver championship point standings.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
What are your thoughts on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
“We fought for a 10th-place finish last year. We are looking forward to going back to Homestead and working on getting better. I think we’ve learned a lot this year and can really improve our performance at Homestead. Homestead is unique because it’s a true oval. Its progressive banked and super wore out. It’s a fun track and definitely a track that challenges drivers.”
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 160 this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this season where Dillon finished fifth. In seven starts, chassis No. 160 has two victories (Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway), two pole awards, seven top-10 finishes and five top-five finishes.
Dillon in the XFINITY Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway … In two XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, Dillon has recorded one top-10 finish. Dillon also has two top-10 finishes in four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts.
Title talk … Four drivers are mathematically eligible to claim the inaugural XFINITY Series driver championship this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway; Dillon, Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott and Regan Smith. Dillon trails point leader Buescher by 22 points and second-place Elliott by four points. Several scenarios are in play for Dillon to clinch his first-career XFINITY Series championship, but he claims his goal is to go out and win the race. Follow live timing and scoring on nascar.com to get up-to-the-minute standings and updates on the No. 3 team’s championship quest.
Double Duty … In addition to racing in the Homestead 300 this weekend, Dillon will make his seventh career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start piloting the No. 33 Nexium® 24HR Chevrolet SS for Circle Sport Racing in the Homestead 400 on Sunday, November 22. Dillon has competed in the Sprint Cup Series five times this season, including the Daytona 500 and races at Kansas Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Michigan International Speedway.
#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.
Let’s talk, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. … 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.
A Truly Unique Brew, IPL … Hitting shelves this week is Yuengling’s brand-new India Pale Lager, or IPL. Yuengling is proud to introduce its IPL, a brew bursting with complex hop notes like an IPA but with a well-balanced lager base that allows the Bravo, Belma, Cascade and Citra hops to truly shine. For more information and to find IPL in a store near you, go to Yuengling.com.
Last week at Phoenix International Raceway… Last Saturday afternoon, Dillon qualified eighth for the DAV 200 and raced inside the top 10 for a majority of the 200-lap race. Needing track position during the lap 112 caution, crew chief Nick Harrison gambled with pit strategy and put two right-side tires on the No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro. From there, Dillon raced inside the top five, stretching the car’s fuel mileage and left-side tires. In the end Dillon crossed the finish line fifth, recording the team’s 12th top-five finish of the season.
Meet Ty Dillon … Fans will have several unique opportunities to meet Dillon this weekend in the Homestead, Fla. area. On Thursday, November 19 beginning at 6 p.m., Dillon is scheduled to go to Mutineer, 11 Southeast 1st Avenue, Homestead, Florida, to serve cold Yuengling Light Lager. On Friday, November 20th beginning at 8 p.m. Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at the Walmart on 13600 Southwest 288th Street, Homestead, Florida on behalf of Nexium® 24HR.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
A solid finish the past few weeks has put you mathematically eligible to win the championship this weekend. What are your thoughts?
“What an incredible season up to this point. We’ve battled all season long and really have been a very consistent team. We’ve almost doubled our top-five finishes from a season ago and matched our top-10 finishes. This team never gave up, even after some misfortunes in Dover back in October. We’re going to give it our all this weekend. We’ll focus on what we can control and hope for the best with the three other competitors. It will be a great battle Saturday afternoon and I hope the fans will enjoy watching.
Do you strategize differently for a championship race?
“No. We focus on winning the race and controlling what we can control. I’ve got a great team around me that will give me the best possible race car to drive and give me an opportunity to race up front. When it’s all said and done and we happen to not win the championship, it won’t be based on lack of effort.”
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 167 in the Homestead 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Dillon drove this Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet to Victory Lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway last month after starting from the pole position.
Sunshine State Details … The Welcome, N.C., native has two previous NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, collecting one top-five finish. Dillon is credited with an average starting position of 7.0 and average finishing position of 8.5 with 66 laps led.
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33 Team by the Numbers … As the season comes to a close, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Dillon, Paul Menard and Brandon Jones behind the wheel. In 32 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: Phoenix … Dillon started the 200-lap affair from the outside pole and raced within the top 10 of the running order until late in the race when he began to experience a slight vibration. Dillon visited pit road under green-flag conditions on lap 163 for a loose right-rear wheel. During his time on pit road, Dillon fell one lap down to the leaders and rejoined the racing surface in the 17th position. In the remaining 30 laps of the race, Dillon was able to improve to 14th before crossing the finish line.
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 restarts and green-flag speed.Dillon is second amongst his competitors in drivers fastest early in a run, fastest laps run (386 laps)and mile leaders.He also ranks fourth in laps led (528 laps).
Season in Review … With one race remaining in the 2015 season, Dillon has been entered in 19 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 4.4 coupled with an average finishing position of 7.3.
Double Duty … In addition to Saturday’s Homestead 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Homestead 400, which airs live on NBC Sunday, November 22 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
The final race of the season is here, what are your thoughts heading into the last race of 2015?
“It’s been a great year for the No. 33 team. We put together a strong team and brought home five wins. It’s been a lot of fun working with Danny (Stockman, crew chief) again. I can’t believe there’s only one race left this season. I’m excited to close the year out at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s a fun track, and I have a lot of memories there in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. We have one left to go out there and finish the year in Victory Lane.”
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Homestead Miami Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 150 this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Texas Motor Speedway in November where Gaughan started 13th after qualifying was canceled due to weather, and resulted in a 13th-place finish in the 300-mile event.
Homestead Nuggets … In four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Gaughan has completed 805 of 806 (99.9 percent) of the laps he has competed. Gaughan is credited with an 11.2average starting position and a 12.8 average finishing position. In eight starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Gaughan has led 24 laps with an average finish of 14.9 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
This Week at South Point … The magic and wonder of the holiday season returns to the South Point Hotel & Casino during the Holiday Craft & Gift Festival November 21 – 22, 2015. Tickets are also available for the upcoming South Point Thanksgiving Shootout November 27 – 28, 2015 as South Point will host the women’s NCAA Division I basketball tournament. For more information, visit southpointcasino.com
In the Rearview Mirror: Phoenix … The Las Vegas native started the 200-lap race in the sixth position. Gaughan battled tight-handling right-front conditions for most of the race. At lap 100, Gaughan reported loose conditions late in the run, then tight after adjusting the brake bias. Gaughan fluctuated from ninth to 13th as the team handled tight conditions on the right front. The final caution on lap 112 left the South Point Chevy in fuel saving mode, just outside of the 80-lap fuel window. Gaughan maintained his position throughout the 81-lap run, finishing 12th.
Season in a Loop … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan ranks eighth in Quality Passes with 1,014 passes so far this season. He also ranks ninth in Driver Rating with an 87.7. Gaughan has spent 81.2 percent of his contested laps competing in the top 15 of the running order in the first 32 events this year.
To the Points … With one race remaining this season, Gaughan is currently ninth in the driver point standings as the XFINITY Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season finale this weekend.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
What’s it like to race at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
“Miami is a true oval. I love the parabolic banking. I love how high and hard you can run. I really like how you can do so many different things around that race track. It has its own unique set of challenges because it is our only mile-and-a-half with a true straight-restart front straightaway. So, it is almost like Phoenix. You are pinned in there. When people miss shifts or anything it is chaos. Homestead-Miami is a fun place to race, I really do enjoy it. I am looking forward to ending out our year there.”
