Richard Childress Racing at Dover International Speedway … RCR has earned four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Dover International Speedway, most recently in September 2006 when Jeff Burton drove the No. 31 Chevrolet to Victory Lane. Three additional victories came with Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel, including both events at the Monster Mile in 1989 as well as the spring race in 1993. RCR has also earned one pole award, 23 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes in 154 combined starts at the high-banked, one-mile oval. Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed three of those top 10s from 1976-1980.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,663 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 471 top-five finishes and 1,014 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16th. 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 … RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank eighth (Dillon), 17th (Newman) and 23rd (Menard) in the driver championship point standings.
The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma Recognizes EMS week … May 15-21 is EMS week and National EMS for Children Day will be held on May 18, 2016 to raise awareness about the need to improve and expand specialized emergency medical care for children. For more information about EMS Week and how to honor those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s “front line,” visit http://bit.ly/EMSforKids.
Catch the Action … The AAA 400 Drive for Autism will be televised live Sunday, May 15 beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
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This Week’s AAA Chevrolet SS at Dover International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 531 in the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway. While this race marks the first time this season that Dillon will be behind the wheel of this Chevrolet SS, his teammates Paul Menard and Ryan Newman raced it at Texas Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, respectively.
Dillon at Dover International Speedway … Dillon has five previous Sprint Cup Series starts to his credit at Dover International Speedway, earning his best finish of 20th in June 2014 and best start of 10th in September 2014. In six previous NASCAR XFINITY Series appearances at the track, Dillon has not finished worse than 10th. He is the June 2013 XFINITY Series pole sitter at the Monster Mile. The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at the track in the Truck Series, earning his best finish of fourth in the May 2011 event. He also finished ninth at the track in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race.
The inaugural AAA 400 Drive for Autism … AAA has worked in NASCAR for years, and is proud to sponsor the inaugural AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway on May 15. This is also the first year AAA is partnering with star driver Austin Dillon. His No. 3 AAA Chevy SS will be on the track Sunday racing for the cause. AAA is a leader in keeping drivers on the road with the Nation’s fastest roadside response times and trained teams at Car Care Centers around the country, ensuring your car runs smoothly and efficiently. For more information, go to AAA.com.
Meet Dillon … Come visit the AAA Victory Lane display in the FanZone at Dover International Speedway for an appearance with Austin Dillon at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Dover International Speedway is a different kind of race track. What is the sensation like racing at Dover?
“Dover International Speedway is one of those places that is really aggressive. You can really attack and find speed there. I’ve learned in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that you can be rewarded by taking it easy and having patience. In the NASCAR XFINITY Series, you have to get all you can get from lap one. But, in the Sprint Cup Series, you can back off a little bit and get a little more speed as the tires wear down. I think the progress we’ve made on our cars should help at a place like Dover.”
How hard is it to stay aggressive for 400 laps?
“It’s tough to stay aggressive for 400 laps. You definitely have to work things out. You have to make sure you’re hydrated before the race and focus when you get in the car to stay in the game mentally.”
What’s a lap like for you at ‘The Monster Mile?’
“It’s one of those places that I think they say is a four-story travel. It is one of those places where you come from a straightaway, down into a hole, which feels like you’re jumping down into the hole as if your car leaves the track, then you land, compress and you’re back up out of there. It’s one of those places where when you’re done running a lap, a qualifying lap or even a race lap, when they ask you how the car feels, you need about five minutes to catch your breath before you can tell them what really happened. It’s definitely not one of those places where you can quickly respond on what’s going on in the car. You have to get your breath back before you can talk to your guys.”
Can you talk about having AAA and Drive for Autism on your car? Does this add any extra pressure to the race weekend for you?
“You definitely want to run well at the track your sponsors are also the race sponsors at. AAA is very close to Dover. The AAA Drive for Autism 400 is the name of the race. I usually go to the golf tournament each year for Artie Kemper from FOX and it means a lot to me to help support that cause. You want to run well at those places that your sponsors have close ties with as well. I’m proud to represent AAA and it’s cool that I have a chance to get their car into Victory Lane.”
This Week’s Schrock / Menards Chevrolet SS at Dover International Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 551 in this weekend’s 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Dover International Speedway. This is a brand new Chevrolet SS and will make its first laps during Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions at the one-mile track.
Monster Mile Stats … With 14 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Monster Mile, Menard has earned one top-five and five top-10 finishes. His best start of second came in October 2010 and best finish of third in October 2012. Menard has completed 99 percent of laps in competition and led 24 laps, including seven laps during last year’s October event.
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PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
People compare racing at Dover International Speedway to a roller coaster sensation. Would you say that statement is accurate?
“I forget the number of feet that you drop, but it’s like 30 feet or something that you fall off in the corner and then you have to come back out of the hole. You definitely feel that the first couple of laps on track during the weekend. Then as the race goes on it gets your attention again. You definitely notice. There’s a huge transition as you go over that rise, so the car goes through a lot of motions, the car just has to be setup and prepared for that.”
How physically demanding is Dover? 400 laps at that track can be intense.
“It is demanding. You definitely feel it. It’s definitely a top-five track physically and probably the top track where you get the most sensation for speed. It’s not the fastest track, but it sure feels like it.”
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Dover International Speedway … Ryan Newman will be back behind the wheel of chassis No. 532 in Sunday’s 400-mile event. He drove this car earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway where the No. 31 team earned a 17th-place finish after getting collected in a wreck during the closing laps of the race.
Career Stats at the Monster Mile … Newman will make his 524th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start when the series competes at the high-banked, one-mile oval. In 28 Cup Series events, Newman has three victories to his credit including a Dover sweep in 2003 and a win in the fall of 2004. The “Rocket Man” also owns three pole awards. In total, he owns six top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. Also, he has led 848 laps in competition. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 9.8 and average finish of 13.8.
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Caterpillar Darlington Throwback Paint Scheme Unveil … Newman will help introduce Caterpillar’s Darlington Throwback paint theme during RCR’s media and employee event on Wednesday, May 11. It’s happening at 11 a.m. ET at the RCR Museum in Welcome, N.C. Everyone is encouraged to follow along on RCR’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What are the biggest challenges that Dover International Speedway presents?
“One of the biggest challenges is the concrete itself. Once your tires build air pressure the seams in the concrete get pretty violent so having a car that rides well is extremely important. You really don’t accelerate a whole lot off the corner because corner speeds are so fast that straightaway speeds are just a little bit faster than your corner speed. Having a car that’s good in the corner is probably more important than having a car fast in the straightaway.”
What is the biggest thing you’ve learned at Dover?
“Back in the day my biggest lesson I learned is the importance of keeping the car on the bottom. It was always challenging and now, it’s even more challenging to pass cars. Usually the bottom is always the fast way so if you can keep your car on the bottom, you’ll eventually pass the guys that are sliding up the middle.”
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Dover International Speedway … In 69 Series starts at the one-mile concrete oval, RCR has captured three victories with drivers Jeff Burton (2006) and Clint Bowyer (2006 and 2009). The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 13,084 laps of the 13,826 (94.7 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated five pole awards, 17 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes, led 716 laps and averages a starting position of 10.9 and finishing position of 12.7.
Talladega Review … Brendan Gaughan was the highest RCR finisher in fifth, Austin Dillon sixth, Brandon Jones 19th and Ty Dillon 20th, respectively, in the Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Dash4Cash … This weekend’s XFINITY Series race at Dover International Speedway marks the third of four Dash4Cash events. Prior to the start of the race, drivers will compete in two heat races to determine the 40-car lineup for the main event. The two highest finishing XFINITY Series regulars from each heat race will qualify for that event’s Dash4Cash award, a $100,000 bonus. Ty Dillon earned the cash bonus in the previous Dash4Cash event at Richmond International Raceway.
The Points … All three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Dover International Speedway for the 10th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brendan Gaughan is fifth and Brandon Jones is sixth. The No. 2 RCR team is first in the owner point standings. Brandon Jones is currently second in the XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, May 14, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on FOX. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
This Week’s Richmond / Menards Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 177 in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway. This is the same chassis Menard’s teammate Austin Dillon drove to Victory Lane at Auto Club Speedway in March.
Dover Details … In 10 previous NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Dover International Speedway, Menard has accumulated one top-five and four top-10 finishes. The Eau Claire, Wisc.-native holds an average starting position of 14.6 and an average finishing position of 18.9.
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No. 2 Team by the Numbers … With nine XFINITY Series events complete in 2016, the No. 2 team has one victory, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes with 13 laps led to their credit. Austin Dillon returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 2 Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the May 28 event.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
This weekend will be your first XFINITY Series start at Dover in four years. What are your expectation heading into Saturday’s NXS race?
“Our goal is to win Saturday’s XFINITY race, but ultimately I’m there to learn for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race. The No. 2 car has been fast this year and I’m looking forward to getting back in it and working with Stockman (Danny, crew chief) and the boys.”
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 176 for this weekend’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Auto Club Speedway earlier this season where Dillon drove to a 17th-place finish.
Dillon at Dover International Speedway … In six career NASCAR XFINITY Series races at the Monster Mile, Dillon has recorded four top-10 finishes. Dover International Speedway is the site of Dillon’s first-career XFINITY Series start; he drove the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro to an eighth-place finish on June 2, 2012.
#Dash4Cash win can qualify Dillon for the Chase … Having scored a Dash4Cash victory on April 23 at Richmond International Raceway, Dillon can clinch a berth in the XFINITY Series Chase this weekend with second Dash4Cash victory. In two Dash4Cash races thus far in 2016, Dillon has qualified for both.
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Meet Ty Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to visit the XFINITY Zone located in the fan Midway on Saturday, May 12 beginning at 9:15 a.m. for a question-and-answer session.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
You have four top-10 finishes at Dover. What will it take to get inside the top-five and compete for a win?
“I really enjoy racing at Dover mainly because it is always a unique challenge. Higher speeds, higher banking and a concrete surface – it really takes a lot of focus during practice to figure out how to get your race car balanced correctly. Also, we’re going back to heat racing this weekend with the Dash4Cash format so that mean’s a shorter race length. We’ll really have to be aggressive from the start and make no mistakes. I’m sure the fans will enjoy this weekend’s race.”
This Week’s Chevrolet Camaro at Dover International Speedway … Brandon Jones will pilot Chassis No. 172 this weekend at Dover International Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was driven by Jones at Auto Club Speedway, where he started 14th and finished ninth.
Dover Nuggets … Jones will make his first NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Dover International Speedway this weekend, but the 19-year-old driver has experience at the one-mile track. He has made two Camping World Truck Series starts, earning one top-five, two top-10 finishes and leading a total of three laps. He also has two NASCAR K&N East Series starts at the Monster Mile, with a best finish of seventh coming in 2013.
Chevrolet Military Discount … In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC are expanding their military discount programs through May 31, 2016 to include all 21 million U.S. military veterans and their spouses. The discount is available for popular models, including the all-new Chevrolet Malibu, GMC Sierra and Buick Encore. Because the discount can be combined with most current incentives, veterans could save thousands of dollars on some vehicles. For details, visit gmmilitarydiscount.com.
Meet Brandon Jones … Jones is scheduled to appear at the AAA Victory Lane footprint in the Dover Midway on Friday, May 13 from 4 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. for a fan meet & greet.
Rearview Mirror: Talladega … Starting the Sparks Energy 200 from the 16th spot, Jones worked his way to the front of the field in the outside lane and took the lead for the first time on lap 40. Jones kept the No. 33 Okuma Chevrolet Camaro out front for a race-high 36 laps. Avoiding trouble in the closing laps, he was scored in the 19th position and sits sixth in the XFINITY Series championship point standings.
BRANDON JONES QUOTES:
What will it be like running both the NASCAR Camping World Truck and XFINITY Series races this weekend at Dover?
“That will be the start of the double-headers for us. I think it will be good to get on the track a day early and get extra practice. I think that’s going to help a ton for our XFINITY Series race, too. We’ve had great success at Dover, it’s been a great track for us so far. Hopefully that will continue and we’ll get a top five or top 10 out of it.”
What are the sensations of racing at the Monster Mile?
“It’s a wicked place for just a one-mile track. You’ve got that big dip going off into Turn 1 and you’re barely on the brakes. Once you’re off the gas, it seems like you’re right back on the gas to get out of the corner. It’s a roller coaster for sure. Up-and-down is how that place goes.”
How challenging is it to get on pit road at Dover?
“A lot of guys say Dover is a pretty challenging place to get on pit road. Bristol Motor Speedway is another pretty tough one as well. You just have to keep your eyes peeled and know where you’re at. It’s something to think about in practice as well, thinking about green-flag stops and getting your points marked out.”
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 178 this weekend at the one-mile track. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet was last utilized on track at Auto Club Speedway in March, qualifying 15th and finishing seventh.
Monster Mile Stats … In eight NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Dover International Speedway, Gaughan has completed 1591 of 1605 (99.1 percent) laps that he has competed. Gaughan finished seventh in the spring race last year, earning his first XFINITY Series top 10 at the concrete oval. The Las Vegas native also has eight starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes.
At The South Point … The South Point Hotel and Casino will host the American Towman, Tow Industry Week May 11-13, 2016. The event offers five conferences, special events and the American Towman ShowPlace, featuring the industry’s top suppliers, educators, trainers, and leading towing professionals from around the world.
Loopy in 2016 … Gaughan averages a starting and finishing position of 10.4. The 40-year-old driver has made 365 quality passes, has had 12 fastest laps and spent 1,180 laps in the top 15. Gaughan is currently fifth in points, 35 points behind the leader.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What does it feel like to make a lap at Dover International Speedway?
“It is the only racetrack that I have been told to breathe by my spotter. It is the place that you get a true sensation of speed, even more so than Bristol (Motor Speedway). I’ll never forget the first time at Dover. As a driver, the sensation of the speed takes your breath away, you basically drive off a three-story building on the entry of Turn 1. My first time in 2002, I was gasping for air during practice because I was holding my breath. It is so much fun to race there, but it is so easy to get wrapped up in other stuff. The track is so narrow, cars bounce off the bottom wall and run right back to the top. If there is a track I want to race twice, it’s Dover. The only way to really describe racing at Dover is to relate it to a roller coaster.”
How difficult is it to get onto pit road in Dover?
“Well how many drivers have hit the barrels there at pit road? Some of the best hit the barrels, it’s definitely a treacherous entry. The main reason is you drive so hard into that corner, and the surface changes to asphalt. The asphalt doesn’t have the same level of grip that the concrete has, and it’s always dusty from stuff getting blown down there. I really love the challenge of getting on and off pit road at any track. It is a part of racing I have always worked on. Dover is its own kind of animal and as a driver, I look forward to visiting.”
