Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Iowa Speedway … In 29 Series starts at the 7/8-mile speedway, RCR has captured one victory with Elliott Sadler in 2012. The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 7,164 laps of the 7,326 (97.8 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated three pole awards, 10 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes, led 438 laps and averages a starting position of 8.8 and finishing position of 10.2.
Michigan Review … Paul Menard was the highest RCR finisher in third, Brandon Jones 10th, Ty Dillon 15th and Brendan Gaughan 18th, respectively, at Michigan International Speedway.
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 Iowa Speedway for the 14th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brandon Jones is sixth and Brendan Gaughan is seventh. The No. 2 RCR team is third 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 weekend’s American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, June 19, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
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This Week’s Ruud Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Ben Kennedy will pilot chassis No. 167 in the American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet visited Victory Lane last year with Austin Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In seven races, chassis No. 167 has six top-five finishes.
Welcome to the Team … This weekend, the No. 2 team welcomes a new driver to their line up for the 2016 season. Ben Kennedy will make his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut at Iowa Speedway with the RCR team this weekend.
Hawkeye State Stats … Although Kennedy has yet to make any competitive laps in the XFINITY Series at Iowa Speedway, the 24-year-old driver has three starts at the 7/8-mile track in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he averages a starting position of 16.3 and finishing position of 11.3.
Ruud is Back … Like RCR, Ruud is a pioneer in reliable performance. In 1889, Edwin Ruud invented the first automatic gas water heater and since then, the Ruud brand has grown into one of North America’s largest and most respected makers of quality heating, cooling and water heating products for residential and light commercial use. The Ruud reputation for engineering excellence, reliability, strength and top performance has been consistently recognized by leading consumer publications as a brand that can be trusted to deliver efficient, reliable performance day in and day out.
Meet Ben Kennedy … Kennedy is schedule to sign autographs with fellow XFINITY Series drivers at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, June 19 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Local Time.
No. 2 Team by the Numbers … With 13 XFINITY Series events complete in 2016, the No. 2 team has one victory, eight top-five and 12 top-10 finishes with 14 laps led to their credit. Austin Dillon returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 2 Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway in July.
BEN KENNEDY QUOTE:
You’re making your NASCAR XFINITY Series debut this weekend at Iowa Speedway with Richard Childress Racing. Talk a little bit about your thoughts heading into the weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to practice on Friday. It’s been a little while since I’ve been behind the wheel of a car. I’m used to racing trucks, but I’ve spent some time with Danny (Stockman, crew chief) and the guys this week getting the car ready and it makes me confident we’ll roll off the truck fast. I can’t thank Richard Childress Racing and Ruud enough for this opportunity. I’m glad it’s at a track that I have some good experience at. It’ll just help with the learning curve all that much more.”
This Week’s American Ethanol/Kum & Go Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway… Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 176 for this weekend’s American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Dover International Speedway where Dillon finished fifth.
Dillon at Iowa Speedway… In four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Iowa Speedway, Dillon has recorded two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Dillon’s best XFINITY Series finish came last August where he competed for the win and finished fourth. Dillon has also made four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 7/8-mile speedway, including two top-five and three top-10 finishes.
American Ethanol on-board No. 3 Chevrolet … This weekend, the No. 3 Chevrolet will have new colors on-board. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, along with the support of other partners, American Ethanol is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, and takes the NASCAR Green initiative to the next level. NASCAR® drivers have run more than eight million miles on renewable Sunoco Green E15.
E85 Available at Kum & Go … Kum & Go, the fifth largest privately help convenience store chain in the United States is the largest E85 retailer in the state of Iowa. Its chain stretches across 11 Midwestern states with more than 430 convenience stores. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Kum & Go is committed to American Ethanol and renewable sources of cleaner burning energy. Beginning in September, customers will be able to purchase E15 gasoline at select Kum & Go locations.
Meet Ty Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs and meet with fans at Karl Chevrolet, 1101 SE Oralabor Road, Ankeny Iowa on Friday, June 17 beginning at 1 p.m. CT on behalf of American Ethanol. Dillon is also scheduled to sign autographs at the XFINITY Series autograph session prior to the driver’s meeting on Sunday, June 19 behind the pit wall in Turn 1 beginning at 10:30 a.m.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
What’s important about this weekend’s race at Iowa Speedway?
“This weekend is a great opportunity to lock ourselves in the Chase and improve our positioning in the driver point standings. We realize that the field is mostly XFINITY Series regulars and that Iowa is a track that I’ve had experience racing, and racing pretty well. We’re definitely at an advantage this weekend and feel that we should run well. It will be important to qualify well Saturday and make no mistakes throughout the race. In short-track racing, there is not much room for error, but we know that – I know that. My short-track racing days with Team Dillon Racing will probably come into play here. It should be a fun weekend with the XFINITY Series being the main event on Sunday.”
This weekend is Father’s Day. What has your dad done for your racing career?
“My dad is one of my biggest supporters. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be racing right now. He’s taught me so much from the time I decided to go racing when I was 13 years old. He had a good racing career and understands some of the things that I go through on a weekly basis – he’s extremely smart when it comes to how to race and what to look for when driving the car. He’s a big part of our family business and I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. This weekend is very special to me – racing and family are intertwined in my life. I hope I can score him a win on Sunday.”
This Week’s Jeld-Wen / Menards Chevrolet Camaro at Iowa Speedway … Brandon Jones will pilot chassis No. 172 this weekend at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro previously raced at Auto Club Speedway and Dover International Speedway, where Jones finished ninth and 25th, respectively.
Iowa Nuggets … Jones will be making his third-career NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Iowa Speedway this weekend. In his previous XFINITY starts at Iowa in 2015, Jones has one top-10 finish and an average starting position of 4.5. The XFINITY Series Rookie of the Year contender has also competed at the 7/8-mile short track in the NASCAR Camping World Truck, NASCAR K&N East and the ARCA Racing Series. Jones scored a victory in the 2014 K&N East and West combination event.
Meet Brandon Jones … Jones will take part in the XFINITY Series autograph session on Sunday, June 19 starting at 10:30 a.m. Central Time.
About Jeld-Wen … JELD-WEN is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of reliable windows and doors. The extensive product offering encompasses windows, exterior doors, interior doors and related building products that are sold globally through multiple distribution channels, including retail home centers, wholesale distributors and building products dealers. JELD-WEN consistently ranked as Oregon’s largest privately owned company. JELD-WEN began in 1960 as a small Oregon millwork plant with 15 employees and today has approximately 20,000 employees across more than 100 locations in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. These strategically located facilities aim to serve their localities to best accommodate regional preferences and standards, and help minimize resources and costs required for transportation.
Available at Menards … Menards carries JELD-WEN windows and doors as well as the tools, materials and supplies for all of your home improvement projects from just needing a light bulb, gallon of paint or household items to building a deck, fence or new home! A family-owned company started in 1958, Menards currently operates 287 home improvement stores located throughout 14 Midwestern states. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right, the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town, and the way Guests are always treated like family.
Rearview Mirror: Michigan … Making his first-career XFINITY Series start at Michigan International Speedway, Jones overcame a tight-handling car to finish 10th and earn his seventh top-10 finish of the season. The rookie contender worked with crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. throughout the weekend to fine-tune the handling of the No. 33 Chevrolet, with the changes making the car the best when it mattered most. After starting 15th, Jones broke into the top 10 with 30 laps to go and held his position until the end.
BRANDON JONES QUOTES:
How much will your experience at Iowa Speedway help going into this weekend’s race?
“I really like Iowa Speedway; it has been one of my better tracks, for sure. I’ve got a NASCAR K&N East win at Iowa and finished second there in the Camping World Truck Series race last year, so it should be a good track for us. Thanks to RCR I got a chance to run in the XFINITY Series at Iowa in 2015, where I got my first feel for the car and learned a lot about the track. That’s going help a lot going into this weekend’s race as well.”
Some drivers say Iowa Speedway has the speed of a mile-and-a-half, but drives like a short track; how would you characterize it?
“That’s why I like Iowa so much – it’s not a mile-and-a-half, but it kind of like a mile-and-a-half track. You are not as dependent on aerodynamics there, but there is a lot of speed. The corners are a lot like a short track, where you can run the top or the bottom groove. It’s going to be fun to run around there again.”
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 178 this weekend at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared chassis has been utilized in two NASCAR XFINITY Series events since March 2016. Most recently, No. 178 competed this season at Auto Club Speedway and Dover International Speedway, averaging a starting position of 12.5 and a finishing position of 11.
Gaughan at Iowa Speedway … In eight XFINITY Series starts at the 7/8-mile paved oval, Gaughan has earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes. Gaughan averages a starting position of 12.8 and finishing position of 14.8.
Last Time at Iowa … The No. 62 Richard Childress Racing team started from the third position last August at Iowa Speedway. The South Point Hotel & Casino team battled in the top five for a majority of the 250-lap event. Gaughan raced his way to second place and put himself in position to contend for the win during the final laps, ultimately finishing fifth.
Did You Know … The 40-year-old driver completed his 100,000th mile at Michigan International Speedway on Lap 111. Gaughan currently holds the most miles completed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at 38,700, while his XFINITY Series total stands at 38,300.
U.S. Cellular Ultimate Fan Contest … The U.S. Cellular® 250 Ultimate Fan Contest sponsored by U.S. Cellular begins June 13 and ends July 15. The contest features Gaughan asking fans to prove their fandom by submitting photos or videos via Twitter with #USC250CONTEST. For more information, visit uscell.co/USC250Contest. The No. 62 will feature a U.S. Cellular associate sponsorship this week and will feature a primary sponsorship in the July race at Iowa Speedway.
Meet Brendan Gaughan … On Sunday, June 19, Gaughan is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session at Iowa Speedway behind pit wall in Turn 1 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Local Time.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
Why do you enjoy racing at Iowa?
“Iowa (Speedway) has a good top groove, which I like. It is a great short track that drives like a speedway. Fans get to enjoy the beating and banging of a short track, with the driving style and rolling centers of a speedway. I love the way Iowa (Speedway) races. The best thing about Iowa is the fans that show up to tailgate, the atmosphere is like a Big Ten football game, the energy is so much fun.”
