Richard Childress Racing in the Bluegrass State … In 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Richard Childress Racing holds an average starting position of 16.6 and an average finishing position of 18.4, completing 4,254 of the contested 4,272 laps (99.6 percent).
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,679 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 471 top-five finishes and 1,018 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 … RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 12th (Dillon), 14th (Newman) and 23rd (Menard) in the driver championship point standings.
Think. Ride. Live … Did you know the number of all-terrain vehicle injuries increases drastically during the summer? The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma launched an ATV safety video featuring NASCAR drivers Ty and Austin Dillon. The video provides simple tips for kids and parents to reduce injuries from ATV accidents. Watch now or download safety tips at https://saveinjuredkids.org/atv/.
Catch the Action … The Kentucky 400 is scheduled to be televised live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.
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This Week’s Dow Chevrolet SS at Kentucky Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 552 in the Kentucky 400 at Kentucky Speedway. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon raced to an eighth-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in June.
Dillon in the Bluegrass State … Dillon has made three previous NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, earning his best finish of 16th in 2014.
Winner, Winner … Kentucky Speedway is the site of Dillon’s career-first win in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The 2013 XFINITY Series Champion earned back-to-back XFINITY Series wins at the 1.5-mile track in 2012, sweeping both races and earning the pole award for both the June and September events.
Dow Automotive Systems … As a leading global provider of collaborative solutions for automotive and commercial transportation manufacturers, suppliers and aftermarket repair, our materials focus includes adhesives, composites, elastomers, flooring solutions, fluids and foams. Offices and application development centers are located around the world to ensure regionalized technical, engineering and commercial support. For additional information, look for Dow Automotive on LinkedIn or visit dowautomotive.com.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Any expectations for Kentucky Speedway?
“We’re all heading into the race with a bit of uncertainty since the track was recently paved, but I’m anxious to get to the track and see what it’s like. Kentucky Speedway has always been one of my favorite tracks, mainly because of the bumps, so I hope there is still character with the repave. The new package makes the cars pretty free, so it will be interesting to see how the race plays out. Downforce is king.”
This Week’s SYLVANIA / Menards Chevrolet SS at Kentucky Speedway … The No. 27 Chevrolet team will bring chassis No. 553 to the 1.5-mile track. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet SS was previously raced this year in June at Michigan International Speedway where Menard started 32nd and finished 18th.
Kentucky Stats … In five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Menard has one top-10 start and two top-15 finishes. He has completed 99 percent of laps in competition with an average start of 15.0 and finish of 19.2.
About SYLVANIA: Innovation at its Brightest … OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and services, specializing in innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH. For more information, visit sylvania.com.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You have to wipe the slate clean at Kentucky Speedway. It’s a brand new, repaved surface along with the new low-downforce package. You just participated in a test there, how was it?
“It’s going to be interesting. By yourself the cars were pretty grippy. Turns 1 and 2 have more banking than Turns 3 and 4, but Turns 3 and 4 are pretty slippery compared to Turns 1 and 2. There’s definitely a single groove, but I think you’re going to see Turns 3 and 4 widen out before you see it in Turns 1 and 2. I think we’ll go into Turn 3 and a lot of guys will slip up and accidentally burn in the second groove, then in Turns 1 and 2 we’ll be locked into the bottom groove where there’s more grip. I’m not really sure how the race is going to play out.”
What did you think of that new package after you got a chance to run it at Michigan International Speedway?
“I didn’t notice a whole lot of a difference. You can still make the car push and make it loose. The guy in the front still has an advantage over the guy in the rear. We aren’t totally sure there’s much of a difference.”
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Kentucky Speedway … Ryan Newman will be back behind the wheel of No. 551 in Saturday night’s 400-mile event. He drove this car earlier this season at Michigan International Speedway where the No. 31 started sixth and finished 11th.
Newman in the Bluegrass State … In five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the 1.5-mile track, Newman owns two top-five and two top-10 finishes. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 12.6 and average finish of 15.0.
Featured Caterpillar Dealer … Whayne Supply Company is the featured Cat dealer for the Kentucky Speedway 400.
Whayne Supply Company is one of the oldest and largest Caterpillar dealers in the U.S., based in Louisville, Kentucky. Whayne Supply Company has 16 locations across Kentucky and Southern Indiana serving the construction, mining, highway, ag and power industries.
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RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts heading into Kentucky?
“I absolutely have no clue right now as to what to expect when we go to Kentucky. I’ve never won there and now, they have changed the track. They have changed the tires and the race package so I really have no idea of what to expect. I plan to go around a circle as fast as I can in my Caterpillar Chevrolet on a 1.5-mile radius. It sounds funny, but I am serious. Who knows what to expect? It should be fun, though!”
Based on your previous experience at the track, what is the hardest thing about Kentucky Speedway?
“If they didn’t move the wall then the hardest part of Kentucky has always been turning into Turn 3. It is usually loose into Turn 3.”
Can you base what you experienced at Michigan International Speedway with the new package and try to implement what you learned at Michigan in Kentucky?
“I hope so. It certainly will help that NASCAR is giving us a little more practice time. It’s our plan to use it to our best interest. It is usually a place that typically has thunderstorms in the afternoon and we will have to make the best use of our time while we are there. I think a lot of people will be trying to figure out a lot of things.”
Did you like what you saw with the package at Michigan?
“I think the total downforce numbers are getting closer. I think the aero balance is still a little too far forward. I think we need more rear downforce, less front downforce and I think we need tires that have some fall off because running the same pace at the beginning of a run and at the end of a run just doesn’t lend itself to the best racing. I think that’s what we need to work on now and that’s having a tire that’s a little racier than what we had the last time.”
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Kentucky Speedway … In 47 Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, RCR has captured four victories with drivers Kevin Harvick (2001), Austin Dillon (2012, twice) and Brendan Gaughan (2014). The Welcome, North Carolina, organization has completed 9,217 laps of the 9,314 (99.0 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated four pole awards, 20 top-five finishes, 33 top-10 finishes, led 897 laps and averages a starting position of 9.5 and finishing position of 8.6.
Daytona Review … Brendan Gaughan was the highest RCR finisher in fifth, Ty Dillon 14th, Austin Dillon 28th and Brandon Jones 29th, respectively, at Daytona 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 Kentucky Speedway for the 16th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brendan Gaughan is fifth and Brandon Jones is seventh. The No. 2 RCR team is fourth 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 Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway will be televised live on Friday, July 8, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. It will also be broadcast live on Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 183 in the Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet is brand new and will make its first competitive laps on Thursday during practice.
Lucky in Kentucky … In four previous starts at the Sparta, Kentucky-based racetrack, Dillon earned victories in both events in 2012 and has started from the pole position three times. He has garnered three top-five and four top-10 finishes along with 307 laps led. Dillon holds a 1.5 average starting position coupled with a 2.5 average finishing position.
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No. 2 Team by the Numbers … With 15 XFINITY Series events complete in 2016, the No. 2 team has one victory, eight top-five and 13 top-10 finishes with 24 laps led to their credit. Dillon will drive the No. 2 Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading into Kentucky this weekend?
“I love Kentucky Speedway. I had my first two NASCAR XFINITY Series wins there. I didn’t run the XFINITY Series car there last year, but I’m ready to get back to Kentucky this weekend with the No. 2 Rheem team. We’ll have a lot of track time on Thursday to get used to the new surface. Danny (Stockman, crew chief) and the guys have been working really hard and I’m sure we’ll unload a fast Chevrolet.”
This Week’s Red Kap/Alsco Chevrolet Camaro at Kentucky Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 182 for this weekend’s Alsco 300. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Pocono Raceway where Dillon started eighth and finished third.
Dillon at Kentucky Speedway … In four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, Dillon has recorded three top-10 finishes and two top-five finishes. He won the pole at the Kentucky 300 in Sept. 2014 and competed for the win in Sept. 2015, until a late-race caution flag. Dillon scored a victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway on June 27, 2013.
VF Imagewear Continues Partnership with No. 3 Team … VF Imagewear, Inc., a leading manufacturer of workwear apparel and a division of VF Corporation, the world’s largest apparel company, returns for the third consecutive season as primary sponsor for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 XFINITY Series program and driver Ty Dillon. VF Imagewear’s brands, including Red Kap, Bulwark, Horace Small and Wrangler Workwear, will be featured as primary sponsors for select XFINITY Series races in 2016.
About Red Kap … Red Kap, the official work wear provider for RCR and ECR Engines employees, has been in business since 1923. Like RCR, Red Kap was started as a family company and today provides durable and dependable work wear. For more information visit redkapautomotive.com.
About Alsco … Alsco (alsco.com) is a family owned and operated business, founded in 1889, that was recognized by the world-renowned Hohenstein Institute for having invented the linen and uniform rental industry. Alsco provides linen and uniform services to customers that range from restaurants and healthcare clinics to automotive repair and industrial manufacturing facilities. With over 150 locations, Alsco provides world-class service to over 250,000 customers on five continents.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
What type of challenge will the race at Kentucky Speedway be this weekend?
“It will be a difficult challenge, that’s for sure. With the new pavement, we’re sort-of starting over; a brand-new notebook, so to speak. We’ll really have to utilize every minute of our four practice sessions on Thursday and debrief with all of our teammates. I’m up for the challenge, but it’s nothing new to me. I remember my rookie season in the XFINITY Series and visiting a lot of these tracks for the first time. Practice is just that much more important. It should be a fun race track to get around and hopefully, from what I’ve heard from the Cup guys, we can hold it wide open around the corners. I expect some fast speeds this weekend.”
This Week’s AAA Car Care Centers Chevrolet Camaro at Kentucky Speedway … Brandon Jones will pilot chassis No. 156 this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro has raced three times this year at Phoenix International Raceway, Richmond International Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Jones finished 11th, 15th and seventh, respectively.
Kentucky Nuggets … Jones has one NASCAR XFINITY Series start at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, earning his first career top-five finish in Sept. 2015. During that event Jones started 22nd, but worked his way through the field and led 16 laps before crossing the finish line in the fifth spot. He also has a top-10 finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and a 12th-place finish in the ARCA Racing Series at Kentucky Speedway.
AAA Car Care Centers … AAA is a leader in keeping drivers on the road with the nations’ fastest roadside response times and trained teams at your local AAA Bob Sumerel Tire and Service locations, ensuring your car runs smoothly and efficiently. For more information, go to AAA.com.
Meet Brandon Jones … Jones is scheduled to make an appearance at the Red Bank AAA Car Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, July 6, starting at 10 a.m. ET. He will also be taking part in a Q&A session at the Alsco Fan Zone Display at Kentucky Speedway on Friday, July 8, starting at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Rearview Mirror: Daytona … The final restrictor-plate race of the 2016 season did not go according to plan for Jones and the No. 33 team at Daytona International Speedway. Starting 13th in the No. 33 Florida Lottery Chevrolet, Jones was involved in the Lap 16 accident on the backstretch. Jones was almost through the incident when another car came down the track and damaged the right front fender and nose of the car. After repairs in the garage, Jones rejoined the race and finished 29th. Jones heads to Kentucky seventh in the driver points and second in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings.
BRANDON JONES QUOTES:
With so many unknowns going into the weekend, what have you done to research for what you need to unload with for that first practice session with new pavement and a new track configuration?
“That’s going to be crazy. Hopefully we’ll get some insight from our Sprint Cup Series teammates and hear what they have to say, since they were able to get a test in at Kentucky. We’re going into it blind. It’s a new surface, so it’ll be really, really fast and we’ll be wide-open the majority of the time. That will be cool. I’m eager to get to a track that’s been repaved, it should be fun in the AAA Car Care Centers Chevrolet.”
What will that first practice session be like at Kentucky with the new pavement and configuration?
“The biggest thing is going out there and just wear that first set of tires out learning the racetrack and find that fine line of whether or not you can go wide-open. We’ve got some really good RCR teammates with us, so I’ll have those guys to lean on, and that will help a lot for sure. Before they repaved, we ran well at Kentucky, so hopefully that will transfer over to the new surface.”
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 165 Friday night at the 1.5-mile speedway. Gaughan has piloted this Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway during the 2016 season. Chassis No. 165 has an average starting position of 10.4 and an average finishing position of 13.4.
Gaughan’s Bluegrass State Stats … In seven NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Gaughan has accumulated four top-five and seven top-10 finishes. The Las Vegas-native earned his second career XFINITY Series victory at Kentucky Speedway in September 2014. Gaughan has led 29 laps, averages a starting position of 8.0, finishing position of 4.7 and has completed 100 percent of the laps competed.
This Week at The South Point … The South Point Hotel & Casino will feature stand-up comedian Pablo Francisco in The Showroom July 8 – 10. Francisco is a renowned impressionist / comedian featuring vocal impressions of celebrities, characters and political figures. The impressionist has appeared on The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing and MADtv. For more information and tickets visit southpointcasino.com.
Happy Birthday, Brendan! … Driver of the No. 62 Chevrolet, Brendan Gaughan will celebrate his 41st birthday on Saturday, July 10.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
Does the No. 62 team have what it takes to return to Victory Lane at Kentucky Speedway?
“I think Richard Childress Racing continues to provide us with the equipment we need to return to Victory Lane each and every week. Kentucky Speedway, statistically is one of my best, if not my best track.”
Will the resurface have a big impact on racing this year?
“We loved the old surface and the bumps, but it (Kentucky Speedway) did need the resurfacing. The main reason was drainage. It weeped so bad that they had to build drainage to tackle this problem. They did reconfigure Turn 1 and 2 which bums me out a little bit. Turns 3 and 4 are some of my favorite corners. It’s the old school mile-and-a-half; flat, difficult and really tough to get around with the speed we carry. They kept the banking along there, so I am really happy about that. Goodyear will bring a harder tire than we have had, and we will see a little bit less of a groove. The good news is, with the flat racetrack, Turn 3 and 4 will widen out quicker. We should have some good racing once the surface widens out.”
