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 157 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 2,712 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 473 top-five finishes and 1,024 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 … Heading into the third race of the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup, Dillon ranks 14th on the Chase Grid. Newman ranks 18th and Menard ranks 25th in the driver championship point standings.
Catch the Action … The Citizen Soldier 400 is scheduled to be televised live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.
Austin Dillon and the No. 3 AAA Chevrolet Team at Dover International Speedway … Austin Dillon has six 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.
Keeping you on the Road … AAA and the RCR No. 3 team know the importance of getting drivers back on the road quickly. 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. The company is proud to be working with Dillon and his No. 3 car. They’re inviting fans at Dover to see Austin and Mike Dillon up close at AAA Victory Lane on the Midway at Dover Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. ET before the race. Learn more about the company at AAA.com.
Lights, Camera, Action, For a Good Cause … Dillon joined his brother, Ty Dillon, and grandmother, Judy Childress, in New York City on Tuesday evening to attend the NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala on behalf of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Any concern for you heading into Dover International Speedway? The track has been a “Monster” to Chase contenders in the past …
“Actually, I’m excited to go to Dover International Speedway. I had a good run going there and we had a brake failure last time. We’ve changed brakes since then and it’s been really good since that point. I’m looking forward to getting back to Dover and proving what we can accomplish. It’s a tough track but I enjoy the challenge.”
Paul Menard and the No. 27 Duracell / Menards Team at Dover International Speedway … In 7,141 laps completed in competition around the Monster Mile, Paul Menard has three top-10 starts and finishes with his best start of third coming in Oct. 2011 and finish of seventh in Sept. 2010.
About Duracell … Part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years. Duracell’s 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 them on Twitter.com/Duracell, and on Facebook.com/Duracell.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You finished 11th at Dover International Speedway in May. What did you take away from that race?
“Dover is a fun place to race. It has high banking which allows for high speeds. Things definitely happen fast there. It’s a track I really enjoy going to. I think we’ve seen the last couple of times there that the middle groove starts to come in about three-quarters of the way up the track. It’s a lot like it used to be. I look forward to progressing that groove a little bit higher when the top comes in, it makes for a heck of a race.”
How physically demanding is 400 miles at Dover?
“Everything kind of slows down as the race goes on. The pace drops off quite a bit and you can get into your rhythm. You’re out of breath after two laps of qualifying, though.”
Ryan Newman and the No. 31 WIX Filters Team at Dover International Speedway … Ryan Newman will make his 541st NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Dover. In 29 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. He has led 848 laps in competition. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 9.7 and average finish of 13.9.
WIX Filters … WIXFilters provides technical support for both RCR and ECR Engines by supplying air and oil filters as well as providing research and development support. RCR’s relationship with WIX Filters started back in the late 1960s and in 2011 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the No. 1 filter in motorsports began its association with Ryan Newman.
Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications. For more information, visit wixfilters.com, or any of our social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Affinia Group … Affinia Group Inc. is an innovative global leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and marketing of industrial grade products and services, including extensive offerings of aftermarket products for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles. With approximately $1.4 billion in annual revenue, Affinia has operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit affiniagroup.com.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is it about high-banked tracks like Dover that you like?
“To me, banked tracks are more fun because the harder you drive the car, the better it sticks. Obviously, there is a limit to that. But the flatter the track, the more on edge you are. It’s like you have to have more finesse. Here, you can be more physical and throw the car into the corner so it’s harder at a banked track but that’s what I like about it.”
What are your thoughts heading into Dover?
“Dover is all about having the car land well and be able to roll through the center and then get to the power as quick as you possibly can coming off the corner. There is a lot of momentum at that track. You climb the hill and you don’t accelerate a whole lot down the straightaway so corner speed is so important. I think the challenge at Dover is getting your car to land on all four corners evenly. It’s kind of like landing a table. If it lands evenly, you can roll through the center and come off the corner. If it doesn’t you spend too much time getting the car to turn or set so you can accelerate.”
Were you surprised at the wreck at lap 355 from earlier this year? Your team sustained damage. Do you think it can happen late in the race again?
“From our standpoint, yes. We got collected up in it. I think we were eighth or 10th and we were in the right place at the wrong time or the wrong place at the right time. No matter how you look at it, we were caught up in it. The incident certainly changed the complexion of our Chase. It’s racing. It is what it is. More often or not there, we finish spread out and don’t experience very many big crashes.”
You’ve been on the other side of the Chase. Now in this situation, how aware will you be of the Chase drivers being around you and the fact that the race is an elimination race?
“For me, it’s racing as usual. I want to go out there and do the best job I possibly can for my sponsors. I want to go out there and have fun with it. My team wants to be the spoiler. We want to be the team they are talking about. Maybe we didn’t make the Chase but we finally won a race and proved we were a championship contender.”
Kentucky Review … Sam Hornish Jr. was the highest RCR finisher in fourth, Brendan Gaughan sixth, Brandon Jones 26th and Ty Dillon 27th, respectively, at Kentucky Speedway.
#OneGoal … With the regular season of competition complete, the inaugural XFINITY Series Chase continues this weekend with the Round of 12 at Dover International Speedway. All three of RCR’s full-time drivers are competingto advance through each round and contend for the season-end championship. Brendan Gaughan is currently seededthird on the Chase grid, Brandon Jones 11th and Ty Dillon 12th. The first round of eliminations will take place following the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The Points … The No. 2 RCR team is third in the owner point standings. Brandon Jones is currently third in the XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this weekend’s Drive Sober 200 at Dover International Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, Oct. 1, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
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Meet the Rheem Driver … Dillon is schedule to make an appearance at the Rheem mobile unit on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10:40 a.m. Dillon will be available for a brief question-and-answer session on Sunday morning.
No. 2 Team by the Numbers … With 27 XFINITY Series events complete in 2016, the No. 2 team has three victories, three pole awards, 16 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes, with 115 laps led to their credit. Austin Dillon is scheduled to pilot the No. 2 Chevrolet for the remaining races in 2016.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
How intimidating is Dover International Speedway?
“It’s a tough place, but I’ve kind of gotten used to it and enjoyed the challenge of racing there. The rubber moves around a lot, so you can move into different grooves as the tires wear out. That makes it exciting to race and fun for the fans to watch.”
Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Red Kap / Sullivan Uniform Chevrolet Team at Dover International Speedway … Dillon has made seven starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at the Monster Mile, including his series debut in 2012. In those seven starts, Dillon has one top-five and five top-10 finishes. Dillon drove the No. 3 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro to a fifth-place finish earlier this season at Dover International Speedway after winning his Dash4Cash heat and starting outside pole.
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One Race of #TheChase in the Books … Dillon kicked off the 2016 XFINITY Series Chase last weekend at Kentucky Speedway with a 27th-place finish. Dillon qualified fourth and showed early speed, leading 47 laps. A few late-race cautions shuffled Dillon to sixth-place when he was involved in an on-track incident with a fellow Chase driver with only 12 laps remaining, ending the team’s night. Dillon and the No. 3 team are currently 12th in the XFINITY Series Chase standings with two races remaining before the first cutoff. He trails eighth-place by 15 points.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
Last weekend wasn’t the type of finish that you really wanted, how does that change this week’s approach?
“We were so fast last week and seemed to be hitting on all cylinders. Our pit crew was great, our car’s balance was great, we were fast on restarts and drove away in clean air. We just got in a tough spot there at the end and the 20 car got out of the groove and took me with him. I get it, it’s racing, but it’s still a disappointing finish. This week we will have some challenges having to make up 15 points to be in a transfer spot to the Round of 8. We’ve had some really good finishes at Dover and I think we’ve got what it takes to win there. The great thing about this Chase format is we can go out this weekend, win the race and be set for the next round. We’re going to put Kentucky behind us and make up as many points as we can this weekend.”
Welcome South Point … The South Point Hotel in Las Vegas has over 2,100 deluxe guest rooms with the top floor of the hotel containing all suites. Guests can enjoy views of the glittering Las Vegas Strip or the serenity of the surrounding mountainscape. Each oversized guest room functions more like a mini-suite with state-of-the-art LED screens and high speed internet. Suites range in size from 900 to 2,500 sq. ft. All accommodations feature the finest amenities and materials. South Point has the amenities you need to kick-back, relax and enjoy your vacation. Amenities include a fitness center, massage treatments, a swimming pool, hot tub, business center, barber shop, salon and more.
Break out the Paint Brush … Jones will join other NASCAR drivers and breast cancer survivors on Wednesday, Sept. 28 to paint the Charlotte Motor Speedway pit wall pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month ahead of the Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The event will start at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Meet the Driver … The XFINITY Series rookie will be making multiple appearances at Dover on Saturday, Oct. 1. Jones will be at the AAA Stage starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by the XFINITY Series autograph session in the Fan Midway at 10 a.m., concluding with an appearance at the XFINITY Zone at 11 a.m.
BRANDON JONES QUOTES:
Does Dover race similar to Bristol Motor Speedway since they are both concrete or is it completely different?
“Dover is different from Bristol. You fall down off the banking into the turns at Dover and the car loads up pretty hard getting into each corner. Yet, it also has that concrete feel, just like Bristol. It would be interesting if they could work the groove at Dover the way they did at Bristol earlier this year, that way you could run the top groove a little easier. That top groove comes in every once in a while at Dover, depending on how well the track takes rubber. Either way, I’m looking forward to taking the South Point Chevrolet back to Dover. We’ve always had great race cars there.”
When the tire lays rubber into the concrete, a lot of driver say the tires pick it all back up while under caution. Is it like starting over again every restart?
“It is. You can really tell when people swerve their tires under caution there are lines on the track where the tires are grabbing the rubber back up. Rubber does get laid down when you’re running under green flag conditions, but it does get pulled back up.”
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Chevrolet Team at Dover … In nine NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Dover International Speedway, Brendan Gaughan has completed 1710 of 1725 (99.1 percent) laps that he has competed. He recorded a top-10 finish at the one-mile oval in the XFINITY Series in May 2015. 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.
Meet the Driver … The Las Vegas native is scheduled to appear at the XFINITY Series autograph session on Saturday, Oct. 1, beginning at 10 a.m. ET in the fan Midway. Gaughan will also appear in the XFINITY FanZone for the question-and-answer session beginning at 11 a.m. ET, in the fan Midway.
Loopy in 2016 … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan averages a 12.8 starting position and a 10.7 finishing position so far this season. The 41-year-old driver has made 826 quality passes and is ranked fourth in the category. He is also ranked third in the closers category. Gaughan is currently third in the XFINITY Series Chase standings, 14 points behind the leader.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
Dover is the second race in the Chase, do you like that track?
“I like Dover (International Speedway). Statistically, it isn’t one of my top tracks. However, looking back at my career, we have had accidents, a mechanical failure and blown tires at the Monster Mile. It’s a fun place to race. I love going there. I really want to do well and get through the race better than we have in the past. We will race the playoff format, be smart and move toward the next round, gaining as many points as possible on the leader.”
You’re going to Dover third in the Chase standings, what is the outlook on the South Point team?
“We are in a good position to advance, we just have to do what Shane (Wilson, crew chief) and I do best, and that’s stay focused and not panic. Kentucky (Speedway) was a perfect example of that. We will play it one race at a time and keep trying to improve. We must improve and perform better to make it to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season finale.”
