Event: Road America 180 Fired Up By Johnsonville
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2015
Venue: Road America – Plymouth, Wis.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Road America … In 11 Series starts at the 14-turn road course, RCR has completed 565 laps of the 579 (97.6 percent) they have competed. The Welcome, N.C., organization visited Victory Lane last year with Brendan Gaughan, earning their first win at Road America. RCR has accumulated two top-five and three top-10 finishes, led nine laps and averages a starting position of 14.2 and finishing position of 14.8.
Bristol Review … Ty Dillon was the highest RCR finisher in fourth, Brian Scott was sixth, Brendan Gaughan 10th and Brandon Jones 13th, respectively, in the XFINITY Series Bristol 300 at Bristol Motor 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 Road America this weekend for the 23rd event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently second, Brian Scott is eighth and Brendan Gaughan ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is fifth in the owner point standings.
#Dash4Cash Race No. 3 … The third of four #Dash4Cash races was held last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ty Dillon and Brian Scott finished fourth and sixth, respectively, qualifying them for the fourth and final #Dash4Cash race at Darlington Raceway on September 5. The two RCR drivers join Chase Elliott and Daniel Suarez as the four finalists who will compete for the $100,000 prize.
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 and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this weekend’s XFINITY Series event at Road America will be televised live on Saturday, August 29, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Road America … Brian Scott and his No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro team will race chassis No. 126 at Road America. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared chassis last raced at Watkins Glen International where the team qualified ninth and finished sixth. Scott also raced this chassis at Texas Motor Speedway qualifying fourth and finishing sixth. This Chassis has an average starting position of 7.2 and an average finishing position of 7.4 in the past five races competed.
Scott at Road America … In five XFINITY Series starts at the four-mile circuit, Scott has earned one top-10 finish with an average starting position of 12.8 and an average finish of 14.4. Scott has completed 100 percent of the laps around the 14-turn road course in the XFINITY Series and is credited with 10 laps led.
2015 at A Glance … After 22 XFINITY Series races this season Scott has captured three top-five and 14 top-10 finishes, sits eighth in the driver point standings and has led 133 laps with an average starting position of 5.9 and an average finish of 13.4. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 5.9.
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Bristol Race Rewind … After starting fourth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Bristol 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet finished sixth after maintaining a position inside the top-10 positions for the entire race. A green-white-checkered finish had Scott restarting fifth on the bottom groove. Unfortunately, that was not the lane to be in on restarts leading Scott to finish sixth. Scott and the No. 2 team qualified for the #Dash4Cash $100,000 bonus at Darlington Raceway on September 5.
Last Year at Road America … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro team started the Gardner Denver 200 presented by Johnsonville in the sixth position at Road America. Scott found his way inside the top-five positions and was racing in fourth place by lap 10. The Shore Lodge team gambled on fuel mileage and was forced to pit in order to complete the green-white-checkered finish. After three-final laps around the 14-turn road course, Scott crossed the finish line 16th.
Meet Scott … Scott is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session at Road America on Friday, August 28 beginning at 12 p.m. Central Time in front of the track media center.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on racing at Road America?
“Road America is a great track for me. We ran really well there last year. It rained and we had to do the race in the rain, which was my first time ever in the rain. It was kind of fun, we ran second and were really competitive. Unfortunately, the race had a late caution and we were almost at the white flag. When it’s a four-mile track and you run a lap or two under caution, it adds eight miles which requires a couple gallons of fuel. So, that put us out of our fuel window and we had to stop and refuel. It would’ve been a good finish for our Shore Lodge Chevrolet team. Road America is probably one of my favorite tracks.”
Ty Dillon, No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s WESCO Chevrolet at Road America … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 456 for this weekend’s Road America 180 Fired Up by Johnsonville NASCAR XFINITY Series race. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro saw track action in both road course races earlier this month at Watkins Glen International and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where Dillon recorded two top-five finishes.
Dillon at Road America … Dillon made his XFINITY Series debut at the 4.7-mile road course last June where he qualified seventh and finished 19th because of a mechanical issue. In five career road course starts in the XFINITY Series, Dillon has an average starting position of 5.6 and an average finishing position of 10.8.
No. 3 team ‘On a Roll’ … With Dillon’s fourth-place finish last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, the No. 3 team has gained some momentum in the dog days of summer. Since the Series visited New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 18, Dillon has recorded six consecutive top-10 finishes, four consecutive top-five finishes and has cut Chris Buescher’s driver championship points lead from 38 points to 19 points. During that six-race stretch, Dillon has an average starting position of 7.6 and an average finishing position of 5.1. Dillon credits the recent success to hard work and working well with new crew chief, Nick Harrison.
Welcome back, WESCO … WESCO International, Inc. has returned for its fourth season as a primary sponsor on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro. WESCO, a leading provider in electrical, industrial and communication supply, began its relationship with RCR in 2012. WESCO employs approximately 9,400 people, maintains relationships with over 18,000 suppliers, and serves over 65,000 active customers worldwide. Its 2014 annual sales were approximately $7.9 billion.
Race Rewind … Dillon drove the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro to a fourth-place finish Friday evening under the lights of Bristol Motor Speedway. Dillon used a green-white-checkered restart to catapult the No. 3 Chevrolet from eighth place to fourth, recording the team’s fourth-consecutive top-five finish.
To the points … Dillon remains in control of second place in the driver championship point standings trailing the leader by only 19 points with 11 races remaining.
Meet Ty Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session in front of the media center on Friday, August 28 beginning at 12 p.m. Central Time. The first 150 fans who receive a wristband have an opportunity to meet Dillon.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
What can you attribute to your recent success on the race track?
“Nick (Harrison, crew chief) and the guys are really working well together and communicating very well. It’s actually pretty cool to watch from a driver’s perspective. Our team is looking at the big picture and sometimes we have to take a step back and realize that this is a long season; to take it little by little. This past weekend in Bristol was a perfect example – we struggled the first part of practice but Nick, Danny (Efland, race engineer) and the team just took a step back and reevaluated. We have a championship to win here and it won’t be easy. Overall, it’s been a great transition working with Nick’s team. We have 11 races to go and we’re not going to let up.”
Paul Menard, No. 33 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Richmond/Menards Chevrolet at Road America … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 163 in the Road America 180 Fired up by Johnsonville. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was previously utilized by the No. 3 team before switching over to a No. 33 entry. Chassis No. 163 has an average starting position of 7.6 and an average finishing position of 8.6.
Elkhart Lake Details … The Eau Claire, Wis., native has one previous NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Road America where he started eighth and finished 16th. In 2001, Menard visited Victory Lane at Road America in the NASCAR Midwest Series after starting third and leading for 12 laps. Menard has accumulated 14 road course starts in the XFINITY Series, collecting three top-five and eight top-10 finishes, coupled with a 9.9 average starting position and a 13.1 average finishing position.
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Hometown Proud … As the Series heads to Plymouth, Wis., this weekend to tackle the 14-turn road course, Menard also returns to his home state. Menard was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wis., a town approximately 200 miles from Road America. Menard grew up racing go-karts in the Wisconsin area where he won two Briggs Class Championships. He also he raced in the International Ice Racing Association, winning 10 IIRA events before making the move to NASCAR.
Rearview Mirror: Bristol … Last weekend, the XFINITY Series visited Bristol Motor Speedway for the 22nd race of the 2015 season. Brandon Jones qualified the FVP/Menards Chevrolet 13th for the scheduled 300-lap event. After running within the top 15 for a large portion of the race, Jones was forced to the bottom groove on a late-race restart and ended up finishing 13th.
33 Team by the Numbers … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Menard, Austin Dillon and Brandon Jones behind the wheel. In 22 races, the RCR team has garnered three wins, five pole awards, 11 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes with 428 laps led.
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 45-lap race, Menard will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet entry in the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway.
Meet Paul … Menard is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session at Road America on Friday, August 28 beginning at 12 p.m. Central Time in front of the track media center.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
Thoughts on returning to Road America this weekend in the NASCAR XFINITY Series?
“Yeah, I’m excited to be back in the Richmond/Menards Chevy with Danny (Stockman, crew chief) and the guys. This is a Sprint Cup off weekend, but I don’t mind traveling to Wisconsin for the race. I’ll be spending time with family and friends at home. Road America is a unique track for NASCAR since it has 14 turns. Should be a good time, I’m looking forward to it.”
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Road America … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 109 this weekend at Road America. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was last driven by Gaughan at Watkins Glen International where he started 13th and finished 10th. Chassis No. 147 has an average starting position of ninth and a finishing position of 9.7.
Road America Stats … In three XFINITY Series starts at Road America, Gaughan has completed 100 percent (158 of 158) of the laps he has competed. The Las Vegas native earned his first NASCAR XFINITY Series victory at the 14-turn road course last year after starting from the fifth position. Gaughan has recorded two top-five finishes and has an average starting position of 12.3 coupled with an average finishing position of fifth.
Victorious in Wisconsin … No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet team qualified fifth for the Gardner Denver 200. Gaughan faced many challenges at the 14-turn road course, first collecting debris from sliding off the track on lap seven. By lap 17, Gaughan battled his way back to the second position. His second challenge came when the rain began. The RCR team’s windshield wiper would not function, crew chief Shane Wilson decided to gamble and not repair, but instead wipe the windshield down with Rain-X. When the full course caution fell on Lap 39, Gaughan came down to visit his No. 62 team for four tires, fuel and to wipe down the windshield once again. Restarting in the 16th position, the 40-year-old veteran battled up through the field and by lap 44 was fourth. Gaughan took over second place when the final caution fell on lap 50, resulting in a green-white-checkered finish. Restarting first after the leader ran out of fuel, Gaughan found himself fighting to maintain the lead with one lap to go, but held off the opposition and earned his first victory in 98 XFINITY Series starts.
I Have a Question … Gaughan will travel to the Milwaukee, Wis., region on Wednesday, August 26 to speak with members of the media. The reigning Road America winner is scheduled to visit various television and radio outlets throughout the Milwaukee area to talk about this weekend’s 45-lap event.
Did You Know … In the last seven races, Gaughan and the No. 62 RCR Chevrolet average a starting position of 8.5, a finishing position of 10.0 and have finished within the top 15 of the running order.
In the Rearview Mirror: Bristol …. After posting the fastest time during Friday’s lone practice session, Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet team qualified 15th for the Bristol 300. Gaughan and Co. used multiple pit stops under caution to adjust the handling of the gold and black Chevrolet and were able to pick up their 11th top-10 finish of the season with a 10th-place result.
To the Points … Gaughan is currently ninth in the driver point standings as the XFINITY Series heads to Road America this weekend.
Meet Brendan … Gaughan is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session at Road America on Friday, August 28 beginning at 12 p.m. Central Time in front of the track media center.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What do you enjoy most about racing at Road America?
“When you take a track like Road America, it’s still a traditional road course like Mid-Ohio. It hasn’t been NASCARized, like I like to call it. There haven’t been run-offs added so you can make mistakes. They haven’t moved exit lanes so you can run a non-proper apex through a corner to just keep driving fast. That’s what makes Road America so much fun. There’s always a threat of rain there, which I’m a big fan of. Everyone says ‘oh, you won in the rain last year, you won it from strategy.’ Yeah, our strategy was to lead in the dry twice, choke twice, come down pit road when the rain comes in 25th and pass the whole field. That was our strategy. I hope this year, we can do it with a little less drama for our team, and we’re fast in the dry, fast in the rain, whatever way it runs. I’m excited, but it doesn’t bother me if there’s a little rain in our future.”
This seems to be a popular track among NASCAR fans, what are your thoughts?
“It’s 4.7 miles, it’s one of the longest road courses in the country. The fans love it though. I love to see how many fans show up every year. They understand traditional road course racing. They don’t get upset when they can’t see the whole track. They either move locations throughout the race or have a good time, or they pick their spot they want to watch from that has all the action. The fans just get it.”
