Event: Kansas 400
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2015
Venue: Kansas Speedway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Kansas Speedway … In 61 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has one win, visiting victory lane in 2013 with Kevin Harvick, among five top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds an average starting position of 20th, an average finishing position of 15.3, has completed 15,945 of the 16,141 contested laps (98.8 percent) and has collectively led for 281 laps around the 1.5-mile race track.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,607 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards, 105 wins, 468 top-five finishes and 1,002 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.9. 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 … Throughout this season’s 30 contested races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have collectively notched seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes with drivers Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. Newman ranks ninth in the Contender round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, while Menard ranks 15th in the standings and Dillon ranks 21st.
RCR Charlotte Rewind … RCR teammates Dillon, Newman and Menard finished seventh, 15th and 36th, respectively, in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Childress on MAVTV … Richard Childress is scheduled to be featured on an upcoming episode of the Dave Despain show on MAVTV this Sunday, October, 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Check local listings.
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.
Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR3ADillon, @RCR27PMenard, @RCR31RNewman, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3 and @RyanJNewman. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at RCRracing.com along with official driver pages -facebook.com/austindillon3, facebook.com/PaulMenard27 and facebook.com/RyanNewmanNASCAR.
Catch the Action … The Kansas 400 will be televised live Sunday, October 18 beginning at 2:15 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet SS at Kansas Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 528 in the Kansas 400 at Kansas Speedway. This Chevrolet SS was built new for the 2015 season and will be utilized for the first time this weekend.
Dillon at Kansas Speedway …. In four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Dillon earned his best finish of eighth and his best start of 16th in October 2014.
Did you Know … Dillon made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway in 2011, posting a 26th-place finish in an entry fielded by Mike Curb and sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration.
On the Pole … Dillon is a two-time polesitter at Kansas Speedway, earning the top starting position in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 2013 and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2011.
Think Green … 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.
Playin’ Hoops for Kids … Dillon is scheduled to host a 3 on 3 celebrity basketball tournament presented by Dow to benefit the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at High Point University on Tuesday, Nov. 3. He’s enlisted help from celebrity friends to serve as captains in the 16-team, double-elimination tournament. The Childress Institute will auction two spots on each team for fans to purchase via .
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 21st in the championship point standings leading into the Kansas 400 at Kansas Speedway.
In the Rear View … Dillon started 14th and finished seventh in the Dow GREAT STUFF Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, securing his best finish to-date at his hometown track.
Double Duty … In addition to driving the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing this weekend, Dillon is scheduled to compete in the No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The Kansas Lottery 300 is live on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, October 17 beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
Dillon on MAVTV … Dillon and his brother, Ty Dillon, are scheduled to be featured on an upcoming episode of the Dave Despain show on MAVTV on Sunday, October, 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Check local listings.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a Q&A session at the Team Chevrolet Stage in the Kansas Speedway Midway on Sunday, October 18 at 9:15 a.m. Central Time, and will also greet race fans at the Fanatics NASCAR SuperStore in the Kansas Speedway Midway at 9:40 a.m. A purchase at the Fanatics SuperStore is required in order to obtain an autograph.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
Kansas Speedway continues to age. Do you notice how much it’s changed each time you go back?
“Yeah, it’s a fast track. It’s really starting to widen out now. I remember last year at this race, you could really race hard up on the top groove. I think it’ll be the same for this weekend. We’ll be up by the wall. This is one of those places where you need the whole package with aerodynamics and horsepower.”
Paul Menard, No. 27 FVP / Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s FVP / Menards Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … For this weekend’s 400.5-mile event at Kansas Speedway, the No. 27 team has chosen chassis No. 510. This Chevrolet SS is race proven and completed laps this season at Michigan International Speedway in August (Start: 24 / Finish: 12), Kentucky Speedway (Start: 14 / Finish: 15) and made its debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May (Start: 23 / Finish: 14).
Kansas Stats … In 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, Menard has completed 99.8 percent of laps in competition with 17 laps led. He has one top-five and five top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile track. Menard also has five top-10 starts with one from the outside pole position. Menard also has nine NASCAR XFINITY Series starts with three top-five and six top-10 finishes. He’s led 111 laps in competition and started from the pole position once.
About FVP … Built on a commitment to quality and delivered with unmatched service, FVP has been the confident solution for customers nationwide since 2005. FVP products are engineered to provide OE quality that is equal or superior in performance to national brands at a competitive price. FVP offers batteries, radiators, condensers, hub assemblies, automotive filters, antifreeze, DEF, oil, ATF and automotive chemicals. See why FVP is the only confident solution for your automotive and recreational vehicle needs. FVPparts.com.
Rookie Stripe … Alexander has impressive stats in his first year as a full-time Sprint Cup Series crew chief. In 34 races with Menard, Alexander has led the team to one top-five, 15 top-15 and 22 top-20 starts. He’s also collected 23 top-20, 19 top-15 and three top-five finishes. Alexander is the first three-time winner of the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race award this season. He’s also led Menard to his first-career berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
#MenardNation … The No. 27 Chevy team is currently 15th on the Chase grid after finishing 36th at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Meet Menard … Come out to the Team Chevy stage on Saturday, October 17 at 12 p.m. Central Time for a Q&A with Menard. The stage is located in the Kansas Speedway midway and is free for all fans to attend.
Last Time in Kansas … Menard started 22nd during the Sprint Cup Series last event in May at Kansas Speedway. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native raced within the top 15 for the duration of the event, making it into the top five after a fuel-only pit stop on lap 212. A pit road penalty with just 55 laps remaining sent Menard to the tail end of the field, but he was able to power back and cross the finish line 18th.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What are your thoughts as we head into this weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway?
“Kansas has been a really good track for us since the repave the last couple of years and even before that, actually. We had a really good day going in the spring, so I’m feeling anxious to get back there and try to improve on what we’ve done in the past. The track is losing grip but our cars keep getting faster with the new rules. It really doesn’t do the track any favors. I’m not sure what the weather is going to be like. It was cool in the spring and it will probably be cool again, so I’m not sure it’s going to change a whole lot other than it probably lost some grip over the hot summer months. Hopefully that’s the case, the track is widening out, which is a good thing.”
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Kansas Speedway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 528 on Sunday at the 1.5-mile speedway. This Chevrolet will race for the first time this season in the second event in the Contender 12 Round at Kansas.
Career Stats at Kansas … In 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Kansas, Newman visited victory lane in the fall of 2003. In total, he owns three top-five and six top-10 finishes. The South Bend, Ind., native holds an average starting position of 13.9 and average finish of 17.6. He has led 128 laps in competition.
Featured Caterpillar Dealer … NMC and Foley Equipment will be the featured Cat dealers on the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet this weekend at Kansas.
As one of the longest operating Caterpillar dealerships, NMC has served customers with equipment and service solutions since 1938. Our company remains customer-focused by providing a comprehensive line of product sales, parts, rental and services vital to the construction, power generation, material handling, on-highway truck, agriculture and railroad industries. Whether it’s Caterpillar equipment or another leading equipment manufacturer, NMC continually forges new solutions to meet the changing needs of its customers. Proudly celebrating our 75th anniversary, NMC is grateful to the many dedicated employees and customers who have helped make us a trusted partner. By working hard and working together, NMC will continue to serve the communities that have welcomed our business for over 75 years.
From 19 locations in 14 cities, Foley Equipment serves 104 of 105 counties in Kansas and 40 counties in western Missouri, including the Kansas City metropolitan area. Foley specializes in new and used Cat equipment and has full parts and service capabilities. Foley Rental carries a huge assortment of quality allied machines to fit customers’ equipment needs. Foley Power Solutions provides power packages for a wide variety of applications and specializes in the design, engineering and fabrication of state-of-the-art engine packages in a vast range of power ratings. For more information, visit www.foleyeq.com.
About Caterpillar … For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.
Cut to the Chase … Newman enters the second event in the Contender 12 Round ninth in points and 19 markers out of the top spot.
Last Time at Kansas … Earlier this season, Newman started 10th and used the final restart with 10 laps remaining to race from 17th to a 10th-place finish.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What are the keys to running well at Kansas Speedway?
“Kansas Speedway is one of those tracks that keeps getting better and better. It’s really smooth and very fast. The key itself, well I’m not sure. One of the keys that you have to keep an eye on is the wind, believe it or not. The wind can really affect the balance of your car and how you have to drive it and that might start on a qualifying run. The wind may blow on Friday hard and affect your qualifying lap more than the actual race.”
When it comes to the actual track configuration, what place on the track is the hardest to figure out?
“To me, it is Turn 1 because it is kind of square. You kind of have to drive it up to the wall, hold it straight and then turn it in. It’s not like a big swooping corner like you would like it to be. Getting the car straight and then turning it and keeping it flat is probably the hardest part of Kansas. I think of the three races in this round of the Chase, Kansas probably suits this Caterpillar race team the best. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Event: Kansas Lottery 300
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015
Venue: Kansas Speedway
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Kansas Speedway … In 32 Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, RCR has captured one victory with driver Kevin Harvick (2006). The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 6,075 laps of the 6,430 (94.5 percent) it has competed. RCR has accumulated two pole awards, 12 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, led 274 laps and averages a starting position of 10.8 and finishing position of 12.2.
Charlotte Review … Austin Dillon completed the season sweep at Charlotte Motor Speedway by winning the Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, backing up his win at CMS in May. Ty Dillon finished sixth, Brian Scott was 13th and Brendan Gaughan 15th.
The Points … With four races remaining in the 2015 season, all three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Kansas Speedway. Ty Dillon is currently fourth, Brian Scott is eighth and Brendan Gaughan ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is fourth in the owner point standings.
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, @austindillon3 and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this weekend’s XFINITY Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, October 17, beginning at 4 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 Kansas Speedway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 148 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable has an average starting position of 7.4 and an average finishing position of 8.4.
Scott at Kansas … In six XFINITY Series starts at Kansas, Scott has an average starting position of 7.7 and an average finish of 17.5 with four laps led and one top-10 finish. Scott has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts earning one top-five and one top-10 finish, three laps led, an average starting position of 9.0 and an average finishing position of 8.5.
Four to go … After 29 XFINITY Series races this season, Scott has captured five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes, sits eighth in the driver point standings and has led 251 laps with an average starting position of 6.3 and an average finish of 13.3. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 6.3.
About Shore Lodge … As the quintessential McCall lodging experience since 1948, Shore Lodge is the authentic Idaho destination for those in search of nature’s true luxuries. Poised on the majestic Shore of Payette Lake, in the idyllic town of McCall, spellbinding experiences await you and yours. For more information visit www.ShoreLodge.com.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Race Rewind … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet team qualified for the XFINITY Series Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the sixth position. Early on, Scott reported his Chevrolet Camaro had tight-handling conditions into the turns and lacking rear grip while exiting the corners. The Mike Hillman, Jr.-led team took advantage of pit stops on laps 50, 101 and 143 to make the correct chassis adjustments to help the handling. The adjustment on the lap 143 pit stop left the Boise, Idaho native battling tighter-handling conditions dropping him back to the 13th position. Scott maintained a position inside the top-10 for the majority of the race, but ultimately finished 13th.
Last Time in the Land of Oz … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro team collected their 26th top-10 qualifying position of the season at Kansas Speedway starting in the fifth position in the Kansas Lottery 300. Scott battled with front grip on the nine different restarts in the 200-lap event. Remaining inside the top 10 for the races entirety, Scott finished the race in the 10th position.
Double Duty … In addition to competing at Kansas Speedway in the XFINITY Series this weekend, Scott is scheduled to drive the No. 33 Shore Lodge Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, October, 18. The Kansas Lottery 300 is live on NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday. The Kansas 400 is live on NBC, on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. ET.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
Do you think that Kansas Speedway is starting to come back after the repave?
“Every year, naturally, asphalt is going to weather some and it’s going to change. Its developed bumps over the tunnel, give up grip, hopefully widen out. We’ll just see what condition Kansas is in when we get there.”
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Big Cedar Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops/Big Cedar Lodge Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 157 for this weekend’s Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Kentucky Speedway where Dillon finished second.
Dillon in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Kansas Speedway … Dillon made his XFINITY Series debut last fall at the 1.5-mile speedway when he won the pole award and finished fifth. He also drove the No. 33 Plankton Chevrolet SS to a 26th-place finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race earlier this season at Kansas Speedway. In two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts, Dillon has two top-10 finishes.
Dillon on 1.5-mile speedways … In nine XFINITY Series starts this season on 1.5-mile tracks, Dillon has an average starting spot of 9.7 and an average finishing position of 7.4. His best finish on a 1.5-mile speedway came at Kentucky Speedway where he finished second.
Big Cedar Lodge … The No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro will be sporting a unique paint scheme this weekend, featuring Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Founded by Johnny Morris, CEO of Bass Pro Shops, Big Cedar Lodge is surrounded by more than 3,000 acres of unspoiled Ozark Mountain wilderness and just eight miles south of Branson, Mo. Big Cedar offers 246 spacious guestrooms, four distinct dining outlets, several outdoor activity centers, state-of-the-art golf course, nature park and much, much more. Learn more about this award-winning resort at bigcedar.com.
Bass Pro Shops continues partnership with RCR … Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 94 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. For more information, and to shop online, visit basspro.com.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Race Rewind … Dillon drove the No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro to a sixth-place finish at the 1.5-mile speedway last Friday night, recording the team’s 21st top-10 finish of the season. Despite battling a tight-handling race car through the corners, Dillon maintained positioning inside the top 10 for the entire 200-lap event.
Points Update … Dillon remains fourth in the XFINITY Series driver championship point standings with four races remaining.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
How do you evaluate your performance on 1.5-mile speedways this season?
“We’ve been pretty solid on 1.5-mile tracks this year, it’s been a strong-suit for us. Each year our company puts a lot of resources into bettering our 1.5-mile program and I think the results have been great. The No. 33 team has won several races on 1.5-mile tracks, we have an average finish of 7.4 on 1.5-mile tracks and the No. 2 and 62 teams have been right up there, too. It’s an area we focus on heavily, our crew chiefs and engineers work on a lot – hopefully this weekend we continue our good performance.”
Big Cedar Lodge is featured on your car this weekend. Have you been there before?
“Big Cedar is one of the prettiest places in the world. It’s incredible what Johnny (Morris, Founder & CEO of Big Cedar Lodge, Bass Pro Shops) has done with that place. We go out there every April for a golf tournament and play in their pro-am, go hunting, fishing and enjoy the scenery. Anyone who has the opportunity to visit Big Cedar should absolutely go – it’s a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors.”
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Ruud Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 163 in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet last saw track action with Paul Menard at Road America in August where he earned the win after starting from the eighth position.
Kansas Nuggets … The Welcome, N.C., native has two previous NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, collecting one pole award, one top-five and two top-10 finishes. Dillon is credited with an average starting position of 1.5 and average finishing position of 4.0 with 41 laps led.
Welcome Aboard, Ruud … 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. Today, the proud performance histories of Ruud and RCR come together to serve as the cornerstones of future championship performance of two great brands, Austin Dillon and the No. 33 RCR-Ruud XFINITY Series team.
No. 33 Team by the Numbers … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Dillon, Paul Menard and Brandon Jones behind the wheel. In 29 races, the RCR team has garnered five wins, six pole awards, 16 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes with 514 laps led.
Race Rewind: Victorious in Charlotte, Again … For the second time this year, Dillon started from the pole for the 200-lap affair at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dillon reported to the Danny Stockman-led team he was too tight in the initial stages of the race and received four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments during each of the Rheem team’s pit stops. After adjusting on the black and red Chevrolet, Dillon was able to regain the lead on lap 151. In the final laps of the race, Dillon gained more than a two-second lead on the field before taking the checkered flag, sweeping both of the XFINITY Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Getting Loopy in 2015 … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon holds some notable stats in the 2015 season. The 25-year-old driver ranks first in the following categories: drivers fastest early in a run, drivers fastest late in a run, fastest driver on restarts and green-flag speed. Dillon is third amongst his competitors in fastest laps run (345 laps), closers and mile leaders. He also ranks fourth in laps led (474 laps).
Season in Review … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in 16 XFINITY Series events, collecting four victories, 11 top-five finishes, 14 top-10 finishes and six pole awards. Dillon has led a total of 474 laps with an average starting position of 4.4 coupled with an average finishing position of 6.6.
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 200-lap event at Kansas Speedway, Dillon is scheduled to compete in the No. 33 Chevrolet for the remaining three XFINITY Series races this season.
Double Duty … In addition to Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas 400, which airs live on NBC Sunday, October 18 at 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
The aerial view of Kansas Speedway looks very similar to Chicagoland Speedway. How similar do they drive?
“They actually drive a lot different. Kansas is a lot smoother than Chicago. Chicago also has a lot less grip. I think Kansas will get to that point, but right now they’re a lot different.”
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 165 this weekend at Kansas Speedway for the Kansas 300. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Kentucky Speedway in September where Gaughan started and finished sixth.
Kansas Details … In three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Gaughan has completed 590 of 600 (98.3 percent) of the laps he has competed. The Las Vegas native has garnered one top-10 finish. He is credited with a 16.3 average starting position and a 17.0 average finishing position.
This Week at South Point … South Point Hotel & Casino will host the American Bucking Bull Inc. World Finals October 19 – 24 in the arena. First round of the ABBI World Finals kicks off on October 20 at 10 a.m. local time. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit southpointcasino.com.
In the Rearview Mirror: Charlotte … Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team earned a 15th-place finish in the Drive for the Cure 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after suffering a tire issue during the mid-point of the 300-mile event.
Season in a Loop … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan ranks seventh in Quality Passes with 954 passes so for this season. He also ranks ninth in Driver Rating with an 88.0. Gaughan has spent 80.2 percent of his contested laps competing in the top 15 of the running order in the first 29 events this year.
To the Points … With four races remaining this season, Gaughan is currently ninth in the driver point standings as the XFINITY Series heads to Kansas Speedway.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading to Kansas Speedway this weekend?
“We had a fast South Point Chevrolet last year at this race, we just got hit with a pit road penalty late in the race. RCR does a really good job giving us great equipment every week. Kansas is one of those 1.5-mile tracks where we’ve been historically really good. This is definitely a track where RCR Chevrolets and ECR horsepower should do well.”
