CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota driver David Ragan visits Kansas Speedway this weekend with only six races remaining in the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
“Time is running out in the season and we still have a lot of things we want to accomplish,” said Ragan who saw a broken jack and engine problems ruin a potential top-10 finish with 50 laps left in Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Ragan cited teammate Clint Bowyer’s 11th-place finish combined with what could have been for the No. 55 team as proof Michael Waltrip Racing continues to field competitive cars.
“The race shop keeps building good cars and I gained a bunch of spots in the pits Sunday so you can see our pit crew remains as fast as anyone this season,” said Ragan.
“Whether you are racing for the title, trophies or just a job next season there’s something on the line for everyone. The people at Michael Waltrip Racing have a lot of pride and I think that’s showing in the performance each weekend. We really want to get a win. That would be the perfect way to go out.”
NOTES:
· No. 55 CREW CHIEF BRIAN PATTIE: Brian Pattie, 40, joined MWR in 2012 when it formed the No. 15 team, leading driver Clint Bowyer to three victories and a second-place finish in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The Zephyrhills, Fla., native began crew chief duties in the XFINITY Series for Joe Nemechek’s NEMCO Motorsports in 1997 before moving to a similar role at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in 2004. In May 2008, he moved to the Sprint Cup Series with driver Juan Montoya. The duo earned a berth in the 2009 Chase and a win at Watkins Glen in 2010. Pattie owns four Sprint Cup and 10 XFINITY Series victories as a crew chief. The father of four is an avid golfer and supporter of the Florida State Seminoles. In June 2015, MWR paired Pattie with Ragan on its No. 55 team.
· 55 CREW:
Brian Pattie
Crew Chief
Ryan Langley
Front Tire Changer
Chris Hall
Front Tire Carrier
Shannon Myers
Rear Tire Changer
Blake Haugland
Rear Tire Carrier
Wes Evans
Jack Man
Jeff Kerr
Gas Man
Steve Channing
Car Chief
David Cropps
Interior Mechanic
Roman Pemberton
Spotter
Brandon Pope
Engineer
Tim O’Brien
Engineer
Jeremy Sharpley
Shock Specialist
Billy Curwood
Engineer
Kevin White
Front Mechanic
Joe Zanolini
Rear Mechanic
Scott Swift
Tire Specialist
Kirk Butterfield
TRD
Tim Bruce
TRD
Stump Lewis
Truck Driver
Al Nelson
2nd Truck Driver
· CAREER STATISTICS:
MWR
DAVID RAGAN
BRIAN PATTIE
· TELEVISION
Friday, Oct. 16
1 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, NBCSN
2:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series practice, NBCSN
4:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN
Saturday, Oct. 17
11:30 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, CNBC
12:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN
2 p.m., NASCAR America Live, NBCSN
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, NBCSN
3:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN
4 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300, NBCSN
Sunday, Oct. 18
11 a.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
1 p.m., NASCAR America Sunday, NBCSN
1:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Countdown to Green, NBCSN
2:15 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400, NBC
6 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Post-Race, NBCSN
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lap, NBCSN
Midnight, NASCAR Victory Lane, FS1
· AARON’S: Aaron’s offers top name brands in furniture, electronics and appliances – without needing credit – with affordable monthly payments. Aaron’s makes lease ownership easy by offering customers the option to lease to own online at Aarons.com with delivery and setup – or shop at one of more than 2,000 local Aaron’s stores all across North America. Aaron’s is ready to help customers own it and will work with them every step of the way.
· 60th ANNIVERSARY SALE-A-BRATION: Aaron’s is celebrating its 60th Anniversary! Come take advantage of the anniversary lease rate of only $60 per month on select items from October 1-31. Visit Aarons.com for more details.
