Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Charlotte Motor Speedway … In 160 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing teams have earned eight points-paying victories (four wins with Dale Earnhardt, one with Jeff Burton, two with Kevin Harvick and one with Austin Dillon) and four All-Star race victories (three with Earnhardt and one with Harvick), giving RCR 12 total Cup Series checkered flags at the Concord, N.C.-based track. RCR boasts 23 top-five and 52 top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile track. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed two of those top-10 finishes from 1978 to 1979. The Welcome, N.C. organization has led a combined 1,156 laps at the Charlotte facility.
RCR in the MENCS … In 2,870 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,108 wins, 487 top-five finishes and 1,055 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR 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.
Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s corporate Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page – @RCRCup, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3 and @RyanJNewman. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages – http://www.facebook.com/austindillon3 and www.facebook.com/RyanNewmanNASCAR.
Catch the Action … The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live Sunday, May 27 beginning at 6 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
This Week’s Coca-Cola Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Dillon is the defending Coca-Cola 600 Champion, earning his career-first win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in May 2017. In total, Dillon has eight Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with two top-10 finishes. He is a two-time winner at the track in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The Coca-Cola Company … The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest total beverage company, offering over 500 brands to people in more than 200 countries. Of our 21 billion-dollar brands, 19 are available in lower- and no-sugar options to help people everywhere more easily control added sugar. In addition to our namesake Coca-Cola drinks, some of our household names around the world include: AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater, and Zico coconut water. At Coca-Cola, we’re serious about making positive contributions to our world. That starts with reducing sugar in our drinks and bringing new and different drinks to people everywhere. It also means continuously working to reduce our environmental impact, creating rewarding careers for our associates, and bringing economic opportunity wherever we operate. In fact, together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people around the world. For more information, visit our digital magazine Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow The Coca-Cola Company on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn .
Meet Dillon … Fans in the Charlotte area have several chances to meet Dillon this week. On Wednesday, May 23, Dillon will sign autographs at RCR’s Fan Appreciation Day at the RCR Museum in Welcome, N.C. from 10-11 a.m. On Thursday, May 24, Dillon is scheduled to join Ty Dillon, Ryan Newman and Richard Childress at Bass Pro Shops in Concord Mills Mall at 11 a.m. ET. You can also meet Dillon at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, May 25 at Childress Vineyards as part of the Honky Tonk Throwdown Pit Stops for Hope Benefit. Dillon is also scheduled to make an appearance at Coca-Cola Speed Street on Saturday, May 26 at 7 p.m. ET.
Austin Dillon’s Honky Tonk Throwdown Pit Stops for Hope Benefit … It’s a one night two-step with No. 3! Celebrate with Dillon at Childress Vineyards on his win at the 2018 Daytona 500. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local tornado relief through Pit Stops for Hope. Saddle up for a night of bulls, boots, and bottles. Participate in a mechanical bull riding competition, Daisy Duke and vintage t-shirt contests with cash prizes, and much more! The event takes place on Friday, May 25 from 5-10 p.m. at Childress Vineyards (1000 Childress Vineyards Road, Lexington, NC 27295). For tickets, visit https://childressvineyards.ticketleap.com/austinhonkytonk/dates/May-25-2018_at_0500PM
Austin Dillon Quotes:
Big weekend for you going back as the defending race winner and having Coca-Cola on your car for the weekend. How much confidence do you have going back to Charlotte Motor Speedway?
“It is really cool to have a brand like Coca-Cola behind you at the Coke 600. Partnering with Coca-Cola and the USO on the car is really exciting. It’s an awesome looking car. That red paint scheme looks great with the No. 3 there by it. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
Talk about Ryan Owens, who will be the military member on your windshield for the Coca-Cola 600. …
“It is always nice to have the opportunity to give back as we are running those 600 miles of remembrance to a family that has given so much to this country. Last year, we were able to share our whole race and race win with the family of Joshua Harris and this year with Ryan Owens on the car, hopefully we can do the same thing.”
This Week’s Liberty National Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Ryan Newman will make his 597th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start when he competes in the longest race of the season, the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. In total at CMS, Newman has recorded runner-up finishes two times (fall, 2003; Coke 600, 2009) along with nine pole awards, five top-five, 15 top-10 finishes. The “Rocketman” has led 278 laps in competition. The South Bend, Indiana native has an average start of 9.5 and average finish of 17.7. When calculating points earned in the last 10 events at Charlotte, Newman ranks seventh in most points accumulated.
600 Miles of Remembrance … The No. 31 team will be honoring U.S. Navy HM1 Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman Ryan Lohrey. Lohrey, like Newman, was a native of Indiana and entered basic training in 2007. He deployed with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion and later with the 2d Raider Battalion and served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. Lohrey lost his life on July 10, 2017, along with his Marine Raider teammates in a place crash in Mississippi.
Liberty National … Ryan Newman, a Liberty National Life Insurance Company policyholder, will be behind the wheel of a Memorial Day themed Liberty National Camaro ZL1 this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Liberty National has been in the insurance industry since 1900 and offers affordable life and supplemental health insurance to middle-income Americans through in-home and workplace sales. With local offices throughout the United States, Liberty National’s Agency Owners will be featured on the hood of the No. 31 car in each of its primary races. Liberty National, Ryan Newman, and Richard Childress Racing share an admiration and appreciation for veterans who have served to protect our country. Liberty National hires former military and is proud to have many veterans call Liberty National their career homes today. Visit LNLCareers.com/Atlanta to learn more about career opportunities with Liberty National.
Pole to Pole … Want to go fishing with Newman and then watch him compete Labor Day weekend? Register for your chance to win a fishing trip with the Cat® Racing driver along with a VIP experience in Darlington, S.C. Enter the Pole to Pole with Ryan Newman Sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/2GliiVw.
Meet Newman … On Wednesday, May 23, Dillon will sign autographs at RCR’s Fan Appreciation Day at the RCR Museum in Welcome, N.C. at 11.a.m. with crew chief Luke Lambert. Thursday Newman is scheduled to sign autographs along with Austin and Ty Dillon and Richard Childress at Bass Pro Shops at 11 a.m. Bass Pro Shops is located at the Concord Mills Mall by the Speedway Blvd. exit off Interstate 85. If you are at the track on Sunday, Newman is scheduled to participate in a question and answer session on behalf of Coca-Cola Racing at the Pit Party Stage starting at 2:20 p.m. inside Turn 1. Fans will need to upgrade their race ticket to receive a Pit Party pass to attend. To upgrade, visit: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/coca-cola-600/. At 2:45 p.m., he’ll stop by the Chevy Stage to greet fans as well.
Rescue Ranch Founder’s Dinner … Tickets are available now for the Rescue Ranch Founder’s Dinner. Join Krissie on June 7th for a fun evening highlighting the importance of agriculture in Iredell County and featuring fresh local food. To purchase tickets, visit: http://bit.ly/2KKbjc7.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the most important thing to get right for a chance to win the Coca-Cola 600?
“A lot about this race is speed and durability. It’s the longest race of the year, and everyone knows that. The track typically goes through a lot of changes over the course of the night. Keeping yourself in the game is really what it is all about. The last thing you want is a bad pit stop under green. Things like that that will put you a lap down and pretty much out of the race. It’s really similar to how you race the Daytona 500. It’s all about keeping all the simple things in check, but you also must have a fast race car to be there in the end.”
What is the most challenging aspect of this race?
“The challenge for the Coca-Cola 600 is predicting how the track well change, how the temperature fluctuations, how will the grip move around. It’s a crap shoot so-to-speak on predicting what changes are going to happen throughout the night and the team that’s able to anticipate and stay ahead of the curve best will be tough to beat.”
How hard is it to stay focused for 600 miles?
“The stages definitely help break things up. It’s a long race both physically and mentally. It’s the toughest race we have. Physically you must be hydrated properly because if it is hot out, it tough to have that much fluid to be that warm for that long. When your physical parts start to fail, your mental well-being shortly follows because you start worrying about things and losing focus is not what you want to happen when you are going 200 miles-per-hour.”
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway … In 92 Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, RCR has captured four victories with drivers Jeff Green (2002), Jeff Burton (2007) and Austin Dillon (2015). The Welcome, North Carolina organization has completed 17,534 laps of the 18,407 (95.3 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated eight pole awards, 24 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes, led 745 laps and averages a starting position of 10.8 and finishing position of 12.4.
Dover Review … Daniel Hemric was the highest RCR finisher in third, with Matt Tifft and Jeb Burton finishing eighth and 12th, respectively, in the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway.
The Points … Daniel Hemric and Matt Tifft currently sit fifth and 10th, respectively, in the Xfinity Series driver point standings. The No. 3 RCR team is currently 14th in the series owner point standings.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, May 26, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on FOX Sports 1. It will also be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
This Week’s KCMG Chevrolet Camaro at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Matt Tifft has three previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, in which he collected two top-10 finishes. His best result of eighth came in October 2016.Tifft also has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, earning two top-10 starting spots, one top-five and two top-10 finishes. He has completed 100 percent of all laps he has attempted at the speedway.
About KCMG … KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) is an international motorsport services group established in 2007 by Dr. Paul Ip. The group, with its headquarters located in Hong Kong, has operations reaching across Europe and the Asia Pacific region. KCMG operates closely with many partner companies and racing organizations around the world to provide unrivalled Motorsport Services, Equipment, Team Management and quality distributorship in the Automotive Industry. 2013 saw KCMG become the first Chinese outfit ever to race at the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours in its 90-year history and participate in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The Hong Kong-based team later on took an historic LMP2 victory at Le Mans and was Vice Champion in FIA WEC in 2015. With years in the motorsport industry, KCMG has been involved in a wide range of Formula, GT and Le Mans prototype endurance racing series across the globe. For more information please visit www.kcmg.com.hk or email info@kcmg.hk.
Little 600 … Tifft competed in Go Pro Motorplex’s fifth annual Little 600 on Tuesday, May 22. Fans are invited to come out to the motorplex to watch as some of NASCAR’s top drivers battle bumper-to-bumper in go-karts to help kick off the Coca-Cola 600 weekend. Gates open at 5 p.m. local time. Visit gopromotorplex.com for more details.
RCR Fan Appreciation Day … Fans have the opportunity to meet Tifft when he appears along side his RCR Xfinity Series teammates for an autograph session at 2 p.m. local time during RCR’s Fan Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 23. 150 wristbands will be passed out for this session at the RCR Museum and Team Store located at 236 Industrial Drive, Lexington, NC 27295. Visit store.rcrracing.comto learn more.
Meet Tifft … Tifft will be appearing at the Team Chevy Stage for a Q&A session beginning at 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 24. Fans can find the stage located in Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone.
MATT TIFFT QUOTES:
This weekend Cup drivers are back in the field after not being in the four Dash 4 Cash races. What has it been like for you not having them in the field, and what do you expect this weekend with them in the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
“I think not having the Cup drivers in the field was a nice preview for the rest of the season since they won’t be in any of the playoff races. I think those races had some of the best racing so far in the Xfinity Series this season, so that’s a positive to look forward to. I think even with the Cup guys back in the field, the same cars that were fast the past couple of weeks will still be fast. The best teams always rise to the top, and everyone else is still trying to close that gap. I think this week is an opportunity to prove that we’ve grown as a team since the April Texas race, which was the last time we raced against the Cup guys. It will be cool to see where we stack up against them now that a little time has passed.”
Is racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway extra special seeing as it is a lot of teams’ home track?
“Yeah I think it is. In one view, it’s another 1.5-mile track, which we have a lot of in the playoffs, so it’s another chance for us to gain some knowledge on those types of tracks. We have the Roval the next time we’re at Charlotte, but there are still things we can learn this weekend to help us in the fall. Getting the idea of a hot, slick intermediate track is still very important since that also makes up a huge chunk of the summer. This weekend is a good test to see where our car is at with those handling characteristics. The first few races we’ve had this year have been freezing with overcast temperatures, so we haven’t had much of a chance to learn as we normally do on these types of tracks. But for sure when you’re this close to home, you definitely want that win. It’s fun for the crew guys to be able to come and bring their families out to the track to see what we do every weekend, so you definitely have a pressure to perform well.”
This Week’s Nexium® 24HR Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Ty Dillon has eight previous starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, earning four top-10 finishes. His highest finish of sixth place came in the fall of 2015. Dillon also has two previous starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 1.5-mile track, and he scored his best finish of 21st place in the fall of 2017. He has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Charlotte. He won the pole award in 2012 and followed that up with a second-place starting position in 2013. Dillon earned top-10 finishes in both races, earning his best finish of fifth place in 2013.
No Heartburn for Dillon … When it comes to treating heartburn, use the brand more doctors and pharmacists choose for their own frequent heartburn. A Nexium® 24HR regimen – just one pill a day, every day for 14 days – gives you the complete protection from frequent heartburn that you’re looking for.
Meet Dillon … Fans will have multiple opportunities to meet Dillon throughout the weekend in Charlotte, NC. On Wednesday afternoon, he will appear at RCR Fan Appreciation day to meet fans and sign autographs from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET. The following day, he will join Richard Childress, Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman at Bass Pro Shops on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. ET. Autograph wristbands will be given out to the first 150 people in line at 10:00 a.m. ET prior to the appearance. Dillon will also be around town on Friday afternoon, appearing at the Walmart Supercenter on Thunder Road in Concord, NC, with Nexium® 24HR to sign autographs beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET. He will then head to Speed Street where he will visit the GEICO display from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. ET to meet fans.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
What are your thoughts as you climb back into a Xfinity Series car for the first time since Texas at the beginning of April?
“I will definitely have to get back into the swing of Xfinity racing this weekend, but I’ve had so much experience in these cars that it will be like riding a bike when I get into our Nexium® 24HR Chevrolet. I’ve raced so many times at Charlotte that I’ve gotten a handle of how to work with the car as the track changes with the temperature and weather. It’s such a sensitive racetrack, but our team knows that we need to be ready for anything and adjust accordingly. I, of course, like having the extra seat time. It doesn’t always translate as much to the Cup car in preparing for Sunday, but this track in particular is such a challenge that it’s fun to do both races. It certainly keeps you on your toes and prepares you for Sunday in that sense.”
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Kannapolis, North Carolina, native Daniel Hemric has two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. Hemric has an average start of 6.0 and an average finish of 10.0. He has also completed 100 percent of the laps attempted in his two starts. He also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile track and has won numerous U.S. Legends Car events on the facility’s quarter-mile track, including the inaugural Legends Car Million.
Rearview Mirror: Dover … Hemric’s strong start to the 2018 Xfinity Series season continued at the ‘Monster Mile,’ where the driver of the No. 21 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro recorded his third third-place finish in five races. Starting from the fifth position, Hemric earned points in both stages and really came to life in Stage 3. With less than 50 laps to go, Hemric was chasing down race leader Justin Allgaier when the caution flew and bunched the field up for a restart with 27 laps to go. Lined up on the bottom groove, Hemric dropped to third on the restart and was catching the leaders when the checkered flag flew. The third-place finish was Hemric’s fourth top-five and sixth top-10 finish in 10 races.
This Week at the South Point Hotel & Casino … Fans visiting the South Point Hotel & Casino this week have the opportunity to see stand-up comedian Louie Anderson at The Showroom on May 25 – May 27. Tickets are available at southpointcasino.com.
Meet the Driver … Fans have the opportunity to meet Hemric at the 600 Festival’s Speed Street event in Uptown Charlotte on Friday, May 25, starting at 6 p.m. local time. The autograph session will take place on the corner of Third Street and Tryon Street.
Meet the Press … Hemric is schedule to meet with the NASCAR media at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 24, starting at 2 p.m. local time. Fans can watch the media availability session on NASCAR.com/presspass.
DANIEL HEMRIC QUOTES:
You recently had an open test at Charlotte Motor Speedway. What did you learn there that you can apply to this weekend’s Alsco 300?
“We just need to have a solid run at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is our first race back on a mile-and-a-half in a little while, but we had a solid test session a few weeks ago and learned some things that will hopefully pay off this weekend. We’ll just look to build our program. That’s what this is all about. If you get complacent in this sport, you get behind quickly. I’ll raise my hand and say that is easy to do and it has happened in the past, but our goal at RCR is to get ahead of that and ahead of the game. I feel like we’ve taken so many strides to do just that and Charlotte will be a big test for us. This No. 21 South Point Hotel & Casino team has been really strong as of late and we believe that will continue during this weekend’s Alsco 300.”
The Xfinity Series is welcoming back the Cup Series drivers this weekend after four straight races with Xfinity regulars only. What are your thoughts on having them return to the series at Charlotte?
“I’m excited to have the Cup drivers back in the Xfinity Series. I’m a fan of the Xfinity Series regulars only races, but I’m also a fan of the Cup drivers coming back to race with us. When it is just Xfinity Series regulars, we know that every single position is impacting our season. That is not necessarily always the case with the Cup drivers. During those four Xfinity regulars only races, we’ve all found another level of aggression to race with each other. Hopefully we continue that aggressive racing no matter who is in the field and we continue to give the fans the good show they deserve. Having the Cup drivers in the field allows us to push ourselves to that much greater of a level. It will be good to get that push again this weekend.”
