Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
New Hampshire Motor Speedway & Iowa Speedway
Race: LENOX Industrial Tools 301
Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
RCR in Loudon … Richard Childress is tied for third with Joe Gibbs and Roger Penske for all-time car owner victories at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with four wins – Robby Gordon (2001), Kevin Harvick (2006) and Clint Bowyer (2007 and 2010). In 84 starts at the 1.058-mile oval, Childress also boasts two pole awards, 14 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes with nine different drivers including Dale Earnhardt, Mike Skinner, Harvick, Gordon, Jeff Green, Steve Park, Dave Blaney, Bowyer and Jeff Burton.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,219 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 432 top-five finishes, 897 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.8 among all races contested. RCR has earned six Sprint Cup Series championships with Dale Earnhardt (1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93, ’94), 14 total championships (five NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
The Collective RCR … Throughout the season’s first 18 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 16,903 out of 17,171 total laps (98.44 percent) with drivers Burton, Harvick, Paul Menard, Elliott Sadler, Brendan Gaughan and Austin Dillon. The group has led a combined 175 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway, Harvick remains sixth in the driver championship point standings, 90 markers out of the top spot. Menard remains 13th in the standings, while Burton moved up two positions to 18th.
Interactive RCR … To keep up-to-date with the latest news and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick and @RCR31JeffBurton. Information about the 14-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com.
Catch the Action … TNT’s live coverage of the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 begins Sunday, July 15 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 19th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series will be broadcast live on SPEED on Friday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Duracell/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Duracell/Menards Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 349 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet was last utilized at Martinsville Speedway in April where Menard started 11th and finished 26th.
By the Numbers at the “The Magic Mile” … In 10 previous starts at the Loudon, N.H.-based track, Menard has finished each of the contested races. He has an average starting position of 23.9, an average finishing position of 27.7 and has completed 98.5 percent of the laps (2,919 of 2,959). He made his best start of eighth in the September 2010 visit to the 1.058-mile flat oval, while his best finish of 20th was claimed in the September 2011 event.
Getting Loopy in 2012 … With 18 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 13th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 65 points out of the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup spot. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 18.1, an average finishing position of 15.9, maintains an average running position of 18.6, and has completed 99.6 percent of his laps (5,167 of 5,187), the fifth-best of all drivers.
“Slugger” Labbe to pull double duty at NHMS … Following Saturday’s final Sprint Cup Series practice session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, No. 27 crew chief Slugger Labbe will don his work gloves to help good friend and fellow crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion with his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team, GP Motorsports, as they look to return the No. 7 Menards entry to Victory Lane with driver Ryan Newman. In 2010, the team claimed two pole positions and won all three of the Whelen Modified Tour events they entered, including a sweep of the two races held at NHMS. The team returned to NHMS in July 2011 and claimed the victory, but was disqualified following post-race inspection. At Bristol Motor Speedway in August, they successfully defended their title, starting fourth and finishing first. The team returned to NHMS in September hoping to reclaim their July victory but after starting fourth, a punctured radiator caused the engine to expire and relegated them to a 28th-place finish. The No. 7 Menards team is bringing a brand new car to NHMS this weekend and is hungry to repeat last year’s win. Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour event is scheduled for Friday, July 13 at 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time with the 100-lap race kicking off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 14.
Returning to their New England Roots … As NASCAR’s premier series heads to New Hampshire, a few members of the No. 27 Duracell/Menards team will be as close to home as their travels take them. “Slugger” Labbe hails from Saco, Maine and front tire-carrier Erik Pringle calls Sharon, Vt. his hometown.
Race Rewind … After starting from the ninth position in the 2011 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at NHMS, Menard and the No. 27 team were faced with a much-changed Richmond/Menards Chevrolet from Saturday’s practice sessions during which the track’s temperature was much cooler. The team tried a number of adjustments, but a tight-center condition persisted, relegating them to a 24th-place finish.
Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3 … Menard and the No. 27 team are testing at Nashville Superspeedway July 10-11. They are utilizing chassis No. 328 from the RCR stable, which was used in competition at Kentucky Speedway in June.
In the Rearview Mirror: Daytona International Speedway … Menard and the No. 27 Quaker State/Menards team survived a wild night under the lights at Daytona International Speedway to finish 14th in the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola. Caught in a late race multi-car incident, Menard made several trips down pit road for repairs to the green and yellow Chevrolet during the caution period and lined up in the 22nd position for the two-lap dash to the checkered flag. A multi-car pileup occurred as the field exited turn four on the final lap, damaging 15 cars and giving Menard the opportunity to maneuver through the melee to bring home the top-15 finish.
About Duracell … Part of the Procter & Gamble Company, Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years as the brand that was, and is, trusted everywhere. Their 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 on Twitter.com/Duracell_Power, and “like” Duracell on Facebook.com/Duracell.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
As a driver, what do you need your car to do at New Hampshire Motor Speedway so that you can run fast?
“New Hampshire Motor Speedway is tricky because you have to turn the center and then need a lot of drive off, much like the short tracks we visit, like Martinsville (Speedway) or Richmond (International Raceway). It seems like with all the horsepower these cars pack, it’s really easy to burn off the rear tires. It’s also easy to worry about that too much and then you can turn in the center (of the turns). Loudon (New Hampshire Motor Speedway) is a big mix of both.”
How has the racing changed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway since they repaved it and reconfigured it?
“I first raced there in 2007, so I never ran on the old track. The track is pretty racy. The problem is you usually end up running in the middle, but if you can get your car to work on the bottom, you can make some passes. It’s hard to beat the momentum in the middle.”
A lot of people compare New Hampshire Motor Speedway to Martinsville Speedway, saying that New Hampshire is a Martinsville on steroids. Do you agree with that comparison?
“They’re shaped the same, but New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a little bigger. New Hampshire has a lot more banking than Martinsville (Speedway), and the groove is in the middle compared to the bottom like it is at Martinsville. At both tracks, you’re going straight for a long time and then braking pretty heavy. They both are shaped like paperclips.”
You have a best finish of 20th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Do you race better than you finish there?
“We’ve practiced well and qualified well at New Hampshire (Motor Speedway). We’ve been good at times during the race but unfortunately, haven’t put the full package together yet.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Rheem Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 320 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s LENOX Industrial Tools 301. This former No. 33 racer was transformed to a No. 29 entry during the off-season and has been used once this season at Martinsville Speedway where Harvick notched a 19th-place finish.
Granite State Racing … Harvick has 22 Sprint Cup Series career starts at the 1.058-mile track, collecting one pole award (2006), one victory (2006), five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. The Bakersfield, Calif., native holds a 14.1 average starting and finishing position. Harvick has completed 99.2 percent of the laps contested (6,420 of 6,474) at the track and has led the field for 319 circuits.
Getting Loopy in Loudon … Harvick has made 15 starts at the Loudon, N.H.-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The RCR veteran driver has led 252 laps at the oval track ranking him fourth amongst all drivers. Harvick has made 709 Green Flag Passes while spending 2,574 Laps in the Top 15 positioning him eighth in both Loop Data categories. He is credited with 140 of the Fastest Laps Run ranking him ninth. Harvick holds an Average Running Position of 13.282 and has a Driver Rating of 91.7 positioning him 10thin both categories.
Points Racing … With 18 points-paying events in the books, Harvick remains sixth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 90 markers behind the leader. Harvick has collected three top-five and eight top-10 finishes thus far this season, completing 99.75 percent (5,174 of 5,187) of the laps contested.
It’s a Boy … On Sunday, July 8, the Harvick’s announced the birth of their son Keelan Paul Harvick. Affectionately referred to as ‘Baby Otis’ during the pregnancy, Keelan was born Sunday afternoon weighing in at 6.8 pounds and 19.5 inches long. He is the couple’s first child.
Heading Home … No. 29 teammates Mike Brill and Andy Flynn will head to their home track this weekend, New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Brill, a mechanic for the team, grew up two hours north of the track in Woodsville, N.H. The New Hampshire native got his start working for Joe Bessey 16 years ago and has been with RCR for the past four seasons. Flynn, from nearby Montville, Conn., worked for Marsh Racing and driver Ted Christopher before heading south to pursue a career in the sport. Flynn has been a part of the RCR organization for the past five seasons as a tire specialist.
Gotta Have a Rheem … Rheem will adorn the No. 29 Chevrolet for the sixth of 10 scheduled races during the 2012 season this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Rheem is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing.
Meet the Press … Harvick will be available to members of the media on Friday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time in the New Hampshire Motor Speedway infield media center.
Double Duty … In addition to competing in the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 Sunday afternoon, Harvick will also drive RCR’s No. 33 Barber Foods Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event Saturday. The race is scheduled to air live on ESPN beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Sunday Cruise for a Cause … Following driver introductions for the Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday, Harvick will participate in the Ride of a Lifetime lap, with one lucky fan joining the RCR driver in the parade vehicle. The proceeds generated from the auction benefit the Speedway Children’s’ Charities along with the Kevin Harvick Foundation. Harvick will also participate in the Ride of a Lifetime lap at Bristol Motor Speedway in August, Atlanta Motor Speedway and New Hampshire International Speedway in September, Charlotte Motor Speedway in October and Texas Motor Speedway in November for the Sprint Cup Series events. For more information on the Ride of a Lifetime auctions visit www.speedwaycharities.org.
The Last Time Around … Last season, Harvick and the No. 29 Chevrolet team battled handling issues and track position during the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway before finishing the event in the 21st position.
In the Rearview Mirror: Daytona International Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 team ran strong in the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola on Saturday night but ultimately finished 23rd after being collected in a last-lap incident at Daytona International Speedway.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts heading to New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“New Hampshire (Motor Speedway) is a track that I enjoy. It’s a track where you have to have a good handling car, you have to have track position, and you have to have everything go right. If you get yourself stuck in the middle of the pack you’re not going to have a very good day, unless you have a really good car. Overall New Hampshire (Motor Speedway) is a track that I enjoy and hopefully we will run well.”
The track has aged since the last repave and reconfiguration. Has the racing changed or become more of a challenge over time?
“I think when they changed that particular race track it made the racing better. It gave you some more options, but the track has aged since they changed it. The biggest bumps are going into turn three, and those have gotten a bit worse. But all-in-all the track hasn’t changed at whole lot.”
Some say New Hampshire Motor Speedway is like Martinsville Speedway on steroids. Would you agree with that?
“I wouldn’t agree with that at all. New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a much higher speed race track and you have to have aerodynamics on your side. You can’t just apply a full mechanical set up to the car. There is a very different driving style and lots of things are different from Martinsville (Speedway).”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Weekend’s Caterpillar Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 382 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 31 Chevrolet was utilized in February at Phoenix International Raceway where engine issues thwarted Burton’s top-five run and relegated him to a 33rd-place finish. This car also raced at Richmond International Raceway where an on-track incident knocked Burton and the No. 31 team out of contention, forcing them to settle for a 31st-place finish.
Career New Hampshire Stats … This race marks Burton’s 35th start in “The Granite State” and 638th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed four wins, eight top-five and 13 top-10 finishes at one-mile facility.
Getting Loopy at the “The Magic Mile” … Burton has garnered some impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Of all drivers entering the summer event, he has the fifth-best Average Running Position (12.9) the sixth-most Green Flag Passes (746), spent 2,914 Laps in the Top 15 (sixth-most), and a 94.1 Driver Rating that ranks him eighth amongst his competitors.
Mr. New Hampshire … Burton is no stranger to Victory Lane at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, bringing home the race-winning trophies in four-consecutive seasons (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000). During his memorable victory in the 2000 event, the South Boston, Va. native paced the field for all 300 circuits, marking the last time a Sprint Cup Series driver led 100 percent of the laps completed.
Race Rewind … Burton made three amazing saves, avoided multiple accidents, and led the No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet team to a second-place finish in the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.
Points Racing … After 18 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has scored 470 points and sits in the 18th position in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. The veteran RCR driver has two top-five and four top-10 finishes and has spent 1,853 laps running in the top 15, made 1,946 green-flag passes and led 35 laps.
Harrison Update … With five race weekends to go in the season, Burton’s son Harrison is atop the point standings in the three different divisions in the 2012 USAC Generation Next Series (Lite 160, Senior Animal and Lite World Formula). So far this season, Harrison has 10 victories, nine second-place results and six third-place finishes across the three divisions. The next event weekend of the 16-race schedule, The Battle of the Brickyard, is set for Indianapolis from July 24 – 28, the same weekend his father Jeff competes in the Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
What does the No. 31 Caterpillar team need to do to be fast at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a very challenging track. It’s one of those places if you are off a little bit, it shows a lot on the leaderboard. There is a fine line between being really good and not very good. It’s definitely a tough race track. The car must turn in the middle of the corners at New Hampshire. Rear grip has become less of an issue since we first started racing there. When we first started going there, rear grip was everything. If you could accelerate off the corner before your competitor, you were in good shape. Throughout the years, that has really changed. You must rotate in the middle of the corners. If it doesn’t rotate, your lap times will suffer. To me, rotation in the middle of the corners is the most important key to being strong.”
How has the racing changed over the years at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“They modified the track years ago and made it more difficult to run the bottom lane. In my opinion, that has made it harder to pass. I know that sounds crazy. If you had position on the inside line in the past, the position was yours. Now it isn’t guaranteed. It’s a fun and challenging race track, definitely one of my favorite places to go. It’s a different atmosphere. The people are nice and the atmosphere is relaxed.”
Would you say it is Martinsville Speedway on steroids?
“I would agree with that. At Martinsville (Speedway), rear grip becomes more of an issue. It actually has many similarities to Martinsville, just a bigger track.”
You are a four-time race winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Are you surprised that you haven’t got the finishes you’ve expected there recently?
“We’ve run really well in most of the races at New Hampshire (Motor Speedway). Recently, we haven’t performed well there at all though. Two or three years ago, I thought we had the race won. We were leading the race and pitted and no one else did. So we ended up losing it. We just played the wrong strategy. We’ve run well there, just not on a consistent basis lately.”
Race: F.W. Webb 200
Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … In 22 previous Nationwide Series appearances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has one win at the 1.058-mile track with Kevin Harvick in 2007.
By the Numbers … RCR has four Nationwide Series pole awards at the Loudon, N.H.-based track, all with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel, in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007. RCR boasts an average starting position of 9.8 and an average finishing position of 11.9 among all Nationwide Series races the organization has contested at Loudon. RCR drivers have completed 96.3 percent of the laps attempted at the track (4,239 of 4,402 laps), with 895 laps led.
The Season So Far … Through the 16 races contested this season, RCR has acquired three wins in the Nationwide Series, with Elliott Sadler at Phoenix International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway and Austin Dillon at Kentucky Speedway. RCR has earned seven pole awards in 2012, with Sadler at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Iowa Speedway, Paul Menard at Texas Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway and Austin Dillon at Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. The organization has 22 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes and has led 875 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 814 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 59 wins, 272 top-five finishes, 449 top-10 finishes and 39 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.5 and an average finishing position of 12.8 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver points championships in 2001 and 2006 with Harvick and in 2008 with Clint Bowyer. The Welcome, N.C.-based team earned the owner’s title in 2003 with Johnny Sauter and Harvick and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer.
To the Point … RCR’s two full-time Nationwide Series entries rank first (Sadler) and second (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into the F.W. Webb 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The No. 2 team sits second in the owner point standings while the No. 3 team ranks third. The No. 33 team sits fifth in the owner championship point standings.
Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news and information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team Twitter pages – @RCR2ESadler, @RCR3ADillon and @RCR33NNS, RCR’s Nationwide Series driver Twitter pages – @Elliott_Sadler, @AustinDillon3 and @KevinHarvick the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/RCRracing, facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial, facebook.com/adillon3 and facebook.com/OfficialKevinHarvick.
Live on ESPN … Flag-to-flag coverage of the F.W. Webb 200 is scheduled to be televised on ESPN beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, July 14 and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Elliott Sadler No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s OneMain Financial Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway… Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload Chassis No. 110 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend. This chassis was built new for competition in 2012 and utilized at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May with RCR teammate Joey Coulter where he brought home a seventh-place finish.
New England Racing… Sadler has competed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway eight times in his Nationwide Series career with one top-five finish and 21 laps led. He also brings experience from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at the 1.058-mile track with 24 starts, one top-five and six top-10 finishes, as well as 41 laps led.
Last Time By … Sadler competed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last season in the Nationwide Series, bringing home a hard-fought 12th-place finish in a wild green-white-checkered finish.
Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Quality Passes (777), Laps in the Top 15 (2696)and Percentage of Laps in the Top 15 (95.6). After 16 events in the Nationwide Series season, Sadler has earned two wins, two pole awards, six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes with 139 laps led.
To the Point … Sadler leads the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, leading by two points over RCR teammate Austin Dillon.
Race Rewind: Daytona … Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team brought home a sixth-place finish last Friday night under the lights at Daytona International Speedway in an exciting 100-lap event. The Emporia, Va., native competed at the front and led 10 laps in the final superspeedway event of the Nationwide Series season. Several cars wrecked coming to the finish line, but Sadler was able to avoid the incident to finish in the sixth position.
Competing for the Dash 4 Cash … Sadler is among four drivers qualified for this weekend’s Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after finishing as one of the top-four Nationwide Series regulars at Daytona International Speedway. Sadler joins Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael Annett and RCR teammate Austin Dillon in competing for the $100,000 bonus this weekend, with the highest finishing driver out of the four qualifiers claiming the cash. The winner this weekend at New Hampshire will automatically qualify for the next event at Chicagoland Speedway. The three-highest finishing drivers that receive Nationwide Series championship driver points at New Hampshire will also qualify for the Chicagoland bonus. Those same rules are in effect for the last two events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway. Nationwide Insurance will award an additional $600,000 to the prize if the same driver captures each Dash 4 Cash bonus and wins the final race at Iowa in August, bringing the total prize money to $1 million dollars. Last season, Sadler scored a Dash 4 Cash victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway, winning $100,000 for himself and $100,000 for a lucky fan, Joe Thornton. Fans have the opportunity to participate in the action as well by entering the Nationwide Series $100,000 Sweepstakes at www.nascar.com/dash4cash. Four lucky entrants will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the final D4C event at Iowa Speedway. The four fans will be randomly paired with the four eligible D4C drivers for that race, and the fan whose driver wins the D4C award also will go home with a check for $100,000.
Seeing Pink … For the remainder of the season, Sadler will have a little more color to his outfit on race days. The Emporia, Va., native will sport pink driving shoes, showing support for Breast Cancer Awareness. Sadler’s mother, Bell, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and is now a survivor. Fans have the opportunity to bid on his race-worn pink shoes and a VIP experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information, visit www.sadlerfoundation.org.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“I always like heading up to Loudon for the event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It has been a good track statistically for me, and it is all about track position there. It is one of those tracks that it is pretty hard to pass, which makes it even more important to be good on pit road. Pit strategy will definitely come into play here, but (crew chief) Luke Lambert and all the guys on the OneMain Financial team have a great plan into place for our set-up and race strategy. This is definitely a track that I feel we will have a strong run.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 093 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. Dillon drove this Chevrolet to a ninth-place finish after starting third at Richmond International Raceway in April and a fourth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in March after starting ninth. This is a former Kevin Harvick Inc., chassis which was refurbished during the off season.
Dillon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Dillon drove the No. 21 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for RCR in a Nationwide Series race at NHMS in 2010. He started in row four and raced between eighth and 11th for the first 70 circuits of the 200-lap race before the team was issued a series of penalties following a green-flag pit stop. Dillon fell back to 35th in the running order, four laps down, but worked his way to a 25th-place finishing position.
New Hampshire, Etc … In addition to his lone Nationwide Series start at the track, Dillon has five previous starts at the Loudon, N.H.-based facility in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division. Most recently, he finished second after starting fourth in a Camping World Truck Series race in September 2011. He also has recorded finishes of fifth (2010) and 15th (2009) at the track in the Truck Series. In two NKNPS-E races, both in 2008, Dillon has two top-five finishes and one pole award.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon has completed 99.15 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, leading all competitors. He has completed 92.4 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second and has an Average Running Position of 9.005 in the season’s 16 contested Nationwide Series races, ranking him third among all drivers. The Nationwide Series rookie maintains a Driver Rating of 103.3, ranking him fourth, is the fourth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and is ranked fourth in the Fastest Laps Run category with 192 laps so far this season. He has 228 Laps Led this season, ranking him fourth. Dillon is also ranked fourth in the Laps Led category, leading 220 circuits, has the fifth-fastest Speed in Traffic, the sixth-fastest Green Flag Speed, seventh-Fastest on Restarts, is the eighth-fastest Driver Early in a Run and ranks ninth in Quality Passes with 679.
Get to the Points … Dillon is second in the 2012 Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing RCR Teammate Elliott Sadler by two points. Dillon currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
Spark your Engines … Dillon and his team will sport the colors of award-winning premier health and wellness company AdvoCare on the No. 3 Chevrolet this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. AdvoCare offers nutrition, weight loss, energy and sports performance products of the highest quality developed through comprehensive research and backed by a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Dillon trains with AdvoCare products throughout the week and is a distributor as well. For more information about Dillon’s favorite products, including Spark, Rehydrate, meal replacement bars and Post-Workout Recovery, visit .
Dash 4 Cash …With his fourth-place finish at Daytona International Speedway last week, Austin Dillon joins Michael Annett, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and RCR teammate Elliott Sadler as drivers who are qualified for the first of four segments of the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash Bonus this Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The top finisher among those four drivers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will win a $100,000 bonus and automatically qualify for the next event at Chicagoland Speedway. In addition, the top-three finishing drivers to receive championship driver points at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will round out the list of drivers who qualify for the next event at Chicagoland Speedway. Those rules will apply for the remaining three events (Chicagoland Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway). If one driver wins the first three D4C awards and wins the Iowa race, that driver will receive an additional $600,000 bonus. Fans have the opportunity to participate in the action as well by entering the Nationwide Series $100,000 Sweepstakes at www.nascar.com/dash4cash. Four lucky entrants will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the final D4C event at Iowa Speedway. The four fans will be randomly paired with the four eligible D4C drivers for that race, and the fan whose driver wins the D4C award also will go home with a check for $100,000.
Busy Week … Dillon spent the week leading into Loudon racing his Team Dillon Racing No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio as part of the Dirt on Dirt Summer Nationals Hell Tour.
Daytona Recap … Dillon made a charge for the win before getting spun and crossing the finish line sideways in the fourth position to conclude a wild Nationwide Series race under the lights at Daytona International Speedway on Friday evening.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What have you learned from past experiences at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that can help you this weekend?
“We’ve run really well in the Truck Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the past and I think that experience will definitely help us. Last year we had a truck capable of winning. We ran behind or beside Kyle Busch the whole race. We raced under him a few times. I learned a lot from racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and hopefully we can use that experience to our advantage this weekend. In the one Nationwide Series race I have run at Loudon, our team had a great run going but we dropped the jack on pit road so that is what hurt our race there. I can’t wait to get to New Hampshire Motor Speedway because the track is on my list of top-three favorite tracks.”
Why is New Hampshire Motor Speedway one of your top-three favorite tracks?
“I’ve warmed up to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. I’ve always run well there. It’s a flat track and I really like adjusting the cars for that track. You have to use your momentum and make sure you have all of the power down coming off the corner in order to pass at New Hampshire. Entry and exit to the corners are pretty important. Center is not as important. The center is more setting up for the exit. It’s a fun track where you can really see some great racing.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 33 Barber Food Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Barber Foods Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 106 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend during the F.W. Webb 200. Built new for competition in 2012, Harvick raced this RCR Chevrolet to a ninth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway and a third-place finish at Richmond International Raceway earlier this season.
Three-Run Stretch … When Harvick drives the No. 33 Barber Foods Chevrolet in Saturday afternoon’s event at the New England-based facility, it will mark his third-consecutive Nationwide Series event in the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet, and his eighth of 14 scheduled appearances in the series this season. In his first seven Nationwide Series starts of the 2012 season, the 36-year-old driver has collected four top-five and five top-10 finishes.
Solid Stats in the Granite State … Since 2000, the Bakersfield, Calif., native has made 11 Nationwide Series starts during his NASCAR career at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, collecting four pole awards, one victory (2007), eight top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. He has completed 99.9 percent (2,206 of 2,207) of the laps contested and holds a third-place average starting position and an average finishing position of 5.1. The two-time series champion holds the track record for Nationwide Series qualifying with a lap time of 130.716 mph.
Going for a Loop … According to NASCAR’s Data Loop Statistics, created in 2006, Harvick has made seven Nationwide Series starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and has led 321 laps, while maintaining a position within the top 15 for 99.9 percent of the laps contested, leading all competitors. The RCR veteran driver has an Average Running Position of 3.567, has posted 187 of the Fastest Laps Run and has an average Green Flag Speed of 124.758 mph ranking him second in all three categories.
Get to the Points … The No. 33 RCR Chevrolet team sits fifth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, 65 points behind the No. 18 team. The No. 33 team has collected seven top-five and 13 top-10 finishes between five different drivers (Tony Stewart, Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, Paul Menard, Ty Dillon and Max Papis) thus far this season.
Riding Shot Gun with Kevin …Barber Foods recently invited several lucky fans to “Get Your Race Face On”. Fans were encouraged to upload their photo online for a chance to have their face displayed as part of the No. 33 Chevrolet’s paint scheme at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. More than 175 photos were chosen to appear on the car for all of America to see. Plus, the grand prize winner, Gary Axtell from Orange City, Fla., will “Ride Shotgun” and have his photo proudly displayed inside the car next to Harvick, visible from the in-car camera. In addition, Axtell also won a trip for two to the race in Loudon, N.H. which includes VIP access.
Barber Foods, A Family Tradition … Barber Foods is the America’s top provider of premium frozen Stuffed Chicken Breasts. The company, founded in Portland, Maine in 1955 by Gus Barber, has grown from a small operation into a National supplier for foodservice, school, retail, club vending and convenience store channels. In addition to signature Stuffed Chicken Breast flavors Cordon Bleu and Broccoli & Cheese, Barber Foods’ portfolio of products extends to a wide variety of flavors including breaded Chicken Tenders and Carvers. Made with the highest quality, all-white chicken breast meat, Barber Foods’ chicken entrees are produced with the utmost commitment to quality and safety, and-of-course taste. Barber Foods…the best stuff in chicken since 1955.
About AdvancePierre Foods … AdvancePierre Foods is a leading supplier of value-added protein and hand held convenience products to the foodservice, school, retail, club vending and convenience store channels. The company makes and distributes a full line of packaged sandwiches, full cooked chicken and beef products, Philly-style steak, breaded beef, pork, and poultry, and baking products. Our products are produced from high quality ingredients and provide unparalleled taste, convenience and value to both operators and their patrons. Headquartered in Cincinnati, AdvancePierre employs more than 4,000 people and provides consistent product quality across our 11 different facilities including our manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma, Ohio and Iowa and our sandwich assembly facilities in North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. The company also operates bakeries in North Carolina and Oklahoma. www.advancepierre.com.
Champion Chat … Harvick fans will have the opportunity to ask their favorite NASCAR driver questions during the monthly #ChampionChat on the popular TweetChat.com social media site. Harvick will be answering fan questions from the @ChampionParts twitter account for 30 minutes beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 11. Following the live #ChampionChat, Harvick will field video questions on VYou.com through the #ChampionParts account.
In the Rearview Mirror: Daytona International Speedway … Harvick and the No. 33 Rheem/Menards team finished 28th after being collected in the “big one” during last Friday night’s Nationwide Series race under the lights at Daytona International Speedway.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on driving the No. 33 Barber Foods Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“I really enjoy racing at New Hampshire (Motor Speedway), so it should be fun to climb into the No. 33 Barber Foods Chevrolet for RCR. It has been a great week for me already, starting on Sunday with the birth of my son Keelan. It will be tough to leave him and DeLana back in North Carolina while I head to Loudon for the race, but at least I’m heading to a track I enjoy running at and have done well at in the past.”
Race: American Ethanol 200
Location: Iowa Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes
RCR at Iowa Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has four previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Newton, Iowa-based facility, earning one victory with Austin Dillon in 2010, three top-10 finishes and one pole award. RCR boasts a 4.2 average starting position combined with a fifth-place average finishing position at the 0.875-mile track. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 100 percent of the contested laps at Iowa Speedway and led for 314 circuits.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 232 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 25 wins, 87 top-five finishes, 145 top-10 finishes and 32 pole awards, along with the inaugural series championship in 1995 with Mike Skinner and again with Austin Dillon in 2011. The organization has an average starting position of 9.6 and an average finishing position of 10.2.
Truck Line-up … Tim George Jr. will pilot the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet this weekend at Iowa Speedway. The No. 2 team will join Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team along with Joey Coulter and the No. 22 American Ethanol Chevrolet team for Saturday night’s 200-lap event.
Season in Review … Through the first eight races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired one victory at Martinsville Speedway with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel and notched four pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway and Dover International Speedway, George Jr. at Kansas Speedway and Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has six top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, and has led 396 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With eight 2012 Camping World Truck Series races in the books, Dillon is tied for third, in the driver championship point standings, four markers behind the leader, Coulter sits in the seventh position, 50 points outside the top spot. RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet team is seventh in the owner championship point standings utilizing three different drivers (Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George).
Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news and information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team Twitter pages – @RCR3TDillon, @RCR22JCoulter and @RCR2CWTS. RCR’s NCWTS driver personal Twitter pages – @tydillon, @JoeyCoulter, @timgeorgejr, @Brendan62 and @kevinharvick.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of this weekend’s American Ethanol 200 is scheduled to be televised live on Saturday, July 14, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
Tim George Jr. No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Tim George Jr. will pilot chassis No. 002 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in this weekend’s American Ethanol 200. This RCR Chevrolet was utilized by Austin Dillon in 2010 where he earned two pole awards, three top-10 and four top-15 finishes in his rookie season in the Camping World Truck Series.
Iowa Stats … This weekend’s 200-lap affair will mark George Jr.’s first Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway. Although the New York City native has yet to make any competitive laps at the 0.875-mile track in the Truck Series, he has made two ARCA Racing Series starts,completing 98.8 percent of the contested laps (395 of 400) and holds a 17th-place average starting position combined with an average finish position of 15.5. George’s best finish at Iowa Speedway came in the ARCA Racing Series race last July when he finished 12th after starting 15th.
Owner Points … After eight races in the 2012 season, the No. 2 Chevrolet team currently sits seventh in Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings courtesy of drivers Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George.
In Your Neighborhood … George is scheduled to make two appearances at local Iowa Applebee’s restaurants located at SE 14th Street in Des Moines and 3741 8th Street SW in Altoona on Friday, July 13 before strapping into the No. 2 Chevrolet. The driver will sign autographs for Applebee’s team members and restaurant guests between 12:30 and 2 p.m. Central Time.
Meet the Driver … Prior to competing in the American Ethanol 200, George is scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series autograph session at 2:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 14. Following the autograph session, George will make an appearance at the Team Chevy Stage for a question-and-answer session with RCR teammates Ty Dillon and Joey Coulter at 3:30 p.m CT.
Rearview Mirror: Kentucky Speedway …George and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet team started the UNOH 225 from the 15th position at Kentucky Speedway and reported a loose-handling Chevrolet during the first portion of the race. The RCR driver competed in the top-15 for most of the 150-lap event before sliding up the race track and making contact with the outside wall forcing the team to make several pit stops to repair the damaged machine. George was able to racing, but was relegated to a 24th-place finish.
TIM GEORGE JR. QUOTES:
What are your thoughts about racing at Iowa Speedway this weekend? “Iowa (Speedway) hasn’t always been my best race track, but I feel like I learned a lot more about racing there last year in the ARCA Racing Series race. I think I’m more prepared this time around and will work hard to compete in the top-10.”
Ty Dillon No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 007from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s American Ethanol 200. This Chevrolet was utilized by Dillon’s older brother, Austin, during the 2011 season where he earned four top-10 starting positions and three top-10 finishes.
Iowa Nuggets … This week’s 200-lap race marks Dillon’s third appearance at the Newton, Iowa-based facility. Although the RCR driver has yet to compete at the 0.875-mile track in the Camping World Truck Series, he holds impressive stats in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at the track. In the last two ARCA Series showings at the track, Dillon earned two pole awards, one victory and a runner-up finish. He has completed 100 percent of the contested laps and led for 201 circuits.
Winner, Winner … Dillon’s last appearance at Iowa Speedway ended in victorious fashion by leading all but seven laps of the 200-lap ARCA Racing Series event, claiming his seventh win of the season. The Welcome, N.C., native qualified on the pole and crossed the finish line in the top spot with a 1.643-second lead over the second position.
Points Racing … After a third-place showing at Kentucky Speedway in June, Dillon is tied for third in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, sitting four points behind leader Timothy Peters.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update … Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings by 48 points ahead of driver Cale Gale after eight races on the Camping World Truck Series schedule.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with eight races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the Welcome, N.C., native is the series’ fastest Driver Early in a Run and Driver on Restarts along with being the series’ leader in the Percentage of Laps Run on the Lead Lap (98.94 percent). Dillon has earned an Average Running Position of 7.9, ranking him third overall. He also sits third in the Driver Rating category (101.2), Laps Run in the Top 15 with 1,198 laps and Green-Flag Speed.
Welcome Home … Front-tire changer Caleb Baker returns home this weekend as the Camping World Truck Series heads to Iowa Speedway. The Midwest native calls Clearfield, Iowa home and currently resides in North Carolina. Baker moved to North Carolina five years ago to pursue a career in motorsports. He started working on NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer’s dirt late model team in 2008 and now works at RCR as a front-tire changer and mechanic on the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team.
Rearview Mirror: Kentucky Speedway … The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team qualified in the fourth position for the UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway, but the team was forced to change engines during final practice, sending Dillon to the back of the field for the start of the 150-lap race. The 20-year-old driver drove into the top 20 within the first 10 laps of the race despite a loose-handling condition on the black and orange machine. A strategic call for two tires during a lap 104 caution period placed Dillon in the top spot for the ensuing restart. He led for the next three circuits before slipping to third where he would take the checkered flag.
Questions, Please … Dillon will answer questions from the gathered media on Friday, July 13 at 4:30 p.m. Central Time in the infield media center at Iowa Speedway.
Welcome to the Stage … Prior to competing in the American Ethanol 200, Dillon is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy Stage at 3:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 14. He will be joined by RCR teammates Joey Coulter and Tim George Jr.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You’ve had some success at Iowa Speedway in the past in the ARCA Racing Series. What are your thoughts heading there this weekend in the Camping World Truck Series?
“Iowa (Speedway) has always been a great track for me. If I had to pick a favorite race track, Iowa would win. The fans out there are some of the best. It’s always a really cool feeling when you perform well in front of such a good group of fans. I’m excited to get back there and hopefully continue the success we’ve had there in the past.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 American Ethanol Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot chassis No. 020 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday night’s American Ethanol 200. This chassis was utilized by Coulter three times in the 2011 season at Michigan International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and at Iowa Speedway, where Coulter earned a top-five finish.
Coulter in the Hawkeye State … Coulter has one previous start at the 0.875-mile facility in the Camping World Truck Series. After qualifying second for the 2011 Coca-Cola 200, Coulter finished the 200-lap event in the fifth position. Coulter has two starts at the Newton, Iowa-based track in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, with his best finish of fifth in 2009.
New Look … For the first time in 2012, the No. 22 entry for Richard Childress Racing will sport the black and green colors of sponsor American Ethanol. 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. Led by Growth Energy, more than 100 different entities, from farmers and state corn growing boards to ethanol producers and biotech companies, are working with NASCAR to introduce a cleaner-burning fuel to America. The partnership with American Ethanol takes NASCAR’s environmental commitment to the next level.
Eight Races In … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Coulter currently leads all competitors in Fastest Speed in Traffic. He sits second in Fastest Drivers Early in Run, third in Quality Passes (297) and fourth in Fastest Drivers Late in Run.
Rewind: Kentucky … Coulter drove the No. 22 Steak-umm Chevrolet to a seventh-place finish in the UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway. After starting the event from the 16th position, the Miami Springs, Fla.-native battled a lack of grip in his Silverado and depended on crew chief Harold Holly to make adjustments over several pit stops. Ultimately, Coulter claimed his fourth top-ten finish of the 2012 season and moved up one position in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings.
Get to the Points … After recording his fourth top-10 finish of the 2012 season at Kentucky Speedway last month, Coulter improved one position, to seventh in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings. He is 50 points behind leader Timothy Peters.
Meet Coulter … Coulter is scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series autograph session at 2:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 14. Coulter will join RCR teammates Ty Dillon and Tim George Jr. for a Q&A session at the Team Chevy Stage that same afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT.
JOEY COULTER QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading into the American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night?
“I always enjoy racing at Iowa (Speedway); it’s one of my favorite tracks. The fans are always awesome and the track brings in a large crowd. With the momentum the No. 22 team has gained, and the progress we’ve made this season, I’m looking forward to racing for another top-five finish Saturday night.”
