RCR Team Advance - Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Race: Brickyard 400

Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Richard Childress Racing

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:

RCR at the Brickyard … In 18 previous Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has posted two poles (Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jeff Burton in 2006), three wins (Dale Earnhardt in 1995, Harvick in 2003 and Paul Menard in 2011), 11 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes in 47 starts. RCR Chevrolets have also been atop the leaderboard for a total of 264 laps and with the exception of one, each entry has been running at the finish of every event at the Brickyard, dating back to the inaugural race in 1994.

RCR in the NSCS … In 2,222 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 432 top-five finishes, 898 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 19 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched five top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 17,805 out of 18,074 total laps (98.51 percent) with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 175 laps.

Get to the Points … Following the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Harvick remains sixth in the driver championship point standings, 85 markers out of the top spot. Menard now ranks 15th in the standings, while Burton is 19th.

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 … ESPN’s live coverage of the Brickyard 400 begins Sunday, July 29 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 20th points-paying event on the Sprint Cup Series schedule will be broadcast live on ESPN on Saturday, July 28 at 2 p.m. ET.

Paul Menard

No. 27 NIBCO/Menards Chevrolet

Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s NIBCO/Menards Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 380 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet was built new for the 2012 season and will be utilized in competition for the first time at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Back to the Scene of the First Win … Menard made history in the 2011 Brickyard 400, becoming the first driver to earn his first career Sprint Cup Series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The victory proved to be emotional for the entire Menard family after having a presence at the historic track for more than 35 years. Despite a number of IndyCar championships as a team owner, it was son Paul who delivered John Menard his first trip to kneel and kiss the famous yard of bricks.

By the Numbers at Indy … In five previous starts at the Speedway, Ind.-based track, Menard has completed 94.5 percent of his laps (756 of 800). He has an average starting position of 26.8 and a 21st-place average finishing position. He claimed his best starting position of 15th and finished first in his last visit to the famed 2.5-mile flat oval (July 2011).

Getting Loopy in 2012 … With 19 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 15th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 79 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 17.8, a 16th-place average finishing position, maintains an average running position of 18.5, and has completed 99.6 percent of his laps (5,468 of 5,488), the fifth-best of all drivers.

Menards is a familiar sight at IMS … Entries fielded by Team Menard, owned by Menards founder and owner, John Menard, were fixtures at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway long before NASCAR made its first visit to the Brickyard in 1994. The first Menards open-wheel entry that qualified for the Indianapolis 500 was driven by another Eau Claire, Wis., native, Herm Johnson, in 1982, earning a ninth-place finish. Johnson followed up his rookie performance with a top 10 in 1984. Another notable performance came in 1995 (and was repeated in 1996) when Scott Brayton claimed the pole position for the historic event. Other well-known wheel men who drove for Team Menard at Indy include Nelson Piquet, Al Unser, Eddie Cheever, Arie Luyendyk and Buddy Lazier. With the CART-Indy Racing League split in 1996, Team Menard joined the IRL full time, winning back-to-back championships with Tony Stewart in 1996 and 1997. Greg Ray brought the team their third championship title in 1999. In 2004, Team Menard merged with Panther Racing, with Menard eventually withdrawing from motorsports as team owner. Today, the recognizable neon yellow paint scheme adorns entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (No. 27 Chevrolet), Nationwide Series (No. 33 Chevrolet), and Camping World Truck Series (No. 88 Chevrolet Silverado) and the No. 44 entry in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

Double Duty Weekend … In addition to his driving duties with the No. 27 Sprint Cup Series team, Menard is scheduled to drive the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for RCR in Saturday’s 250-mile Nationwide Series race at IMS. The event will air live on ESPN at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

Meet Menard … Menard is scheduled to meet with fans and sign autographs alongside NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Matt Crafton and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver Frank Kimmel at the Menards in Avon, Ind. on Thursday, July 26, from 7-8 p.m. ET. The home improvement store is located at 10555 East U.S. Hwy 36. In addition to the Menards show cars, the 2011 Brickyard 400 race-winning trophy will be on display and available to fans for pictures. There will also be opportunities to win general admission tickets to Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race. Details will be released on Twitter via @RCR27PMenard.

Miss Sprint Cup Chat with Paul … The Eau Claire, Wis., native will participate in a NASCAR.COM Chat with Miss Sprint Cup, Jaclyn Roney, which will be streamed live to the NASCAR.COM homepage on Friday, July 27 at 11:15 a.m. ET. Fans will have the ability to log-in during the chat and ask Menard questions. Menard is also scheduled to participate in a Q&A session with Miss Sprint Cup at the Sprint Fan Experience display on Sunday, July 29 at 9:50 a.m. ET.

Bowties at the Brickyard … Menard will join all Team Chevy drivers on Friday, July 27 for Chevy Day at the Brickyard. Fan-friendly activities that the 2011 Brickyard 400 Champion will be participating in include a Q&A session from 11:45-11:55 a.m. at the Team Chevy Stage and an autograph session from 12:50-1:45 p.m. Menard will also participate in a Q&A session on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Team Chevy Stage.

Native “Hoosier” Returns Home … Spotter Stevie Reeves grew up blocks from IMS’ turn three in Speedway, Ind. Reeves grew up racing the bullrings (short tracks) of Indiana, then traveled nationally with the United States Automobile Club, winning back-to-back USAC National Midget titles in 1992 and 1993. His career behind the wheel included competition in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the Indy Racing League and the USAC Silver Crown Series. Reeves got his start as a spotter when Ernie Irvan needed help during a 1999 race, and has been doing it ever since.

Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3 … Menard and the No. 27 team will travel from Indianapolis to the Irish Hills of Michigan following Sunday’s race to participate in a Goodyear tire test session at Michigan International Speedway on Monday, July 30. They will utilize chassis No. 328 from the RCR stable, which was used in competition at Kentucky Speedway in June.

In the Rearview Mirror: New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Menard started the No. 27 Duracell/Menards Chevrolet from the 13th position and battled handling issues throughout the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 before finishing17th.

About NIBCO … NIBCO is a recognized industry leader of flow control solutions to the residential and commercial construction, institutional, industrial, fire protection and irrigation markets. Headquartered in Northern Indiana, NIBCO has more than 107 years of manufacturing history with products ranging from valves, actuation, metal and plastic fittings, PEX piping systems, lead-free* fittings and valves, and industrial plastics. Serving a global marketplace, NIBCO operates 10 manufacturing plants throughout the United States, Mexico and Poland. Visit www.NIBCO.com for more information. *≤0.25% lead content.

PAUL MENARD QUOTES:

One of the coolest stories last year was you winning the Brickyard 400. Any race you got back to as the defending winner is a cool thing, but given the history there with your family, how much are you looking forward to going back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“Obviously, you’re going to have a little more bounce to your step. Not just me, but the entire No. 27 NIBCO/Menards team will. You get to see the billboards hanging up. I’ve heard there’s a big picture on the Pagoda. Stuff like that is going to be neat, but I have gone through that tunnel between turns one and two for years and I always get goose bumps. That’s never going to change.”

What are your lasting memories of last year’s win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“There are a lot of pictures and memorabilia that remind me of that day, because at the time it was very surreal. Seeing everyone’s faces in Victory Lane, riding around the track in the convertible with Richard (Childress, team owner) and my dad (John Menard) and kissing the bricks with everyone from RCR. There are a lot of great memories.”

You’re not an emotional guy, but how emotional did you find yourself after winning such a big race?

“I was as happy as anyone can be when you win the race that you wanted to win the most. It makes you want to go do it again.”

When did it hit you?

“There was so much going on from the time I got out of the car to the time we got on the plane. I think it started to sink in when I finally got home.”

How satisfying was it to win the Brickyard 400, not only for yourself, but for your dad and your entire family?

“My dad has been trying to win at Indianapolis (Motor Speedway) for longer than I’ve been alive. I spent a lot of years there as a kid with my brother, sister, my uncle and my cousins. A lot of them were there that day, too. This was a win that the entire family had wanted for a long time, and now we have it.”

What was going through your mind in the final laps of the 2011 Brickyard 400?

“It was a busy final 20 laps. Slugger (Labbe, crew chief) was keeping me abreast of where the No. 24 car was because he (Jeff Gordon) was coming fast. I was basically trying to not run out of fuel and do everything I could to maintain speed, using as little fuel as necessary. The last couple of laps it was all or nothing. If we were going to run out, we were going to run out trying to get the win. We made it to the end, made another lap around the track and did a couple of burnouts.”

You didn’t really have time to think about how big of a win it was going to be, did you?

“No, you’d probably crash if you did something like that.”

What did you think of the end of Indianapolis 500 this year? Do you think we’ll see something like that in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday?

“I thought it was a great finish. I think they set a record for lead changes and it seemed like the drivers really liked it, too. If the drivers like a new car, that’s pretty important, and they seemed to be pretty excited about it. I don’t think the Sprint Cup Series race will be three wide coming to the finish like it was in that race, but who knows? Anything can happen.”

Kevin Harvick

No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet

Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s Jimmy Johnn’s Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 371 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Brickyard 400. This former No. 33 racer was transformed to a No. 29 entry during the off-season and will run its first competitive laps this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Freaky Fast! Freaky Good! … Jimmy John’s joins Harvick and the No. 29 team for their fourth of six races during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season. The 36-year-old driver made his first NASCAR appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2001. The Richard Childress Racing veteran driver has completed a total of 1,749 laps of the 1,761 of the total laps contested at the 2.5-mile track. Harvick has collected one win (2003), four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, one pole award (2003) and has led 92 laps at this historic track. Harvick is the only Sprint Cup Series driver to win the Brickyard 400 from the pole position.

Going for a Loop at the Brickyard … Harvick has made seven starts at the Indianapolis-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has run 781 laps within in the Top 15 while completing 176 Quality Passes ranking him seventh in both categories. Harvick holds a 93.5 Driver Rating and an average Speed in Traffic of 167.200 mph positioning him ninth amongst his fellow competitors. The 2003 Brickyard 400 Champion has also been credited for leading 41 laps, which positions him 10th in the category of Most Laps Led.

Points Racing … With 19 points-paying events in the books, Harvick remains sixth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 85 markers behind the leader. Harvick has collected three top-five and nine top-10 finishes thus far this season, completing 99.76 percent (5,475 of 5,488) of the laps contested.

Find a Jimmy John’s … Jimmy John’s, known for fresh, quality products and freaky fast service, has 21 locations in the Indianapolis area, including one less than two miles from IMS at 5945 Crawfordsville Road. Visit www.jimmyjohns.com to view the Jimmy John’s menu, find your nearest location, order online or download the Jimmy John’s mobile application.

A Little R & R … What does a professional athlete do with an off weekend? Go to the beach? Head out west on a hunting trip? During the series second and final off weekend of the 2012 season, Harvick passed on the opportunity for a weekend getaway and volunteered for diaper duty. The first time dad spent the week at his North Carolina home getting in some quality time with his newborn son, Keelan Paul, and wife DeLana.

Meet the Press … Harvick will be available to members of the media on Saturday, July 28 at 8 a.m. Eastern Time at the back of the No. 29 Sprint Cup Series hauler.

See the Man … Harvick will join Team Chevy drivers on Friday, July 27 for Chevy Day at the Brickyard. The 2003 Brickyard 400 Champion will join drivers Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and Danica Patrick in an autograph session beginning at 11 a.m. ET, followed by a Q&A session at 12:50 p.m. ET at the Chevy Stage located on the infield of IMS. Harvick will revisit the Chevy stage Sunday, July 29 at 10 a.m. ET for an additional Q&A Session.

Tire Testing … Following the Brickyard 400 the No. 29 team will make their way to Michigan International Speedway to take part in the Goodyear tire test session on Monday, July 30. The team will utilize chassis No. 381 from the RCR stable, which was driven at Kentucky Speedway by Harvick in June.

The Last Time Around … Last season, Harvick and the No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet team took home an 11th-place finish during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after starting the race from the 19th position, fighting a tight-handling car and gambling on pit strategy late in the race.

In the Rearview Mirror: New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 Rheem team finished eighth after battling handling issues throughout the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:

You have won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and hold an average a 10th-place finishing position, why do you think this track fits you so well?

“I don’t know, but it’s a good track to have fit you though. It’s been a very good race track for us over the years, for whatever reason it seems like we always run well there. Hopefully we can do the same thing this year because it’s fun a fun race to win. To experience that back in 2003 was pretty cool, and hopefully we can experience that again this year.”

After winning the Brickyard 400, do you feel you rank up there with the Indianapolis 500 winners?

“I think those are two different worlds. It’s a very small group of guys that have actually had the chance to win the race and get their name on the Brickyard 400 trophy. For me growing up, that’s what I wanted to do, I wanted to race Indy Cars and be at the Indianapolis 500. So to win at Indianapolis (Motor Speedway) during the NASCAR race is kind of a childhood dream come true.”

Talk about the pride and personal satisfaction that comes with winning marquee events like the Brickyard 400 and Daytona 500.

“We have been fortunate to win a few of the bigger, crown jewel races of our sport. To be able to do that and enjoy those particular days and put your name on those trophies is something that you want to do in your career.”

Jeff Burton

No. 31 Rain-X Chevrolet

Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Weekend’s Rain-X Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 359 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. Burton drove this No. 31 Chevrolet to a top-10 finish (sixth) earlier this season at Bristol Motor Speedway after starting 33rd. The chassis was utilized three times last season including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (started-fifth, finished-21st), Pocono Raceway (started-eighth, finished 17th) and Dover International Speedway (started-13th, finished 11th).

Career Indianapolis Stats … Burton has started every Sprint Cup Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (18) and this weekend’s Brickyard 400 will mark his 639th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed one top-five and five top-10 finishes at the 2.5-mile facility, starting from the pole position in the 2006 event.

Getting Loopy at the “The Brickyard” … Burton has garnered some impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Of all drivers entering the annual event, he has the eighth-best Average Running Position (16.9), 313 Green Flag Passes, spent 695 Laps in the Top 15 (10th-most) and a 90.9 Driver Rating that ranks him 11th amongst his competitors.

About Rain-X … Rain-X, the automotive aftermarket leader in water repellency glass treatments and wiper blades will be primary sponsor of the No. 31 Chevrolet in this weekend’s Brickyard 400.For the past 40 years, drivers have trusted Rain-X to help them stay one step ahead of Mother Nature on the road. The revolutionary water beading technology in Rain-XOriginal Glass Treatment enables raindrops to fly right off the windshield as you drive. . In addition to glass treatments, the Rain-Xportfolio offers wiper blades, glass cleaners, car washes, waxes, bug & tar removers, and headlight restoration kits. For more information, visit the Rain-X website (http://www.rainx.com) follow them on Twitter (https://twitter.com/OfficialRainX) or like them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Official-Rain-X/112808208731468).

Race for Riley … Burton and NASCAR/IndyCar driver John Andretti are scheduled to sign autographs and take part in a Supermarket Sweep-type competition at the Kroger grocery store located at 8150 Rockville Road in Indianapolis on Thursday, July 26 from 5-7 p.m. The drivers will guide shopping carts for two winners (selected via a random on-site drawing) in a shopping spree collecting General Mills products which the winners will be able to take home. Kroger will donate the value of the groceries collected to the Riley Hospital while General Mills will match the dollar amount and make a donation as part of the Kroger Race for Riley presented by Cheerios. Wristbands will be handed out at 4 p.m. local time to the first 300 fans.

Team Chevy … Burton will join all Team Chevy drivers on Friday, July 27 for Chevy Day at the Brickyard in an autograph session beginning at 11 a.m. ET, followed by a Q&A session at 12:50 p.m. ET at the Team Chevy Stage located on the infield of IMS. Burton is also scheduled to participate in a Q&A session with fellow Sprint Cup Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya at the Team Chevy stage on Sunday, July 29 at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Like Father, Like Son … Burton and his 11-year-old son Harrison will both be racing during the Brickyard 400 weekend in Indianapolis. While the elder Burton is over at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Harrison will compete with his USAC quarter midget in the Battle for the Brickyard at “Little Indy” about 20 minutes from IMS on July 24 – 28. With five race weekends left in the season, Harrison is atop the point standings in the three different divisions he competes 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.

Race Rewind … An early pit road incident, untimely cautions and long green-flag runs relegated Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team to a 21st-place finish in the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Points Racing … After 19 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has scored 493 points and sits in the 19th 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 1,993 green-flag passes and led 35 laps.

JEFF BURTON QUOTES:

In the last five years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you have good finishes, but also a couple rough days.

“Most of it is circumstantial. I enjoy going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The cool thing about that track is that if you built it today, you would be ridiculed. People would say you are the dumbest person in the world (laughter). It’s not conducive to racing we do today and what everyone wants to see, but it is so cool to go there and the history of the place makes it special. The special part is we (NASCAR) didn’t make the history. At Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway, we made the history. We are racing someone else’s history. To me, that is cool. It is neat to go and experience a different atmosphere. It is just a really neat weekend.”

Last season, you had engine issues at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after putting together a solid run.

“Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines pride themselves on power and reliability. We’ve had a few reliability issues lately, which we are unaccustomed to having. The guys work so hard and put a lot of effort into it. It breaks their heart when something goes wrong. It’s frustrating for me as a driver, but it’s even more frustrating for them as engine builders because they put their heart and soul into it. The most frustrating part about last season’s Brickyard 400 is that we were running really well and played the same strategy that Paul Menard was running and he ended up winning the race. We thought we positioned ourselves well and it just didn’t work out for us.”

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of NASCAR racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“That is hard to imagine. I can remember the first time we tested there. I wasn’t a part of that specific test, but I remember it. I remember all of the media around it and running the first race there. I can remember seeing highlights of all the cars coming down that front straightaway. It’s really cool to go there without a doubt.”

What did you think of the Indianapolis 500 this year? Can we ever see a finish like that in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series?

“One thing about Indianapolis Motor Speedway is that the most bizarre things happen in both IndyCar and NASCAR races. You never know what it going to happen. It is a long track where people can pit and not go a lap down. It opens the window for strange things to happen. The Indianapolis 500 this year was the best one I’ve ever seen from start to finish. I don’t think they could’ve asked for anything better than that. It was a great race. We’ve got our work cut out for us to put on a great race, too.”

Race: Indy 250

Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Richard Childress Racing

NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes

The Season So Far … Through the 18 races contested this season, RCR has acquired four wins in the Nationwide Series, with Elliott Sadler at Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Chicagoland 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 25 top-five and 43 top-10 finishes and has led 956 laps in 2012.

RCR in the NNS … In 820 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 60 wins, 275 top-five finishes, 454 top-10 finishes and 39 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.4 and an average finishing position of 12.7 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 Indy 250 at Indianapolis 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 sixth 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, @RCR33NNS and @RCR3TDillon, RCR’s Nationwide Series driver Twitter pages – @Elliott_Sadler, @AustinDillon3 and @tydillon, the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/RCRracing, facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial, facebook.com/adillon3, facebook.com/PaulMenard27 and facebook.com/TyDillonMotorsports.

Live on ESPN … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Indy 250 is scheduled to be televised on ESPN beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, July 28 and broadcast live on the IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Elliott Sadler No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s OneMain Financial Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway… Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team will unload Chassis No. 117 from Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend. This is a brand new chassis for RCR that will be utilized for the first time this weekend at the Brickyard.

Back to the Brickyard … This weekend may serve as the inaugural Nationwide Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but Sadler is no stranger to the Brickyard. He has 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the 2.5-mile track, including one pole award, two top-five finishes and 76 laps led.

Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Average Running Position (7.358), Average Mid-Race Position (6.8), Quality Passes (845), Laps in the Top 15 (3091)and Percentage of Laps in the Top 15 (96.0).After 18 events in the Nationwide Series season, Sadler has earned three wins, two pole awards, seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes with 174 laps led.

To the Point … Sadler sits atop the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, leading RCR teammate Austin Dillon by 11 points.

Meet Sadler … Fans have several opportunities to meet Sadler this weekend in the Indianapolis area. On Friday at 4 p.m., Sadler will meet fans at the OneMain Financial branch at 6060 East 82nd Street in Indianapolis. On Saturday morning, Sadler will head to the Nationwide Insurance display for a Q&A at 10:10 a.m. The RCR driver is also scheduled to participate in the Nationwide Series full-field autograph session at IMS on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

Tune In … Sadler will join the Trackside crew on Friday night to discuss last weekend’s win at Chicagoland Speedway and his experience at the Brickyard. The show will air at 8 p.m. ET on SPEED.

Race Rewind: Chicagoland Speedway … Sadler was able to overcome sickness to hold off charging competitors for the victory on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. Starting from the 15th position, the Emporia, Va., native began working his way through the field. Strategic pit calls by crew chief Luke Lambert and quick restarts pushed Sadler to the front of the field with less than 40 laps remaining in the event. A late-race caution forced the field into a green-white-checkered finish, and Sadler was able to get the No. 2 Hunt Brothers Pizza out in front of the field to bring home the team’s third win of the season.

All About the Dash 4 Cash …The win at Chicagoland Speedway earned Sadler not only the race-winning trophy, but also the $100,000 Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash bonus. The driver beat out RCR teammate Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Sam Hornish Jr. for the prize as the highest finishing of the four. Sadler automatically qualifies for the Dash 4 Cash bonus this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will win an additional $100,000 bonus courtesy of Nationwide Insurance if he finishes ahead of the other qualified drivers of Stenhouse Jr., Justin Allgaier and Kenny Wallace. The winner of the Dash 4 Cash bonus this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will automatically qualify for the final event at Iowa Speedway. The three-highest finishing drivers that receive Nationwide Series championship driver points at Indianpolis will also qualify for the Iowa bonus. Fans have the opportunity to win their own cash bonus by entering the Nationwide Series $100,000 Sweepstakes at www.nascar.com/dash4cash. 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.

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 throughout the season, benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information, visit www.sadlerfoundation.org.

ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:

This is the first Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. What would it mean to you to win this race?

“You always want to win that inaugural race. To win the first race at the Brickyard would be pretty special. It is such a historical track, and the fans are so loyal to that track and what it means to the racing world. We are going to bring a brand new car to the track, and I’m really confident in our No. 2 OneMain Financial team. We want to be in Victory Lane for that inaugural win.”

What is it like to lead a lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“Honestly, one of my favorite memories in my career is leading my first lap at the Brickyard. There is nothing like it. Coming down that straightaway is like tunnel vision with stands on either side of the track. It is so loud, with the great crowd that always comes out, and you feel like you are part of history. I have been lucky enough to lead laps there in a few Sprint Cup events, and there is nothing like it.”

Austin Dillon

No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet

Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 109 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This is the same Chevrolet that Dillon drove to a fifth-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in June after earning his first career Nationwide Series pole award and setting a new track record. Dillon also earned an 11th-place finish after starting second in this Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

Dillon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Although this weekend marks the Nationwide Series’ inaugural appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Dillon grew up attending Brickyard 400 races at the historic track with his grandfather, team owner Richard Childress. Dillon was in Victory Lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year when his grandfather’s team won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race with driver Paul Menard. Dillon also recalls taking a ride around the track in a pace car as a young child.

The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon has completed 99.07 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, leading all competitors. He has completed 93.4 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second and has an Average Running Position of 8.489 in the season’s 18 contested Nationwide Series races, also ranking him second among all drivers. The Nationwide Series rookie is ranked third in the Fastest Laps Run category with 224 laps so far this season, maintains a Driver Rating of 104.6, ranking him fourth, is the fourth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and has the fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic. He has 230 Laps Led this season, ranking him fifth, has the sixth-fastest Green Flag Speed, is sixth-Fastest on Restarts, is the sixth-fastest Driver Early in a Run and ranks seventh in Quality Passes with 739.

Get to the Points … Dillon is second in the 2012 Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing RCR teammate Elliott Sadler by 11 points. Dillon currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.

Spark your Engines … Dillon and the No. 3 Chevrolet team will sport the colors of award-winning premier health and wellness company AdvoCare this weekend at Indianapolis 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 .

Off the Track … When Dillon is not racing, he follows other sports including the NFL and is active in several fantasy football leagues, including a league he maintains with his family and friends and a celebrity league he manages with Scott Engel, host of the RotoExperts show on the SiriusXM Radio Fantasy Sports Channel. Dillon and Engel will compete against celebrities such as Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, former General Manager of the Mets, Steve Phillips, Cheers cast members Jay Thomas and George Wentz, MTV Real World cast member-turned WWE wrestler, the Miz and several radio personalities from the Howard Stern Channel on SiriusXM radio, among others.

Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in the Nationwide Series driver autograph session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. He will also take part in an autograph session on behalf of Chevrolet at the track on Friday at 12:50 p.m.

Chicagoland Speedway Recap … Dillon started Sunday’s STP 300 from the front row after qualifying in the second position and ran in the top three for much of the 200-lap race, ultimately posting a sixth-place finish. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender was scored in the fourth position when he made his final green-flag pit stop of the race on lap 164, receiving four tires and fuel. However, the team was pinned one lap down to the race leader when the caution flag was displayed as Dillon left his pit box. Forced to take the wave around in order to rejoin the lead lap cars, Dillon restarted in the 12th position when green flag racing resumed at lap 171. He used the last 29 laps of the event to race his way to the sixth position.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“It’s really exciting that the Nationwide Series is going to be racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’ve never raced there before, but I’ve been to plenty of races and have talked to other drivers. I imagine it will be like tunnel vision when you go down the long front stretch and see grandstands on either side. My plan is to lean on Paul Menard a lot for advice. He won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race last year, so I am sure he can provide a lot of insight. No driver has been there in the Nationwide Series before, and the cars are a bit different, but leaning on the experience of the Cup drivers will be helpful.”

Paul Menard

No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet

Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 107 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This No. 33 Chevrolet was built new for 2012 competition and has been utilized on three previous occasions. The chassis was last utilized at Michigan International Speedway in June, where Menard finished eighth after starting from the seventh position.

Menard started this Chevrolet from the pole position and drove it to a second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April while RCR teammate Kevin Harvick started from the seventh position at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and finished fourth.

Inaugural Nationwide Series Event at IMS … As the Nationwide Series makes its first appearance at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, the defending 2011 Brickyard 400 Champion will make his 175th Nationwide Series career start. Menard has amassed one win, 24 top-five and 69 top-10 finishes, five pole awards and has led 551 laps during a career that has spanned nine years. The 31-year old driver made five starts with the Nationwide Series at nearby Lucas Oil Raceway, earning four top-10 finishes and completing 99.9 percent of the contested laps (1,004 of 1,005).

2012 in the Nationwide Series for Menard … The weekend marks Menard’s third of seven scheduled starts for RCR in the Nationwide Series in 2012. He holds one top-five and two top-10 finishes in two starts this season, earning one pole award (Texas Motor Speedway, April) and leading for 137 laps. He will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet next at Watkins Glen International, followed by Chicagoland Speedway, Dover International Speedway (September) and Kansas Speedway (October).

In the Rearview Mirror: Chicagoland Speedway … Brendan Gaughan and the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet team started the STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway from the 10th position and after overcoming challenges which caused him to lose track position on a number of occasions, ultimately drove back into the top 10. The Las Vegas native was racing side-by-side with another competitor when the car on the bottom grove was spun from behind, pinning the Rheem/Menards Chevrolet against the outside wall. The late-race incident caused substantial damage that could not be repaired, leaving Gaughan to retire from the race five laps shy of the checkered flag, relegating the team to a 28th-place finish.

About Rheem … Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) 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, and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

PAUL MENARD QUOTES:

What are your thoughts on the NASCAR Nationwide Series running at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend?

“I think it is going to be very interesting. The Nationwide Series cars will have a lot of wide-open throttle time around the track. I think the cars will draft well and I think turns two and four are going to be pretty much wide open. It’s going to be really exciting. I love Indianapolis Motor Speedway so I’m looking forward to getting as many laps around there as possible this weekend.”

Do you think that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will dominate the race having the advantage of previous experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway whereas the Nationwide Series regulars do not?

“I don’t think it is going to be any different that it is any other week. Ricky (Stenhouse Jr.) is going to be fast, as will our RCR teammates Austin (Dillon) and Elliott (Sadler). Elliott has run a lot of laps there with the Sprint Cup Series. There are a lot of Nationwide Series regulars that have run laps there in the Sprint Cup Series.”

Ty Dillon No. 51 WESCO Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s WESCO Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 115 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in Saturday’s Indy 250. This chassis was acquired from Kevin Harvick Inc., at the end of last season and has since been transformed into an RCR Chevrolet.

Inaugural Weekend … The Nationwide Series will make its inaugural appearance at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend for Saturday’s 100-lap event. Although Dillon has yet to make any laps at the Speedway, Ind.-based track, he has six starts on tracks exceeding two miles in length with three victories, two pole awards, four top-five and five top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

Nationwide Racing … The 20-year-old driver made his Nationwide Series debut at Dover International Speedway in June, earning an eighth-place finish in the No. 33 Chevrolet after starting from the third position. Dillon is also slated to compete in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 Nationwide Series event at Richmond International Raceway on September 7.

Welcome to the Family, WESCO … Dillon and the No. 51 team will sport the colors of WESCO Distribution this weekend for the inaugural Nationwide Series race at historic 2.5-mile facility. WESCO Distribution is a leading full-line wholesale distributor of electrical, industrial, utility and data communications products and advanced supply chain procurement services. The Pittsburgh -based company develops strong, enduring relationships with leading-edge regional, national and global organizations in a variety of markets and industries including: construction, education, government, healthcare and industrial manufacturers.

Top of the Box … Leading the charge for the No. 33 Chevrolet team is veteran crew chief and longtime RCR employee Gil Martin. The Nashville, Tenn. native has been at RCR since 2000 and has served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, Kerry Earnhardt and Robby Gordon. He is one of a select few crew chiefs to win races in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. In addition, Dillon’s No. 3 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pit crew will pit the No. 51 WESCO Chevrolet at IMS.

Friday Fun Day … Nationwide Series track activity takes a break on Friday, but Dillon won’t be taking a breather from racing. He will join his sponsor, WESCO, for a friendly competition at a local go-kart track in Indianapolis.

Meet the Driver … Prior to competing in the Indy 250, Dillon is scheduled to participate in the Nationwide Series autograph session on Saturday, July 28 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Nationwide Debut Rewind: Dover … Earlier this season, Dillon made his Nationwide Series debut at Dover International Speedway in June. Driving the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the 20-year-old qualified third and maintained a position in the top 15 for the majority of the 200-lap event. Dillon moved into the top 10 in the later portion of the race, claiming an eighth-place finish when the checkered flag was displayed.

TY DILLON QUOTES:

This is the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. What are your thoughts heading into this historic weekend?

“It’s an honor to have WESCO onboard the No. 51 Chevrolet this weekend and to be part of history at such a famous race track. I’m excited to be able to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There are drivers that want to race here from the beginning of their careers, and I get the opportunity this weekend. I can’t wait.”

You qualified third and finished eighth in your NASCAR Nationwide Series debut. What are your expectations for the Indy 250?

“The No. 33 team put together a fast car at Dover (International Speedway), and we almost sat on the pole. I was pretty happy with a top-10 finish in my first Nationwide Series race. Of course, we’re going to do our best to go for the win, but a top-five finish is what we’re shooting for in the WESCO Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”