Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway
Race: SYLVANIA 300
Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
Richard Childress Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Richard Childress has four victories as a team owner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Robby Gordon (2001), Kevin Harvick (2006) and Clint Bowyer (2007 and 2010). In 91 starts at the 1.058-mile oval, Childress also has two pole awards, 14 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes with 10 different drivers including Dave Blaney, Jeff Burton, Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Green, Gordon, Harvick, Paul Menard, Steve Park and Mike Skinner.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,246 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 433 top-five finishes, 904 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.9 and an average finishing position of 15.8 among all races contested. RCR has earned six Sprint Cup Series championships with 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 27 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched six top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 23,775 of 24,203 total laps (98.23 percent) with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 284 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, Harvick, who represents RCR in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, is ranked 10th, 24 points out of the top spot. Menard currently sits 16th in the driver championship point standings, while Burton is ranked 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 SYLVANIA 300 begins Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 28th points-paying event of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season will be broadcast live on SPEED Friday, Sept. 21 at 3:40 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 SYLVANIA/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s SYLVANIA/Menards Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 349 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s SYLVANIA 300. This Chevrolet was raced earlier this season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July) where Menard finished 17th and Martinsville Speedway in April where he finished 26th.
By the Numbers at the “The Magic Mile” … In 11 previous starts at the Loudon, N.H.-based track, Menard has finished each of the contested races. He has an average starting position of 22.9, an average finishing position of 26.7 and has completed 98.8 percent of the laps (3,220 of 3,260). He made his best start of eighth in the September 2010 visit to the 1.058-mile flat oval, and posted best finish of 17th in the July 2012 event.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 27 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 16th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings on the merit of seven top-10 and 16 top-15 finishes. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 16.4, a 15th-place average finishing position, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.351, and has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (7,509 of 7,531), the fourth-best of all drivers.
Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3 … Menard and the No. 27 team are scheduled to test at Nashville Superspeedway on Sept.19. They will utilize chassis No. 371 from the RCR stable, which was used in competition at Chicagoland Speedway last weekend.
Race Rewind … Menard drove the No. 27 SYLVANIA/Menards Chevrolet to a 20th-place finish in the 2011 SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after starting from the 14th position and battling handling issues and track position throughout the afternoon.
About SYLVANIA … See the world in a new light® … OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com.
In the Rearview Mirror: Chicagoland Speedway … Menard and the No. 27 Libman/Menards Chevrolet team battled handling challenges during Sunday’s GEICO 400 en route to a top-15 finish at Chicagoland Speedway.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You’ve steadily improved on your finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Do you think you’re ready to break through with a top-10 finish there?
“We had our best race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when we were there in July of this year, and we still weren’t where we needed to be. At New Hampshire you need to find the right package. You’re hard on the brakes there. The track is flat with tight corners and long straightaways. You need to have the right setup on the car in order to get down the straightaways and through the corners.”
What went right for you during the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 in July?
“We were able to find a good package during practice so we weren’t far off for where we needed the car to be for the race. During the race we didn’t have to take any big swings with changes, we could focus on fine-tuning the handling.”
What are you looking for in a package in order to get through the corners well at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“Usually, we fight how well the car is turning in the center and are looking for more front grip. You need to have good drive off, which we didn’t fight last time. We were mostly just tight in the center of the corners in July and needed to get the car to rotate better.”
Is New Hampshire Motor Speedway like a Martinsville Speedway and how much brake do you use there?
“We use a lot of brake at New Hampshire (Motor Speedway). It’s not as much brake heat as it is brake pad wear. The materials used for the brakes keep getting better, so they last longer and longer. It’s definitely one of the hardest places on brakes as far as wearing out the brake pads. There’s usually not much left by the end of the race.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No.400 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s SYLVANIA 300. Built new for competition during the 2012 season, this RCR Chevrolet will make its first competitive laps this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Just the Stats … This weekend’s event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway marks Harvick’s 422nd career start in the Sprint Cup Series and 24th at the 1.058-mile track. Since 2001, the 36-year-old driver has collected one win (Fall 2006), one pole award (Fall 2006), five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Harvick maintains a 14th-place average starting position, an average finishing position of 13.8, has completed 99.2 percent (6,721 of 6,775) of laps contested and is credited with 319 laps led.
Getting Loopy in Loudon … Harvick has made 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Loudon, N.H.-based facility since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006. The Bakersfield, Calif., native has led 252 laps ranking him fifth amongst his competitors. Harvick has spent 2,875 Laps in the Top 15 and has a Driver Rating of 92.4 positioning him fourth in both categories. The RCR driver also ranks ninth in Average Running Position (12.907), Fastest Laps Run (147) and Green Flag Speed (124.169 mph).
The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup … Following Sunday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway, the first event of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Harvick sits 10th in the “Chase” standings, 24 points behind leader Brad Keselowski.
Be(er) Responsible … As part of “Global Be(er) Responsible Day” on Friday, September 21, Anheuser-Busch and its sister companies around the world will promote the company’s responsible drinking programs. In the United States, Anheuser-Busch employees will canvass street corners, place signs in their yards and visit restaurants, bars and grocery stores to spread the message and celebrate the company’s 30 years of leadership in alcohol responsibility. Harvick’s No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet featured a special “Designate a Driver” paint scheme last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway and adults are encouraged to join Harvick and the No. 29 team in the Nation of Responsible drinkers by taking the pledge to “Designate a Driver and Enjoy the Great Times” at www.NationOfResponsibleDrinkers.com. In the past three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have committed more than $930 million in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to promote responsible drinking and prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. Recent research from GfK Custom Research North America shows promising news in the area of designated driver use and awareness, including that 65 percent of American adults – or 141 million people 21 or older – have been a designated driver or have been driven home by one.
Meet the Driver … Race fans in attendance for the weekend’s activities at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will have the chance to meet Harvick during the NASCAR Driver Autograph Session on Friday, Sept. 21 from 5:15-6 p.m. Eastern Time. The autograph session will be located in the Fan Midway next to the SPEED stage.
You’re Invited to Happy’s Birthday Bash … Harvick will celebrate his 37th birthday when Budweiser presents Happy’s Birthday Bash at The Fox Theater in his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 1. Country music star Craig Morgan will headline the charity event benefiting the Kevin Harvick Foundation with a special guest appearance by Bridgette Tatum. Tickets to the event, which is open to the public, go on sale Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased at www.vallitix.com, by phone at 1-888-825-5484, The Bakersfield Fox Theater Box office or any Vallitix outlet.
The Last Time By … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver Chevrolet team salvaged a 12th-place finish during the 2011 SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after poor fuel mileage forced the team to pit off sequence from the leaders and put Harvick back in traffic during the final portion of the race.
In the Rearview Mirror: Chicagoland Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver team scored a 12th-place finish in the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway Sunday afternoon after battling handling issues throughout the 267-lap event.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What is the key to running well at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“The hardest thing is just making your car turn in the middle of the corner and being able to have enough forward drive off the corners. It always seems like the New Hampshire race comes down to a track position strategy call on two tires or four tires toward the end of the race. Track position will play a big part, but getting your car to handle right will probably play an equal part.”
What do you like about racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“I always look forward to going to New Hampshire. I like that type of track because it’s flat, similar to the tracks out west where I started my racing career. There’s a lot of braking. You have to really work on getting your car through the center of the corner and still have the forward drive you need up off the corner.”
How has the track’s aging affected racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
“I think when they changed the race track it made the racing better. It gave you some more options and I think as the track has aged since they’ve done that, the biggest bumps on the track are going into turn three, so those have gotten a little bit worse. But all in all it hasn’t changed a whole lot.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Weekend’s Wheaties Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 382 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend. 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 was car also raced at Richmond International Raceway in May where an on-track incident knocked Burton and the No. 31 team out of contention, forcing them to settle for a 31st-place finish. Most recently, Burton piloted this machine to a 21st-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July and he notched a top-10 finish at RIR two weeks ago, finishing sixth.
Breakfast of Champions … The iconic Wheaties franchise returns to Sprint Cup Series action this weekend as primary sponsor of the No. 31 Chevrolet. Wheaties also serves as an associate partner of the No. 31 team for the remainder of the races during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season. For more information, please visit www.wheaties.com or follow Wheaties on Twitter @Wheaties_FUEL and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Wheaties.
Career New Hampshire Stats … This race marks Burton’s 36th start in “The Granite State” and 647th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He has amassed four wins, eight top-five and 13 top-10 finishes at the 1.058-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 seventh-best Average Running Position (12.665) the sixth-most Green Flag Passes (793), spent 2,914 Laps in the Top 15 (seventh-most), and a 92.4 Driver Rating that ranks him ninth 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: Chicagoland Speedway … Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team finished 24th in the Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway after losing laps while on pit road under an ill-timed caution flag.
Points Racing … After 27 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has scored 667 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 five top-10 finishes, has spent 2,528 laps running in the top 15 and made 2,464 green-flag passes.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
What does the No. 31 Wheaties 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 where 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 Motor Speedway. 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.”
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.”
How do you try to win races on a weekly basis while helping your Richard Childress Racing teammate, Kevin Harvick, win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship?
“The best way we can help Kevin (Harvick) win a championship is to run well. If we run well, we can provide valuable feedback and information for his team to use. If we aren’t running well, we aren’t going to be able to help much on Sundays. The help will come Monday through Saturday by providing information to make all RCR teams better.”
Race: Kentucky 300
Location: Kentucky Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Notes:
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Kentucky Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has 21 previous starts at Kentucky Speedway, acquiring wins with Kevin Harvick in 2001 and Austin Dillon in July 2012, among eight top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization maintains an average starting position of 13.4, coupled with an average finishing position of 10.9 in all Nationwide Series races contested at Kentucky Speedway, with 379 laps led and a 97.8 percent lap-completion record.
The Season So Far … In the 26 races contested this season, RCR has earned six wins in the Nationwide Series, with Elliott Sadler at Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Iowa Speedway, Austin Dillon at Kentucky Speedway and Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway. RCR has earned eight pole awards in 2012, with Sadler at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and both Iowa Speedway events, Paul Menard at Texas Motor Speedway, Harvick at Richmond International Raceway and Dillon at Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. The organization has 35 top-five and 60 top-10 finishes and has led 1,551 laps in 2012.
RCR in the NNS … In 844 Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, RCR has earned 62 wins, 285 top-five finishes, 470 top-10 finishes and 40 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.3 and an average finishing position of 12.6 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 second (Sadler) and third (Dillon) in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings heading into this weekend’s race at Kentucky Speedway. The No. 2 team sits third in the owner point standings while the No. 3 team ranks fourth. 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 and @RCR33NNS, RCR’s Nationwide Series driver Twitter pages – @Elliott_Sadler, @AustinDillon3 and @Brendan62, the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/RCRracing, facebook.com/ElliottSadlerOfficial and facebook.com/austindillon3.
Live on ESPN … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Kentucky 300 is scheduled to be televised on ESPN beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Sept. 22 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 Kentucky 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 chassis has one previous start this season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July, where Sadler was black-flagged as the leader and settled for a15th-place finish.
The Bluegrass State … In his Nationwide Series career, Sadler has made two starts at the 1.5-mile track, earning one pole award, one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes and eight laps led. He also has one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Kentucky Speedway in 2011 where he started fourth and finished sixth.
100 Years … The No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet will sport a special 100th-year badge on the hood throughout the month of September. Since 1912, OneMain Financial has helped people across the country with their financial needs. In 2012, OneMain Financial has more than 1,300 branches nationwide, specializing in providing personal loans and customized service.
Last Time By … Under the lights at Kentucky Speedway in June, Sadler fought lack of rear grip in the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet for most of the 200-lap event. The driver wheeled the Chevrolet around the 1.5-mile track for a ninth-place finish.
Just The Stats … According to NASCAR’s 2012 Loop Data Season-to-Date statistics, Sadler leads the Nationwide Series in Average Mid-Race Position (6.4), Average Finishing Position (7.4),Average Running Position (7.2), Quality Passes (1,059), Percentage of Quality Passes (72.9),Laps in the Top 15(4,404)and Percentage of laps in the Top 15 (95.2). After 26 events in the Nationwide Series season, Sadler has earned four wins, three pole awards, 11 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes with 254 laps led.
To the Point … Sadler sits in the second position in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, nine points behind leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Race Rewind: Chicagoland Speedway … Competing in the top five for much of the day, Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team worked with a loose-handling car toward the end of the 200-lap event at Chicagoland Speedway. A quick stop by the RCR crew positioned Sadler in the lead for the final restart, but the loose conditioned worsened, and Sadler crossed the finish line in the eighth position.
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 with proceeds benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information, visit www.sadlerfoundation.org.
ELLIOTT SADLER QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Kentucky Speedway?
“I really like Kentucky Speedway. Last year, we sat on the pole and ran well there. We missed it a little bit here in the spring, but we have worked on our set up, and I think we have an awesome package for this weekend. I think that any 1.5-mile track that we go to, we have a great shot at Victory Lane. We are taking the car I drove at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was really fast. We will feed off our RCR teammate Austin Dillon, who won there last time, and our OneMain Financial team feels really, really good about this weekend.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 102 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This is the same Chevrolet Dillon drove to his first-career Nationwide Series victory at Kentucky Speedway in July after starting on the pole. He also raced this Chevrolet to a sixth-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway in July, a sixth-place finish at Dover International Speedway in June, a fifth-place finish at Darlington Raceway in May, a fifth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April and a seventh-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.
Dillon at Kentucky Speedway … Dillon started from the pole position and earned his first-career Nationwide Series victory at Kentucky Speedway in June, setting a record for most laps led, lapping all but six competitors and earning a perfect driver rating of 150.0 in the Feed the Children 300. In three Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, Dillon earned two pole awards, led 46 laps, completed 99.6 percent of his laps and never finished worse than 15th, acquiring an average starting position of 1.3 and an average finishing position of 8.3. In his lone ARCA Racing Series start at the track he finished 15th after starting 34th in 2009.
The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, Dillon has completed 96.02 percent of Laps on the Lead Lap, ranking him second among all competitors. The Nationwide Series rookie has completed 90.4 percent of his Laps in the Top 15, ranking him second and is ranked third in the Fastest Laps Run category with 359 laps so far this season. He maintains a Driver Rating of 104.0, ranking him third, has an Average Running Position of 8.833 in the season’s 25 contested Nationwide Series races, ranking him third, has the fourth-fastest Speed in Traffic and has 349 Laps Led this season, ranking him fourth. He has the fifth-fastest Green Flag Speed, is fifth-Fastest on Restarts, ranks fifth in Quality Passes with 934, is the fifth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and is the sixth-fastest Driver Early in a Run.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks third in the 2012 Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing current point leader Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. by 34 points. The Welcome, N.C., driver currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over Cole Whitt.
Spark your Engines … Dillon and the RCR team will sport the colors of award-winning premier health and wellness company AdvoCare on the No. 3 Chevrolet at Kentucky 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 .
Chicagoland Speedway Recap … Dillon led 52 laps of the Dollar General 300 presented by Coca-Cola at Chicagoland Speedway last weekend before posting a third-place finish in the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Why do you think Kentucky Speedway is such a good track for you performance-wise?
“I really don’t know. I think my dirt racing background plays a factor. I get through the bumps really well. The characteristics of the track help me. I think we definitely have a shot at having another dominating performance. Our car was really good at Kentucky Speedway in July, and I think it’s going to be even better this weekend. RCR has a really strong 1.5-mile program, and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to gain some points this weekend.”
What do you need to do in order to have a shot at winning the championship this year?
“I think with the way the points structure is set-up, you have to take risks now to run up front. The way teams take two tires at the end of the race is a good example. Risks are involved every week, and we’ll definitely be taking some risks to win it. You want to do whatever it takes to be up front at the end and have a chance on that last restart to go after it. If we do our job at Richard Childress Racing, we’ll be there at the end of the season and shouldn’t have to take more risks than we do every week. That’s our plan, to be there at the end.”
Brendan Gaughan
No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s South Point Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot Chassis No. 089 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This Chevrolet was utilized by RCR teammate Elliott Sadler at Auto Club Speedway in March where he started fifth and finished 10th.
Gaughan in the Driver Seat … As the Nationwide Series travels the Sparta, Ky.-based facility, Gaughan will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet for his seventh of 10 scheduled Nationwide Series appearances this season. In his first six Nationwide races with RCR in 2012, the Las Vegas native has earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes.
Kentucky Bound … Saturday’s 200-lap event marks Gaughan’s third Nationwide Series appearance at the Sparta, Ky.-based facility and 78th-career Nationwide Series start. In two previous series starts at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, Gaughan completed 100 percent (400 of 400) of the laps contested. He holds an average starting position of 13th and has a fourth-place average finishing position.
In the Loop … According to NASCAR’s Data Loop Statistics, Gaughan maintains an average starting position of 13th and an average finishing position of fourth at Kentucky Speedway. During the 37-year-old’s two previous starts, he has made 77 Green Flag Passes, posted seven of the Fastest Laps Run and spent 385 Laps In the Top 15. Gaughan is credited with 68 Quality Passes, ranking him second in the category.
To the Points … The No. 33 RCR Chevrolet team sits sixth in the Nationwide Series owner’s championship point standings, 67 points behind the No. 18 team. The No. 33 team has earned one win (Kevin Harvick, Richmond International Raceway) 11 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes between six different drivers (Ty Dillon, Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard, Max Papis and Tony Stewart) thus far this season.
South Point Hotel & Casino … South Point Hotel & Casino will serve as Gaughan’s primary sponsor for the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend. Located in the heart of the premiere southwest Las Vegas valley, minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip, South Point Hotel & Casino amenities include a 16-screen century theatre movie complex, 64-lane bowling center and a handful of restaurants that cater to all appetites and tastes. The casino features a large selection of table games and the latest slot and video poker machines. The distinctive hotel features spacious rooms and suites with 42-inch LED televisions, Point Plush mattresses and wireless fidelity throughout. A unique feature to this property is its Equestrian Center, which is the finest horse facility in the country. South Point also has a fabulous 400-seat showroom that features headliner entertainment and dancing to live bands on weekends.
Meet the Driver … Fans will have the opportunity to meet Gaughan during the Nationwide Series at-track autograph session on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time in the Infield Fan Zone.
In the Rearview Mirror: Chicagoland Speedway … Menard and the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet rallied to a top-five finish in Saturday afternoon’s Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola after battling handling issues at Chicagoland Speedway.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on returning to Kentucky Speedway?
“Kentucky (Speedway) has always been one of my best 1.5-mile tracks, even during my worst season I ran well at Kentucky. The track is flat and bumpy and you lose grip very quickly, which suits my driving style just fine. I miss that style of racing where the tires wear out quickly and the driver’s skills come into play. I think Kentucky still has that “old school” feel and I can’t wait to get back there with the guys on the No. 33 team and see what we can do.”
Race: Kentucky 201
Location: Kentucky Speedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes:
RCR at Kentucky Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has eight previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Sparta, Ky.-based facility, earning two pole awards, two top-five and five top-10 finishes. The organization also boasts a 6.8 average starting position combined with a 9.9 average finishing position at the 1.5-mile track. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 99.1 percent of their contested laps (1,193 of 1,204) at Kentucky Speedway and led for 57 circuits.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 253 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 27 wins, 93 top-five finishes, 157 top-10 finishes and 34 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 9.5 and an average finishing position of 10.2.
Truck Line-up … Tim George Jr. will pilot the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Chevrolet this week at Kentucky 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 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team for Friday’s Kentucky 201.
Season in Review … Through the first 15 races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired three victories, one at Martinsville Speedway with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel, one with Coulter at Pocono Raceway and, most recently, with Dillon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. RCR has notched six pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway and Dover International Speedway, George at Kansas Speedway, Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Coulter at Michigan International Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has 12 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes, and has led 550 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With 15 Camping World Truck Series races completed so far in 2012, Dillon is the driver championship point leader by eight markers and Coulter sits in the sixth position, 46 points outside the top spot. the No. 3 team is first in the owner championship point standings and the No. 22 team is sixth, while RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet team is 10th 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 and @timgeorgejr.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Kentucky 201 is scheduled to be televised live on Friday, Sept. 21 beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 7:45 p.m. ET.
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 Kentucky Speedway … Tim George Jr. will pilot Chassis No. 021 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable this weekend in the Kentucky 201. This Chevrolet was last raced at Kentucky Speedway in June where George Jr. started 15th and finished 24th. George earned the pole award with this RCR Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway in April and went on to finish in the 17th position. This chassis was also driven by Austin Dillon at Pocono Raceway in 2010, where he finished seventh after starting fourth. Dillon also drove this Chevrolet during the 2009 season at Iowa Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway finishing 12th and 15th, respectively.
Kentucky Details … George has one previous start at the Sparta, Ky.-based facility earning a 24th-place result in the June edition of the race. The New York City native has six additional starts on tracks 1.5-mile or larger in length, garnering a 16.8 average starting position and a 22.7 average finishing position.
Season in Review … George has completed eight of his 12 scheduled races on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. At this point in the season, the RCR driver earned one pole award at Kansas Speedway (April) and completed 93.1 percent (1,115 of 1,197) of the contested laps. George holds an average starting position of 12.9 and an average finishing position of 19.8. Following this weekend’s 134-lap event, he is scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series events at Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Owner Points … After 15 races in the 2012 season, the No. 2 Chevrolet team currently sits 10th in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings courtesy of drivers Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George.
Meet the Team … George and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group team are scheduled to make an appearance at a local Kentucky Applebee’s restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 20. George and the No. 2 pit crew will visit the Applebee’s located at7383 Turfway Road in Florence, Ky. at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The team will serve dinner and sign autographs for restaurant guests. George is also scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series driver autograph session with RCR teammate Joey Coulter on Friday, Sept. 21 beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
Rearview Mirror: Iowa Speedway … George and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group team finished 22nd at Iowa Speedway after a pit road penalty at the halfway point of the 200-lap affair.
TIM GEORGE JR. QUOTES:
What are your expectations for this weekend’s event at Kentucky Speedway? “Kentucky Speedway has some similarities when compared to Kansas Speedway. We had a really fast truck at Kansas Speedway and qualified on the pole. We’ll have good notes to use from the last time we were in Kentucky to start off with in practice on Friday. I think we can go out there this weekend and 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 Kentucky Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 026 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Friday’s Kentucky 201. This is the same Chevrolet that Dillon drove to Victory Lane for his first-career Camping World Truck Series win at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Bluegrass State Details … This week’s 134-lap event marks Dillon’s third appearance at the Sparta, Ky.-based facility. In the June event at the track, the 20-year-old driver earned a third-place result after starting from the fourth position. Dillon made his first career Camping World Truck Series start at the 1.5-mile track in September 2011 where he finished 18th after fuel system issues plagued the team in the later stages of the race.
Loopy in Sparta … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics for Kentucky Speedway, Dillon is the fourth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run. He ranks seventh in the Speed by Quarter category and is ninth in Green Flag Speed. Dillon holds the 10th-highest Driver Rating (91.8) amongst the other drivers.
Points Leader … After his second-place finish last weekend at Iowa Speedway, Dillon leads the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings by eight points.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update … Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings by 81 points ahead of driver Cale Gale.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with 15 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 leads the series in the Fasteston Restarts, Laps Run in the Top 15 (2,117) and Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (97.03 percent) categories. He ranks second in the Fastest Driver Early in a Run and Average Running Position (8.044) categories. Dillon has the series’ third-highest Driver Rating (101.5), Green Flag Speed and the third Fastest Speed in Traffic.With 432 Quality Passes made over the first half of the season, Dillon ranks fifth amongst his competitors.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs for fans at the UNOH display in the track’s midway area outside of turn one on Friday, Sept. 21 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Rearview Mirror: Iowa Speedway … Dillon started the 200-lap event at Iowa Speedway from the ninth position and battled a loose-handling Chevrolet for a majority of the event. Crew chief Marcus Richmond called for various four-tire pit stops with chassis adjustments to combat the handling issues that Dillon was experiencing. Restarting from the third position with 30 laps remaining in the race, Dillon advanced one spot, to second, before taking the checkered flag.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You finished third in June when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visited Kentucky Speedway, what are your thoughts heading there this weekend?
“I’m excited to be able to race back-to-back weekends these past few weeks. It helps keep the momentum going with the team. Kentucky (Speedway) is a fun track, and I enjoy racing there. We had a fast truck when we were there in June and have a good place to start for when we get back to the track this weekend. I hope to better that top-three finish this time around.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 024 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Friday night’s Kentucky 201. This RCR-prepared Chevrolet last ran at Chicagoland Speedway in July where Coulter started second and finished in the 15th position. Coulter also drove this Chevrolet to two top-10 finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and Texas Motor Speedway in June.
Coulter in the Bluegrass State … Coulter has three previous starts at the 1.5-mile track in the Camping World Truck Series, recording top-15 finishes in each event and leading for eight circuits. Additionally, Coulter has one start in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at the Sparta, Ky.-based facility, in 2009, where he finished seventh.
In June … In the June edition of the Camping World Truck Series event at Kentucky Speedway, Coulter and the No. 22 Steak-umm Chevrolet team started the event from the 16th position. Despite battling a lack of grip throughout a majority of the race, Coulter drove to a seventh-place finish.
By the Numbers … With 15 races complete in the 2012 season, Coulter has collected one win, one pole award, three top-five and nine top-10 results. He holds an average starting position of 9.4 along with an average finishing position of 10.1 and has completed 98.9 percent (2,333 of 2,351) of the contested laps.
Going for a Loop … Coulter has earned impressive stats with 15 races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the 22-year-old driver is the series’ leader in Quality Passes (503). He ranks second in Fastest Speed in Traffic and Fastest Drivers Early in a Run. He is ranked fourth in Green Flag Speed. Coulter holds a 95.5 Driver Rating and 10.451 Average Running Position, ranking him sixth and seventh,respectivelyamongst his fellow competitors.
Get to the Points … Coulter is sixth in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 46 points behind the leader and RCR teammate Ty Dillon.
Meet the Driver … Coulter and his RCR teammate Tim George Jr. are scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series driver autograph session at Kentucky Speedway on Friday, Sept. 21 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
Rewind: Iowa Speedway … The No. 22 RCR team started the 200-lap event at Iowa Speedway from the 14th position and competed in the top-15 for the first half of the race. As Coulter was exiting pit road after a green-flag pit stop, NASCAR officials displayed the yellow-flag pinning the Miami Springs, Fla., native in the 17th position and two laps down to the leader. Coulter was able to rejoin lead lap competition and climb his way into the 13th spot before taking the checkered flag.
JOEY COULTER QUOTE:
What are your thoughts on Kentucky Speedway?
“Kentucky (Speedway) is a fun place to race. RCR has put together a good 1.5-mile package for the trucks this year, and I’m excited to get there and see what the No. 22 team can do this weekend. We didn’t have the finish we hoped for last weekend at Iowa (Speedway), but I know we can regroup and try again on Friday.”
