CORNELIUS, N.C. — Friday marks the introduction of a radical new qualifying format in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that’s sure to garner headlines throughout the week and peak fan and television viewer interest.
On Friday at Phoenix:
· The first qualifying elimination round includes the entire field and will be 30 minutes.
· The 12 fastest single-lap times from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round. Those not advancing will start based on the order of their speeds in the first round.
· After a 10 minute break, the second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes with the fastest single lap time determining positions first through 12th.
· Another round is added for oval tracks larger than 1.25 miles.
No.55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers embraces the new format and thinks the fans will be the ultimate winners. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver would like nothing better than to take the first pole under the new format. The 30-year-old Thomasville, N.C. native ran in the top ten throughout Sunday’s Daytona 500 until a late-race multicar accident ruined his chances for victory and left him with a 30th-place finish. Vickers got an early start out west leaving for Los Angeles Monday where he will film a new Aaron’s television commercial on Tuesday.
BRIAN VICKERS ON NEW QUALIFYING FORMAT: “I’m good with it. I think it’s going to create a little bit more excitement, for sure. It’s kind of that knockout style qualifying, but it’s not like we’re going to go out there and run six laps. You’re still going to go out there and you’re going to tape up and you’re going to go as hard and fast as you can for a lap. I think it’s going to be very similar for us, but I think it’s going to create more excitement for the fans. That’s a win-win in my book.”
VICKERS PHOENIX: “In some ways this is like the first race of the season. We only restrictor plate race at Daytona and Talladega, but the thought process of being successful at Phoenix is more like what we will experience for the whole year. Success at Phoenix will be about getting your car right in practice, getting a good qualifying spot and then putting together a good race program. It’s been a busy time with off-season testing, Daytona, filming for Aaron’s in Los Angeles this week, Phoenix this weekend and Las Vegas next week, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
NOTES:
· CHASSIS: Primary 799 Backup 797 – neither chassis has raced.
· BILLY SCOTT: The Daytona 500 marked the first race for No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Crew Chief Billy Scott. The 36-year-old began racing motorcycles as a 5-year-old and stock cars when he turned 15. He worked in the truck series as a mechanic before he returned to college to obtain an engineering degree. After graduating in 2005 Scott worked at Robert Yates Racing and began as an engineer at MWR in 2008. He has served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons.
· AARON’S: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. The Atlanta-based company has grown from 500 to 2,100 stores in that time. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, appliances and computers. It’s really easy to get started owning at Aaron’s – you are pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise without needing credit.
· FANTERN: MWR is offering fans a chance to become an official MWR Fantern. This person will get the opportunity to be an “intern” on race day with MWR; duties including helping the pit crews with set-up activities, attending driver appearances and getting full access to the pit and garage areas. Fans can write in a submission to webmaster@michaelwaltrip.com or share a video on our social channels explaining why they should be the Fantern at the race of their choosing during the 2014 season.
· SOCIAL STOP: Make MWR’s “Social Stop” your second screen to follow all the racing and social media action when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this weekend. MWR’s “Social Stop” goes live race morning allowing fans to view information from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube all on one page. Twitter feeds from MWR drivers, media members and NASCAR fans will populate the page. Visit www.facebook.com/
· No. 55 Crew:
Billy Scott Crew Chief
Ryan Langley Front Tire Changer
Chris Hall Front Tire Carrier
Shannon Myers Rear Tire Changer
Blake Haugland Rear Tire Carrier
Wes Evans Jack Man
Jeff Kerr Gas Man
Steve Channing Car Chief
David Cropps Interior Mechanic
Roman Pemberton Spotter
Brandon Pope Race Engineer
Joe Bisson 2nd Engineer
Jeremy Sharpley Shock Specialist
Jacen Johns Front Mechanic
Joe Zanolini Rear Mechanic
Kevin White Tire Specialist
Denny Chandler Engine Tuner
Tim Bruce Engine Engineer
Glenn Shano Truck Driver
Al Nelson 2nd Truck Driver
· TV SCHEDULE:
Date Friday Feb. 28
Practice 2:00 p.m. FS1
Qualifying 6:30 p.m. FS1
Date Saturday March 1
Practice 11:00 a.m. FS1
Practice 2:00 p.m. FS2
Date Sunday March 2
Race 3:00 p.m. Fox
