Daytona 500
Daytona International Speedway
Circle Sport Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes
Race: Daytona 500
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2015
Location: Daytona International Speedway
Ty Dillon
No. 33 Cheerios/Kroger Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s No. 33 Cheerios/Kroger Chevrolet SS at Daytona International Speedway … Dillon will pilot chassis No. 482 for the 57th running of the Daytona 500. This newly prepared Chevrolet SS saw track action for the first time last weekend during practice and qualifying.
Dillon in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway … Ty Dillon is scheduled to make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway. In three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts, Dillon has one top-10 finish. He finished inside the top-10 twice in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and won the pole in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at DIS.
Sunday’s Qualifier … In last Sunday’s thrilling three-round, group-qualifying session, Dillon and the No. 33 Chevrolet team qualified eighth. Dillon was the only rookie to make the final round of qualifying of the 49-car field. The Welcome, N.C. native will start fourth in the first of two Duel races on Thursday, February 19 and needs to finish the race inside the top-15 to lock his position in the Daytona 500.
Triple duty … Dillon is scheduled to compete in all three of NASCAR’s premiere series events this week, beginning Friday in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He will pilot the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing in the Truck race, the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro in the XFINITY Series and the No. 33 Cheerios/Kroger Chevrolet SS for Circle Sport Racing in Sunday’s Daytona 500.
On the Pit Box … Dillon will be paired with former Sprint Cup Series champion, Todd Parrott as his crew chief. Parrott, who was crew chief for Dale Jarrett for two Daytona 500 championships (1996 and 2000), serves as director of competition for Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR XFINITY Series. In addition to two victories in the Great American Race, Parrott guided Jarrett to victory at DIS in the Fourth of July race at DIS in 1999. Overall, Parrott has been a part of 31 Sprint Cup Series victories as a crew chief.
Have a Lager with Ty … Throughout the 2015 season, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a cold Yuengling Light Lager with Dillon. His first stop is at the Sam’s Club on 1175 Beville Road, Daytona Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, February 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. to sign autographs. He will then visit Buffalo Wild Wings on West International Speedway Boulevard beginning at 7:30 p.m. to serve Yuengling and meet with fans.
Meet Ty Dillon … On Friday, February 20, Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at the UNOH display located in the Midway outside Turn 4 beginning at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time. Dillon will visit Comcast’s new midway display, the XFINITY Zone, on Saturday, February 21 beginning at 9:30 a.m. On Sunday, February 22, Dillon is scheduled to visit the Team Chevy stage to answer questions from fans at 9:45 a.m.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
What’s it mean to you to be able to race in the Daytona 500?
“It’s a dream come true to be a part of the Great American Race. I’m blessed to have this opportunity to race in one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. We have a great team, led by Todd (Parrot, crew chief). I’ve been coming to Daytona for all my life. I watched Dale Earnhardt win it in 1998 and my brother race in it the past two years. I’m excited, but focused on competing in the Daytona 500.”
When you were a child, did you ever dream of racing in the Daytona 500?
“Every kid that races dreams of racing in the Daytona 500, so yes, I thought about it a lot when I began racing. I can say I dreamed of being a part of the race, but never winning the race. I think the group of guys that we have, the car that we brought and ECR Engines under the hood, we actually have a shot of winning this race. That’s the most surreal part.”
