CORNELIUS, N.C. — David Ragan has some advice for fans thinking about going to Sunday’s 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Get your tickets in Turn 1 or Turn 3,” said the driver of the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine. “That’s where the action is. Everyone is going to be dive-bombing and making last second moves going into those turns with these new rules.”
The 2011 Indy pole-sitter is referring to NASCAR’s new mandated aerodynamic rules package for the Brickyard that adds more drag to the cars. The changes should lead to more passing and entertainment for spectators.
“It’s going to create a lot of drag. We’re going to be in the throttle a lot. It’s going to change a lot of things like fuel mileage, how often we pit, our strategies and even how we race. A lot of the strategies that worked in past years might not work this weekend.
“It will make passing a little more convenient at times. I don’t know if it will be easier, but these cars will certainly poke a lot bigger hole in the air. You are going to get some big runs on one another. It will be important for the drivers to watch their mirrors and have good spotters.”
The aero package will feature a 9-inch spoiler and 1-inch wicker bill; a rear fascia extension panel similar to that currently used for superspeedway events; a 2-inch leading edge on the splitter; and a 43-inch splitter extension panel.
“I believe track position matters more at Indianapolis than any other track where we race,” Ragan said. “It’s a fun place to race and obviously very challenging. It’s been difficult to pass and pit crews have always been important there.”
The Michael Waltrip Racing driver said success at Indianapolis is every racer’s dream no matter in what series you compete.
“I remember as a kid watching the first race from Indianapolis in ‘94 and how big a deal it was for everyone there and our sport,” said Ragan. “It’s been a pretty decent track for me in my career. I have won a pole and led a lap, but haven’t won there. Everyone wants a trophy from Indianapolis.”
NEW WORLD RECORD BID:
WATCH DAVID RAGAN ATTEMPT MORE WORLD RECORDS: Last week David fell short of a world record when he tried to crack 32 eggs with one hand as well as eat Jell-O with chopsticks. The bid to eat 10 crackers in a minute didn’t work out well either. So, Ragan is back this week in pursuit of world records. He tries to blow up a balloon until it pops in less than 13 seconds, walk 10 meters foot-to-toe in less than 11 seconds and stick 60 sticky notes on his face in less than a minute. Find out how all this turns out by going to Michael Waltrip Racing’s YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW9DhznRIoc
NOTES:
· SIGN OF TIMES: Ragan’s father Ken Ragan competed in 50 Sprint Cup races (1983-1990) earning $210,180 in race winnings. Eleven drivers exceeded that amount in last year’s race at Indianapolis.
· TESTING: Ragan and the No. 55 crew will test at Bristol on Wednesday, July 29.
· No. 55 CREW CHIEF BRIAN PATTIE: Pattie, 40, joined MWR in 2012 when it formed the No. 15 team-leading driver Clint Bowyer to three victories and a second-place finish in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The Zephyrhills, Fla., native began crew chief duties in the XFINITY Series for Joe Nemechek’s NEMCO Motorsports in 1997 before moving to a similar role at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in 2004. In May 2008, he moved to the Sprint Cup Series with driver Juan Montoya. The duo earned a berth in the 2009 Chase and a win at Watkins Glen in 2010. Pattie owns four Sprint Cup and 10 XFINITY Series victories as a crew chief. The father of four is an avid golfer and supporter of the Florida State Seminoles. In June 2015, MWR paired Pattie with David Ragan on its No. 55 team.
· 55 CREW:
Brian Pattie
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
Engineer
Tim O’Brien
Engineer
Jeremy Sharpley
Shock Specialist
Billy Curwood
Engineer
Kevin White
Front Mechanic
Joe Zanolini
Rear Mechanic
Scott Swift
Tire Specialist
Kirk Butterfield
TRD
Tim Bruce
TRD
Stump Lewis
Truck Driver
Al Nelson
2nd Truck Driver
· CAREER STATISTICS:
MWR
DAVID RAGAN
BRIAN PATTIE
· AARON’S: The Atlanta-based company, with more than 2,100 stores across the country, helps customers own the life they want. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, and appliances with a variety of flexible payment options. It’s really easy to “Own It” at Aaron’s with customers who are now pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise – no credit needed.
· 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 2015 season.
· TELEVISION
Friday, July 24
Noon, NASCAR XFINITY Series practice, NBC Sports Network
1 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, NBC Sports Network
2:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, NBC Sports Network
4 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, NBC Sports Network
6 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
Saturday, July 25
11:30 a.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBC Sports Network
1 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
1:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBC Sports Network
3 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green, NBC
3:30 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY Series Lilly Diabetes 250, NBC
Sunday, July 26
Noon, NASCAR RaceDay: Indianapolis, FOX Sports 1
2 p.m., NASCAR America Sunday, NBC Sports Network
3 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Countdown to Green, NBC Sports Network
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard, NBC Sports Network
7 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Post-Race Show, NBC Sports Network
11 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lap, NBC Sports Network
11:30 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lane, FOX Sports 1
