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  • RCR Post-Race Report — NSCS Charlotte Motor Speedway

    RCR Post-Race Report — NSCS Charlotte Motor Speedway

    Coca-Cola 600

    Charlotte Motor Speedway

    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

    Charlotte Motor Speedway

    May 26, 2013

     

    Race Highlights:

    Richard Childress Racing teammates finished first (Kevin Harvick), 12th (Jeff Burton) and 13th (Paul Menard).
    According to NASCAR’s post-race loop data statistics, Harvick averaged a 180.822 mph lap time ranking him second in the Speed in Traffic category and spent 396 Laps in the Top 15, positioning him fourth in the loop data category.

    Harvick earned the third-best Driver Rating (112.8), was third in Quality Passes (50), was the third-Fastest Driver Late in a Run (179.721 mph), fourth-Fastest Driver Early in a Run (184.211) and fifth-Fastest on Restarts (170.488 mph).

    Burton made 87 Green Flag Passes during the 600-mile event.
    Menard made 105 Green Flag Passes during the 400-lap event ranking him sixth overall.
    Menard ranked 11th in Quality Passes during the 600-mile race with 38.
    Harvick earned his second victory of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano.
    The next Sprint Cup Series race is the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, June 2.  The 13th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on FOX beginning at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio.

    Menard Earns Hard Fought 13th-Place Finish in Prestigious Coca-Cola 600

    Starting from the 22nd position, Paul Menard and the No. 27 Serta/Menards team
    faced handling issues and late-race damage in Sunday night’s 600-mile event, earning a 13th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In the early laps of the event, Menard gained several positions and was running 16th by lap 75. Communicating to crew chief “Slugger” Labbe that the No. 27 machine was loose on entry and tight through the center of the corners, Menard came into the pits at lap 115 for four fresh tires, fuel and a variety of chassis adjustments. Shortly after pitting, a cable supporting the overhead television camera on the frontstretch fell and landed on the track surface damaging several cars and bringing out the red flag on lap 127. The downed wire cut the right-rear tire on the No. 27 machine and the crew went to work changing four tires and adding fuel during a 15-minute red-flag period given to the teams by NASCAR officials to make repairs. Restarting 20th, Menard quickly made his way to 15th by lap 153. Continuing to fight a loose condition though the center of the corners, Labbe called for an array of chassis adjustments on the ensuing pit stops in an attempt to remedy the cars handling condition. The series of adjustments provided some relief to the Eau Claire, Wis., native and he was running in eighth when a multi-car incident on lap 335 caused right-front fender damage to the Serta/Menards Chevrolet. The pit crew made repairs during two separate visits to pit road and Menard restarted 15th with 63 laps to go. During a round of green-flag pit stops, Labbe elected to leave his driver on track to lead lap 381 before pitting for right-side tires and fuel. Pitting under green, Menard fell a lap down to the leader. As luck would have it, the caution-flag was displayed just two laps later allowing the 31-year-old driver to be credited with the “Lucky Dog”, placing him back on the lead lap in 13th for the ensuing restart. With 11 laps remaining in the 400-lap event, Menard was able to maintain his position and finish 13th in the longest race of the season. Menard’s 13th-place effort in the Coca-Cola 600 moves him up two positions, placing him eighth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.

    Start – 22          Finish – 13          Laps Led – 1          Points – 8th

    PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

    “It was a tough day for the No. 27 Serta/Menards crew. We had a pretty good car early on and began to struggle with the handling as the night went on and the track conditions changed. The late race damage to the right front put us behind a little, but I have to give my team credit because they never gave up and made the repairs we needed to get back out and be competitive. We just ran out of laps at the end, but we’ll take a top 13 and a good points night.”

    Harvick Wins Second-Career Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

    Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team picked up their second win of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, driving to Victory Lane following the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The California native started the 400-lap event from the 15th position and battled a tight-handling red, white and blue Chevrolet during the early stages of the event. In an effort to combat the handling issues Harvick was facing, the Budweiser pit crew made adjustments through the course of multiple four-tire pit stops. Harvick broke into the top 10 during the lap-131 restart, following a 27-minute break in the action for track workers to clean up debris on the racing surface from a fallen overhead camera cable. As the race progressed, Harvick continued to methodically work his way through the field settling into the top five prior to the caution flag being displayed on lap 259. The Richard Childress Racing driver remained near the front of the field during the final laps taking the lead on two occasions before the yellow flag waved on lap 386. Crew chief Gil Martin called Harvick to pit road for right-side tires and fuel under caution, positioning the Budweiser Chevrolet in second for the lap-389 restart. As green-flag racing resumed, Harvick moved back out front and led the field to the checkered flag. Following Harvick’s second win of the season, he gained three positions in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, moving up to seventh.

    Start – 15          Finish – 1          Laps Led – 28            Points – 7th

    KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:

    “First off, I want to say I hope everybody is okay from that cable. That was quite a weird incident there.  Second, I want to just say thank you to all the guys at Richard Childress Racing. To win at Charlotte (Motor Speedway) is something that we had to overcome for a long time. We kind of won it on gas mileage last time, and we just went and won it this time. I have to thank everybody from Budweiser, Sprint, all the fans, Jimmy John’s, Hunt Brothers Pizza and Rheem. We’ve got this great promotion with Folds of Honor on the car this weekend and the paint scheme resembles Budweiser’s special beer cans. Plus, five cents from every can goes to Folds of Honor.”

    Jeff Burton Survives Coca-Cola 600, Finishing 12th

    Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet team finished 12th in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Burton qualified 27th for the longest race on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule and, while battling a tight-handling race car, climbed into the top 25 for the first portion of the 400-lap marathon. With an early long green-flag run, crew chief Luke Lambert and the No. 31 pit crew were unable to make planned chassis adjustments on the car until the first caution on lap 70 which was followed by a 27-minute red flag that stopped the race. The 21-time Sprint Cup Series race winner continued to run in the top 25 and as day turned into night, the car became loose on entry and exit of the 24-degree banked corners of the 1.5-mile facility. As the night progressed, many competitors fell victim to mechanical problems and multi-car accidents, including seven and five-car pileups on lap 327 and 335 which led to another red-flag delay. The South Boston, Va. native managed to avoid the trouble and climbed into the top 15. For the remainder of the event, Burton’s “never-give-up” attitude paid off as he gained valuable track position and posted top-10 lap times throughout the final portion of the 600-mile race, bringing the No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet home in 12th-place. Burton now sits 21st in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.

    Start – 27          Finish -12         Laps Led – 0          Points – 21st

    JEFF BURTON QUOTE:

    “We pretty much fought a tight-handling condition for the entire race, especially in the middle of the corners. These No. 31 guys never gave up and we managed to stay out of trouble while bringing home a clean race car and a top-15 finish. I also want to say congratulations to our RCR teammate Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 team on their victory.”

  • BOBBY LABONTE, JTG DAUGHERTY RACING, POCONO RACEWAY PREVIEW

    Track:  Pocono Raceway
    Event:  GoBowling.com 400
    TV/Radio: ESPN / MRN Radio

    BOBBY LABONTE NOTES:

    Bobby Labonte has three victories at Pocono Raceway. He swept both races in 1999 and also won the race on Sunday, July 29, 2001.

    In addition, the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has five top-five and nine top-10 finishes and has led 89 laps in 41 starts. His average start is 18.854 and his average finish is 20.122.

    QUOTES:

    Three wins:  “Pocono Raceway has always been a good track for me in the past and I have three wins there,” Bobby Labonte said. “The last time at Pocono, we unloaded good. During the race, we had a decent run going. In the end, we lost some of our track position. I am hoping that is not the case this time around and we have a strong finish. It is a track I always look forward to racing at because of the success I have had there.”

    It’s tricky: “The trickiest of the corners is the Tunnel Turn at Pocono Raceway,” Bobby Labonte said. “It is not a common corner. Pocono is indeed a tricky track and you have to negotiate all three corners. Going into this weekend you never know about how your car will handle because it might be different from last time. It is always a challenge.”

    A few tough breaks: “We have had some tough breaks recently and we are looking to get the monkey off our back,” Bobby Labonte said. “Take Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) for example. We had a top 25 run and something happened to the transmission. It kept jumping out of gear. We were fortunate that the motor did not blow up because sometimes that can happen.

    “The week before that at Loudon (New Hampshire Motor Speedway), we ran out of gas,” continued Labonte. “It has been tough and we hope to turn our luck around at Pocono Raceway.”

    Snakebitten: “We actually ended up in Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) running better than we practiced and qualified with a good setup and then we had the transmission problem,” JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty said. “That’s a part of it. We have had some issues lately where it has been a snakebitten type of thing. We think we can get better.”

    Bouncing back at Pocono Raceway:  “We have built a car for this weekend that is aerodynamically sufficient for a place like Pocono Raceway, but this track will also demand horsepower,” JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty said. “We are putting our Triad (Racing Technologies) engine to the test. This is a track where they will be 200 mph going into the corners. It is flat and fast. We need terminal velocity and we are leaning on Triad to bring their best bullet. I’m excited because this is a good track for Bobby Labonte where he has multiple wins and it’s a great place for us to bounce back.”

    BOBBY LABONTE STATS:
    Career Starts:  709
    Wins:  21
    Top-five:  115
    Top-10:  201
    First Start:  06/03/1991 Dover
    First Pole:  09/11/1993 Richmond
    First Win:  05/28/1995 Charlotte
    Last Pole:  04/04/2004 Texas
    Last Win:  11/16/2003 Homestead (329 races since)
    Driver DOB:  05/08/1964
    Hometown:  Corpus Christi, TX
    Crew Chief:  Brian Burns

    SCOTT SHARED VALUES:
    At Scott® brand we are all about bringing more value to your life. That’s why we created Scott Shared Values*, a program that offers unique deals, coupons and rewards to members. Signing up is free and takes only a minute. From there you pick and choose what values are right for you.

    How Does It Work?
    ·      Sign Up: Get access to unique deals and offers
    ·      Get Deal: Receive your coupon or promo code
    ·      Share: Share your Value Sense with your family and friends today.

    Visit www.ScottSharedValues.com to learn more.

    No purchase necessary to become a Scott Shared Values* member. Must be U.S. resident, 18 or older. Program scheduled to end 12/31/13. Some restrictions apply. See full rules for details on Scott Shared Values* and Scott® coupons.

    TAILGATER OF THE WEEK:

    Do you want to win an all expense paid trip and be the VIP guest of JTG Daugherty Racing at the big race in Las Vegas in 2014?

    If you answered yes, then get out to the track and let us know where you are tailgating! Each race weekend during the Sprint Cup season JTG Daugherty Racing will be scouting the infields and campgrounds, looking for the best tailgaters at the track. The best, most enthusiastic tailgaters each race weekend will win a custom prize pack and become eligible for our “TAILGATER OF THE YEAR” competition.

    You can let us know where you are tailgating by tweeting us your location. Throughout the weekend, leading up to the green flag, our team members, owners and maybe even Bobby Labonte himself will be patrolling the infield and campsites looking for the best tailgaters. So, fire up your grills with Kingsford® Charcoal, heat up a can of Bush’s® Grillin’ Beans and clean up your messes with Clorox® and Scott® Brand Products!

    Simply follow us on Twitter @NASCAR47 , send us a tweet with your tailgate location and include the hash tag #TweetYourTailgate.

  • AJ ALLMENDINGER, JTG DAUGHERTY RACING, WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL POST RACE REPORT

    Track: Watkins Glen International
    Event:  Cheez-It 355 At The Glen
    TV/Radio:  ESPN/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Finish: 10th
    Start: Fourth

    RACE RECAP:
    AJ Allmendinger scored JTG Daugherty Racing’s best finish of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season when he crossed the finish line in 10th-place at Watkins Glen International.

    It was a bittersweet day and maybe the one that got away. As Allmendinger was planted firmly in the top three with the leader in sight, he ran out of fuel coming around for his routine pit stop at lap 58.

    The California-native maintained his focus and drove the wheels off the No. 47 SCOTT Products Toyota racing his way from 27th to bring home a top-10 finish during his third appearance with JTG Daugherty Racing.

    JTG DAUGHERTY RACING QUOTES:
    “I thought for sure we were easily a top four car,” AJ Allmendinger said. “It was not as good as I wanted it and we were fighting with it being tight overall, but I felt like it would come to me on long runs. I do not know if we would have had anything for the No. 9 (Marcos Ambrose), but I thought we were as good as the No. 18 (Kyle Busch) and 56 (Martin Truex Jr.). We obviously had passed the No. 56 on the long run.

    “I don’t know if it was a miscalculation on fuel or if we just got a bad reading compared to the first run with lap times being quicker,” Allmendinger continued. “It is nobody’s fault. We just ran out of fuel.  From there it was just a fight. We did everything we could to get as much as we could. A top-10 is good, but we know we should have had more. We will just keep building on it.

    “I love these guys,” Allmendinger added. “It is a lot of fun working together. The cars are designed right, the pit crew was really good today. We will just keep fighting.”

    “It was our best finish of the season and we have to be pleased with that,” co-owner Tad Geschickter said. “It takes a team like ours to run up there to find out what we can do to improve. We definitely learned some things that we need to improve on. That is a good thing and we will address those things.  I think we have got the people and the equipment  to run in the top 10 week in and week out. We have just got to keep pushing ourselves so we are doing it that way.”

    “We had a good car,” competition director Bobby Hutchens said. “AJ did a really good job of driving it. We just did not get the fuel mileage we needed. We actually stopped a lap short from where we thought we needed to be and still ran out. We are pretty fortunate we had a caution come out then.  We did not go a lap down there. We got a break.

    “AJ did a good job of getting the SCOTT Products Toyota back through the field and missing a couple of those wrecks near the end,” Hutchens continued. “It is a bittersweet thing. A top-10 is good and we fight hard for those. I really feel like we gave a win away. We had a good enough car and was close enough to the front. We were going to be P2 (second) or P3 (third) when the field cycled. We just did not get to where we needed to be. “

    “AJ did a real good job of getting a top-10 finish for us, but I think everybody knows we definitely were better than that,” crew chief Brian Burns said. “On one stop, we just fell a little short on fuel. We are still trying to figure out what happened there. That first reading was really good.  These kind of things happen when you try to push it and get to the end there. Running good at Watkins Glen, definitely helps turn the boat around

    Career Starts: 185
    Top-fives:     5
    Top-10s:      29
    First Start:  3/25/2007  Bristol
    First Pole:   4/10/2010  Phoenix
    > Last Start:   6/16/2013  Michigan
    > Last Pole:    4/22/2012  Kansas
    > Best Start:  1 4/10/2010 Phoenix
    > Best Finish: 2 4/1/2012  Martinsville
    > Driver DOB:  12/16/1981
    > Hometown:   Los Gatos, CA
    > Crew Chief:   Brian Burns

    SCOTT SHARED VALUES:

    At Scott® brand we are all about bringing more value to your life. That’s why we created Scott Shared Values*, a program that offers unique deals, coupons and rewards to members. Signing up is free and takes only a minute. From there you pick and choose what values are right for you.

    How Does It Work?
    ·      Sign Up: Get access to unique deals and offers
    ·      Get Deal: Receive your coupon or promo code
    ·      Share: Share your Value Sense with your family and friends today.

    Visit www.ScottSharedValues.com to learn more.

    No purchase necessary to become a Scott Shared Values* member. Must be U.S. resident, 18 or older. Program scheduled to end 12/31/13. Some restrictions apply. See full rules for details on Scott Shared Values* and Scott® coupons.

    TAILGATER OF THE WEEK:

    Tailgater of the Week goes to Ron McGeary from Palmyra, N.Y., who has been visiting Watkins Glen International for 24 years. He had prime real estate at the road course that made for a great tailgating spot. His Kingsford Charcoal, Kingsford Lighter Fluid and charcoal grill caught the attention of the JTG Daugherty Racing scouts.

    “We have been coming here for 24 years because it is close to home and it is affordable,” McGeary said. “We like the location. It is a good spot. We all went in together and bought a camper to use for this race. Our favorite thing to grill is Delmonico steaks and we do also like BUSH’S Beans on the side.”

    He admits Ryan Newman is his favorite driver, but he has been keeping an eye on AJ Allmendinger.

    “He is doing really good this year performance wise,” McGeary said. “AJ is a really good road racer.”

    Do you want to win an all expense paid trip and be the VIP guest of JTG Daugherty Racing at the big race in Las Vegas in 2014?

    If you answered yes, then get out to the track and let us know where you are tailgating! Each race weekend during the Sprint Cup season JTG Daugherty Racing will be scouting the infields and campgrounds, looking for the best tailgaters at the track. The best, most enthusiastic tailgaters each race weekend will win a custom prize pack and become eligible for our “TAILGATER OF THE YEAR” competition.

    You can let us know where you are tailgating by tweeting us your location. Throughout the weekend, leading up to the green flag, our team members, owners and maybe even Bobby Labonte himself will be patrolling the infield and campsites looking for the best tailgaters. So, fire up your grills with Kingsford® Charcoal, heat up a can of Bush’s® Grillin’ Beans and clean up your messes with Clorox® and Scott® Brand Products!

    Simply follow us on Twitter @NASCAR47 , send us a tweet with your tailgate location and include the hash tag #TweetYourTailgate.

  • SGR Race Advance: Bristol and Madison

    SGR Race Advance: Bristol and Madison

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes and Quotes
    Event: UNOH 200
    Location: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway

    Sharp-Gallaher Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway… In three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts in Thunder Valley, Sharp-Gallaher Racing boasts two top-10 finishes. Last year Cale Gale turned the fastest qualifying lap in the No. 33 SGR Chevrolet Silverado, claiming the Keystone Light pole award for the 2012 UNOH 200. The Denver, N.C.-based organization holds an average starting position of 20.7 and a 15th-place average finishing position, completing 597 of 608 (98.2 percent) laps of competition.

    SGR’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History… Since entering the Camping World Truck Series in 2011, SGR has logged 96 starts, earning two wins, nine top-five finishes, 28 top-10 finishes and two pole awards, with an average starting position of 14.8 and an average finishing position of 16.3. SGR claimed the 2009 Automobile Racing Club of America Racing Series title with Justin Lofton.

    The SGR Lineup at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile… Lofton returns to pilot the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Chevrolet, and teammate Max Gresham will be behind the wheel of the No. 8 Made in USA Brand Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway.

    SGR Welcomes Gere Kennon Aboard… Gere Kennon was named SGR’s director of competition this week and will oversee the organization’s Camping World Truck Series, ARCA Racing Series and Late Model programs. Kennon brings over 30 years of experience across all three of NASCAR’s premier series, including two NASCAR Nationwide Series championships with the legendary Sam Ard.

    The Collective SGR… Throughout the season’s first 12 races, SGR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have notched two top-five and four top-10 finishes. In 2013, SGR teams have completed 2,568 out of 2,989 total laps (85.9 percent) with drivers Danny Efland, Max Gresham, Devin Jones, John King, Jared Landers, Lofton and Tyler Young. The group has led a combined nine laps.

    Follow SGR on Social Media… To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and view exclusive content, visit Sharp-Gallaher Racing’s Twitter page – @SGRracing_ and Facebook page – Facebook.com/SharpGallaherRacing. Also, follow the SGR NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers on their personal Twitter pages – @MaxGresham and @jlracing, and “Like” Max Gresham on his official Facebook page, Max Gresham’s Fan Page, and Justin Lofton at Facebook.com/jlracing.

    Catch the Action… FOX Sports 1’s live coverage of the UNOH 200 begins Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Qualifying for the 13th event on the Camping World Truck Series schedule will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 2 on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

    Justin Lofton
    No. 6 Lofton Cattle Chevrolet Silverado
    This Week’s Lofton Cattle Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway…

    Justin Lofton will pilot chassis No. 49 from the Sharp-Gallaher Racing stable in Wednesday night’s UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 200-lap event marks the first appearance of this Silverado in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition for the 2013 season. Lofton most recently drove this Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway in September 2012, where he started from the 13th position, led laps and competed inside of the top 10 until he was collected in a multi-truck accident on lap 95.

    Lofton in Thunder Valley… In three previous starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Lofton has finished each contested race and completed 100 percent (610 of 610) of his laps. He has an average starting position of 25.3 and an average finishing position of 7.3. Lofton’s best start of 15th and best finish of fifth both came in his August 2010 visit to the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility.

    Short-Track Success… Lofton is no stranger to short-track racing. He has 14 starts on tracks one-mile or shorter in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, earning three top-five and five top-10 finishes. The 2009 ARCA Racing Series Champion amassed three wins, five pole awards, seven top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts on short tracks in his two years of competition in the grass roots racing series.

    Lofton in the NCWTS in 2013… Lofton has made two Camping World Truck Series starts in 2013, at Daytona International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, earning one top-five and two top-10 finishes. He started on the front row in the season-opener at Daytona and has completed 100 percent (234 of 234) of laps contested. Lofton is scheduled to compete in eight of the ten remaining Camping World Truck Series races this season with the exception of the event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway could be added to the schedule pending additional sponsorship.

    Bryan Berry Heads the No. 6 SGR Team… Veteran crew chief Bryan Berry joins SGR to lead the No. 6 team. Since 2000, Berry has 226 starts as a crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, working mostly with veteran drivers Brendan Gaughan and Jason Keller.

    JUSTIN LOFTON QUOTES:

    On returning to Sharp-Gallaher Racing and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series… “I am excited to be back at Sharp-Gallaher Racing and behind the wheel of the No. 6 Chevrolet Silverado. The addition of (crew chief) Bryan Berry and (director of competition) Gere Kennon will strengthen this team. Because of competing for a partial season, we won’t be points racing – we’ll be racing for wins.”

    On racing at Bristol Motor Speedway… “I am really looking forward to racing at Bristol (Motor Speedway). I love short-track racing, especially under the lights. It’s exciting for the fans and for us drivers. The energy is high and tempers flare. There is never a dull moment. I’ve had success on short tracks in the past, and know we’ll have a strong Lofton Cattle Chevrolet Wednesday night.”

    Max Gresham
    No. 8 Made in USA Brand (MIUSA) Chevrolet Silverado

    This Week’s Made in USA Brand (MIUSA) at Bristol Motor Speedway… Max Gresham will pilot chassis No. 59 from the Sharp-Gallaher Racing (SGR) stable in Wednesday’s UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Prior to being in the SGR fleet, Chassis No. 59 (KHI-T059) spent time at Kevin Harvick Inc (KHI) with Clint Bowyer and Brendan Gaughan. This truck was victorious at Kansas Speedway in the 2011 season with Bowyer. Gresham drove this Chevrolet to a 16th-place finish at Rockingham Speedway earlier this season. This weekend will be the chassis’ fifth appearance with Gresham.

    The World’s Fastest Half-Mile Details… This week’s 200-lap race marks Gresham’s first appearance at the Bristol, Tenn.-based facility.

    Short-Track Stats… Gresham is not short on experience with race stats on tracks less than one-mile in length. He has five starts on short tracks in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Milner, Ga., native has earned one win, one pole award, one top-five and four top-10 finishes in nine starts on short tracks in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series.

    Meet Gresham… Gresham is schedule to participate in an autograph session at the Food City Race Night on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Eastern Time on State Street in Bristol.

    Hometown Proud… Rear tire carrier Robert “Pineapple” Miolen hails from Cleveland, Tenn., and currently calls Mooresville, N.C. home.

    MAX GRESHAM QUOTE:

    On racing at Bristol Motor Speedway… “I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to race at Bristol Motor Speedway. I’m super-duper excited! This is an experience I have wanted for a long time.”

  • RCR Event Preview – Chicagoland Speedway

    RCR Event Preview – Chicagoland Speedway

    Chicagoland Speedway
    Richard Childress Racing
    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes

    Race: GEICO 400
    Location: Chicagoland Speedway

    RCR in the Windy City … Richard Childress is tied for second place for number of car owner victories at Chicagoland Speedway with Kevin Harvick’s back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002. In 38 starts at the 1.5-mile suburban Chicago tri-oval, Richard Childress Racing teams have a combined eight top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes; along with one pole award with Jeff Burton in 2006.

    RCR in the NSCS … In 2,351 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 42 pole awards, 103 wins, 445 top-five finishes and 935 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.9 and an average finishing position of 15.8. RCR has earned 14 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93 and ’94, five NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

    RCR Richmond Rewind … Last weekend at Richmond International Raceway, Paul Menard notched his second top-five finish of the season (fifth-place) while Harvick and Burton finished 11th and 18th, respectively.

    The Collective RCR … Throughout the season’s first 26 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have earned two wins with Harvick at Richmond International Raceway in April and in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, notched 10 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Harvick and Menard. Harvick is representing RCR in the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and is currently tied for fourth in the standings. RCR’s other two full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 17th (Menard) and 22nd (Burton) in the driver championship point standings.

    Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick, @RCR31JeffBurton and driver Twitter page @KevinHarvick. Information about the 14-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facenook/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRRacing.com along with official driver pages: www.facebook.com/PaulMenard27, www.facebook.com/OfficialKevinHarvick, and www.facebook.com/OfficialJeffBurton.

    Catch the Action … ESPN’s live coverage from Chicagoland Speedway begins Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

    Paul Menard
    No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 428 at Chicagoland Speedway. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS was raced previously this season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Menard drove it to a 12th-place finish and Michigan International Speedway where he finished fourth.

    Chicagoland Stats … Menard has six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway. His best start of second came in 2011 and best finish of 10th came in 2010. The Wisconsin native has completed 1,426 of 1,602 laps attempted (89 percent) at the 1.5-mile oval.

    A Different Look in Chi-Town … The No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS will sport a different look this weekend carrying a special paint scheme combination of Quaker State green and Menards yellow.

    Close to Home… Chicagoland Speedway is the closest track on the Sprint Cup Series schedule to Menard’s hometown of Eau Claire, Wis. Located only six hours form where he grew up, the Richard Childress Racing driver considers the 1.5-mile speedway his home track.

    About Quaker State … Quaker State® motor oil has a 70-year history as a leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care. Quaker State is among the industry’s most innovative motor oil brands and offers a full line of products to meet every type of vehicle engine need. Quaker State is one of the first brands to develop high mileage engine motor oil. For more information about the full line of Quaker State products, visit www.quakerstate.com.

    Race Rewind …In this race last year at Chicagoland Speedway, Menard started 11th in the No. 27 Chevrolet and finished in 15th after struggling with handling issues throughout the 267-lap event.

    PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

    Menard’s Thoughts on Racing at Chicagoland Speedway:

    “Chicagoland Speedway is one of the newest facilities on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Over the past couple of years the racing groove has widened, which allows for more passing opportunities. The backstretch there is slightly curved, but it doesn’t affect the car too much. Because of the curve, you’ve got to slightly turn the car left going down the straightaway. It’s a fun track and a fast track. We’ve had some good runs the past couple of weeks and hopefully that continues this weekend in Chicago.”

    Kevin Harvick
    No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Budweiser Designate a Driver Chevrolet SS at Chicagoland Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot chassis No. 430 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the GIEICO 400. This Chevrolet is new to the No. 29 team rotation and is scheduled to be on track for the first time this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

    Chi-Town Stats … Since the 2001 season, Harvick has made 12 Sprint Cup Series starts at the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval. In those previous appearances, the California native has collected two victories, the first during the inaugural event in 2001 and again in 2002, six top-five and seven top-10 finishes. The RCR driver holds an average starting position of 18.8, a 10.5 average finishing position, has completed 99.5 percent (3,190 of 3,207) of the laps contested and has 282 laps led to his credit.

    Designate a Driver … Harvick’s No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet will feature a special “Designate a Driver” paint scheme this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in support of Anheuser-Busch’s worldwide effort to promote the responsible enjoyment of the company’s beers on “Global Be(er) Responsible Day” on Friday, Sept. 20. Adults are encouraged to join Harvick, the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver team and the Nation of Responsible drinkers by taking the pledge at www.NationOfResponsibleDrinkers.com.

    The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Begins … Sunday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway kicks off the 10-race 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Harvick is tied with Carl Edwards for the fourth seed in the standings and is six points out of the top spot.

    Chase Across America … As the top 12 drivers head to different markets this week as part of NASCAR’s “Chase Across America” program, Harvick will visit Texas Motor Speedway on Wednesday, Sept. 11 to help promote next month’s AAA Texas 500. After spending a day with media members and local first responders, he will travel to Chicago where he and the other Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will participate in media interviews and the NASCAR Contenders Live fan event on Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Navy Pier at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Fans can purchase tickets to the event for $10, with proceeds benefiting the NASCAR Foundation. For those unable to attend, NASCAR.com will air the broadcast beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT. For additional information, visit NASCAR.com/ContendersLive.

    Seeing Double … In addition to driving the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver Chevrolet SS in Sunday afternoon’s race, Harvick will pilot the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Saturday, Sept. 14. This race is scheduled to air live on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, along with the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

    Meet the Driver … Harvick is scheduled to stop by the Joliet Race Fan Rally on Thursday, Sept. 12 in downtown Joliet, Ill., from 6 to 7 p.m. Central Time for a fan question-and-answer session. Following his stop in Joliet, the RCR driver will make his way to the Menards store in Homer Glen, Ill., to sign autographs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. CT.

    Race Rewind … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver team scored a 12th-place finish in last year’s GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, after starting from the 35th position and battling handling issues throughout the 267-lap event.

    KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:

    What are your thoughts coming back to Chicagoland Speedway and kicking off the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup?

    “I really like tracks like Chicagoland (Speedway) where the surface is a little bit worn out, because it makes for better racing. We were fortunate to win the first couple of races here, so Chicagoland has always been a really good race track for us as far as fans and following, too. DeLana (Harvick, wife) and I always enjoy coming in early for the Chase kick off, going into the city and having a couple of low key days before the weekend gets started.”

    Talk about the Goodyear tire test you participated in at Chicagoland Speedway in May. Did the team learn anything they can use for the race this weekend?

    “We had a really good test. Obviously a lot has changed since then from a setup standpoint because we’ve been trying out some different things recently, but I think we’re a little bit ahead of the curve going into this weekend. I feel pretty good about it. I think it’ll be a good weekend.”

    Jeff Burton
    No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 426 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. This No. 31 Chevrolet was utilized earlier this season at Michigan International Speedway in June and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.

    Career Chicago Stats … This weekend’s event marks Burton’s 13th start at the 1.5-mile facility and 682nd-career Sprint Cup Series start. He has one pole award (2006) with one top-five and four top-10 finishes at the track, and has led 60 laps.

    Featured Cat Dealer … Altorfer Inc. will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Chicagoland Speedway’s weekend event. Altorfer Inc. has been serving customers in the Midwest since being founded in 1957 by Ed Altorfer. Representing Caterpillar with 22 locations in 15 cities and over 720 employees, Altorfer serves 88 counties across Eastern Iowa, Northern Missouri and Central Illinois. They offer sales, rental, parts, and expert service for all their equipment lines. Among the industries they serve are construction, agriculture, landscaping and trades, manufacturing, material handling, mining, government, trucking and power generation.

    Sign Here Please … Burton is scheduled to participate in an autograph session on behalf of Kwikset at Menards located on 2524 West Jefferson St. in Joliet, Ill. on Thursday, Sept. 12at 7 p.m. Central Time.

    Bring a Sharpie … Burton will be signing autographs with fellow Sprint Cup Series drivers on Friday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The first 50 fans to check-in at the Chicagoland Speedway Social Hub starting that morning at 10:00 a.m. will get to participate in the session.

    Track Walk … The Coca-Cola Family Track Walk returns Sunday, Sept. 15 at Chicagoland Speedway and Burton will participate in a question-and-answer session from 9:10 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. CT. This FREE event will be open to all Chicagoland Speedway ticketholders.

    Race Rewind … Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team finished 24th in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway after losing laps under an ill-timed caution flag.

    JEFF BURTON QUOTE:

    Do you like racing at Chicagoland Speedway?

    “Chicagoland Speedway is one of the newest facilities we race on. It has really come into its own recently. Chicagoland is a fun and challenging race track. While it might look like a normal 1.5-mile layout, it is different in many ways. Both ends of the track are complete opposite as far as handling goes. Chicagoland also requires really good grip and there are some bumps that you have to factor in with the setup.”

     

    Richard Childress Racing
    NASCAR Nationwide Series News and Notes

    Race: Dollar General 300
    Location: Chicagoland Speedway

    RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Chicagoland Speedway … In 31 previous NASCAR Nationwide Series appearances at Chicagoland Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has four wins at the 1.5-mile track, including a victory with Elliott Sadler in July 2012, Kevin Harvick in 2007 and 2005 and Johnny Sauter in 2002. RCR drivers have completed 96.2 percent of the laps attempted at the track (5,970 of 6,206), with 343 laps led.

    RCR in the NNS … In 946 Nationwide Series starts through the last 15 years, RCR has earned 66 wins, 49 pole awards, 318 top-five and 528 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 11.9 and an average finishing position of 12.4 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver point 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 Sauter and Harvick, and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer.

    The Season So Far … In the 25 races contested this season, RCR has earned two wins in the Nationwide Series, with Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway and Harvick at Atlanta Motor Speedway, along with 21 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes. Austin Dillon has earned six pole awards at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, setting the all-time pole award record in the Nationwide Series with four-consecutive poles, while Brian Scott earned a pole award for the organization at Richmond International Raceway. The organization has led 1,027 laps in 2013.

    Get to the Points … Dillon ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing point leader Sam Hornish Jr by 16 points, while Brian Scott is seventh, 61 points out of the lead. In the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, the No. 3 Chevrolet team sits fourth, while the No. 2 team is ninth and the No. 33 team is 12th.

    Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team Twitter pages – @RCR2BScott, @RCR3ADillon and @RCR33NNS, RCR’s NNS driver Twitter pages – @BScottRacing, @AustinDillon3 and @KevinHarvick and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/BScottRacing, facebook.com/austindillon3 and facebook.com/OfficialKevinHarvick.

    Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the DollarGeneral 300 will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Sept. 14, and also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.

    Brian Scott
    No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … This weekend, the Nationwide Series heads to the home of Jake and Elwood Blues and Chicagoland Speedway for the second time in 2013. Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge crew will bring chassis No.110 to the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval. This chassis was most recently run at Michigan International Speedway where Scott started third and brought home a 10th-place finish. Additionally Scott piloted this chassis at Auto Club Speedway where he started 12th and earned an eighth-place finish. In 2012, Elliott Sadler and Joey Coulter earned top-10 finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Coulter 10th) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sadler seventh) with this Chevrolet.

    Fast Chi-town History … The Richard Childress Racing driver has six starts to his credit at Chicagoland Speedway. Considered one of his best tracks on the Nationwide Series circuit, Scott has one pole award (Sept. 2011), two top fives and three top-10 finishes, along with five-laps led. His best finishes of third came in both the 2010 and 2011 events.

    Best Career Race … One week ago at Richmond International Raceway, Scott showed a dominating performance by scoring his second-career pole and led 240 of 250 laps before earning a best career-equaling finish of second. Thus far in 2013 since joining RCR, Scott has one pole, three top five, 12 top-10 finishes, led 253 laps and has an average starting position of 10.3 and finishing position of 11.5.

    Points Points Points … After his second-place finish at Richmond International Raceway Scott is currently seventh in Nationwide Series driver championship standings just nine points out of fifth and 61 points behind series leader Sam Hornish Jr.

    Lodging in Idaho … Shore Lodge will serve as primary sponsor for Scott and the No. 2 team this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Set on the southern shore of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, four seasons of adventure await at this idyllic location. A family favorite since 1948, the travel destination allows guests to enjoy the spectacular views, friendly service and generous accommodations at the lake front resort. Shore Lodge serves as the perfect mixture of adventure and luxury featuring 26 spa adventures, fitness studio, golf privileges at Whitetail Club, jet skiing, and a private beach for guests.

    Shore Lodge: Did You Know? … Shore Lodge is set on the southern shore of Payette Lake. The spectacular lake has been a destination for visitors since the 1800s. Known to Native American tribes and frontiersmen, the French Canadian fur trapper, Francois Payette roamed these mountain trails and gave the river and hence the lake its name. In the 1860s, gold miners temporarily settled here to pan for gold but were unsuccessful and soon moved on. Following World War II, a group of businessmen and doctors from Lewiston, Idaho turned their sights to developing the lake for tourists. At its heart would be the iconic Shore Lodge, which opened on July 3, 1948.

    BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:

    What did you figure out last month at Chicagoland Speedway?

    “Chicagoland has always been one of my favorite tracks in the Nationwide Series. We had a fast Chevrolet Camaro there earlier this season, but our Achilles heel was restarts. We were too loose and would give up three or four positions each time, and once the run sorted out we would pass them back. Essentially, we were like a yo-yo all day, but our Camaro was on par with the leaders and lap times. We need to be able to pass on restarts and not be passed.”

    What makes Chicagoland Speedway one of your favorite race tracks?

    “I’ve always been strong at Chicagoland (Speedway) and have a lot of good runs. I’ve sat on the pole and had a couple top-three finishes, so I know it’s a place where I could always be a threat to win every time we show up to race.”

    Austin Dillon
    No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 131 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This is a new Chevrolet Camaro that will be utilized for the first time under race conditions this weekend.

    Dillon at Chicagoland Speedway … Dillon has three previous Nationwide Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, earning a pair of third-place finishes in July 2013 and September 2012, along with a sixth-place finish in July 2012. He has led 77 laps at the 1.5-mile track. He is also the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race winner at the track.

    The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon leads the Nationwide Series championship contenders in Average Starting Position (5.4), ranks second in Laps in the Top-15 (90.7 percent), has led the second-most laps (484), maintains the third-best Driver Rating (101.0), ranks fourth in Average Running Position (9.091), is the fourth-Fastest Driver on Restarts (8.4) and ranks fourth in Fastest Laps Run (281).

    Get to the Points … Dillon ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship standings, 16 markers shy of Sam Hornish Jr.’s point lead.

    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 Chicagoland 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 .

    AdvoCare Supporting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma … If Dillon wins this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, AdvoCare will make a $5,000 donation to the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The health and wellness company will pledge $2,000 to CIPT for a top-five finish and $1,000 for a top-10 finish. So far this season, the No. 3 team has raised $23,000 towards the cause. The Childress Institute invests resources in research, education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children in the U.S. and AdvoCare’s generous donations are aimed at helping to raise awareness for pediatric trauma, the No. 1 killer of children in America. You can help save the lives of injured children by making a contribution to the Childress Institute in two ways: donate $33 in honor of Dillon via his website, or text WIN to 80077 to make a $10 donation.

    AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

    You’ve been successful at Chicagoland Speedway in the past. Why do you think that is?

    “Chicagoland Speedway has some rough characteristics and I seem to do well on those types of tracks, I don’t know why that is. It just suits me well, I guess. It reminds me of Kentucky Speedway and Iowa Speedway in that respect. Danny Stockman and the No. 3 team and I work well together and we’ve been able to build a pretty good notebook for a lot of tracks, including Chicagoland Speedway. Now that we’re going to a lot of these tracks for the second time this season, we have some notes to work off of and it gives us some confidence heading into the race weekend. We feel prepared so that we can gain maximum points.”

    Kevin Harvick
    No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 130 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Dollar General 300 on Saturday afternoon. This new RCR-prepared Chevrolet will be on track for the first time this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

    Windy City Stats … Since 2001, Harvick has made nine Nationwide Series starts at the 1.5-mile facility collecting one pole award (2010), two wins (2005 and 2006), four top-five and five top-10 finishes. The two-time Nationwide Series champion holds an average starting position of 7.1 coupled with a 13th-place average finishing position. He has completed 89.6 percent (1,616 of 1,803) of the laps contested and is credited with 95 laps led.

    Gotta Have a Rheem … Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. In its 88th 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 and RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series.

    Double Duty … In addition to driving the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Camaro Saturday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway, Harvick will also pilot the No. 29 Budweiser Designate a Driver Chevrolet SS in the Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday. This race is scheduled to air live on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, along with the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

    KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:

    What are your thoughts on driving the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway?

    “Chicagoland (Speedway) has been good to me throughout the years. I enjoy racing at Chicagoland because the track is unique. You can go through the corners pretty much wide open. You can let off sooner than you do at most places we go to, and you can drive it all the way through the corners under power. There is a lot more throttle there than most places. You get back in the gas a lot quicker there too, compared to other places. We’ve gotten a few wins in the past, and I hope to pick up another this weekend for the Rheem/Menards team.”

     

    Richard Childress Racing
    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News and Notes

    Race: EnjoyIllinois.com 225
    Location: Chicagoland Speedway

    Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series History at Chicagoland Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has six previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, collecting one victory, two top-five and three top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 4.8 average starting position, coupled with an 8.5 average finishing position and has completed 100 percent of the laps contested.

    RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 304 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has collected 37 pole awards, 28 wins, 113 top-five and 185 top-10 finishes. RCR also earned 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 10.4.

    Points Racin’ … With 15 Camping World Truck Series races completed in 2013, Ty Dillon is third in the driver championship point standings, trailing the leader by 58 markers, while Brendan Gaughan is 10th in the standings, 105 points outside the top spot. The No. 3 team is fifth in the owner championship point standings and the No. 62 team is 13th.

    The 1 is Here … Launched on Aug. 17, Fox Sports 1 was introduced to an estimated 90 million homes, bringing sports fans NASCAR action along with MLB, UFC, College Football, College Basketball and Soccer coverage. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events will be televised on the new network for the remainder of the season. FS1 will continue to provide on-track coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series along with ancillary programming such as Race Hub, RaceDay, Victory Lane and the Set Up.

    Social Media …To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series team Twitter pages – @RCR3TDillon and @RCR62BGaughan. RCR’s Camping World Truck Series driver Twitter pages – @tydillon and @Brendan62.

    Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the EnjoyIllinois.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway is scheduled to be televised live on Friday, Sept. 13 beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox Sports 1, and also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

     

    Ty Dillon
    No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Silverado
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 019 from the Richard Childress Racing stable in Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Dillon drove this RCR-prepared Chevrolet to victory lane at Kentucky Speedway earlier this season.

    Windy City Details … This weekend’s 150-lap race marks Dillon’s second Camping World Truck Series appearance at the Joliet, Ill.-based facility. In his first Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, Dillon started third and finished 12th. Dillon has also competed in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at the track in 2011, where he earned the pole award and made a trip to victory lane after leading for 16 circuits.

    Can I Have Your Autograph? … Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at Bass Pro Shops located at 709 Janes Ave. in Bolingbrook, Ill., on September 12 beginning at 6 p.m. Central Time before competing in the EnjoyIllinios.com 225 on Friday evening.

    The Outdoor World … Bass Pro Shops, one of America’s premier outdoor retailers, are projecting more than 20 new stores in areas across the United States and Canada including Seattle, Anchorage, Little Rock, Ark., Daytona Beach, Fla., and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. For more information on store locations, visit www.basspro.com.

    A Little R&R … Following Friday night’s race at Chicagoland Speedway, Dillon and his older brother Austin are scheduled to travel to Colorado to kick off bow season with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. The group will visit Trinchera Ranch, one of the largest parks committed to conserving wildlife, and hunt for elk throughout their trip.

    Corn Country Recap … Dillon survived alternator issues and two attempts at a green-white-checkered finish to earn a third-place finish at Iowa Speedway. This third-place result marks Dillon’s fifth top-five finish of the season.

    TY DILLON QUOTE:

    With seven races left in the season, what are your thoughts heading into the final stretch of the year before championship weekend?

    “We’ve had some really fast trucks recently. We just haven’t gotten the finishes that we deserved. Last weekend was a true testament to how hard this Bass Pro Shops team works each week. They could have given up after our alternator died, but they kept their heads up and kept digging. This is what a championship caliber team is made out of. We’re not out of this thing yet. We’ll keep working towards wins and those wins will get us closer to the championship.”

    Brendan Gaughan
    No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Silverado
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Silverado at Chicagoland Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 020 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in the EnjoyIllinois.com 225. This RCR-prepared machine was most recently driven by Gaughan at Kentucky Speedway in June where a mechanical issue relegated the No. 62 team to a 27th-place finish.

    Racing in the Windy City … Gaughan has two previous Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile oval (2011 and 2012). Between those two appearances, the Las Vegas native has earned one top-five and one top-10 finish, has an 11.5 average starting position coupled with an eighth-place average finishing position, has completed 99.7 percent (299 of 300) of the laps contested and is credited with 83 laps led.

    South Point Hotel & Casino … Opened in December of 2005, the South Point resort was the first megaresort located south of McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip. The facility consists of a 25-story hotel tower and a 90,000 square foot convention center located on a 60 acre site along Las Vegas Boulevard in Enterprise, Nevada. South Point Hotel offers a total of 2,163 rooms and 160,000 sq. ft. meeting and convention space; the largest of any hotel in Las Vegas that is not on the Strip. For more information, visit www.southpointcasino.com or call 1-866-796-7111.

    A Las Vegas Did You Know … There is more than 15,000 miles of lighted neon tubing on The Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas.

    In the Rearview Mirror: Iowa Speedway … Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team brought home a 24th-place result at Iowa Speedway after battling handling issues, surviving a blown tire and being involved in a late-race incident.

    BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:

    What are your thoughts on racing at Chicagoland Speedway.

    “Chicagoland Speedway is one of those types of tracks that I really like because the mile-and-a-half tracks are my kind of place. Even though these types of tracks fit me so well, Chicagoland is actually its own unique animal because both straightaways are bent, it’s more like an egg shape than an actual oval. It makes for a very unique race, and I can’t wait to get back there in Richard Childress Racing prepared type equipment.”

  • Kevin Harvick No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS Hollywood Casino 400 Advance

    Kevin Harvick No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS Hollywood Casino 400 Advance

    This Week

    Race: Hollywood Casino 400
    Track: Kansas Speedway
    TV: ESPN, 2 p.m. ET
    Radio: MRN Radio affiliates, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio

    Track Facts
    Track Length: 1.5 miles
    Race Length: 267 laps/400 miles
    Grandstand Seating Capacity: 73,635
    First Race: Sept. 30, 2001
    Banking in the Corners: 17-20 degrees
    Banking on the Frontstretch: 9-11 degrees
    Banking on the Backstretch: 5 degrees
    Frontstretch: 2,685 feet
    Backstretch: 2,207 feet

    Rearview Mirror

    Last weekend at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team scored a sixth-place finish and advanced two positions to fourth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup driver point standings.

    Budweiser Racing Team Notes of Interest

    Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS team travel to Kansas Speedway this weekend for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race.

    Chassis Info… The No. 29 Budweiser team will utilize Chassis No. 431 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable at Kansas. This is a new car that will make its first laps at the 1.5-mile track this weekend.

    Testing 1, 2, 3… NSCS teams will arrive early in Kansas this week for an open test session at the track on Thursday. The series added the extra track time for teams to test the new Goodyear tire that will be used this weekend.

    Statistically Speaking… In 15 starts at Kansas, Harvick has earned one top five and six top 10s. He has completed 97.2 percent of the laps run in NSCS competition (3,843 of 3,953) and has led 83 laps there as well. Harvick’s average start at the track is 19.7 and his average finish is 12.8.

    Loop Data… Since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006, Harvick has competed in 10 NSCS races at Kansas Speedway and owns a few impressive marks heading into this weekend’s event, including: first in green flag passes (859); fifth in laps in the top 15 (2009); sixth in quality passes (410); ninth in average running position (12.740); ninth in driver rating (92.0); 10th in fastest drivers early in a run (166.346 mph); 10th in fastest drivers late in a run (163.496 mph); and 10th in fastest laps run (91).

    A Look Back… During last year’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas, Harvick started 10th and finished 11th.

    Harvick Discusses Racing at Kansas Speedway

    The racing surface at Kansas Speedway was recently repaved. How long does it usually take you to adapt to the racing surface as it ages between race weekends and seasons?

    “Kansas (Speedway) will be a little different this time because of the tire change Goodyear is making for this race. Because of the tire change we have an open test day at the track before the race weekend begins, so we’ll have some extra time to get used to the racing surface and what’s going on with the aging and wear. In general, it depends on the environment the track is in that will change the racing surface. The asphalt they use to pave these race tracks now is made to last a long time on roads and it’s really not the right asphalt to use for a racing surface. Tracks seem to age a little slower than they did in the past and it’s not really what we’re used to.”

    Harvick’s Career Record at Kansas Speedway

    For the online version of the Budweiser Racing media guide, please visit www.budweiserracingmedia.com.

  • RCR Event Preview – Kansas Speedway

    RCR Event Preview – Kansas Speedway

    Kansas Speedway
    Richard Childress Racing
    NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes

    Race: Kansas 400
    Location: Kansas Speedway

    RCR at Kansas … In 47 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. RCR’s best finish at Kansas was second in 2007 with Clint Bowyer. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds an average starting position of 20.9, an average finishing position of 15.8, has completed 12,208 of the 12,398 contested laps (98.5 percent) and has collectively led for 136 laps around the 1.5-mile race track.

    RCR in the NSCS … In 2,360 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 42 pole awards,103 wins, 446 top-five finishes and 938 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.9 and an average finishing position of 15.8. RCR has earned 14 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93 and ’94, five NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

    RCR Dover Rewind … Last weekend at Dover International Speedway, Kevin Harvick notched his 15th top-10 finish of the season (sixth-place), while Jeff Burton and Paul Menard finished 14th and 18th, respectively.

    The Collective RCR … Throughout the season’s first 29 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have earned two wins with Harvick at Richmond International Raceway in April and in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, notched 11 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Harvick and Menard. Harvick is representing RCR in the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and is currently fourth in the standings. RCR’s other two full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 17th (Menard) and 20th (Burton) in the driver championship point standings.

    Testing 1, 2, 3 … All three RCR Sprint Cup Series entries will take part in the four-hour Goodyear tire test session at Kansas Speedway on Thursday, Oct. 3 from Noon to 4 p.m. Central Time.

    Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick, @RCR31JeffBurton and driver Twitter page @KevinHarvick. Information about the 14-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facenook/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRRacing.com along with official driver pages: www.facebook.com/PaulMenard27, www.facebook.com/OfficialKevinHarvick, and www.facebook.com/OfficialJeffBurton.

    Catch the Action … ESPN’s live coverage from Kansas Speedway begins Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

    Paul Menard
    No. 27 SPLASH/Menards Chevrolet SS
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s SPLASH/Menards Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 427 at Kansas Speedway. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS was previously run this season at Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway.

    Kansas Stats … Menard has nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway. His best start of second came in 2010 and best finish of third came in 2012. The Wisconsin native has completed 2,346 of 2,351 laps attempted (99.8 percent) at the Kansas track, leading 17 of them.

    About SPLASH …SPLASH Products Inc., a national provider of seasonal safety products based in Eagan, Minn., manufactures and distributes a comprehensive assortment of windshield washer fluids, RV and marine antifreeze, gas line antifreeze and winter deicers. With distribution in almost every type of retail channel, SPLASH is conveniently available throughout the Unites States.For more information on SPLASH, please visit www.splashwash.com.

    Double Duty … In addition to driving the No. 27 SPLASH/Menards Chevrolet SS in Sunday afternoon’s race, Menard will pilot the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Saturday afternoon. This race is scheduled to air live on ESPN at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, along with the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Radio, channel 90. This will mark Menard’s fourth and final Nationwide Series race of the season.

    Race Rewind … Starting 14th, Menard finished third in last year’s Kansas 400, earning his best finish to-date at the 1.5-mile speedway.

    PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

    Menard’s Thoughts on Racing at Kansas Speedway:

    “Kansas is a fun track to race on, especially with the new pavement. It’s really fast, one of the fastest tracks we race on all year. With the new pavement, the racing groove is narrow and mostly on the bottom of the track. As we continue to run races there, the groove will build up and get wider. It should be a good race and I’m looking forward to going back. We had a really good car there earlier this year and got a top-10 finish. We ran really well there last year also, so we’re looking for good things for our Menards/SPLASH Chevrolet SS this weekend.”

    Kevin Harvick
    No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet SS at Kansas Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot chassis No. 431 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the Kansas 400. This Chevrolet is new to the No. 29 team rotation and is scheduled to be on track for the first time this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

    Racing in the Sunflower State … Since the 2001 season, Harvick has made 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway. Throughout the years, the California native has collected one top-five and six top-10 finishes. He has an average starting position of 19.7, an average finishing position of 12.9, has completed 97.2 percent (3,843 of 3,953) of the laps contested and has 83 laps led to his credit.

    See Harvick … Harvick is schedule to appear in the Finish Line fan hospitality area at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 to 9:20 a.m. Central Time for a fan question-and-answer session. To purchase tickets to the hospitality area please visit, http://www.kansasspeedway.com/Vanity-Pages/2013/Finish-Line-Hospitality.aspx, or call 1.888.341.7223.

    Race Rewind … After starting from the 10th position, Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team earned an 11th-place finish during the 2012 edition of the fall race at Kansas Speedway after spending much of the 267-lap affair running in the top 20 while battling handling issues.

    KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:

    The racing surface at Kansas Speedway was recently repaved. How long does it usually take you to adapt to the racing surface as it ages between race weekends and seasons?

    “Kansas (Speedway) will be a little different this time because of the tire change Goodyear is making for this race. Because of the tire change we have an open test day at the track before the race weekend begins, so we’ll have some extra time to get used to the racing surface and what’s going on with the aging and wear. In general, it depends on the environment the track is in that will change the racing surface. The asphalt they use to pave these race tracks now is made to last a long time on roads and it’s really not the right asphalt to use for a racing surface. Tracks seem to age a little slower than they did in the past and it’s not really what we’re used to.”

    Jeff Burton
    No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This week’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 416 this weekend at Kansas Speedway. This No. 31 Chevrolet has been utilized five times this season at Auto Club Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway and both events at Pocono Raceway.

    Burton in the Sunflower State … Burton has 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the Kansas City, Kan.-based facility with one top-five and two top-10 finishes. His best start of 10th and best finish of fifth both came in the 2006 event. The South Boston, Va., native has completed 3,837 of 3,953 laps attempted (97.1 percent) at the 1.5-mile oval, leading seven of them.

    Featured Cat Dealers … NMC and Foley Equipment will be featured on the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

    As one of the longest operating Caterpillar dealerships, NMC has served customers with equipment and service solutions since 1938. The company remains customer-focused by providing a comprehensive line of product sales, parts, rental and services vital to the construction, power generation, material handling, on-highway truck, agriculture and railroad industries. Whether it’s Caterpillar equipment or another leading equipment manufacturer, NMC continually forges new solutions to meet the changing needs of its customers. Proudly celebrating their 75th anniversary, NMC is grateful to the many dedicated employees and customers who have helped make them a trusted partner. By working hard and together, NMC will continue to serve the communities that have welcomed their business for the last 75 years.

    > From 19 locations in 14 cities, Foley Equipment serves 104 of 105 counties in Kansas and 40 counties in western Missouri, including the Kansas City metropolitan area. Foley specializes in new and used Cat equipment and has full parts and service capabilities. Foley Rental carries a huge assortment of quality allied machines to fit customers’ equipment needs. Foley Power Solutions provides power packages for a wide variety of applications and specializes in the design, engineering and fabrication of state-of-the-art engine packages in a vast range of power ratings. For more information, visit www.foleyeq.com.

    Race Rewind 2012 … Contact with another competitor on lap 84 sent Burton’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet spinning into the outside retaining wall and relegated the team to a 28th-place finish at Kansas Speedway in October 2012.

    JEFF BURTON QUOTE:

    What changes do you expect to see from the April NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Kansas Speedway?

    “It’s important to understand when you go back to a place which has been recently repaved that you might be going back to a completely different race track. It has been a hot summer in the Midwest part of the country and that typically changes race tracks quite a bit. We have to be open-minded when it comes to our setup for Kansas Speedway. It will also be nice to have that extra day of practice on Thursday leading into the normal race weekend. It will give the Caterpillar team the opportunity to test setups and learn how the track surface has evolved.”

    Richard Childress Racing
    NASCAR Nationwide Series News and Notes

    Race: Kansas Lottery 300
    Location: Kansas Speedway

    RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Kansas Speedway … In 25 previous NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has one win (Kevin Harvick in 2006), among nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. RCR entries have completed 91.2 percent of laps attempted, with 220 laps led.

    RCR in the NNS … In 956 Nationwide Series starts through the last 15 years, RCR has earned 66 wins, 49 pole awards, 322 top-five and 534 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 11.9 and an average finishing position of 12.4 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver point 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 Johhny Sauter and Harvick, and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer.

    The Season So Far … In the 28 races contested this season, RCR has earned two wins in the Nationwide Series, with Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway and Harvick at Atlanta Motor Speedway, along with 25 top-five and 45 top-10 finishes. Austin Dillon has earned six pole awards at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, setting the all-time pole award record in the Nationwide Series with four-consecutive poles, while Brian Scott earned a pole award for the organization at Richmond International Raceway. The organization has led 1,060 laps in 2013.

    Get to the Points … Dillon ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing point leader Sam Hornish, Jr. by four points, while Brian Scott is seventh, 73 points out of the lead. In the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, the No. 3 Chevrolet team sits fourth, while the No. 2 team is ninth and the No. 33 team is 10th.

    Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team Twitter pages – @RCR2BScott, @RCR3ADillon and @RCR33NNS, RCR’s NNS driver Twitter pages – @BScottRacing, @AustinDillon3 and @DakodaArmstrong and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/BScottRacing, facebook.com/austindillon3, and facebook.com/PaulMenard27.

    Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Kansas Lottery 300 will be televised on ESPN beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Oct. 5 and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.

    Brian Scott
    No. 2 Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Fast Fixin Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … This weekend the NASCAR Nationwide Series travels to the home state of Dorothy Gale and Kansas Speedway for 300 miles of Nationwide Series action. Brian Scott and the No. 2 Fast Fixin’ team will bring chassis No.115 to the 1.5 mile, D-shaped oval. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet was most recently run at Bristol Motor Speedway in August where Scott started on the outside of the front row and finished ninth. Earlier this season, this chassis was on track at Dover International Speedway in June earning a 14th-place finish and Bristol Motor Speedway in March where he started eighth and finished 10th. In 2012, Ty Dillon utilized this Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (finished third) and Richmond International Raceway (finished seventh) while Elliott Sadler raced it at Kansas Speedway (finished fourth).

    200th NASCAR Start … This Saturday’s Nationwide Series race will mark Scott’s 200th NASCAR start. The date was September 15th, 2007, “Crank That” by Soulja Boy was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, “The Brave One” starring Jodie Foster was No. 1 at the US Box Office and the then 19-year-old driver made his first NASCAR start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event in the No. 16 for Xpress Motorsports at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Since his debut six years ago, he has earned two Camping World Truck Series wins at Dover International Speedway (2009) and Phoenix International Raceway (2012), 11 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. Scott transitioned to fulltime Nationwide Series competition in 2008 and has earned two pole awards, eight top-five and 35 top-10 finishes. Thus far this season, he earned his career-best Nationwide Series finish of second at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway, and is scheduled to make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12.

    Scott’s Sunflower State History… Scott has four Nationwide Series starts to his credit at Kansas Speedway. The RCR driver has three starts inside the top-10 holding an average of 8.8, with his best start of third coming during this event one year ago and holds an average finish of 19.5. He also has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts to his credit with a best finish of third, along with three laps led in the 2009 event.

    Fixin’ To Be Fast … Fast Fixin’ will adorn the hood of the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for the second time this season at Kansas Speedway. Under the AdvancePierre Foods umbrella, Fast Fixin’ is the fast, fun way to feed the family that’s always a winner from start to finish. With seven different chicken varieties, made with all white meat, whether it’s chicken fries, popcorn chicken, nuggets, patties, strips or Dino Bites, find Fast Fixin’ in your local grocer’s freezer.

    Points, Points, Points … Scott remains seventh in Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, 79 markers back from leader Sam Hornish, Jr. The No. 2 Fast Fixin’ driver continues to chip away at the competition and is only 26 points outside of the top five.

    Last Race at Kansas … Scott qualified third in last year’s edition of the Kansas Lottery 300 but battled a loose-handling chassis during event before posting a 26th-place finish. The Boise, Idaho driver is looking for personal redemption at the track this year and hopes that he will be able to clinch his best finish at Kansas Speedway during his first season with RCR.

    BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:

    What was your experience like last year on the new pavement at Kansas Speedway?

    “Unfortunately, I remember a lot. I was spinning around quite a bit during the race last year. We qualified third and were running second for the first run of the race. We were really fast, but way too loose and the thing (car) was just mean in dirty air.”

    How will you prepare for your second time back at Kansas Speedway on the fresh pavement?

    “I know when we go there with Richard Childress Racing it’ll be more about getting stability for dirty air, and not necessarily about trimming it out and going fast. The new pavement has so much grip that you can go fast by yourself, but it can really bite you when you get around other cars; I was a victim of that last year.”

    Austin Dillon
    No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 131 in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. Dillon has driven this Chevrolet Camaro on one previous occasion, finishing fourth at Chicagoland Speedway in September.

    Dillon at Kansas Speedway … Dillon has one Nationwide Series start at Kansas Speedway, earning a second-place finish after starting second in last year’s edition of the race. He made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at the track in 2011, posting a 26th-place finish in an entry fielded by Mike Curb. He has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, finishing 12th in June 2011 and sixth in May 2010. In addition, he has one Camping World Truck Series pole award at the track (June 2011).

    The Season So Far … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon leads the Nationwide Series championship contenders in Average Starting Position (5.1), leads the series in Laps in the Top-15 (91.7 percent), has led the second-most laps (516), ranks second in Percentage of Laps Run on the Lead Lap (95.33 percent), ranks third in Average Running Position (8.673), maintains the third-best Driver Rating (102.5), is the third-Fastest Driver on Restarts (8.000), and ranks fourth in Fastest Laps Run (333).

    Get to the Points … Dillon ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship standings, four markers shy of Sam Hornish, Jr.’s point lead with five races remaining this season.

    Think Pink …Dillon and the RCR team will sport the colors of Pink Lemonade AdvoCare Spark® this weekend on the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Camaro to help show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dillon plans to wear a pink Sparco firesuit, helmet and other pink assets this weekend to support the cause.

    Get Sparked … An energy drink mix and the most popular product from AdvoCare, Pink Lemonade is one of several flavors of Spark available. AdvoCare is an award-winning premier health and wellness company offering 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 also an AdvoCare Independent Distributor. For more information about Dillon’s favorite products, including Spark, Rehydrate, AdvoBars and Post-Workout Recovery, visit .

    AdvoCare Supporting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma … If Dillon wins this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway, AdvoCare will make a $5,000 donation to the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The health and wellness company will pledge $2,000 to CIPT for a top-five finish and $1,000 for a top-10 finish. So far this season, the No. 3 team has raised $28,000 towards the cause. The Childress Institute invests resources in research, education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children in the U.S. and AdvoCare’s generous donations are aimed at helping to raise awareness for pediatric trauma, the No. 1 killer of children in America. You can help save the lives of injured children by making a contribution to the Childress Institute in two ways: donate $33 in honor of Dillon via his website, or text WIN to 80077 to make a $10 donation.

    AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

    What will it take to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship this year?

    “I think it’s going to take top-five finishes, and by top five finishes, I don’t mean you can finish fifth every weekend for the rest of the year and win the championship. I think you need to finish in the top-three consistently. Sam Hornish, Jr. and I are both really competitive and in order to win the championship, the No. 3 team is going to have to finish ahead of him every weekend. Kansas Speedway is a mile-and-a-half track where we have performed well at in the past. I’m really comfortable there and looking forward to this weekend’s race.”

    Dakoda Armstrong
    No. 21 WinField Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s WinField Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Dakoda Armstrong will pilot Chassis No. 118 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. Armstrong has driven this RCR-prepared machine three times this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, Chicagoland Speedway in July and Kentucky Speedway in September.

    Final Run … Armstrong returns to the Nationwide Series program this weekend for his fifth and final scheduled appearance of the 2013 season with RCR. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular has earned three top-15 finishes in his four previous starts this season.

    Sunflower State Stats … Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300 marks Armstrong’s first Nationwide Series appearance at Kansas Speedway and his sixth-career Nationwide Series start. The Indiana native has two Camping World Truck Series starts to his credit at the 1.5-mile facility, with two top-15 finishes.

    WinField on the Hood … WinField, a Land O’Lakes company, offers top-performing seed and crop protection products and will adorn the hood of the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend at Kansas Speedway. With unmatched agricultural expertise and performance as core company values, WinField brands match leading seed and crop protection products to help growers, dealers and other industry partners achieve high levels of success. WinField brands include CROPLAN® seed, crop protection products, plant nutrients and other proprietary products.  Backed with unrivaled technical services and knowledge, WinField™ products deliver outstanding solutions and value for the agricultural industry.

    Heading to the Chevy Stage … Armstrong is schedule to visit the Team Chevy stage prior to the Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 9:15 a.m. Central Time for a fan question-and-answer session.

    Race Rewind: Kentucky Speedway … In his last Nationwide Series appearance, Armstrong drove the No. 21 WinField Chevrolet to a career-best 13th-place finish at Kentucky Speedway in September after starting from the 21st position.

    DAKODA ARMSTRONG QUOTE:

    What are your thoughts on competing for Richard Childress Racing in your final NASCAR Nationwide Series race of the season at Kansas Speedway?

    “It’s going to be great to get back in the (NASCAR) Nationwide Series car with the same Richard Childress Racing team I worked with just two weeks ago. I think the short break will definitely play to my advantage, just because I’m comfortable with these guys and I’ll spend a lot less time getting accustomed to the car again. After a pretty solid run at Kentucky (Speedway), I think we can use some momentum from there and carry it over to Kansas (Speedway) this week. The track has changed a lot since they repaved it and it’s going to be completely different from Kentucky. I think the most important thing we’ll need to run up front is plain speed there, because handling doesn’t come into play quite as much anymore with the new pavement. I know Marcus Richmond (crew chief) and this crew will have our WinField Camaro dialed in right off the truck, and hopefully we can close out my last Nationwide Series race of the year with a top-10 finish.”

    Paul Menard
    No. 33 Menards Chevrolet Camaro
    Event Preview Fact Sheet

    This Week’s Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 130 at Kansas Speedway. This No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro was previously run this season at Chicagoland Speedway where Kevin Harvick drove it to a ninth-place finish.

    Sunflower State Stats … Menard has seven NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Kansas Speedway. His best start of first came in 2004 and best finish of fourth in 2011. The Wisconsin native has completed 1,365 of 1,410 laps attempted (96.8 percent) at the 1.5-mile track, leading 110 of them.

    Gotta Have a Rheem …Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. In its 88th 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 and RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series.

    Double Duty …In addition to driving the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro in Saturday afternoon’s race, Menard will pilot the No. 27 SPLASH/Menards Chevrolet SS in the Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday afternoon. This race is scheduled to air live on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, along with the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

    Race Rewind … Starting fifth, Menard led the most laps (110) before finishing 16th after running out of fuel two laps shy of the checkered flag in last year’s Nationwide Series event at Kansas Speedway.

    PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

    What are your thoughts on racing at Kansas Speedway?

    “I’m looking forward to going back to Kansas (Speedway) to run in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event this weekend. We led the most laps there in last year’s race before coming up short on fuel in a green-white-checkered finish. We had the best car there last fall and I know the No. 33 team will give me another fast Rheem/Menards Chevrolet this weekend. This is my last Nationwide race of the season, so it would really be nice to get a win for No. 33 the guys. Kansas is a fast track and hopefully the racing groove will be a bit wider this time around than it was in the spring.”