Category: NASCAR Cup PR

NASCAR Cup Series Press Release

  • FedEx Racing Express Facts – Indianapolis

    FedEx Racing Express Facts – Indianapolis

    Denny Hamlin
    #11 FedEx Express Toyota
    Joe Gibbs Racing

    Race Info:
    Race: Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard
    Date/Time: September 8/2:00 p.m. ET
    Distance: 160 laps/400 miles
    Track Length: 2.5 miles
    Track Shape: Oval
    Banking: 9 degrees
    2018 Winner: Brad Keselowski

    Express Notes:

    Press Kit: Download the 2019 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Chris Gabehart and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights and statistics.

    Darlington Recap: A top-five run and a shot at victory were derailed for Denny Hamlin Sunday night after he got collected in a multi-car wreck in the rain-delayed Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Hamlin was running in the top five when a multi-car crash unfolded in front of him on Lap 275 of 367. The FedEx Toyota suffered significant damage, but the #11 team was able to patch up their car well enough, using multiple pit stops, to return to the race. However, Hamlin was multiple laps down and unable to make up lost ground. He crossed the line in 29th as Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Erik Jones collected his first win of the season. The start of Sunday night’s race was delayed almost four hours due to heavy rain, and fans didn’t see the checkered flag wave until almost 2 a.m. local time.

    Indianapolis Preview: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads next to “The Brickyard” for its regular-season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 8. Despite a disappointing finish at Darlington, ending a streak of six consecutive top-five finishes, Hamlin and team will look for a strong finish to the regular season before playoff racing begins.

    Hamlin Indianapolis Statistics:

    Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    Races: 13

    Wins: 0

    Poles: 1 (2012)

    Top-5: 5

    Top-10: 7

    Laps Led: 112

    Avg. Start: 12.4

    Avg. Finish 12.8

    Hamlin Conversation:

    How will your team bounce back from the result at Darlington?

    “Obviously, that was a big disappointment for our FedEx team. We had another good car and felt we could’ve competed for a win. Our team will work hard to get our streak going again in Indianapolis and finish the regular season on a strong note.”

    Do you feel any extra pressure heading into the playoffs following such a strong season from you and your team?

    “There’s always pressure when it comes to playoff racing, and I’ve been fortunate to have gained lots of experience in the playoffs throughout my career. I have complete faith in my team and we look forward to the challenges ahead.”

    FedEx Express Regional Hub in Greensboro, N.C., Along for the Ride at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: FedEx Express celebrates the one-year anniversary of the opening of its regional hub in Greensboro, N.C., by featuring the letters GSOH on the B-post of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

  • RCR Event Preview – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    RCR Event Preview – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    Richard Childress Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … In 69 previous Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has posted two pole awards (Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jeff Burton in 2006), three wins (Dale Earnhardt in 1995, Harvick in 2003 and Paul Menard in 2011), 12 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes. RCR Chevrolets have also been atop the leaderboard for a total of 268.

    RCR in the MENCS … In 2,971 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 51 pole awards,108 wins, 489 top-five finishes and 1,074 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.2. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Menards Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

    A Celebration of 50 Years … Help Richard Childress Racing celebrate their golden anniversary at RCR Fan Day at our campus in Welcome, North Carolina on Friday, October 25. The unique, one-day event is will include driver/owner autograph sessions, panel discussions with key personnel, a kids’ interactive area, pit crew demos, military interaction, shop tours and even a hauler parade to help send off our teams as they head to Martinsville Raceway. Follow RCR’s social media channels for updates regarding Fan Day and all 50th Anniversary events.

    Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s corporate Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page – @RCRCup, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3, @TylerReddick and @DanielHemric. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages –  http://www.facebook.com/austindillon3 and www.facebook.com/DanielHemric.

    Catch the Action … The Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard will be televised live Sunday, September 8 beginning at 2 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    This Week’s Symbicort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … In six previous Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series attempts at the Brickyard, Dillon’s best finish at the track in the Cup Series is ninth. He also has three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at IMS, with a best finish of fifth in 2012. Dillon grew up attending races at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway track with his grandfather, car owner Richard Childress. Dillon recalls riding in the pace car as a young child and participated in Victory Lane festivities with Paul Menard in 2011 and Kevin Harvick in 2003 when they won the prestigious race under the RCR banner.

    SYMBICORT Partners with the No. 3 at Indy … SYMBICORT is an AstraZeneca product and the sponsor of No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Brickyard 400 with Austin Dillon. You can learn more at MySymbicort.com. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

    AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
    How hard is it to get a handle on Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
    “Well, Indy is a fast place. You are looking at a wall going into Turn 1. It feels like a never-ending turn there. You can’t see it and it’s just a fun place to cross the bricks. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a prestigious place, similar to Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway, and a few of the other big tracks that we go to. We love getting there and trying to race for that trophy.”

    Racing at Indianapolis Motor speedway with this new package. You’ve done it in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. What do you think this thing is going to race like this time around because it seems like every year it’s different?
    “It was a really fun race last year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. I had a blast running it and I had a fast car. This time around, we’ll be running the package in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, and it will be the last race before the Playoffs. It should be wild. This package gives you an opportunity to really put yourself out there and gives you a chance to win a race and put yourself in the Playoffs.”

    Your grandfather is going to be driving the pace car this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Are you going to go up there and give him a little nudge?
    “I hope so. It would be cool to sit on the pole so that I can mess with him a little bit. I already told him that’s our goal, to go sit on the pole and give him a little bump before the race.”

    Do you think he may have a little trouble getting off the track like Richard Petty did a little while back when he drove the pace car at Darlington Raceway?
    “Pop Pop usually has something up his sleeve. He’s not going to go out there and let it be just a regular pace car ride.”
    Daniel Hemric and the No. 8 Liberty National Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Hemric will be making his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in this weekend’s Brickyard 400. The Kannapolis, North Carolina, native has two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at IMS, recording one top-five and two top-10 finishes, with 26 laps led. In those two Xfinity Series starts, Hemric recorded an average start of 10.5 and an average finish of 6.5.

    About Liberty National Life Insurance … Founded in 1900, Liberty National Life Insurance Company is licensed in 49 states and headquartered in McKinney, Texas. Liberty National provides life and supplemental health insurance to middle-income Americans through individual and worksite sales by captive, contracted insurance sales representatives. Liberty National has local, independently operated offices throughout the United States. Its Agents and Managers actively participate in numerous charitable outreach initiatives throughout the year. Liberty National has more than 3.7 million life and supplemental health insurance policies in force (as of 9/18). For more than 40 consecutive years, Liberty National has earned the A+ (Superior) Financial Strength Rating from A.M. Best Company (as of 7/18). Every year since 1995, Liberty National has been named to the Ward’s 50 Life-Health List (as of 7/18). For more about Liberty National, please visit our website at LibertyNational.com.

    Meet the Driver … Hemric is scheduled to take part in a series of activities with kids during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hauler parade on Friday, Sept. 6, starting at 6:30 p.m. local time. Hemric will be paired with a team of kids to take on Brad Keselowski and his team of kids in a series of fun and engaging activities.

    DANIEL HEMRIC QUOTES:
    What is the biggest difference you expect to find between the Xfinity Series car and the Cup Series car for your first start in the Brickyard 400?
    “The team that does the best job of figuring out this aerodynamic package and how to be effective in traffic will excel. We had a similar package with the Xfinity Series cars last year at Indy, but it wasn’t quite as receptive to the aero wake that we find with these Cup cars. You can be a little more aggressive about how close in line you can run with other cars. That has been a little bit of a hurdle for us, in particular. I really believe, truly, that we’re making gains and helping our race cars on all aspects when it comes to that. I look forward to making my first start in the Brickyard 400. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is such a prestigious place. I remember as a kid, in the mid-1990s, watching NASCAR go there for the first time, Jeff Gordon winning the first race and Dale Earnhardt winning the second go around. Those are some of my fondest memories as a kid watching NASCAR. It is going to be really special to be part of that event for the first time.”

    Richard Childress is driving the Chevrolet pace car this weekend for the Brickyard 400. What is that going to mean to have him to lead the field to green?
    “Hopefully we can be on the front row with one of our RCR Chevy’s to bump draft his Camaro ZL1, that would be pretty special. For him being part of one of the first NASCAR races ran there to now myself driving the No. 8 car and obviously his grandson (Austin Dillon), that would be pretty special if we sat on the front row to mess with him. It’s cool to see NASCAR put it in Richard’s hands like that let him go have some fun and enjoy his 50 years in the sport. You can tell he’s pretty pumped about it and I look forward to it.”
    Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … In 28 Series starts at the 2.5-mile speedway, RCR has captured one victory with Ty Dillon in 2014. The Welcome, North Carolina, organization has completed 2,584 laps of the 2,652 (97.4 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated nine top-five finishes, 20 top-10 finishes, led 83 laps and averages a starting position of 10.4 and finishing position of 8.9.

    Darlington Review … Tyler Reddick picked up a stage win and led the most laps before coming home with a second-place finish during last weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway.

    The Points …Tyler Reddick remains the current Xfinity Series points leader.

    Social Media … To keep up with the latest updates from RCR’s Xfinity Series teams, follow @RCRracing and @RCRNXS on Twitter. Updates can also be found via RCR’s Facebook Page and Instagram (@RCRracing).

    Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Indiana 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, September 7, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on NBCSN. It will also be broadcast live on the IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
    Tyler Reddick and the No. 2 Anderson’s Maple Syrup Chevrolet Camaro at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … Tyler Reddick has two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with his best start of ninth and best finish of second coming during last year’s event.

    About Anderson’s Maple Syrup … In 1928, Paul Anderson first shared the distinct taste of Wisconsin’s Northwoods by producing sweet pure maple syrup and starting a 90-year pure maple syrup tradition. Three generations later his grandson, Steve Anderson, still carries on this syrup making heritage by bottling pure maple syrup from the same sugar bush his grandfather tapped for so many years. Anderson’s Maple Syrup is pure, all natural and a healthy alternative for families. From its humble roots in Cumberland, Wisconsin; Anderson’s Maple Syrup is still made with the love your family would expect. Try Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup in coffee or tea as a sweetener, and on ice cream as a topping. Today, some of the top barbecue grillers and chefs in the country eye Anderson’s as one of the best ingredients and glazes for most meats, fruits & veggies for summertime use and ham glazes for the special occasions. From our farm to your kitchen Anderson’s can be found in grocery & specialty stores around the country. “Everything tastes better with Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup”. For more information on Anderson’s Maple Syrup, visit andersonsmaplesyrup.com, and follow Anderson’s Maple Syrup Racing on Twitter via @AndersonsMaple and on Facebook via AndersonsMapleSyrup.

    Powered by Pure Fuel … The Anderson family eats, breathes, and sleeps Pure Maple Syrup. They have for over 90 years! When Steve Anderson’s sister started talking about the energy gels that she and her friends use during marathon training, he was listening. They’ve heard one common complaint – these gels are thick and even with plenty of water can be difficult to swallow and digest. It got him thinking. What is it that your body needs to keep you fueled when working out? A little research quickly revealed that the family’s passion is good for something other than breakfast. It turns out, Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup has the same nutrients that endurance athletes and mid-endurance athletes need but is easier to swallow and digest when working out. So, they put Anderson’s Organic Pure Maple Syrup in a gel packet and called it Pure Fuel. Pure because it is an All Natural, Organic Pure Maple Syrup with nothing added. It is straight from the tree to you. Fuel because it supports your performance with natural nutrients that your body needs like manganese, zinc and potassium, along with over 60 antioxidants. The most obvious source of Fuel for athletes is carbohydrate intake. Research shows that the most efficient way to replenish carbs while working out is with a combination of fructose and glucose, and guess what? Pure Maple Syrup and Pure Fuel are natural sources for these energy boosters! With Pure Fuel there is no need for chemical manipulation or additives. So, give Pure Fuel a try. The Anderson family think you’ll find that, just like Steve Anderson’s sister and her friends, this stuff works! Visit OrganicPureFuel.com to learn more.

    Meet Reddick … Fans can meet Reddick when he takes part in a Q&A session at the Team Chevy display beginning at 11 a.m. local time on Saturday, September 7.

    TYLER REDDICK QUOTES:
    The drive to the Xfinity Series Playoffs is almost over, but how do you think these last couple of weeks are shaping up for the No. 2 team?
    “So far, it’s been good for the No. 2 team. We’ve continued to show our strength and capability to overcome a lot of adversity. On the weekends where we have a lot of things stacked against us, we’ve been able to overcome them and still have good finishes, putting us in contention to win races. I feel like when teams get to those moments in the Playoffs, that’s when our true colors are going to come out and we’re ready for it. I think we’ve also had decent speed almost everywhere we’ve gone, and that’s helped up stayed consistent. We’re working really hard and hope we can break through to win again soon to help carry momentum into the Playoffs.”

    Going back to Indy this weekend with the same package for the third year now, how does that track race for you?
    “It races really well. The aero package seems to work the best at Indy and puts on a good show for the fans. Last year, I came up one spot short in the race, so this is a weekend I’ve been waiting for. I think with the momentum the No. 2 Anderson’s Maple Syrup team has shown these past few weeks, we’ll have a shot at it if we continue preparing as we have been. Indy is one place I think would be really cool to visit Victory Lane at.”

  • Matt DiBenedetto – No. 95 Horizon Transport Toyota Camry – Indianapolis Preview

    Matt DiBenedetto – No. 95 Horizon Transport Toyota Camry – Indianapolis Preview

    Matt DiBenedetto – No. 95 Horizon Transport Toyota Camry Preview
    Big Machine Vodka 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    No. 95 Horizon Transport Toyota Camry Notes:

    DIBENEDETTO BY THE NUMBERS: In four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career starts at Indianapolis, Matt DiBenedetto has an average start of 32.0, an average finish of 29.0, and he’s completed 422 of 661 (63.8 percent) career laps at the Brickyard.

    HOMESTATE HORIZON TRANSPORT:  In the early 1980’s, Melvin Schrock, founder of Horizon Transport, was a delivery driver for Coachmen Industries, delivering new RV’s to their dealerships.  It was during this time that he recognized the need for a transportation company that provided prompt service with professional, clean, qualified and courteous drivers.  It was out of this vision that Horizon Transport was established.  Over the years, by providing superior service and taking care of the customers and contractors, Horizon has grown considerably. Currently, Horizon delivers 80,000 vehicles annually and Horizon has become a highly respected leader in the RV transportation industry.  From their humble beginnings in 1984 with ten drivers, today Horizon has an independent contractor base of over 1,500 drivers. The corporate office is located in Wakarusa, Indiana with branch offices across the Midwest and west coast.

    RACE INFO: The Big Machine Vodka 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5-mile) begins at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 8th. The race will be broadcast live on NBC, Sirius XM Channel 90 and IMS Radio

    DiBenedetto’s Career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Stats at Indianapolis:
    Date                Event:                                                 S          F         Laps               Status
    07/26/15          Crown Royal 400                                40        32        162/164           Running
    07/24/16          Combat Wounded Coalition 400         30        40        4/170               Engine
    07/23/17          Big Machine Brickyard 400                 27        8          167/167           Running
    09/10/18          Big Machine Vodka 400                      31        36        89/160             Read End

    Races     Wins     Top 5s    Top 10s       Poles
    Cumulative         4            0              0              0                0

    DiBenedetto’s 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats:
    Starts         Wins        Top-5’s     Top-10’s         Poles        Laps Led         Avg. Start       Avg. Finish
    25               0                 3                 6                  0                143                    20.8                 19.2

    DiBenedetto’s Career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Stats:
    Starts         Wins        Top-5’s     Top-10’s         Poles        Laps Led         Avg. Start       Avg. Finish
    165                0                 3               10                  0                166                   29.65                27.5

    From the Driver’s Seat:
    Matt DiBenedetto: “At Indy, it’s a track where it’s really important to be able to have the grip in the corners and the clean air as well.  The corners of Indy are a little tighter than most other tracks we go to, so you really need clean air to get around that track well.  Unlike other 2.5-mile tracks we race, you can’t really run in a pack at Indy because of how tight the corners are.  Pocono is the closest 2.5-mile track that I can compare to Indy so we’ll look over notes from those two races this year as we plan ahead for this weekend.  There will be some strategy plays this weekend as well since the track is long enough that some people may pit under green, similar to what we often see at Pocono, because you can vary pit strategies at Indy and not fall behind.  Restarts at Pocono showed us that you had to be in the outside line, otherwise you just got demolished, and I anticipate the same being true for this weekend at Indy as well.  You’ll want to try and have a good day of restarts, because typically the field will file out from there, and there aren’t a lot of places to pass on the track otherwise.”

    From the Pit Box:
    Mike Wheeler: “Indy this weekend will be the most similar to Pocono in my opinion.  Passing will be difficult, the long straightaways, and track position will matter.  We’ll also have the same tire from Pocono this weekend at Indy so that’s another commonality for teams, and drivers to work with this weekend as well.  Since Indy’s corners are a lot like Turn 2 at Pocono the corners are all pretty tight at Indy but when you’re by yourself in clean air, they’re a lot easier.  There might be some drafting down the straightaway this weekend, but ultimately, you’ll have to be single file through the corner.  I think that it will come down to a game of restarts and execution all day to get up front to win the race.  You can also short pit the stages at Indy to gain track position but giving up stage points during that could be a side story just the same.  I also feel that the restarts this weekend at Indy may be pretty wild until the field gets single-filed out.”

    No. 95 Horizon Transport Camry Team:
    Driver: Matt DiBenedetto                   Crew Chief: Mike Wheeler
    Car Chief: Greg Emmer                     Spotter: Doug Campbell
    Engineer: J.R. Houston                     Engineer: Etienne Cliche
    Mechanic: Bill Mares                         Mechanic: Matt Kimball
    Shock Specialist: Sean Studer         Mechanic: Zach Marquardt
    Tire Specialist: Tony Ramirez          Jackman: Charles Thacker
    Fueler: Bailey Walker                         Rear Changer: Deven Youker
    Front Changer: Adam Hartman        Tire Carrier: Chris Hall
    Hauler Driver: Damon Lopez            Pit Support: Brian Eastland

    About Horizon Transport:
    Horizon Transport is one of North America’s largest RV transporters. Horizon is located in the heart of RV country, Wakarusa, Indiana. We’re committed to integrity, dedication, and excellence. We know that if we build a great culture among our drivers, they will serve our customers well. Horizon Transport is growing at an incredible pace and we’re always looking for more drivers. Join us as we transport the nation’s RVs!

  • Southeastern Equipment & Supply, Inc. to Power Matt Tifft at Indy

    Southeastern Equipment & Supply, Inc. to Power Matt Tifft at Indy

    Leading Floor Care Brand Partners with No. 36 Ford

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 3, 2019) – Southeastern Equipment & Supply, Inc., the unmatched leader in reconditioned and new floor scrubbers, will team up with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and Matt Tifft at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 8. Southeastern Equipment will serve as the primary sponsor of Tifft’s No. 36 Ford Mustang, while Minuteman and Meijer will serve as associate sponsors.

    Headquartered in West Columbia, S.C., Southeastern Equipment specializes in all types of floor buffer and cleaning equipment, shipping new and gently used cleaning equipment to all 50 states and several countries worldwide. The family-founded business offers over 100 years of combined experience in equipment service and is operated by 2nd and 3rd generation family members.

    “This is a really exciting partnership for us,” said Grady Martin, General Manager of Southeastern Equipment. “NASCAR offers such a great platform for us to spread the word about our organization and what we are all about. Matt’s story really resonated with us and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

    “It’s great to see a new partner like Southeastern Equipment on board with us at Indy,” said Tifft. “The equipment they provide is essential to our operation. I’m looking forward to representing them on the car and showcasing what they have to offer our fans.”

    The No. 36 Southeastern Equipment Ford Mustang will make its debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 7 for practice. The “Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race will air Sunday, September 8 at 2 p.m. on NBC.

    For more information about Southeastern Equipment, visit southeasternequipment.net and follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/sesfloorscrubbers/, Twitter at @sesfloorscrub and Instagram at @sesfloorscrubbers.

    About Southeastern Equipment & Supply Inc.
    Southeastern Equipment & Supply, Inc. is your source for new, refurbished, and used cleaning equipment. Is your business or organization in need of a new floor sweeper? Are you looking to save money by finding the best price possible on a top-quality floor polisher that can get the job done? Southeastern Equipment & Supply, Inc is here to meet your floor cleaning equipment needs. We have machines to fit every job and every budget. There’s no better place on the web to shop for cleaning machines.

    About Front Row Motorsports
    Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields three full-time entries – the No. 34 of Michael McDowell, the No. 36 of Matt Tifft and the No. 38 of David Ragan – from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. The team’s partnership base includes CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Ford Performance, Love’s Travel Stops, Select Blinds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tunity, Surface and Speedco. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

  • Stenhouse Jr – Indy Advance – Fastenal

    Stenhouse Jr – Indy Advance – Fastenal

    Team:                          No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang
    Crew Chief:                 Brian Pattie
    Twitter:                        @Stenhouse17Team @Stenhousejr and @roushfenway

    ADVANCE NOTES

    Stenhouse Jr. at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    ·         Stenhouse has six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) starts at IMS with an average starting position of 21.3 and average finishing position of 27.5.
    ·         Stenhouse has completed 90.9% (892 of 981) of the laps at the historical 2.5-mile track

    Last time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    After rain washed out the race weekend postponing the race until Monday afternoon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was running in the ninth position before a mechanical issue ultimately ended his day forcing him to settle with a 34th- place finish in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Driven2SaveLives BC39 Powered by NOS Energy Drink

    Stenhouse will drive the No. 17 NOS Energy Drink midget car this Wednesday and Thursday night as he races his way into the 39-lap feature. The second annual race is on the quarter-mile clay oval inside Turn 3 of the famed IMS asphalt oval honors late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign. Get in the

    Fastenal Racing Fan Club

    Make sure to go join the new Fastenal Racing Fan Club to receive exclusive content and prizes.  https://www.fastenalracing.com/fanclub.html

    On the Car

    Fastenal is currently in its eighth season as a primary partner in the MENCS for Roush Fenway. They spent three years on the No. 99 before jumping over to the No. 17 entry, and were the primary partner on the No. 60 Xfinity team that captured the owner’s championship in 2011.

    Stenhouse Jr. on racing at Indianapolis:

    “I’m really looking forward to this weekend especially getting to return to my roots and race at the dirt track inside Turn 3. I always enjoy coming back to Indy since I didn’t live too far from the speedway for about a year when I raced Sprint Cars. We have one more chance to get in to the playoffs. Indy has been a difficult track for me at times, but I felt last year we had one of the best cars I have ever had at Indy. This race usually comes down to pit strategy which falls into Brian Pattie’s wheelhouse. This is our last chance. We have to win to get in.”

  • Ford Performance NASCAR: Three Ford Drivers Battle for Final Playoff Positions at the Brickyard

    Ford Performance NASCAR: Three Ford Drivers Battle for Final Playoff Positions at the Brickyard

    FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: INDIANAPOLIS NOTES
    The final race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular season headlines this weekend’s activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the 16-driver field that will contend for the championship is set.  Five Ford drivers have clinched spots while three more are in contention for the final two positions.  Here’s a look at Ford’s Brickyard history in NASCAR.

    FORD IN THE MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES AT IMS
    ·         Ford has 4 all-time series wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    ·         Dale Jarrett owns two of those wins while Ricky Rudd has one.
    ·         Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of the Brickyard 400.

    FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT IMS
    ·         Ford is looking for its first series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    ·         Brad Keselowski won in 2012 after the race moved from Lucas Oil Raceway.
    ·         Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards posted wins at Lucas Oil Raceway in 2002 and 2009, respectively.

    FORD CUP PLAYOFF SCENARIO DOWN TO THE WIRE

    Five Ford drivers have clinched spots in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and three others are in contention for the final two spots as the regular season concludes Sunday.  Race winners Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick were joined by Aric Almirola and Ryan Blaney in the field of 16 after they clinched their spots on points Sunday at Darlington.  That leaves Clint Bowyer, Daniel Suarez and Ryan Newman to battle for the last two positions.  Bowyer currently sits 15th in the standings and has an eight-point lead over Suarez, who holds the tiebreaker over Newman for 16th place.  Both drivers go into Sunday’s race tied with 617 points, which is 18 more than Jimmie Johnson.

    KESELOWSKI ENDS FORD DROUGHT

    Coming on the heels of his triumph at Darlington Raceway in the Southern 500, Brad Keselowski collected his second straight crown jewel victory by winning the Brickyard 400 last season.  Keselowski battled Denny Hamlin on a restart with three laps to go and used fresher tires to make the decisive pass and give car owner Roger Penske his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win at the track.  The win was also Ford’s first in the Brickyard 400 since Dale Jarrett won in 1999.

    THREE JEWELS FOR DJ

    The first time Ford found victory lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race was in 1996 when Dale Jarrett won the first of his two Brickyard 400 championships.  What made the race most memorable from a Ford perspective is that it ended up being a battle between Jarrett and his Robert Yates Racing teammate, Ernie Irvan.  The two ended up breaking away from the field as Irvan found himself in the lead after passing Jarrett on lap 139, but when he pushed up the track going into turn two with only seven laps to go, Jarrett was there to take advantage and make the pass.  Jarrett held on to eventually win as the race ended under caution.  That completed a trifecta of sorts for Jarrett, who also won the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 earlier that season, and capped a memorable day for Ford with seven finishers in the Top 10 and 11 in the Top 14.

    RUDD’S BIG WIN

    Ricky Rudd stretched his fuel to the limit in winning the 1997 Brickyard 400 as he went the final 46 laps without stopping.  That decision, along with a pair of timely cautions, enabled him to gain the lead and hold it until the checkered flag.  Rudd inherited the lead on lap 147 after the yellow flag came out for debris after Robby Gordon hit the wall.  While leader Dale Jarrett and fellow contender Jeff Gordon were forced to pit for fuel under the caution, Rudd stayed out.  Another caution with seven laps remaining allowed Rudd to save the necessary fuel to make it the rest of the way.  In a single-file restart with three laps to go, Rudd led Bobby Labonte, Johnny Benson, Mark Martin, Jarrett and Gordon.  Labonte was never able to get closer than a couple of car lengths as Rudd posted his second win of the season and biggest triumph of his career.

    TWO FOR JARRETT

    When Dale Jarrett won in 1999 for the second time in four years, it overcame the disappointment from the previous year when he had a dominant Ford Taurus but ran out of gas midway through the race.  Jarrett, who qualified fourth, was in a class by himself as he led 81 of the final 82 laps to win his fourth race of the season.  The crucial part of the race came under caution when Jarrett came down pit road on lap 143 and opted for two tires.  He was able to clear Bobby Labonte on the ensuing restart and was not threatened the rest of the way as he joined Jeff Gordon as the only two-time winners of the event.

    A MAST-ERFUL START

    Another memorable Brickyard highlight came in the inaugural weekend in 1994 when Rick Mast won the pole while driving the No. 1 Ford of car owner Richard Jackson.  Mast went on to lead the first lap at the speedway in official NASCAR competition, but ended up finishing one lap down in 22nd place.  The pole was one of four Mast earned during his 15-year Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career.

    FORD MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT THE BRICKYARD

    1996 – Dale Jarrett
    1997 – Ricky Rudd
    1999 – Dale Jarrett
    2018 – Brad Keselowski

  • Ryan Newman – Indy Advance

    Ryan Newman – Indy Advance

    Team:                   No. 6 Acorns Ford Mustang
    Crew Chief:         Scott Graves
    Twitter:                @Roush6Team, @RoushFenway and @RyanJNewman

    Big Machine Vodka 400 – Sunday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, SiriusXM Channel 90

    ADVANCE NOTES

    Newman at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    ·         Newman will make his 19th Cup start at Indy on Sunday. In 18 prior events, he has one win at The Brickyard with five top-10s, three top fives and an average finish of 16.4.
    ·         Newman secured one of the top victories in all of racing in this event six years ago, winning the 2013 edition of the Brickyard 400. Newman took the lead from Brad Keselowski and led the final 12 laps en route to the win.
    ·         Newman’s best finish outside the victory came just two years ago, crossing the line third after starting eighth. He also finished fourth at the 2.5-mile track in 2002.
    ·         Newman has an average starting spot of 9.7 with one career pole (2013). He qualified inside the top-10 in his first eight Indy races and overall has 13 top-10 starts.

    Scott Graves at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    ·         Graves will be atop the box for his fourth MENCS race at Indy on Sunday. In three prior events Graves has a best finish of seventh with Daniel Suarez in 2017.
    ·         He also called three races in Xfinity Series action (two with Chris Buescher, one with Suarez) with a best finish of seventh with Suarez in 2016.

    QUOTE WORTHY

    Newman on racing at Indy:
    “We know what we have to do entering this weekend. We’ve shown all season we have a lot of fight and we don’t give up, so we’re going to continue that at Indy. Going back home to Indiana is always special for me and is a place that has been good to us over the years. We’re going to give it everything we have this weekend in our Acorns Ford.”

    Tracking the Playoff Hunt
    ·         Newman enters the final weekend of the regular season needing to surpass the No. 41, who holds the tiebreaker as the two are tied for the 16th and final spot. The No. 48 sits 18 points back in 18th as four cars total will battle for the final two spots at Indy.

    On the Car
    Acorns makes its sixth appearance of the season as the primary partner aboard Newman’s No. 6 Ford Mustang this weekend at Indy.

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    Acorns is accessed simply and easily via the app for iPhone, Android or Desktop. Visit Acorns.com for more.

    Recapping Darlington
    Ryan Newman had an eventful night at Darlington this past weekend finishing 23rd. He was the victim of a caution early on after contact with the No. 41, before receiving damage from the No. 8 car later in the race as the final 80 laps went caution-free.

  • Eventful Night Forces Newman with 23rd at Darlington

    Eventful Night Forces Newman with 23rd at Darlington

    DARLINGTON, S.C. (Sept. 1, 2019) — Sunday night was more than eventful for Ryan Newman and the No. 6 team in the Bojangles’ Southern 500, as Newman finished 23rd in his Oscar Mayer / Velveeta Ford Mustang in a race that ran well into the morning hours.

    “We got spun and we came back, and we did not have a top 10 finish, so it’s unfortunate,” Newman said after the race. “We lost some points today, but we’ve got a lot of fight in us and we’ll go into the last one here in the regular season and fight.”

    Sunday’s 500-lap race that annually celebrates NASCAR’s Throwback weekend was set to begin just after 6 p.m. ET, but unfortunately heavy rain set into the area just before and would not let up, forcing a lengthy delay of the initial green flag. After track drying efforts concluded well past the original start time, the green flag fell just after 10 p.m. ET.

    Newman rolled off the grid 24th for the 367-lap event with a competition caution slated for lap 30. Early on he battled tight conditions aboard the No. 6 before going on to finish the first 100-lap stage in 19th.

    Following the team’s third pit stop of the night in the first stage break, Newman lined back up 20th for the second 100-lap segment. 30 laps into the run the yellow was displayed when the No. 41 machine made contact with Newman, spinning him out while running 19th. He would lose a lap in the spin, forcing him to battle back from a lap down.

    After a 12-lap green flag run, he did just that and was awarded the free pass at lap 157 as the team continued to try and free up the No. 6. Newman restarted 29th with 38 to go in the stage before going on to finish 21st in the stage when the yellow flag flew three laps prior to the break.

    Newman rolled off 18th for stage three at lap 206, and by lap 250 had worked his way inside the top-15, reporting the balance was starting to come around. After a green-flag stop for service at lap 257, stops continued to cycle a few laps later before the No. 8 then made contact with Newman, forcing a severe tire rub on the left rear. Just three laps later the caution came out at the right time as the team was able to make repairs and send him back out.

    When the green dropped at lap 281, Newman was racing five others for the lucky dog spot, but the race would go caution-free for the remainder. Newman eventually made one final green-flag stop at lap 322 from the 11th position, but dealt with mechanical issues that the team had to resolve under green. He went on to record a 23rd-place finish, now sitting in a tie with Daniel Suarez for the 16th and final playoff spot entering Indianapolis next weekend, the final race of the regular season.

  • Mechanical Issue Forces Stenhouse to Settle with a 33rd-Place Finish at Darlington

    Mechanical Issue Forces Stenhouse to Settle with a 33rd-Place Finish at Darlington

    DARLINGTON, S.C. (September 2, 2019) – With Dog’s Most Wanted WGNA adorning his No. 17 Ford, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. worked his way inside the top-15 before being plagued with a mechanical issue forcing him to settle with a 33rd-place finish in Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Darlington Raceway.

    “We struggled in practice on Friday,” Stenhouse said. “The guys made some good changes throughout the race, and we were working our way up through the field. Unfortunately, we had an issue that forced us to pit multiple times and put us laps down.”

    After rain delayed the start of the Southern 500 in front of a sold out crowd, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rolled off the grid in the 21st position. He maintained his position despite battling a tight machine when the competition yellow waved on lap 35 for the earlier downpour. The crew made multiple adjustments throughout the 100-lap stage allowing Stenhouse to take the first green checkered in the 22nd position.

    After getting assessed with a safety violation forcing the two-time Xfinity champion to the rear of the field for the start of a stage two, Stenhouse patiently worked his way forward picking up 10 positions by the time the caution was displayed on lap 140. The last track bar and wedge adjustment was just what the Olive Branch, Miss. native was looking for asking crew chief Brian Pattie to go the same direction.

    After patiently working his way up inside the top-15, Stenhouse felt he had a mechanical issue forcing him to bring his Ford to pit-road for an unscheduled pit-stop just 25 laps shy of stage two completion. The team worked feverishly but Stenhouse lost one lap to the leaders. As he was racing to get the lucky dog position, the caution was displayed ultimately ending stage two under the yellow flag.

    Shortly after the start of the final 167-lap stage, the mechanical issue arose once again causing Stenhouse to go multiple laps down forcing him to settle with a 33rd-place finish.

    The No. 17 team heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the final race before the playoffs begins. The Brickyard 400 will be televised on Sept. 8, 2019 at 2:00 pm E.T on NBCSN. Race coverage can also be heard on SIRIUS channel 90.

  • FRM Post-Race Report: Darlington

    FRM Post-Race Report: Darlington

    Michael McDowell
    No. 34 Jimmy Means Throwback/ Dockside Logistics Ford Mustang
    Started: 23 | Finished: 38

    “I saw the 8 start to get loose like he blew a tire and chased it up the track. I was already on the bottom and I saw the 11 and a few other cars on the top and they were just trying to get down and we all kind of jumped on the brakes. You’re so fast at that point when you jump on the brakes the cars get pretty loose and out of control. I think I got clipped by the 11 in the right-rear and just kind of turned me hard right into the wall and in front of the field, but it’s really unfortunate. We had a decent Dockside Logistics throwback car. We were logging laps trying to get to the end and were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

    Matt Tifft
    No. 36 Tifft Family Throwback/ Surface Sunscreen Ford Mustang
    Started: 32 | Finished: 27

    “This was definitely a ‘rookie’ race for me. We struggled to find the right balance in the car from the start, and while we found it at times during the race, we had trouble staying on the lead lap, which ultimately hurt us to where we couldn’t recover. I’m really happy we were able to pay tribute to David Hilliker and my dad with this throwback scheme. We’ll take what learnings we can from this weekend and move onto Indy.”

    David Ragan
    No. 38 David Pearson Throwback/ Shriners Hospitals for Children Ford Mustang
    Started: 26 | Finished: 26

    “Really tough night for our No. 38 Shriners Hospitals for Children Ford Mustang. I felt like up until the three-quarter race mark, we had a pretty solid car, but those last 60 laps or so, we didn’t execute nearly as well as we should have and that cost us in the end. I’m proud of the effort and adjustments that the team made throughout the race; I just wish that we could have gotten a better finish for our fans and the Shriners Hospitals for Children.”