Category: Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series news and information

  • Busch wins NCWTS race at Talladega

    Kyle Busch won Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Mountain Dew 250 race at Talladega Superspeedway with help from his Billy Ballew Racing teammate Aric Almirola.

    Busch and Almirola went to the outside and created their own two-car freight train in the closing laps. They passed then leader Todd Bodine on the final lap, giving the Ballew Racing its first ever one-two finish.

    “That just happened – unbelievable. I owe everything to Aric Almirola today. Sticking with me from that last pit stop to the end, I told him if he just stayed with me they wouldn’t be able to beat the 15 (Almirola) and 51 (Busch). Awesome job to Aric, he can take my half of the pay after today. I don’t get paid anything. I don’t know what Billy Ballew will work out with him.” said Busch.

    “Everybody at Billy Ballew Motorsports did a great job and worked really hard. We had two awesome speedway trucks and it showed today. There were not very many people that could hang with us (Kyle Busch) when we got together and we proved that a couple times throughout the race. We tried not to show our cards too much in the beginning. It paid off and it was a one-two finish for Billy Ballew. I just wanted to be one bad.” Almirola said.

    “Congratulations to Billy Ballew in his 300th start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and he got a one-two finish so that’s pretty awesome for him.” Almirola added.

    Busch led 10 of 98 laps. With this win Toyota to clinches its fourth consecutive NCWTS manufacturer’s title (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009).

    Almirola finished second, Todd Bodine third, Terry Cook fourth and David Starr finished fifth, giving Toyota the top-five sweep for the first time since April 2006.

    “We made the right move. We had a great truck and made the right move at the end and got the lead. We just didn’t have a teammate. Kyle (Busch) had his teammate right behind him. I could have blocked him coming to the checkers, but I didn’t want to be like Carl Edwards and end up in the catch fence.” Bodine said.

    Ron Hornaday, Jr. was caught up in the “Big One” on lap 91. Drivers Max Papis, Brian Scott, Rick Crawford, Timothy Peters and Chad McCumbee were also involved when Johnny Sauter and Mike Skinner got together.

    Despite a 17th place finish, Ron Hornaday maintains a 202 point lead over in Matt Crafton in the series standings with three races remaining. Crafton finished 10th and Skinner finished 19th.

    “It all happened on the outside and they all came down and I was just in the middle of it. It was a shame. We caved the grill in on the back of the No. 9 truck; I didn’t know where he was going, that kind of ruined out day.” said Hornaday.

    The series heads to Texas Motor Speedway next week (Friday, November 6).
     

    Unofficial Race Results

    Pos. St. No. Driver Make Pts. Bon. Laps Status
    1 10 51 Kyle Busch  Toyota 190 5 98 Running
    2 5 15 Aric Almirola  Toyota 175 5 98 Running
    3 6 30 Todd Bodine  Toyota 170 5 98 Running
    4 2 25 Terry Cook  Toyota 165 5 98 Running
    5 14 24 David Starr  Toyota 155 0 98 Running
    6 20 212 Mario Gosselin  Chevrolet 150 0 98 Running
    7 9 60 Stacy Compton  Toyota 146 0 98 Running
    8 22 8 Dennis Setzer  Chevrolet 142 0 98 Running
    9 30 153 Justin Hobgood  Chevrolet 138 0 98 Running
    10 7 88 Matt Crafton  Chevrolet 134 0 98 Running
    11 23 117 Timothy Peters  Toyota 135 5 98 Running
    12 1 6 Colin Braun  Ford 137 10 98 Running
    13 27 8 Chrissy Wallace  Chevrolet 124 0 98 Running
    14 17 13 Johnny Sauter * Chevrolet 124 0 98 Running
    15 19 10 James Buescher * Ford 118 0 98 Running
    16 25 129 J.R. Fitzpatrick * Chevrolet 115 0 98 Running
    17 13 33 Ron Hornaday  Chevrolet 112 0 96 Running
    18 29 157 Norm Benning  Chevrolet 109 0 96 Running
    19 11 5 Mike Skinner  Toyota 111 0 96 Running
    20 15 4 Ricky Carmichael * Chevrolet 103 0 93 Accident
    21 16 14 Rick Crawford  Ford 100 0 90 Accident
    22 3 9 Max Papis  Toyota 97 0 90 Accident
    23 18 16 Brian Scott  Toyota 99 5 90 Accident
    24 12 7 Chad McCumbee  Chevrolet 91 0 90 Accident
    25 31 102 Steve Park  Chevrolet 88 0 76 Engine
    26 32 28 Andy Lally  Chevrolet 82 0 64 P.Steering
    27 8 81 Tayler Malsam * Toyota 85 0 69 Accident
    28 33 148 Mike Wallace  Chevrolet 84 5 61 Accident
    29 21 11 T.J. Bell  Toyota 76 0 44 Vibration
    30 24 41 Chris Jones * Dodge 78 5 41 Clutch
    31 26 176 Ryan Hackett * Ford 70 0 41 Rear End
    32 4 23 Jason White  Dodge 67 0 29 Engine
    33 34 121 Sean Murphy  Dodge 64 0 20 Brakes
    34 35 47 Brandon Knupp  Chevrolet 61 0 18 Over Heating
    35 28 171 Robert Richardson Jr.  Chevrolet 58 0 13 Engine
    36 36 250 Jennifer Jo Cobb  Dodge 0 0 1 Engine
  • Skinner wins at Gateway

    Mike Skinner started ninth and led the final six (of 162) laps en route to his victory in Saturday’s Copart 200 Camping World Trucks Series race at Gateway Int’l Raceway.

    The race was marred by late crashes in back-to-back restarts in the final 10 laps.

    Matt Crafton sent race leader and points leader Ron Hornaday spinning out after contact with four laps to go. Colin Braun and Rick Crawford were also collected in the accident. The race was red flagged for cleanup.

    NASCAR black-flagged Crafton and he had to restart at the end of the lead lap cars. Crafton battled back to finish sixth.

    “I don’t believe it. I’m usually end on the short side of that call with the 13 (Johnny Sauter) there. I was better than he was and he was doing his job. He did a good job. I guess we got by him on the wreck. I have to applaud NASCAR. Sometime we gotta stop being able to wreck the leader to win these races.” Skinner said.

    “We didn’t have the best truck. We probably had a second or third place truck and we had a mishap in the pits. I just applaud NASCAR for putting a stop to wrecking the leader to win races. They gotta stop it sooner or later. I could’ve done that twice this year and I decided not to. Today it paid dividends for me.” Skinner added.

    Johnny Sauter finished second, Brian Scott third, Aric Almirola fourth and Tayler Malsam finished fifth.

    Unofficial Race Results

    Pos. St. No. Driver Make Pts. Bon. Laps Status
    1 9 5 Mike Skinner  Toyota 190 5 162 Running
    2 3 13 Johnny Sauter * Chevrolet 170 0 162 Running
    3 4 16 Brian Scott  Toyota 165 0 162 Running
    4 15 51 Aric Almirola  Toyota 160 0 162 Running
    5 17 81 Tayler Malsam * Toyota 155 0 162 Running
    6 6 88 Matt Crafton  Chevrolet 150 0 162 Running
    7 8 117 Timothy Peters  Toyota 151 5 162 Running
    8 10 60 Stacy Compton  Toyota 147 5 162 Running
    9 13 139 Ryan Sieg  Chevrolet 138 0 162 Running
    10 11 14 Rick Crawford  Ford 134 0 162 Running
    11 23 129 Mikey Kile  Chevrolet 130 0 162 Running
    12 18 8 Todd Kluever  Chevrolet 127 0 161 Running
    13 30 184 Chris Fontaine  Chevrolet 124 0 161 Running
    14 26 7 Jason Young  Chevrolet 121 0 161 Running
    15 22 15 Brian Ickler * Toyota 118 0 160 Running
    16 14 24 David Starr  Toyota 115 0 159 Running
    17 2 33 Ron Hornaday  Chevrolet 122 10 156 Accident
    18 7 30 Todd Bodine  Toyota 114 5 153 Accident
    19 1 6 Colin Braun  Ford 111 5 152 Accident
    20 19 23 Jason White  Dodge 103 0 144 Running
    21 12 25 Terry Cook  Toyota 100 0 123 Running
    22 20 4 Ricky Carmichael * Chevrolet 97 0 103 Accident
    23 16 10 James Buescher * Ford 94 0 87 Accident
    24 5 11 T.J. Bell  Toyota 91 0 80 Accident
    25 36 273 Dexter Bean  Chevrolet 88 0 77 Engine
    26 33 157 Norm Benning  Chevrolet 85 0 61 Overheating
    27 24 144 Tommy Joe Martins  Ford 82 0 33 Ignition
    28 27 85 Brent Raymer * Ford 79 0 33 Ignition
    29 34 47 Brandon Knupp  Chevrolet 76 0 22 Engine
    30 31 121 Nick Tucker  Dodge 73 0 17 Vibration
    31 32 8 Butch Miller  Chevrolet 70 0 15 Overheating
    32 21 212 Mario Gosselin  Chevrolet 67 0 11 Rear End
    33 35 148 Wayne Edwards  Chevrolet 64 0 4 Overheating
    34 25 293 Mike Garvey Chevrolet 61 0 4 Rear End
    35 29 165 Lance Hooper  Chevrolet 58 0 3 Brakes
    36 28 172 John Jackson  Chevrolet 55 0 2 Transmission
  • Busch wins at NHIS

    Busch wins at NHIS

    Kyle Busch led four times for 75 of 200 laps en route to his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

    Busch’s No. 51 team used pit strategy to get the win by only taking a splash of fuel to minimize their time on pit road.

    “It barely made it. It ran out (of fuel) coming into victory lane.” Busch said.

    This was Busch’s his fifth win of the season and also gave Toyota five consecutive victories in the series.

    “It was a great race today. I’m real proud of the guys and Richie (crew chief) for working so hard on these trucks. We come to these tracks and sort of struggle sometimes. This is I think our third year together now and we seem to hit on something a little bit better not quite as good as the 33 or the 2 but there at the end we were out front when it mattered and had just the right amount of fuel in order to make it.” Busch said.

    Busch has now won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in all three of NASCAR divisions.

    “That’s cool, man. That’s something special. We look to do that everywhere we go but we’ve been fortunate enough to have good race trucks like we’ve had this year.” Busch said.

    Ron Hornaday finished second, Kevin Harvick third, Matt Crafton fourth and Johnny Sauter finished fifth.

    Hornaday sits atop the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings by 217 points over Matt Crafton with just six races remaining.

    “It was a good day until after the race I guess. I didn’t know, I thought I was better than Kevin (Harvick) for a while and then he had newer tires.” Hornaday said.

    The series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next Saturday night.

  • Kyle Busch snaps Ron Hornaday’s winning streak with come-from-behind effort at Bristol

    BRISTOL, Tenn. – As evidenced by a wide smile and upbeat attitude in the Bristol Motor Speedway’s Victory Lane, his swagger was back, his style no longer cramped.

    Kyle Busch ended Ron Hornaday’s Camping World Truck Series streak Wednesday night at the .5-mile bullring, winning the O’Reilly 200 for the second year in a row. The victory was Busch’s first in 17 NASCAR National Touring Series races and third in the Truck Series with Billy Ballew Motorsports.

    “For some reason I’ve really taken to the new surface,” Busch said. “I loved the old surface. I love the new one.”

    Since being wrecked by Tony Stewart approaching the checkered flag in July’s Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona, Busch has slipped to 15th in the series standings, three spots outside the Chase for the Cup cutoff line officially drawn after only three more races.

    While winning in the Truck Series doesn’t help his Cup car get faster, Busch said it will aid his confidence as a driver.

    “It just gets the momentum going. It just tells you that you can do it,” Busch said. “I’m my myself’s biggest critic. This definitely helps out. Gets me back in the right mindset. Gets me back in the right frame.”

    The race wasn’t decided after pit strategy played out. Busch and crew chief Richie Wauters elected to come in under the race’s first caution, take four tires and stay out for the remainder of the race. The strategy worked out, but not before Busch picked off most of the field’s lead-lap cars along with Jason White, who led 86 laps in a gutsy bid to win his first Truck Series race.

    Wauters said the tire compound keyed the No. 51 team’s strategy.

    “The tires, they’re so hard here. They’re not falling off,” Wauters said. “It seems like when they cool down you can run just like you have stickers on again, so we decided to stay out. It was the right call tonight.”

    Busch finished ahead of the second-place car of Matt Crafton and third-place Hornaday. The two are locked in a points battle that was trimmed to 211 points following 200 laps at Bristol, where Hornaday has multiple wins but hasn’t fared as well on the track’s revamped surface.

    Wednesday night, a pit-stop error would doom any chance of Hornaday continuing his record streak, which hasn’t seen the No. 33 team anywhere but in Victory Lane since the series visited the Milwaukee Mile in June.

    “We ran good, we just ran into some bad luck,” Hornaday said. “Kyle was just so dominant up top, and he had his truck free enough in the beginning. I learned that, and when he pitted and came right back in for fuel, that’s hurt us right there.

    We lost too much track position right there. It was my own fault. I should have been paying more attention.”

    The race was slowed five times for a total of 32 laps.

    Pole-sitter Ryan Newman, who competed in the NASCAR Modified Series race earlier in the day, finished fourth. Brian Scott rounded out the top-five finishers with a no-tire strategy, still recovering from an accident at Michigan that broke his arm.

  • 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.”