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NASCAR XFINITY Series ready to race at Daytona on July 4th

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Race:                Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola
Date:                Saturday, July 4, 2015
Location:         Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Daytona International Speedway … In 65 NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Daytona International Speedway, the Welcome, N.C. organization has earned five victories (Dale Earnhardt Jr. – February 2002 & July 2010, Kevin Harvick – February 2007, Clint Bowyer – July 2003 and Tony Stewart – February 2013). RCR has accumulated 28 top-five finishes, 41 top-10 finishes, led 496 laps and averages a starting position of 11.2 and a 11.0 finishing position at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Earlier this season, Austin Dillon earned the pole award for the Series opener.
 
Chicagoland Recap … In the Chicagoland 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Austin Dillon was the highest finishing RCR driver posting a third-place finish. Brendan Gaughan, Ty Dillon and Brian Scott posted, fifth, ninth and 13th place finishes, respectively.
 
The Points … Ty Dillon remains second in the driver point standings, Brian Scott seventh and Brendan Gaughan is eighth. The No. 33 RCR team is third in the owner point standings.
 
2015 Season, So Far … RCR has made 56 XFINITY Series starts so far this season. In those starts, Austin Dillon has won five pole awards, including Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway and also won both events in the No. 33 Chevrolet. Between drivers Brian Scott, Ty Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Austin Dillon, Paul Menard and Brandon Jones, they have accumulated 15 top-five finishes, 38 top-10 finishes, led 501 laps and average a starting position 8.2 and finishing position of 11.2.
 
Did You Know … Life threatening injury is the No. 1 killer of kids in America. Nearly 10,000 children lose their lives every year from serious injuries, and many more are treated in the emergency room. It can happen anywhere, at any time, to any child. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma discovers and shares the best ways to prevent and treat severe injuries in children. The Institute funds research, education and advocacy to improve the care and treatment injured kids receive across the U.S. Visit SaveInjuredKids.org or find them on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
 
Social Media …  To stay on track with the latest news and information and to view exclusive, behind the scenes content visit RCR’s Twitter account – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR XFINITY Series team Twitter accounts – @RCR2BScott, @RCR3TDillon, @RCR33NNS and  @RCR62BGaughan. RCR’s XFINITY Series driver twitter accounts – @bscottracing, @tydillon, @austindillon3 and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
 
Catch the Action … Coverage for the XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway will begin with both practice sessions on Friday, July 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and 4 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Qualifying will also be showcased live on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, July 4, at 2:35 p.m. and race coverage will begin at 7:45 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. It will also be broadcast live on MRN and SiriusXM channel 90. 
 
Brian Scott, No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro  
Race Notes and Quotes:
 
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 152 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 300 powered by Coca-Cola. This is a new chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable that was first utilized for the first race at Daytona in February.
                
Daytona History … The 27-year-old driver has 11 previous XFINITY Series starts at "The World Center of Racing." His best start of fourth came in the 2013 July race at the 2.5-mile track. He scored his best finish of sixth during the 2013 season opener. Additionally, Scott has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts with a ninth-place finish coming in his 2008 Daytona debut. Scott also made his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500 last February.
 
2015 at A Glance … After 14 XFINITY Series races this season, Scott has captured two top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, sits seventh in the driver point standings and has led 47 laps with an average starting position of 5.6 and an average finish of 13.6. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 5.6.
 
Summertime at Shore Lodge … Life is more exciting when you are on the water. Shore Lodge, located in spectacular McCall, Idaho, just 100 miles north of Boise, puts you right on the waterfront…literally! Right outside our guest rooms sits a 5,330-acre expanse of pristine glacial water known as Payette Lake. Swim, boat, water ski and lounge at the lake before retiring to one of our 77 luxurious guest rooms. Visit ShoreLodge.com or Call 800.657.6464 for reservations.
 
Double Duty … In addition to competing at Daytona International Speedway in the XFINITY Series this weekend, Scott is scheduled to drive the No. 33 Shore Lodge Chevrolet SS in the Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, July 5. The Subway Firecracker 300 powered by Coca-Cola is live on NBC Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday. The Coke Zero 400 is live on NBC, Sunday at 7:45 p.m.
 
Daytona Race Rewind … The season opener at Daytona International Speedway for the inaugural NASCAR XFINITY Series was full of anticipation as Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet team qualified for the Alert Today Florida 300 in the 15th position. With eight laps to go, Scott was tangled in a multi-car accident and, after further review, the team was unable to return to competition and forced to take a 25th-place finish.
 
Meet Scott … On Saturday, July 4, Scott is scheduled to visit the Sprint FanZone Main Stage beginning at 2 p.m. at Daytona International Speedway for a question and answer session.
 
How do you feel heading into restrictor-plate racing this weekend?
"Well, we’ve been quick but getting the finishes that reflect our speed has been a struggle. We were able to finish second at Talladega Superspeedway in the XFINITY Series and we were really strong. It’ll be nice to take a car and not have to change everything or rebuild it after a plate track. We can fluff and buff on our Talladega Camaro which had a lot of speed. There is always room for improvement. We’re going to Daytona to hopefully get out of another Superspeedway track with a good finish and just keep climbing our way out of the hole  we got ourselves into early in the season."
 
What are your thoughts on Daytona Rising?
"Daytona Rising really is carrying the banner for what the track of the future is going to look like and how, as a NASCAR community, we are going to deliver the best fan experience to the people who are paying money and vacationing, and choosing to come out and see NASCAR races. I think it’s really important for us to give them what they pay for, to give them what they want. It’ll be really exciting when Daytona gets done to see how the fans interact with it and how that experience is heightened for them, then hopefully more tracks will follow."
 
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Yuengling America’s Oldest Brewery Chevrolet Camaro  
Race Notes and Quotes:   
 
This Week’s Yuengling America’s Oldest Brewery Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 154 for this weekend’s Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was driven by Austin Dillon earlier this season at DIS and Talladega Superspeedway where he won the pole for each race and recorded two top-five finishes.
 
Dillon at Daytona International Speedway … In four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the World Center of Racing, Dillon has compiled two top-10 finishes and one top-five finish. Earlier this season, Dillon drove the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro to a third-place finish after competing for the win on the final lap. Dillon also made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 debut in the No. 33 Cheerios/Kroger Chevrolet SS earlier this season and finished 28th.
 
America’s Oldest Brewery on board … D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., an American Owned and Family Operated brewery based in Pottsville, Pa., has partnered with Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 XFINITY Series team this season. This week’s special red, white and blue patriotic paint scheme will be featured in Saturday’s Fourth of July night race at Daytona International Speedway.
 
#RaceHardTy … Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook every race weekend by using the hashtag #RaceHardTy and have the opportunity to win free Yuengling Racing gear.
 
Calling the Shots … Nick Harrison now assumes the role of crew chief for the No. 3 XFINITY Series team beginning this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Harrison and Dillon have worked together on separate occasions – Harrison was atop the pit box for both of Dillon’s Sprint Cup Series starts last season (Atlanta Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway) and for two XFINITY Series races in 2013 (Texas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway). Overall, Harrison has accumulated four XFINITY Series victories, 16 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes in 56 starts. Harrison also recorded a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory last season with Austin Dillon at Pocono Raceway.
 
Points update … After 14 races, Dillon is currently second in the XFINITY Series driver point standings. To date, Dillon has accumulated three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.
 
Meet Ty Dillon … On behalf of Yuengling Light Lager, Dillon is scheduled to appear with grandfather and team owner Richard Childress at Sam’s Club #8138 in Daytona Beach beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday to sign autographs for fans. Following the autograph session, Dillon and Childress are scheduled to serve cold Yuengling Light Lager at Bahama Breeze located on W. International Speedway Boulevard beginning at 7:15 p.m.
 
TY DILLON QUOTE:
What should we expect this weekend in Daytona?
"I’ve always enjoyed this race weekend. Superspeedway racing is a ton of fun and always give you a great opportunity to win. We had a good run here earlier this season and had a shot on the last lap, so there is a little bit of unfinished business – we want to get into Victory Lane. It’s a cool opportunity for us to show off the stars and stripes this weekend being the Fourth of July; we have the best looking paint scheme in the garage with our Yuengling America’s Oldest Brewery Chevrolet."
 
 
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro
 Race Notes and Quote:   
 
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 155 in the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro is new for the 2015 season and was previously driven by Ty Dillon at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway earlier this season where he earned third and eighth-place finishes, respectively.
 
Dillon at Daytona … The Welcome, N.C., native driver has made five NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 2.5-mile track, collecting four top-five and four top-10 finishes. Dillon holds an average starting position of 10.8 and an average finishing position of 7.8 with 14 laps led.
 
Performance Counts . . . RCR and Rheem understand that winning is the result of a commitment to unparalleled achievement and continuous improvement.   Rheem, a global leader in heating, cooling and water heating products is dedicated to keeping families and businesses comfortable through reliable, energy efficient products and systems customized to any lifestyle and budget.  As at RCR, Rheem invests in talented professionals, advanced technology, R&D and world-class facilities that deliver Victory Lane performance.  Rheem is . . . The New Degree of Comfort.
 
Calling the Shots … Danny Stockman now assumes the role of crew chief for the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet team beginning this weekend at Daytona. The move reunites Stockman and car chief Robert Strmiska with Dillon. The trio won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship and XFINITY Series championship together in 2011 and 2013, respectively.
 
Statistically Speaking … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated impressive stats with Dillon, Paul Menard and Brandon Jones. In 14 races, the RCR team has garnered two wins, five pole awards, eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes with 402 laps led.
 
Getting Loopy in 2015 … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon holds some notable stats so far in the 2015 season. The 25-year-old driver ranks first in the following categories: driver rating, drivers fastest late in a run, fastest laps run (261), fastest driver on restarts, green-flag speed and speed by quarter. Dillon is second amongst his competitors in drivers fastest early in a run, laps led (397), average running position, speed in traffic and mile leaders (586).
 
Season in Review … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in 11 XFINITY Series events, collecting two victories, eight top-five finishes, nine top-10 finishes and five pole awards. Dillon has led a total of 397 laps with an average starting position of 4.0 coupled with an average finishing position of 7.9.
 
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 250-mile event at Daytona International Speedway, Paul Menard returns to the driver’s seat for the July 10 race at Kentucky Speedway. 
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
How much can you bring over from the NASCAR XFINITY Series to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series?
"Confidence is probably the biggest thing that I can bring over from the XFINITY car to the Cup car. Our Cup car has gotten a lot better over the last couple of weeks. We’ve been more consistent with qualifying and making it into the third round. We haven’t earned the finishes we should be getting, but I think our consistency will pay off and the finishes will come."
 
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quote: 
 
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 153 this weekend at the 2.5-mile speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet was utilized at Daytona International Speedway in February and Talladega Superspeedway in May.
 
Gaughan’s World Center of Racing Stats … In seven NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 2.5-mile speedway, Gaughan earned his highest finish of sixth-place in February 2014. The Las Vegas native has completed 748 of 788 laps (94.9 percent).
 
Back in February … The No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro qualified in the fourth position for the XFINITY Series event at DIS. Gaughan was satisfied with the handling of his Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet throughout the 120-lap event. The Las Vegas native was collected in a multi-car wreck on lap 94 that brought him to pit road, allowing the Shane Wilson-led team to make extensive repairs. After returning to the track one lap down in 21st position, Gaughan was battling for the lucky dog position and on lap 113 was collected in an accident which ended the day for the No. 62 team.
 
In the Rearview Mirror: Chicagoland Speedway … Gaughan qualified the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet in fifth place for the 200-lap event at Chicagoland Speedway, his ninth top-10 qualifying effort of the season. Gaughan began reporting his Chevrolet was difficult to handle because of loose handling conditions. Crew chief Shane Wilson made the right adjustments to improve the handling, putting the team in position to race inside the top five for the remainder of the day. Gaughan brought home a fourth-place finish, giving the team their second top-five and seventh top-10 finish of the season.
 
This Season … In only 14 races, the No. 62 RCR team has earned two top-five and seven top-10 finishes, that ties them with the stats they ended the season with in 2014. Gaughan has led 10 laps and averages a starting position of 8.9 and a finishing position of 14.3. The Las Vegas native has made 896 green flag passes, has had 45 fastest laps and spent 2096 laps inside the top 15 (78.2 percent).
 
To the Points …As the Series returns to Daytona International Speedway, Gaughan remains eighth in the driver point standings.
 
Meet Gaughan … Gaughan is scheduled to appear at the XFINITY Zone Fan Experience in the Midway at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
 
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
What are your thoughts when returning to Daytona International Speedway?

"Daytona International Speedway is such a historical track for us to visit. It always feels good to return with RCR and ECR Engines. Just like in February, it is great to know that we are coming to the track with packages that can be fast and successful. We found out in February that anything can happen. We are hoping to stay out of trouble this time around and finish in the front. We just have to remember to stay on our toes and be ready for anything."