XFINITY Series set for hometown race in Charlotte
Race: Hisense 300
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2015
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway … In 66 XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile quad oval, Richard Childress Racing has led 497 laps and visited victory lane twice, with Jeff Green in May 2002 and Jeff Burton in October 2007. The Welcome, N.C. organization has started from the pole position on six occasions. RCR averages an 11.1 starting position, a 13.2 finishing position and has accumulated 19 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes.
Dash 4 Cash … This weekend at CMS marks the XFINITY Series qualifier for the first 2015 Dash 4 Cash (D4C) race that will take place Saturday May, 30 at Dover International Raceway. The first four full-time XFINITY Series drivers that receive championship driver points at Charlotte will qualify for the kick-off race.
Iowa Recap … In the Iowa 250, Brian Scott, Brandon Jones, Brendan Gaughan and Ty Dillon posted fourth, eighth, 10th and 14th place finishes, respectively.
The Points … Ty Dillon is currently second in the driver point standings, Brian Scott fifth and Brendan Gaughan ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is currently sixth in the owner point standings.
10 Races In … After the first 10 XFINITY Series races of the season, RCR has made 40 starts with drivers Brian Scott, Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon, Brandon Jones, Paul Menard and Brendan Gaughan. The team averages a starting position of 8.7 and a finishing position of 11.3. RCR has led 274 laps, accumulated 11 top-five finishes and 28 top-10 finishes. Austin Dillon visited victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as well as earning the pole awards at Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
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 Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will begin with both practice sessions on Thursday, May 21 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time and 5:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1. Qualifying will also be showcased on Fox Sports 1 live on Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m. ET and race coverage will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX. It will also be broadcast live on PRN and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 156 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 300. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable was brand new to the fleet at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This chassis has an average starting position of 3.6 and an average finishing position of 7.6.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Statistics … Scott will be making his 11th XFINITY Series start this weekend at the industry’s home track. In 10 previous starts, the RCR driver has captured two top-five and five top-10 finishes with an average start of 9.0 and an average finish of 15.5. Scott has completed 94.7 percent of the laps, with one lap led at the 1.5-mile speedway. In addition to his XFINTIY Series starts, he has two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts. Charlotte is where Scott made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the fall of 2013 starting 19th and finishing 27th. Scott also competed in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2014.
Shore Lodge at Charlotte … This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet will don a patriotic red, white and blue scheme in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.
Iowa Speedway Race Rewind … The first XFINITY Series stand-alone event took place on Sunday afternoon at the 7/8-mile track of Iowa Speedway. Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet qualified in the third position but would start second because of a driver change on the front row. As the field took the green flag for the originally scheduled 250-lap event, Scott reported a loose-handling Camaro and was lacking drive off in Turn 2. With two laps to go, the caution was displayed leaving the Iowa 300 race ending under green-white-checkered conditions. The No. 2 team took four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment and would restart in the ninth position. With two final laps around Iowa Speedway, Scott picked up five positions and crossed the finish line in fourth place.
Last Time at Charlotte … Scott and the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro team collected their 27th top-10 qualifying position of the 2014 season at Charlotte Motor Speedway after starting third in the Race for the Cure 300. Remaining inside the top-10 for a majority of the race, Scott and team made multiple adjustments on their five visits to pit road to better the handling of the No. 2 car. A strategic race, Scott brought the No. 2 Chevrolet home in 10th place collecting the teams 20th top-10 finish of the season.
To The Points … Scott is currently fifth in the XFINITY Series driver point standings after 10 of 33 races.
Meet Scott … On Saturday, May 23 at 9:45 a.m., Scott is scheduled to make an appearance on the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the XFINITY Zone.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
How do you like racing at the home track of Charlotte Motor Speedway?
"Charlotte Motor Speedway always seems to be where everyone puffs their chests out and walk with a little bit of swagger. Of course everyone wants to have a good showing at Charlotte, you get guys from the shop who don’t usually travel and they’ve got their family. You’re trying to demonstrate for all the RCR and ECR employees – the people who work their guts out back at the shop – and showcase all of their hard work and what it has done for their families who don’t typically get to come to the race track."
How do you feel about your intermediate program?
"I feel great. Texas Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway we were really fast. I think our intermediate program is really strong. I look forward to these types of tracks. They always seem to race really well. They seem to be a strong suit of our program here at RCR. It should be a fun race."
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/NWTF.org Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops/NWTF.org Chevrolet Camaro at Charlotte Motor Speedway … This weekend, Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 163 for the Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro is brand new to the RCR stable and will see track action for the first time this Thursday afternoon during NASCAR XFINITY Series practice.
Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the XFINITY Series … The 23-year-old driver made his XFINTIY Series debut at the 1.5-mile home track last spring and recorded a top-10 finish. In two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts, Dillon has earned one pole award, two top-10 finishes and one top five finish. Charlotte Motor Speedway is also where Dillon claims his "racing career all began," driving Legend’s cars, asphalt modified cars and across the street at The Dirt Track in Late Models for Team Dillon Racing.
Bass Pro Shops continues partnership with RCR … Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 92 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. For more information, and to shop online, visit basspro.com.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation… The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state and federal wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, improving more than 17 million acres of wildlife habitat and introducing 100,000 people to the outdoors each year. The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history. To learn more, visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.
About Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt… The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, create 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
Iowa Speedway Race Rewind … Dillon qualified ninth and rolled off seventh for the Iowa 250 last Sunday in the Series’ first non-companion race weekend. The sophomore XFINTIY Series driver drove the No. 3 Red Kap Chevrolet Camaro inside the top-five for a majority of the scheduled 250 lap race. With 13 laps to go, Dillon experienced a tire going flat, forcing him to pit road under green-flag conditions. A late caution would allow him to gain positioning back as he crossed the finish line 14th.
No. 3 Team Season-to-Date … Second in the XFINITY Series driver point standings, Dillon has accumulated three top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 10 races, thus far. According to NASCAR Loop Data Statistics, Dillon leads all XFINITY Series drivers in total laps (1953). He ranks second in average finish and trails the points leader by only eight points.
Meet Ty Dillon … Fans of Dillon will have unique opportunities to meet the driver of the No. 3 car this week around the Concord, N.C. area. On Wednesday evening, Dillon, along with older brother Austin and grandfather/team owner, Richard Childress, are scheduled to visit the Bass Pro Shops in Concord to sign autographs beginning at 6 p.m. On Thursday, beginning at 8:30 p.m., come have a cold Yuengling Light Lager with Dillon at the Carolina Ale House on Concord Mills Boulevard. Yuengling’s seasonal Summer Wheat and Lager will be on draught along with Light Lager bottle specials.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
How do you stay focused during Charlotte race week with it being a home race?
"There definitely is an increase in activity during this time of year – but I enjoy it. I enjoy racing close to home, sleeping in my own bed, seeing friends and family, and participating in all of the activities. It’s also a great opportunity to see a lot of our great partners and spend some time with them. We’re fortunate to have our friends from Bass Pro Shops and the National Wild Turkey Federation on the car this weekend. But, as I’ve always said in the past, as soon as my race helmet goes on – I’m focused."
You have a brand-new chassis this weekend. Any thoughts on how this may play towards your advantage?
"We have an exceptional team that prepared new race cars for us that are engineered to win right away. The guys have been working on this car very diligently and we’re ready to see it go to work. Between our chassis shop, fabrication team, our engineers and the power from ECR Engines, I expect this car to make it to Victory Lane very soon."
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quote:
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 160 in the Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro is new for the 2015 season and made its debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March where Dillon earned the pole award, led 183 laps and visited Victory Lane. This chassis also made laps at Texas Motor Speedway last month, earning a fifth-place result.
Hometown Nuggets … The Welcome, N.C., native driver has made four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, collecting one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes and one pole award. Dillon holds an average starting position of 2.2 and an average finishing position of 8.2 with four 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.
Getting Loopy in 2015 … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon holds some impressive stats so far in the 2015 season. The 25-year-old driver ranks first in driver rating (106.7). Dillon is second amongst his competitors in green-flag speed and speed by quarter. He ranks third in the following categories: mile leaders, drivers fastest early in a run, drivers fastest late in a run and fastest speed in traffic. Dillon is also fourth in fastest on restarts and laps led (189).
Season in Review … So far this season, Dillon has been entered eight XFINITY Series events collecting one victory, five top-five finishes, six top-10 finishes and three pole awards. Dillon has led a total of 189 laps with an average starting position of 4.2 coupled with an average finishing position of 9.9.
Looking Ahead … Dillon returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 machine for the next two consecutive races. Paul Menard will pilot the RCR entry at Michigan International Speedway in June.
Double Duty … In addition to Saturday’s Hisense 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 Cheerios Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, which airs live on FOX Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
What do you like best about racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
"Charlotte’s always been good for me. I personally like Charlotte a lot on long green-flag runs. Hopefully, we can put some steam to her and see what we can do this weekend. It’s always fun to race in front of your hometown crowd. A lot of family and friends come out to watch, it’s a good time."
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quote:
Race Notes and Quote:
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot Chassis No. 162 this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet is a new addition for the 2015 season and will see track time for the first time Thursday, May 21 during NASCAR XFINITY Series practice.
Gaughan’s Stats at Charlotte …In six XFINITY Series starts at CMS, Gaughan has completed 1140 of 1173 (97.2 percent) laps. The Las Vegas native has led seven laps, accumulated one top-five finish, one top-10 finish and averages a starting position of 23.5 and a finishing position of 15.5. Gaughan also has eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway. In those eight starts, the 39-year-old driver has earned three top-five finishes, four top-10 finishes and averages a starting position of 20.6 and finishing position of 13.2.
Last May at CMS … Gaughan qualified 20th for the XFINTIY Series event in last season’s event. The RCR driver began reporting loose-handling conditions early in the race. The South Point Hotel & Casino team had a right-rear tire go down, forcing the team to pit road and falling two laps down. The Las Vegas-native made a green-flag pit stop and was penalized for entering pit road to fast. Gaughan and the No. 62 team finished the History 300 in the 17th position.
In the Rearview Mirror: Iowa Speedway … Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet qualified in the 11th position for Sunday afternoon’s event. Gaughan began reporting loose-handling conditions early in the run. The Las Vegas native competed inside the top 10 for a majority of the Iowa 250. Gaughan visited pit road for four fresh Goodyear tires and fuel before the field took the Green-White-Checkered flag finish. The No. 62 RCR team crossed the finish line in the 10th position.
This Season … 10 races into the 2015 XFINITY Series season, Gaughan has accumulated one top-five finish, five top-10 finishes, has led the field for six laps and averages a starting position of 8.6 and a finishing position of 15.9. Out of 1869 laps completed this season, Gaughan has spent 1574 laps inside the top 15.
To the Points …As the Series heads to Charlotte, Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team are ninth in the driver point standings.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on racing at Charlotte?
"Charlotte is typically a good race track for not only me, but for Richard Childress Racing and our ECR Engines. With how strong we are at the 1.5-mile tracks, I am really looking forward to returning and seeing what we can do. So far this year we have ran pretty well at them. Can’t wait to see what Shane (Wilson, crew chief) and my South Point Chevrolet team have in store for us this weekend."