Viva Las Vegas…XFINITY Series Preview
Event: Boyd Gaming 300
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015
Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Las Vegas … In 32 XFINITY Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has visited victory lane twice; once with Kevin Harvick in 2004 and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton. Most recently, the Welcome, N.C., organization earned their third pole award at the 1.5-mile tri-oval with Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Chevrolet in 2014. RCR has accumulated 10 top-five finishes, 19 top-10 finishes, led 341 laps and averages a starting position of ninth and finishing position of 11th.
Recap of Atlanta Motor Speedway … Ty Dillon, Paul Menard, Brian Scott and Brendan Gaughan earned third, sixth, seventh and 12th-place finishes, respectively, in the XFINITY Series Hisense 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Meet RCR Drivers at South Point … The RCR XFINITY Series drivers, Brian Scott, Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan, will be joined by RCR Cup Series drivers Austin Dillon, Paul Menard and Ryan Newan on Thursday, March 5 at South Point Hotel & Casino for an autograph session. The session is scheduled to begin at 8p.m. in the Grandview Lounge. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., 200 wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Kids Need Special Care … Kids need age-specific expertise and equipment. Survival is increased 25 percent when children are treated at a pediatric trauma center because it has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24 hours a day. Yet only 10 percent of injured children are treated at pediatric trauma centers and only 50 percent of injured children are treated at any type of trauma center. More children die when they are treated in rural areas without access to trauma centers and specialized care. For more information, visit saveinjuredkids.org.
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, @RCR33NXS 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 of this weekend’s Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, March 7, beginning at 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Albertsons/Sanderson Farms Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Albertsons / Sanderson Farms Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 141 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable has an average starting position of third and an average finishing position of seventh. Scott collected back-to-back pole positions last year at Chicagoland Speedway with this chassis.
Sin City History … Scott will be making his sixth XFINITY Series start this weekend in the Boyd Gaming 300. In five previous starts, Scott has an average start of 6.6 and an average finish of 19. Scott captured his best starting position, third in 2013 and best finishing position, seventh last season in his Richard Childress Racing Camaro. Scott also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway.
Albertsons on Board in 2015 … This weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the No. 2 XFINITY Series team will be sporting fresh new colors. Albertsons and the Safeway family of stores, which combined is the second-largest supermarket chain in North America, has partnered with RCR, Scott and the No. 2 NASCAR XFINITY Series team in 2015. The stores operate under store banners Albertsons, ACME, Shaw’s, Star Markets, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, VONS, Pavilions, Carrs and Safeway. With more than 2,200 stores, 250,000 employees and 27 distribution centers across 34 states, Albertsons rich legacy in the grocery business synchronizes with the roots of NASCAR and RCR.
Double Duty … In addition to competing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the XFINITY Series this weekend, Scott is scheduled to drive the No. 33 Whitetail Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, March 8 for Circle Sport Racing. This will be his debut in the Sprint Cup Series at Las Vegas. The Las Vegas 400 is live on Fox at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Race Rewind … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet team brought back their qualifying momentum from the 2014 season by starting on the outside pole Saturday afternoon at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Hisense 250. The team was served a penalty for too many men over the wall and restarted in the 10th position on the lap 86 caution. The Mike Hillman, Jr. led team adjusted correctly on Scott’s drive off the corners during the next pit stop, but handling of the car was too tight at the race’s end leading Scott to cross the finish line seventh.
Last Time At LVMS … The No. 2 Whitetail Chevrolet Camaro qualified fifth for the Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last season. The RCR team worked on loose conditions during the three pit stops made in Sin City. The hard work paid off for the No. 2 team as they gathered a seventh-place finish.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Meet the RCR Drivers … Scott, along with his RCR teammates, are scheduled to participate in an hour long autograph session from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Thursday, March 5. Wristbands for the event will be given to the first 200 fans starting at 7:30 p.m.
To The Points … Brian Scott is currently ninth in the XFINITY Series driver point standings after the second of 33 races.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
You finished seventh at Las Vegas last season. What are your thoughts on returning?
"I like Vegas. Vegas is always a track where I’ve had good speed, I’ve led laps and I feel like it can be a 1.5-mile track that I can win. I always look forward to Las Vegas. Especially this year with my new crew chief Mike Hillman, Jr. and the work we did in the off season really has me fired up."
What is it specifically that makes you feel so confident?
"I feel like our equipment is at a good stage right now. I feel like our ECR Engines are good. Our bodies and our chassis have all improved. I think our performance is going to be there right out of the gates on the 1.5-mile tracks."
What do you like to do while you’re in Las Vegas?
"Typically you would find me at a black jack table. But this year I am going to have my family with me and we have a three-month old son. So, we might be exploring the nature side of Nevada instead of the gambling side."
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Prudential Overall Supply/Red Kap Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Prudential Overall Supply/Red Kap Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… Ty Dillon will utilize chassis No. 159 for this weekend’s Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This brand new Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro will make its first competitive laps on Friday afternoon during NASCAR XFINITY Series practice.
Dillon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… In two previous starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, Dillon finished 11th in both outings. The 23-year-old driver qualified first last season when the Series visited Las Vegas Motor Speedway, recording one of his three pole awards in 2014. In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Dillon has one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes and won the pole in September 2012.
VF Imagewear partners with No. 3 team … VF Imagewear, Inc., a leading manufacturer of workwear apparel and a division of VF Corporation, the world’s largest apparel company, returns for the second consecutive season as primary sponsor for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 XFINITY Series program and driver Ty Dillon. VF Imagewear’s brands, including Red Kap, Bulwark, Horace Small and Wrangler Workwear, will be featured as primary sponsors for select XFINITY Series races in 2015.
About Red Kap … Red Kap, the official work wear provider for RCR and ECR Engines employees, has been in business since 1923. Like RCR, Red Kap was started as a family company and today provides durable and dependable work wear. For more information go to redkapautomotive.com.
About Prudential Overall Supply … Since 1932, Prudential Overall Supply has provided best-in-class solutions for businesses with their uniform and textile programs. Prudential provides customers with the best possible products and services at a fair price, today and into the future. To learn more about Prudential Overall Supply, log on to prudentialuniforms.com.
Race Rewind … In the second of 33 races, Dillon drove the No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro to its second consecutive podium finish, crossing the finish line third at the 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway. Crew chief Danny Stockman made the correct adjustments on each of the team’s four pit stops to propel Dillon to his second top-five finish. Dillon was the first XFINTIY Series regular to cross the finish line.
Last time out at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… Dillon qualified on the pole and led seven laps in last season’s race at LVMS. Dillon battled a loose handling race car, but battled back to finish 11th at the 1.5-mile speedway.
To the points … Ty Dillon is tied for first place in the driver point standings after two races.
Meet Ty Dillon … Fans have an opportunity to meet Ty Dillon at South Point Hotel & Casino on Thursday, March 5 beginning at 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs with RCR teammates for the first 200 fans who receive a wristband. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis beginning at 7:30 p.m. PT.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
What are your expectations for this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
"Last week our 1.5-mile program got off to a great start with a third-place finish. The conversations I’ve been having with Danny (Stockman, crew chief) have been positive and we feel good about this weekend. We’re bringing a brand new chassis for this weekend’s race and expect to run up front again."
How has back-to-back third place finishes benefitted this team?
"We have all the momentum on our side and it’s obviously a fantastic way to start the season. Our theme this season is to believe in ourselves. We have all the tools to be a championship team and these past two races have been an example of how we want this season to go. Overall, it gives us a boost on the competition, but we’re definitely not going to sit back and relax. We’re full steam ahead and hope to turn third place finishes into wins."
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 160 in the Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is a new Chevrolet Camaro that will be utilized for the first time this weekend.
Dillon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Dillon, the 2013 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion, has made two XFINITY Series appearances at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, posting a pair of top-10 finishes (sixth after starting fourth in March 2013 and seventh after starting third in March 2012).
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.
Last Time Around … The last time Dillon was in the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet, he earned the pole award at Daytona International Speedway and finished fourth.
Getting Loopy in Sin City … Dillon maintains the best average running position among all drivers entered for the Boyd Gaming 300, with an average running position of 5.208, and has spent 100 percent of his completed laps running in the top-15, leading all drivers.
Double Duty … In addition to Saturday’s Boyd Gaming 300, watch Dillon in the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS in Sunday’s Las Vegas 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, which airs live on FOX at 3 p.m. ET.
Meet Dillon … Dillon and his fellow Richard Childress Racing teammates are scheduled to sign autographs at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Thursday, March 5 at 8 p.m. PT.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
You’re going to be double-duty when you go on this West Coast swing of races …
"I’m looking forward to all of the NASCAR XFINITY Series races I have with Rheem and the No. 33 team. We have a shot at the owner’s championship in that series, too, so I’m looking forward to that. Of course, I’m extremely focused on running up front in the Dow Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but we have some really cool opportunities this year with the XFINITY car to learn."
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 158 this weekend in Sin City. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro is a newly added chassis to the stable and will see on track action for the first time during Friday morning’s NASCAR XFINITY Series practice.
Last year at LVMS … Gaughan qualified in the 16th position for last year’s XFINITY Series race at LVMS. The No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro battled a loose race car from the start of the race. Gaughan began to work his way through the field, but the team received a restart violation forcing him to serve a stop-and-go penalty on pit road. The team finished the day in the 16th position.
Gaughan’s Hometown Stats … The Las Vegas native is scheduled to make his fifth start at his hometown track during Saturday’s Boyd Gaming 300. In Gaughan’s four previous XFINITY Series starts at the 1.5-mile tri-oval he has earned one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes, led seven laps, averages a starting position of 16th and a finishing position of 10th. Gaughan also has 13 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at LVMS, earning one victory in 2003, leading 137 laps, two top-five and five top-10 finishes.
Double Duty … Along with Saturday’s XFINITY Series race, Gaughan is scheduled to make his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start of the 2015 season in the No. 62 Premium Motorsports entry.
Visit the South Point while in Town … South Point Hotel offers more than 2,100 guestrooms and overlooks the famous Las Vegas Strip. The Casino offers top-of-the-line gaming technology, more than 60 table games and a race and sports book area; a fabulous 400-seat showroom featuring headliner entertainment; a 16-screen Cinemark movie complex; a state-of-the-art, 64-lane bowling center; and a 165,000-square foot convention center; South Point Arena and Equestrian Center features more than 1,200 climate-controlled stalls and plays host to some of the country’s most unique events. For more information, call (702) 796-7111 or visit http://ift.tt/1iIgtnM.
In the Rearview Mirror: Atlanta … The No. 62 Richard Childress Racing team qualified sixth for the XFINITY Series Hisense 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gaughan battled a loose-handling Chevrolet Camaro for a majority of the 163-lap event. The 39-year-old driver crossed the finish line in the 12th position.
To the Points … After two of 33 XFINITY Series events, Gaughan currently sits 12th in the driver point standings as the Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Don’t Miss You Chance to Meet the Las Vegas Native … On Thursday, March 5 Gaughan is scheduled to participate in an autograph session at South Point Hotel & Casino with some of his RCR teammates. The session is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m Pacific Time. Wristbands will be distributed beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Grandview Lounge on a first come, first served basis. On Sunday, March 8 Gaughan is scheduled to sign autographs beginning at 9 a.m. at the South Point booth in the Midway at LVMS.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
How does Las Vegas Motor Speedway compare to racing last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
"My Richard Childress Racing team and I will be using a completely different car this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We will go from the high banking and high speeds of Atlanta to the parabolic banking and super bumpy Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They are two completely different race tracks, even though they are similar in shape and mile-and-a-half."
Being your hometown track, will this be a fun weekend for you?
"Las Vegas is fun, but is also one of the most busy and stressful weekends of the year. Everyone wants to come to the race, so I eventually just have to turn my phone off so I can get focused and put my game face on."