XFINITY and Sprint Cup Series head to Richmond
Federated Auto Parts 400
Richmond International Raceway – Richmond, Va.
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Richmond International Raceway … Richard Childress has nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories as a car owner at Richmond International Raceway – five with Dale Earnhardt, three with Kevin Harvick and one with Clint Bowyer. Additionally, in 150 starts at the Richmond, Va.-based track, RCR drivers have claimed 36 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 17.4 average starting position, a 14.8 average finishing position, has completed 56,891 of the 59,922 contested laps (94.94 percent) and collectively led 3,252 laps.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,588 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 467 top-five finishes and 999 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.9. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
The Collective RCR …Throughout the season’s 25 contested races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series have collectively notched seven top-five and 20 top-10 finishes with drivers Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 11th (Newman), 14th (Menard) and 20th (Dillon) in the driver championship point standings.
RCR Darlington Rewind … RCR teammates Newman, Dillon and Menard finished 13th, 22nd and 26th, respectively, in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
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.
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 – @RCR3ADillon, @RCR27PMenard, @RCR31RNewman, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3 and @RyanJNewman. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at http://ift.tt/1FwjOh9 and at RCRracing.com along with official driver pages http://ift.tt/1FwjOxn, http://ift.tt/1KCCzXu and http://ift.tt/1FwjOxp.
Catch the Action … The Federated Auto Parts 400 will be televised live Saturday, Sept. 12 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
This Week’s Dow Chevrolet SS at Richmond International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 457 in the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Although this is the first time Dillon will race this RCR-prepared Chevrolet in the 2015 season, it was utilized four times in 2014 acquiring a best finish of 11th at Auto Club Speedway in March.
Dillon at Richmond International Raceway … In three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Richmond International Raceway, Dillon earned a 20th-place finish in September 2014 and a pair of 27th-place finishes in April 2014 and 2015. He has also made six NASCAR XFINITY Series appearances at the track, earning three top-10 finishes and leading 14 laps.
Lets Talk, Dow … Returning primary sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet SS, Dow enters its second season with RCR and driver Austin Dillon. Together, both teams embrace the power of science, technology and safety as RCR tests Dow products under the most strenuous conditions. Dow also drives innovation to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems, bringing a broad range of sustainable products and solutions to customers in nearly 180 countries with more than 6,000 products manufactured across the globe. See our YouTube video "Dawn to Dusk" to see how Dow products touch the lives of everyone…from dawn to dusk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSspiG8DkOs). More information about Dow can be found at dow.com.
Think Green … NASCAR® drivers celebrate an important milestone during this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway – they will reach the eight million miles marker on renewable Sunoco Green E15. American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, along with the support of other partners, American Ethanol is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, and takes the NASCAR Green initiative to the next level.
Playin’ Hoops for Kids … Dillon is scheduled to host a 3 on 3 celebrity basketball tournament presented by Dow to benefit the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at High Point University on Tuesday, Nov. 3. He’s enlisted the help from friends such as his brother Ty Dillon, Motocross rider Ryan Dungey, MMA fighter Rashad Evans, country singer Colt Ford, NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan, former NFL player Dhani Jones, country singer Dustin Lynch, WWE wrestler Mike Mizanin, DJ Dee Jay Silver, ESPN reporter Marty Smith and Professional Bull Rider Sean Willingham to serve as celebrity captains in the 16-team, double-elimination tournament. The Childress Institute will auction two spots on each team for fans to purchase via http://ift.tt/1FwjMFW.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 20th in the championship point standings leading into the Federated Auto Parts 400.
In the Rear View … Dillon qualified 29th and finished 22nd in the caution-filled Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
How intense is the race at Richmond International Raceway?
"Everyone is fighting for that last Chase spot on top of being a tough place to get around. The tires fade like crazy. For me, I enjoy the challenge of Richmond. I hope we can get around there and get a better finish than the ones we’ve had in the past."
Paul Menard, No. 27 Libman / Menards Chevrolet SS
This Week’s Libman / Menards Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … The Richard Childress Racing team will pilot chassis No. 488 this weekend at the Richmond, Va.-based track. This Chevrolet SS has been utilized once this season at Martinsville Speedway where Menard started 13th and finished 23rd after being caught up in multiple incidents during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.
Richmond Stats … Menard has competed in 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the 0.75-mile track. He has six top-15 starts, including three starts from the top 10. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native also has four top-15 finishes which includes one top-five result.
About Libman … For over 110 years, the Libman family has made quality their utmost priority. William Libman started ‘The Libman Company’ in 1896 with one mission, to make the finest, most durable wire-wound corn brooms. William’s sons, grandsons and great grandchildren have since expanded that mission to include the finest mops, brooms, brushes and cleaning tools. For more information on Libman, please visit libman.com.
Rookie Stripe … Alexander has impressive stats in his first year as a full-time Sprint Cup Series crew chief. In 29 races with Menard, Alexander has led the team to one top-five, 14 top-15 and 19 top-20 starts. He’s also collected 21 top-20, 18 top-15 and three top-five finishes. Alexander is the first three-time winner of the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race award this season.
Where Do You Stand … The No. 27 team sits 14th in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings and currently holds the 15th position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Grid leading in to Saturday night’s final event before the Chase begins at Chicagoland Speedway.
Last Time in Richmond … Menard started 15th and battled back to a 15th-place finish after going a lap down during the rain-delayed event in April at RIR. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native fought a tight-center and loose-off handling condition during the race. Crew chief Justin Alexander remedied the condition with changes on pit road which allowed Menard to race his way back to a top-15 finish.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
What are your thoughts heading into Richmond International Raceway?
"It has multi lanes and in some aspects drives like an intermediate track. You just kind of pick your lane and you may work the bottom groove while other guys make the high line work. It’s a really cool little short track from that perspective and it’s one we are still trying to figure out for sure. We always fight balance issues. It’s easy to be tight center and loose off. Sometimes you get tight on exit when you get on the throttle. It seems like every time we go, it’s a little bit different. It’s a track that I feel like I’ve run XFINITY Series cars really well at but still trying to figure it out in the Sprint Cup Series car."
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Richmond International Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 490 on Saturday night at RIR. This Chevrolet has been utilized earlier this season at Martinsville Speedway (Start: 2/Finish: 27).
Career Stats at Richmond … Newman will make his 502nd NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start this weekend. In 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at RIR, Newman visited victory lane at the fall event in 2003. The "Rocket Man" also owns one pole award from the fall of 2004. In total, he owns seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. In the last five events at the 0.75-mile facility, Newman ranks fifth in most points earned.
Featured Caterpillar Dealer … Carter Machinery will be the featured Cat dealer on the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.
- Based in Salem, Va., Carter Machinery will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Richmond International Raceway’s weekend event. Established in 1952, Carter Machinery has a clear vision: enable every customer to achieve their highest level of success. They demonstrate this commitment every day through the support of people and equipment working in diverse industries ranging from construction and mining to trucking and power generation. Their network of 21 locations across Virginia and southern West Virginia is staffed by over 1,100 unrelenting, top-notch professionals. As a result, they’ve grown to be one of the leading Caterpillar dealers in the U.S. More information is available at cartermachinery.com.
About Caterpillar … For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit http://ift.tt/1ojcFNa.
Get to the Points … Newman is 11th in the championship point standings after finishing 13th at Darlington Raceway. He also ranks 13th in the Chase Grid with just one race remaining before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship begins.
Media Availability … Newman will be accessible to media at Richmond International Raceway when he stops by the media center on Friday at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Last Time Around at Richmond … Earlier this season, Newman started 23rd and raced as high as 10th before an issue on pit road placed the Quicken Loans team in 17th place with 50 laps remaining. A final green-flag run allowed the No. 31 driver to gain six positions to finish 11th.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the key to getting around Richmond International Raceway?
"You’ve got to have forward drive. It’s definitely the key to Richmond. It’s also a place where you have to be good everywhere. You have to be good in the pits. You have to be good through the corners. You have to be good in the straightaways. You have to be good getting back to the gas to accelerate the car because the tires fall off quickly. On a short run, the key is raw speed."
What is the toughest part for you to figure out?
"The toughest part is anticipating and adjusting for the way the weekend and the track will unfold. How will your car be at the end of practice, for the race and what the race will be at the end given certain weather conditions? Anticipating and reacting correctly is a tricky task to pull off correctly."
What is your mindset going into Richmond to secure that Chase berth?
"We want to win every race and it is no different than any other competitor. Whether we win at Richmond, Chicago or Loudon, it’s all about that main goal, and that’s winning. Even if we are locked in, we are there to win Richmond."
With not securing a spot, do you want updates of where your competitors are?
"My focus is on running my own race. It is kind of nice to know where they are so you can kind of weigh out some of the risks versus rewards when making a specific move or call on pit road. There are times to be aggressive and there are times to play it safe especially when considering the big picture."
Virgina529 College Savings 250
Richmond International Raceway – Richmond, Va.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Richmond International Raceway… In 70 Series starts at the 7/8-mile track, RCR has captured six victories with drivers Kevin Harvick (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2012) and Clint Bowyer (2007). The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 16,908 laps of the 17,526 (96.5 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated five pole awards, 21 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes, led 1,693 laps and averages a starting position of 10.9 and finishing position of 12.5.
Darlington Review … Brian Scott finished 12th and was the highest finishing Richard Childress Racing driver at Darlington Raceway. Brendan Gaughan finished 13th, Ty Dillon 15th and Paul Menard was 25th.
The Points … All three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Richmond International Raceway this weekend for the 25th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently second, Brian Scott, eighth and Brendan Gaughan, ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is fourth in the owner point standings.
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 of this weekend’s XFINITY Series event at Richmond International Raceway will be televised live on Friday, September 11, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 141 in Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series Virginia529 College Savings 250. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable has an average starting position of 3.9 and an average finishing position of 12.2. Scott collected back-to-back pole positions last year at Chicagoland Speedway with this chassis. Most recently, Scott raced No. 141 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
200 XFINITY Series Starts … Congratulations to Scott who is set to make his 200th XFINITY Series start this weekend at Richmond. In six full-time seasons, Scott has accumulated 18 top-five, 74 top-10 finishes and five pole awards combined with 544 laps led, with an average start of 11.3 and an average finish of 15.4.
Richmond Statistics … Friday’s 250-lap event will mark Scott’s 13th XFINITY Series start at the 7/8 -mile track. Scott has earned three top-five and four top-10 finishes. In the 2013 fall race at Richmond, Scott led 239 of 250 laps of competition. The Boise, Idaho native has finished seventh or better in the last four events at RIR.
10 to go … After 24 XFINITY Series races this season; Scott has captured four top-five, 15 top-10 finishes, sits eighth in the driver point standings and has led 136 laps with an average starting position of 6.1 and an average finish of 12.9. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 6.1.
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.
Darlington Race Rewind … Sporting an old-school looking No. 2 Safeway Chevrolet paint scheme for the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Darlington Raceway, Scott started 12th for the 147-lap event. Scott told the No. 2 team their Camaro was very loose in the turns on both ends of the egg-shaped oval and the front end lacked grip upon entrance of the turns. With only two cautions during the race, the team didn’t get many opportunities to make adjustments. He would run as high as sixth under a green-flag pit cycle, but was forced to give that up on lap 134 to pit for fuel and tires. When the checkered flag waved, Scott was scored in 12th place.
Last Fall at Richmond … Scott and the No. 2 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevrolet qualified inside the top-10 at Richmond International Raceway in the fifth position. In the opening laps of the 250-lap Virginia529 College Savings 250, battled tight-handling conditions in the center of the corner and lacked drive off the corners. Scott brought home a fifth-place finish for the Richard Childress Racing team.
Double Duty … In addition to competing at Richmond International Raceway in the XFINITY Series this weekend, Scott is scheduled to drive the No. 33 Shore Lodge Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, September, 12. The Virginia 529 College Savings 250 is live on NBC Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. The Richmond 400 is live on NBC Sports Network, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
Richmond is a place where you are always fast. Do you feel like that track ‘owes you one?’
"I guess as much as a track can owe a driver a victory, Richmond does. Each time you go back it’s a reset. You don’t get to build off of a dominating performance the year before. Every time we go there we have to be as prepared and as ready to go out there and race and beat all of the competitors just like we did that one year. It feels like it’s a place that we normally have our hands around pretty well and we go out and always seem to qualify well. It’s been a good race track. I hope it owes me one. I hope in the world of owing people things, it all works out. But you have to be as prepared and work even harder if you want to stay dominant at a race track."
You’ll be doing double-duty this weekend at Richmond. How busy of a weekend is it for you?
"It will be busy, but it’ll be good. It will be a lot of track time and fewer opportunities to lose focus."
What do you think about your 200th XFINITY Series Start?
"It’s just a number to me. It is cool. I guess that means I have been around the sport for a while. It’s great and hopefully it will transfer into a good finish."
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 146 in this weekend’s Virginia529 College Savings 250 at RIR. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was most recently raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway where Dillon finished sixth. Paul Menard drove chassis No. 146 to Victory Lane at Michigan International Speedway in June, 2014.
Dillon in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Richmond International Raceway … In five XFINITY Series starts at RIR, Dillon has recorded three top-10 finishes. Earlier this season, Dillon drove the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro to a ninth-place finish.
Bass Pro Shops continues partnership with RCR … Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 94 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.
Darlington Race Rewind … Last Saturday afternoon, Dillon drove the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro to a 15th-place finish after having to make a late pit stop with four laps remaining. The team raced all the way up to second place in the closing laps of the VFW Sport Clips "Help a Hero" 200, but were several laps short on fuel, forcing the team to pit prior to the checkered flag.
Points Update … Dillon moved into sole possession of second place in the XFINITY Series driver point standings with his 15th-place finish Saturday afternoon at Darlington Raceway, trailing the leader by only 29 points.
Have a cold Yuengling Light Lager with Dillon … On Thursday evening, join Dillon at Kickback Jack’s in Henrico, Va. (9318 W. Broad Street, Henrico, Va.) beginning at 7:30 p.m. for a cold Yuengling Light Lager and watch Thursday night football. Kickback Jack’s will be featuring Yuengling Lager and Oktoberfest on draught and will have Yuengling Light Lager cans available for $1.75.
Meet Ty Dillon … On Friday, Dillon is scheduled to visit the Team Chevy stage located in the Fan Midway at 1:40 p.m. to participate in a question-and-answer session. He will also sign autographs in the XFINITY Series autograph session on Friday beginning at 2 p.m.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
With nine races remaining, describe the championship battle.
"Every race is so important, every pit stop, even every lap at this point. We’re very focused on the big picture and interested in minimizing mistakes. At this point in the season we’re fortunate to be in the championship battle, but we still want more. This weekend at Richmond will be a difficult task, but I’m confident our team will come out strong and run well.
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro
This Week’s Ruud Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 145 in the Virgina529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet was previously driven by Ty Dillon to two pole awards (Kentucky Speedway and Kansas Speedway) and a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year. After transforming into a No. 33 entry, Austin Dillon drove this chassis to a second-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.
Dillon at Richmond … The Welcome, N.C., native has made six NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 7/8-mile track, collecting three top-10 finishes. Dillon holds an average starting position of 9.7 and average finishing position of 16.0 with 14 laps led.
Welcome Back, Ruud … Like RCR, Ruud is a pioneer in reliable performance. In 1889, Edwin Ruud invented the first automatic gas water heater and since then, the Ruud brand has grown into one of North America’s largest and most respected makers of quality heating, cooling and water heating products for residential and light commercial use. The Ruud reputation for engineering excellence, reliability, strength and top performance has been consistently recognized by leading consumer publications as a brand that can be trusted to deliver efficient, reliable performance day in and day out. Today, the proud performance histories of Ruud and RCR come together to serve as the cornerstones of future championship performance of two great brands, Austin Dillon and the No. 33 RCR-Ruud XFINITY Series team.
33 Team by the Numbers … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Dillon, Paul Menard and Brandon Jones behind the wheel. In 24 races, the RCR team has garnered four wins, five pole awards, 12 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes with 437 laps led.
Race Rewind: Darlington Raceway … Menard and the No. 33 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet started from the fifth position after a strong qualifying effort earlier in the day at the Darlington Raceway. On lap four, Menard radioed to crew chief Danny Stockman that he felt a tire going down and came to pit road on lap nine for four tires. The RCR driver was scored in 36th place, two laps down, when he went back green-flag racing on lap 11. A lack of cautions meant the No. 33 team had to pit off sequence, taking away the possibility for Menard to get back on the lead lap relegating him to a 25th-place finish.
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: drivers fastest early in a run, drivers fastest late in a run, fastest driver on restarts and green-flag speed. Dillon is second amongst his competitors in fastest laps run (303). He also ranks third in laps led with 413 laps.
Season in Review … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in 13 XFINITY Series events, collecting three victories, 10 top-five finishes, 11 top-10 finishes and five pole awards. Dillon has led a total of 413 laps with an average starting position of 4.4 coupled with an average finishing position of 6.9.
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 250-lap event at Richmond International Raceway, Paul Menard returns to the driver’s seat for the September 19 race at Chicagoland Speedway, marking his final race in the No. 33 for this season.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
Richmond International Raceway is a short track but it seems like it has more of an intermediate-track type of feel. Can you describe the racing there. Does it feel like a short track to you?
"It’s probably one of the biggest short tracks we go to because the restarts are so intense and you can really mess up a guy getting into the corner there if you duck under him and put him into a bad spot. It’s a place where you have to be aggressive and then have a car that holds on late because that guy that you were aggressive to at the beginning, will come back and get you later in the run. A fast car makes everything easier for sure, and if you’ve got that you don’t have to worry much about Richmond. It’s a place that brings the competition really tight together."
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 149 this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was last driven by Gaughan at Iowa Speedway in August where he started third and finished fifth. Chassis No. 125 has an average starting position of 9.5 and a finishing position of 10.0.
Richmond Nuggets … In seven XFINITY Series starts at Richmond International Raceway, Gaughan has completed 99.5 percent (1,743 of 1,752) of the laps he has competed. The Las Vegas native is credited with one top-10 finish, a 15.0 average starting position and a 17.4 average finishing position.
This Week at South Point … South Point Hotel & Casino will host the annual High Roller Reining Classic in the Equestrian Center. The first High Roller Reining Classic was held in 2008 and has grown into the top 10 leading events for the National Reining Horse Association. For more information about the NRHA event at South Point, please visit highrollerreiningclassic.com.
Thank You … Gaughan is scheduled to meet with military veterans at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, September 10.
In the Rearview Mirror: Darlington … Sporting a special South Point Hotel & Casino throwback paint scheme, Gaughan qualified the No. 62 Chevrolet in the sixth position for the 147-lap event. In the beginning stages of the race, Gaughan reported he was too tight on the exit of the corner and slipped to the 12th spot. The No. 62 team utilized multiple routine pit stops to make adjustments to alleviate Gaughan’s handling issues. After the final pit stop, Gaughan was able to improve his position to 13th before crossing the finish line.
Season in a Loop … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan ranks sixth in Quality Passes with 834 passes so for this season. He also ranks ninth in Driver Rating with an 88.5. Gaughan has spent 81.4 percent of his contested laps competing in the top 15 of the running order in the first 24 events this year.
To the Points … Gaughan is currently ninth in the driver point standings as the XFINITY Series heads to Richmond International Raceway this weekend.
Meet Brendan … Gaughan is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session with fellow drivers on Friday, September 11 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The Series autograph session will take place in the amphitheater behind the frontstretch grandstands.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts about going to Richmond International Raceway this weekend?
"My history at Richmond well, I’d like to say it’s checkered. If it was checkered, it would be black and white, good and bad. I don’t really have that though. I’ve had one good run there in my entire life, and I got wrecked after we took the checkered flag. I love the track. I love the fans, but I’m not very good there."