XFINITY Series heads back to Iowa Speedway for round two
Race: U.S. Cellular 250
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2015
Location: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Iowa Speedway … In 25 XFINITY Series starts at the 7/8-mile track, Richard Childress Racing has led 438 laps and visited Victory Lane once with Elliott Sadler in 2012. Austin Dillon started from the pole in the June 2013 race and drove to a second-place finish. RCR averages a 9.1 starting position, a 10.6 finish and has accumulated seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
Indianapolis Recap … In the Lilly Diabetes 250, Paul Menard, Ty Dillon, Brian Scott and Brendan Gaughan posted fourth, ninth, 11th and 13th place finishes, respectively.
The Points … All three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 driver point standings as the Series returns to Iowa Speedway for the 19th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brendan Gaughan eighth and Brian Scott ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is second in the owner point standings.
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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, @BrandonJonesRac and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this weekend’s XFINITY Series stand-alone event at Iowa Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, August 1, beginning at 8 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
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 161 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular 250. This RCR-prepared chassis made its debut at Phoenix International Raceway where Scott qualified 12th and finished 10th. In addition to Phoenix, he also raced it at Dover International Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway.
Iowa Statistics … Saturday’s 250-lap event will mark Scott’s 11th XFINITY Series start at the 7/8-mile track. Scott has completed 2,403 of 2,509 laps (95.8 percent) with four top-10 finishes, an average start of 6.6 and an average finish of 13.6. Scott has finished 18th or better in the last eight of 10 races.
2015 at A Glance … After 18 XFINITY Series races this season; Scott has captured two top-five, 10 top-10 finishes, sits ninth in the driver point standings and has led 133 laps with an average starting position of 5.6 and an average finish of 15.1. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 5.6.
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Last Fall in Iowa … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro qualified for the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway in the fourth position. With a $100,000 Dash4Cash bonus on the line from Nationwide Insurance, Scott and the No. 6 car raced a tight battle in the last 50 laps for the fifth position. With three laps to go on the final restart, Scott got shuffled into the seventh position where he would ultimately cross the finish line.
Indianapolis Race Rewind … Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet qualified seventh at the prestigious Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the XFINITY Series Lilly Diabetes 250. Early in the race, Scott reported his Chevrolet Camaro was tight in the center and loose off the corners. On lap 63 during green-flag conditions, the Shore Lodge Chevrolet made a stop for four tires and enough fuel to make it to the checkered flag. Scott battled inside the top 15 for the majority of the day and crossed the finish line in the 11th position.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
Does it build your confidence going into Iowa Speedway having just finished fourth there in May?
"Iowa Speedway is a fun track because it’s a stand-alone race each time we go there. And it’s a track where an XFINITY Series regular is typically going to win it. And, with this No. 2 team being one of the top contenders on the XFINTIY side week in and week out, it seems to lead us to believe it could be a great place where we can go out and win. We’ve had really strong runs there in the past, it’s an exciting race and I’m looking forward to going back to Iowa. The fans always show up and really support the Series. It’s nice to race in the heartland and in the cornfields surrounded by fans that love racing.
Is there a different feel in XFINTIY stand-alone events?
"Yeah, I think so. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers kind of turn the wick up a little bit. You always seem to end up watching their cars because they’re the fastest on a short run and the long run. You’re constantly comparing yourself to them. When they’re not there, it seems a little more laid back. You have a couple different people that you feel like you’re racing for the win. Still, this XFINITY Series is really strong and there is a lot of competition. XFINTIY Series drivers have gone out and won when there have been Sprint Cup drivers in the field, so you still have to beat the XFINITY Series guys. The XFINTIY Series is tough competition."
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 157 this weekend in the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was raced at Kentucky Speedway earlier this season where Dillon finished 16th.
Dillon in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Iowa Speedway … In three XFINITY Series races at the 7/8-mile short track, Dillon has two top-10 finishes. In four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, Dillon has recorded two top-five and three top-10 finishes. He finished second in the Truck Series race in September 2012.
Second time back … Earlier this season, Dillon drove the No. 3 Red Kap Chevrolet Camaro to a 14th-place finish at Iowa Speedway. The team raced in and around the top five for a majority of the afternoon, but had a tire go down late in the race. Dillon battled back and crossed the finish line 14th.
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Indianapolis rewind … Dillon qualified ninth for the XFINITY Series Lilly Diabetes 250 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway and raced inside the top 10 for a majority of the afternoon. He led eight laps during the 100-lap race and was scored ninth when he crossed the finish line.
Points Update … Dillon remains third in the XFINITY Series driver points standings after gaining some ground last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He trails second place by just five points with 15 races remaining.
Meet Ty Dillon … Fans have an opportunity to meet Dillon on Friday, July 31 at the Bass Pro Shops in Altoona, Iowa beginning at 12 p.m. Central Time. Come have lunch at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill during the scheduled appearance and enjoy shopping in the 145,000-square foot, state-of-the-art Outdoor World.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
How will Iowa Speedway be different this time around?
"I’ve had some success in the past at Iowa Speedway but this time it will be a little different with a new crew chief (Nick Harrison) and team. Iowa is a track where I think we can really make some noise, especially with the momentum we have after these last two races in New Hampshire and Indianapolis. Right now, we’re focused on gaining ground in the point standings and we’ll continue doing that by not making mistakes. I enjoy short-track racing, so this weekend should be fun."
Brandon Jones, No. 33 FVP/Menards Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quote:
This Week’s FVP/Menards Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway … Brandon Jones will pilot Chassis No. 159 in the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was most recently driven Ty Dillon and averages a finishing position of 9.6.
Welcome Back to the Team … This weekend, the No. 33 team welcomes back driver Brandon Jones who made his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut at Iowa Speedway in May with the RCR team where he finished eighth, after starting from the fifth position. This weekend’s event will mark the first time crew chief Danny Stockman and Jones work together.
Victorious in Iowa … Jones has four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East starts to his credit at the 7/8-mile track earning one victory, two top-five and three top-10 finishes. The 18-year-old driver has an 11th-place average starting position coupled with an 8.2 average finishing position. Most recently, Jones drove his No. 33 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry to a runner-up finish when the Series visited the Newton, Iowa track in June.
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33 Team by the Numbers … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Jones, Austin Dillon and Paul Menard behind the wheel. In 18 races, the RCR team has garnered three wins, five pole awards, 11 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes with 427 laps led.
Meet the Driver … Jones is scheduled to sign autographs for fans at the XFINITY Series autograph session on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. underneath the Turn 4 grandstands.
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 250-lap affair at Iowa Speedway, RCR driver Paul Menard will report back to the driver’s seat for the No. 33 team for the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International.
BRANDON JONES QUOTE:
In your first NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Iowa Speedway, you finished eighth. What are your thoughts heading back there with the No. 33 team?
"I’m excited to head back to Iowa Speedway this weekend with the FVP/Menards team. We ran really well there in May when I made my Series debut. I learned a lot and have a lot more confidence going back there this weekend. I haven’t had a chance to work with Danny (Stockman, crew chief), but I think we’ll work well together. The No. 33 team has been fast and won another race since I was in the car, so it’s pretty exciting to be heading back to Iowa Speedway this weekend."
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 Iowa Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 149 this weekend at Iowa Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro has been utilized in six races since August 2014, averaging a starting position of 10.7 and finishing position of 10.8. This season, No. 149 has competed at Auto Club Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. At Auto Club Speedway, Gaughan earned his best finish of the season as the runner up for the XFINITY Series event.
Gaughan’s Stats at Iowa … In seven XFINITY Series starts at the 7/8-mile paved oval, Gaughan has earned two top-10 finishes and averages a starting position of 14.1 and finishing position of 16.1.
Last Time at Iowa …The No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team qualified 11th during the first visit this season to Iowa Speedway. Gaughan battled loose-handling conditions for the majority of the race, but was able to maintain track position and crossed the finish line in 10th place.
Welcome Home, Voss … No. 62 front tire carrier Justin Voss returns to his home state this weekend for the Iowa 250. The Parksburg, Iowa-native grew up racing go-karts, where he earned multiple track championships throughout the midwest. Voss made the move to North Carolina in 2003 and began working at RCR in 2011 as a full-time fabricator. The next year, Voss also began traveling as the tire carrier for the No. 3 team of Ty Dillon.
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In the Rearview Mirror: Indianapolis Motor Speedway… Gaughan qualified in the fourth position for the Lilly Diabetes 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marking Gaughan’s 13th top-10 starting position of the season. The Las Vegas-native began reporting tight-handling conditions on lap four. The Shane Wilson-led team visited pit road during the first caution on lap 14 for right-side tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment, restarting Gaughan in fifth. During a 40 lap green-flag run, the team began using pit strategy and came to pit road for four tires, fuel and track bar adjustment, putting them off sequence from most of the competitors. Gaughan finished the 100-lap event in the 13th position.
To the Points … As the Series returns to Iowa Speedway, Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team remain eighth in the driver point standings.
Meet Brendan Gaughan … On Saturday, August 1, Gaughan is scheduled to participate in the XFINITY Series autograph session at Iowa Speedway under the Turn 4 grandstands at 2 p.m. Central Time.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
After a top-10 finish during the first visit, what are your thoughts on returning to Iowa Speedway?
"I have always been told by Rusty (Wallace) that I have to like Iowa Speedway. That is never an issue for me because I truly enjoy racing there. The fans love it and we are always able to put on a great race for them. The track itself has a lot of character because it has bumps and asphalt that has changed over the years. So it is a track that I love with multiple grooves, is super fast and runs like a speedway."