XFINITY Series Lonestar State showdown
Event: O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
Date: Friday, April 10, 2015
Venue: Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, Texas
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Texas Motor Speedway … In 55 Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, RCR has earned victories with Kevin Harvick in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2012. The Welcome, N.C, organization has started from the pole position on two separate occasions, with Jeff Green in 2002 and Paul Menard in 2012. RCR has led 812 laps at Texas Motor Speedway, accumulated 17 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes and averages a starting position of 11.1 and finishing position of 11.6.
Recap of Auto Club Speedway … Brendan Gaughan finished second, Brian Scott sixth, Ty Dillon 14th and Austin Dillon 38th, respectively, in the XFINITY Series DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway.
The Points … Five races into the XFINITY Series season, Ty Dillon holds a five point lead in the driver point standings, Brendan Gaughan is sixth and Brian Scott gained four places and is 10th. The RCR No. 33 RCR entry is currently fifth in the Series’ 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, @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 … XFINITY Series coverage from Texas Motor Speedway will begin on Friday, April 10 with qualifying being televised live on FOX Sports 1 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Coverage of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports1 and broadcasted live on PRN and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Albertsons / Reser’s Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Albertsons / Reser’s Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 156 in Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. This prepared chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable was brand new to the fleet at Atlanta Motor Speedway where Scott qualified second and finished seventh. At Auto Club Speedway, Scott qualified second and finished sixth with this chassis.
Texas History … Scott will be making his 11th career XFINITY Series start this weekend in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. In Scott’s last visit to the Fort Worth, Texas track, he qualified fourth and finished sixth; his career best showing. In 10 previous starts, Scott has captured three top-10 finishes with an average start of 11.7 and an average finish of 16.5. Scott has completed 1855 of 2005 laps (92.5 percent), with two laps led at the 1.5-mile speedway.
Albertsons on Board … This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the No. 2 XFINITY Series team welcomes back their partner, Albertsons. Albertsons and the Safeway family of stores, the second-largest supermarket chain in North America, has partnered with RCR, Scott and the No. 2 XFINITY Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2015. RCR also welcomes Albertsons’ supporting partners Reser’s Fine Foods and Sanderson Farms. Albertsons Safeway stores operate under store banners Albertsons, ACME, Shaw’s, Star Markets, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Jewel-Osco, 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. Additional information on "Your favorite local supermarket™" and Brian Scott can be found online.
Race Rewind … At Auto Club Speedway, Scott and the No. 2 Vons/Reser’s Chevrolet team qualified second for the third time in five races this season. As the 150-lap DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 began, the Mike Hillman Jr.-led team worked on adjusting the No. 2 Camaro to help with tight-handling conditions on the high line. Scott was scored as high as second, but made contact with the wall coming out of Turn 4 on multiple accounts. The Vons/Resers Camaro crossed the finish line in the sixth position.
Last Time at Texas Motor Speedway … Scott and the No. 2 Country Bob’s Chevrolet Camaro team collected their 28th top-10 qualifying position of the season at Texas Motor Speedway by starting fourth for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge. The team fought tight conditions for the majority of the 200-lap event, but continued to maintain a position inside the top-10. Scott brought the Country Bob’s Chevrolet home in sixth place, collecting the teams 10th consecutive top-10 finish and 21st of the 2014 season.
Meet Brian Scott … Scott is scheduled to sign autographs at Albertsons Grocery Store on North Beach Street in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time.
To The Points … Scott is currently 10th in the XFINITY Series driver point standings after the fifth of 33 races.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
People say that every 1.5-mile track is cookie cutter. Do you think so?
"No. Every 1.5-mile track is different. I’m looking forward to the 1.5-mile tracks this year. Last year, I feel like we just kind of stumbled out of the gates. We tripped a little bit and our performance wasn’t there until about halfway through the season. So when you look at some of these rundowns on the 1.5-mile tracks and the tracks that are coming up. Our second time there has been better. And that’s because we picked our program up. This year I am looking forward to going back there the first time and having increased performance from there.
How is Texas Motor Speedway weathering in?
"Texas and Atlanta I would say are the only tracks that are similar in weathering out. There are differences between Texas and Atlanta but they do become handling-race tracks. Sometimes with all these repaves, the 1.5-mile tracks are more about trim and speed. I think drivers like the handling race tracks like Texas, California and Atlanta.
Managing tires at those types of tracks, is that something you have to learn the hard way?
"Managing tires is interesting because everyone has their own theory on how to do it. There are theories about going hard at the beginning of a run and whether that hurts you at the end of a run; or if you give up too much by doing that. There are a lot of theories. There is definitely an art to it. It’s something that I work on a lot each time we go to those places."
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Bulwark / Wayne Workwear Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Bulwark / Wayne Workwear Chevrolet Camaro at Texas Motor Speedway… NASCAR XFINITY Series points leader Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 159 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro debuted at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last month where Dillon finished eighth.
Dillon at Texas Motor Speedway… In three XFINITY Series starts, Dillon has recorded one top-10 finish at the 1.5-mile speedway. In two starts at Texas Motor Speedway last season Dillon finished ninth in the spring race and 15th in the fall race. Dillon won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on November 1, 2013 with the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Silverado. Overall in the NCWTS Series at Texas Motor Speedway Dillon has four top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes in five starts.
Danny Stockman at TMS … Crew chief Danny Stockman, in his sixth season at RCR, has been a top the pit box for six XFINITY Series races, earning five top-10 finishes and three top-five finishes at Texas Motor Speedway. The 32-year-old crew chief will be crew chief for his 104th XFINITY Series race this weekend at the 1.5-mile speedway.
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 Bulwark … Bulwark, the world’s No. 1 Flame Resistant (FR) brand, will be featured on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Bulwark has a relentless drive to design, develop and distribute the best, most forward-thinking FR garments the world has ever seen. For more information log on to bulwark.com.
About Wayne Workwear … Wayne Enterprises, Inc. has supplied uniforms, PPE, incentive programs and promotional products to the Petroleum Industry for over 30 years. Wayne Enterprises, Inc. has remained a family owned and operated business since opening its doors in 1982. With corporate offices and warehouses located in Houston, Texas, and our Permian Basin facility in Midland, Texas, Wayne Enterprises, Inc. has over 105,000 square feet of operations. For more information visit wayne-ent.com.
Lager Jogger … Best of luck to all of the participants in the third annual Yuengling Lager Jogger in Pottsville, Pa., this Saturday morning. The 5k race starts and finishes at America’s Oldest Brewery on Mahantongo Street in Pottsville. Participants are greeted with a cold Yuengling Lager at the conclusion of the race. More than 3,000 participants ran or walked in the event last year. Yuengling, a primary sponsor on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro, is scheduled to be on the hood next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Points Leader … Dillon holds a five point lead over second place in the XFINITY Series driver point standings. Assisted by consecutive podium finishes to begin the season (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway), Dillon has two top-five finishes and four top-10 finishes. Overall, Dillon leads all drivers with an average finishing position of 6.8.
Last time out at Auto Club Speedway… Dillon qualified 16th, raced in and around the top 10 and ultimately finished 14th. The 23-year-old driver retained the XFINITY Series points lead after five races.
Meet Ty Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session on Friday, April 10 beginning at 2:45 p.m. Central Time at the Team Chevy Stage in the Texas Motor Speedway Midway.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
What will it take to get back to Victory Lane in Texas?
"I really enjoy racing at this track, mainly because it’s fast. You can really carry a lot of speed off the corners and make passes almost anywhere on the race track. We’ve brought great race cars here in the past that have raced up front and I expect that this weekend. I think for our team, we’ll need to unload well for the practice sessions on Thursday and get us a good starting spot for the race. I know Danny (Stockman, crew chief) is pretty familiar with Texas Motor Speedway and will bring a lot of good knowledge for the race on Friday night."
Austin Dillon, No. 33 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Ruud Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 160 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was driven to Victory Lane by Dillon last month at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after qualifying on the pole and leading for 183 of the 200 contested laps.
Lone Star State Stats … The Welcome, N.C., native driver has made five starts at the 1.5-mile track, collecting three top-five and five top-10 finishes. Dillon holds an average starting position of 3.8 and an average finishing position of 5.2 with 16 laps led. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranks second in quality passes (177), maintains the fourth-fastest green flag speed and is the fifth-fastest driver late in a run.
Welcome Aboard 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 NASCAR XFINITY Series team.
Cowboy Ready … Dillon heads to Texas with his cowboy boots and hat ready for the weekend. As a tradition, the 24-year-old driver wears Justin Boots before each race weekend accompanied by his signature Stetson cowboy hat.
Looking Ahead … So far this season, Dillon has been entered in four XFINITY Series events, collecting one victory, three top-five finishes and two pole awards. The 2013 Series champion is scheduled to compete in the next four consecutive races for RCR in the No. 33 Chevrolet.
Double Duty … In addition to Friday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway, watch Dillon in the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500, which airs live on FOX Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
Are there things you can take away from racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this year and bring it over to Texas Motor Speedway?
"I think you can definitely take things from Las Vegas (Motor Speedway) to Texas (Motor Speedway). The two tracks have a lot of similarities. Turns 3 and 4 at Las Vegas remind me a lot of same things at Texas. Hopefully we can take some of the same set ups we used at Las Vegas and use them at Texas. We were really fast and led a lot of laps and Las Vegas last month, and I think we can do that again this weekend."
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 WIX Filters Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s WIX Filters Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 158 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was previously utilized this NASCAR XFINITY Series season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, qualifying fifth and finishing sixth.
Lone Star State Stats … In six XFINITY Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Gaughan has completed 1,178 laps of the 1,205 (97.8 percent) that he has competed. The Las Vegas native averages a starting position of 15.8 and a finishing position of 19.7 at the 1.5-mile speedway. Gaughan has been successful at the Fort Worth, Texas track in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, collecting his first Series victory in June 2002. The 39-year-old driver and crew chief Shane Wilson also hold a two-year streak of four consecutive Camping World Truck Series victories in 2002 and 2003, the first driver in Camping World Truck Series history to win four consecutive times at the same track.
Return of the #WIXtyTwo … WIX Filters returns as primary sponsor on the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend in the XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. WIX Filters was last onboard the No. 62 at Auto Club Speedway in 2014.
About WIX Filters … Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications. For more information, visit wixfilters.com.
Double Duty … Along with Friday night’s XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300, Gaughan is scheduled to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 on Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the No. 62 Premium Motorsports entry.
Did You Know … Gaughan currently averages a 6.4 starting position, highest this season of all XFINITY Series regulars.
Last year April in Texas … No. 62 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevrolet qualified in the 12th position and battled loose-handling conditions throughout the race. At the halfway point of the race, the handling went the opposite direction. Gaughan and the No. 62 team fought tight-handling conditions for the remainder of the race and finished 16th.
In the Rearview Mirror: Auto Club …. Gaughan took the green flag for the DRIVE4CLOTS.com 300 in the eighth position, his fifth top-10 qualifying effort of the season. The No. 62 RCR team battled tight-handling conditions in the 150-lap event. The Shane Wilson-led team made adjustments to improve the handling and put Gaughan in the position to race his way to a second-place finish, the team’s third consecutive top-10 and first top-five finish of the season.
To the Points … After the first five XFINITY Series races, Gaughan is currently sixth in the driver point standings.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on the Series making its first visit to Texas Motor Speedway of the season?
"Everyone knows that Texas Motor Speedway is one of my favorite places of my career. Shane and I have had a few glory days there and we have been working hard to get back to that. We have learned a lot in these first few races and had some pretty solid finishes. We are coming off some great momentum from the West Coast swing with three top-10 finishes. We have notes of what we want to unload with and come with guns loaded and ready to race."