Richard Childress Racing Event Preview:
Talladega Superspeedway
Race: Good Sam Road Assistance 500
Location: Talladega Superspeedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
Richard Childress Racing Leads at Talladega … Richard Childress began his driving career at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 and leads team owners for the most all-time victories at the storied Ala. race track with 12 wins, including three of the last five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. Dale Earnhardt visited Victory Lane nine times while Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer swept the 2010 events at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. Bowyer added to the Welcome, N.C.-based organization’s total by claiming RCR’s 100th Sprint Cup Series win when NASCAR’s senior series visited the facility in October 2011. In 137 starts, RCR has four pole awards, 37 top-five, 58 top-10 finishes and has led 1,789 laps of competition.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,252 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 100 wins, 433 top-five finishes, 904 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 17.9 and an average finishing position of 15.8 among all races contested. RCR has earned six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt (1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93, ’94), 14 total championships (five NASCAR Nationwide Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
The Collective RCR … Throughout the season’s first 29 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have notched six top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. RCR teams have completed 25,861 of 26,303 total laps (98.3 percent) with drivers Jeff Burton, Austin Dillon, Brendan Gaughan, Harvick, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler. The group has led a combined 284 laps.
Get to the Points … Following the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway, Harvick, who represents RCR in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, is ranked ninth, 46 points out of the top spot. Menard currently sits 16th in the driver championship point standings, while Burton is ranked 19th.
Interactive RCR … To keep up-to-date with the latest news and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Sprint Cup Series team Twitter pages – @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick and @RCR31JeffBurton. Information about the 14-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com.
Catch the Action … ESPN’s live coverage of the Good Sam Road Assistance 500 begins Sunday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Qualifying for the 30th points-paying event of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season will be broadcast live on SPEED Saturday, Oct. 6 at 12 p.m. ET.
Paul Menard
No. 27 CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet at Dover International Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 388 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Good Sam Road Assistance 500. This Chevrolet was last raced at Daytona International Speedway in July, where he started 13th and finished 14th. It was also utilized earlier this season at Talladega Superspeedway (May) where Menard finished 17th and in the 2012 Daytona 500 where he drove it to a sixth-place finish.
Talladega Days … In 12 starts at Talladega Superspeedway, Menard has earned one top-five and six top-15 finishes, completed 81.7 percent of his laps (1,865 of 2,283) and led for 28 circuits. He has an average starting position of 20.1 and an average finishing position of 22.1. His best finish of second was recorded in his October 2008 visit to the 2.66-mile race track. Menard recorded his best start of fifth on two occasions: October 2008 and April 2011. He also earned one pole award (April 2005) in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and one win (September 2003) in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
By the Numbers in 2012 … With 29 points-paying events of the 2012 season complete, Menard sits 16th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings on the merit of seven top-10 and 17 top-15 finishes. In his sophomore season with RCR, Menard has an average starting position of 16.1, an average finishing position of 15.2, maintains an Average Running Position of 17.279 and has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (8,205 of 8,231), the fourth-best of all drivers.
Meet Menard at Miamisburg, Ohio Grand Opening … Menard is scheduled to meet with fans and sign autographs at the Menards Grand Opening in Miamisburg, Ohio on Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time. The home improvement store is located at 8480 Springboro Pike.
Race Rewind … Menard lined up in the seventh position to start the 2011 Good Sam Club 500 and was running in the top 10 in the closing laps at Talladega Superspeedway. A late-race restart left the field scrambled and the in the No. 27 Serta/Menards Chevrolet crossed the finish in 12th.
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In the Rearview Mirror: Dover International Speedway … Menard and the No. 27 CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet team battled handling challenges and bad luck on Sunday afternoon en route to a 22nd-place finish at Dover International Speedway.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
Your best finish at Talladega Superspeedway is second. Tell us about the 2.66-mile superspeedway.
“When we go to Talladega (Superspeedway), it is really anyone’s game. We’ve qualified better there the last couple of races. I think the guys at ECR (Engines) are building even better motors for us. The cars have been good, too. It’s just a matter of dodging the wrecks and finishing the races.”
How good of a drafter to you think you are? How much do you learn each time you go to Talladega Superspeedway?
“The drafting at the superspeedways is not what it used to be. It’s really hard to pass now. It’s more about managing your temperatures so you can make a run at the end. It doesn’t really matter how good of a drafter you are now; you’re very limited to what you can do.”
Do the Chevrolets still have a disadvantage due to the cooling issues or has that been resolved?
“I never really felt that we had a disadvantage. I think the Fords might have had an advantage as far as cooling goes. I think we are right on par with everyone else. As far as horsepower, we are right there with everyone.”
Is there a difference racing at Talladega Superspeedway in May compared to racing there in the fall?
“No, there is no difference. The cars handle the same and you run wide open (at Talladega Superspeedway). It all comes down to managing your temperatures. It might be a little cooler in October, but I doubt it.”
Is racing at the superspeedways frustrating because they’re not driver’s tracks?
“I’m not a big fan of restrictor-plate racing. It’s a manipulated type of racing where you can’t just go out and race. It makes it very frustrating.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No.387 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500. Built new for competition in 2012, Harvick raced this Chevrolet to a seventh-place finish in the season’s kickoff event, the Daytona 500, after starting from the 13th-position.
Just the Stats … This weekend’s event at Dover International Speedway marks Harvick’s 424th career start in the Sprint Cup Series and 24th at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. Since 2001, the 36-year-old driver has collected one win (April 2010), one pole award (May 2005), six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. The Bakersfield, Calif., native maintains a 22nd-place average starting position, coupled with an average finishing position of 15.6, has completed 97.7 percent (4,257 of 4,359) of laps contested and is credited with 143 laps led.
Going for a Loop at the Superspeedway … Since the inception of NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics in 2006, Harvick has made 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Talladega, Ala. -based facility. The RCR driver has completed 69 of the Fastest Laps Run, ranking him third amongst all competitors. Harvick is tied for fifth in the Closers category after gaining an average of 2.5 positions in the final 10 percent of laps run, has completed the sixth-most Green Flag Passes (4,788) and is credited with 107 Laps Led, positioning him eighth in the Loop Data category.
The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup … With three Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup events complete, Harvick sits ninth in the “Chase” standings, 46 markers behind leader Brad Keselowski.
Meet the Press … Harvick will field questions from members of the media at Talladega Superspeedway’s infield Media Center on Friday, Oct. 5 at 12:45 p.m. Central Time (1:45 p.m. Eastern Time).
You’re Invited to Happy’s Birthday Bash … Harvick will celebrate his 37th birthday when Budweiser presents Happy’s Birthday Bash at The Fox Theater in his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 1. Country music star Craig Morgan will headline the charity event benefiting the Kevin Harvick Foundation with a special guest appearance by Bridgette Tatum. Tickets to the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.vallitix.com, by phone at 1-888-825-5484, The Bakersfield Fox Theater Box office or any Vallitix outlet.
Win Happy’s Chevy … One lucky winner will help children in need and take home Harvick’s 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Coupe. The vehicle includes gray leather interior, 21-inch black painted wheels, six-speed manual transmission, V8 engine, rear parking assist and much more. Proceeds will be used to further the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation through programs such as Kevin’s Krew, Chase Your Dreams Scholarships and the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund. For more information or to purchase a ticket for only $29, visit .
The Last Time By … Harvick and the No. 29 team’s plan for the 2011 Good Sam Club 500 at Talladega Superspeedway unraveled at lap 104 when Harvick was caught up in another driver’s accident. After making several trips to pit road and eventually going to the garage for repairs, Harvick finished the race in 32nd position.
In the Rearview Mirror: Dover International Speedway … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team salvaged a 13th-place finish in Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway after a caution in the midst of the first round of green-flag pit stops caught most of the field two laps down to the leader.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What is your approach to racing at Talladega Superspeedway?
“I go to Talladega with the approach that you have a 50-50 chance when you get there. You’re either going to have a great day because you finished or you’re going to have a torn up race car. I’ve gone in with that mentality since my first race at Talladega (Superspeedway). It’s just one of those race tracks where you really don’t have any expectations and you just go out and run as hard as you can because there are so many things out of your control.”
What do you enjoy most about restrictor-plate racing?
“I love this style of racing. I love the strategy and the pushing and the shoving and all of the things that come with it (restrictor-plate racing). With that comes a lot of risk as far as getting torn up. Kind of like the rest of our year, we haven’t gotten the finishes that we’ve been accustomed to in the past at the superspeedways. Hopefully, we’ve been saving all of that luck up and can get through this weekend and put ourselves up front when it counts. It’ll be fun to see how it all shakes out.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Weekend’s No. 31 Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway … Jeff Burton will race Chassis No. 343 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. This chassis, built in 2011 for RCR’s No. 29 entry with driver Kevin Harvick, competed in three superspeedway events last season including the Daytona 500 where an engine failure relegated Harvick to a 42nd-place finish. Harvick also guided this machine to a top-five finish at Talladega in April 2011 and a top-10 finish in last season’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Burton got behind the wheel of this Chevrolet in the 2012 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona where he was involved in an early incident, but battled to an 11th-place finish. He also brought home a top-10 finish at Talladega in April and a runner-up effort in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July.
Career Talladega Stats … The Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 marks Burton’s 38th start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway and 649th-career Sprint Cup Series entry. He earned five top-five and 15 top-10 finishes along with 150 laps led at the historic track.
Getting Loopy on Eastaboga Blvd … Burton has garnered impressive NASCAR Loop Data statistics at Talladega Superspeedway since the inception of NASCAR Loop Data Statistics in 2006. He leads all drivers entered for the 500-mile event with a Driver Rating of 90.7, has the most Green Flag Passes with 5,839 (4,048 of those passes coming while running in the top 15), the seventh-best Average Running Position (15.871) and has spent 1,676 Laps In The Top 15, ranking him fourth.
Restrictor-Plate Ringer … Three of Burton’s five top-10 finishes during the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season have been at restrictor-plate race tracks. Burton finished fifth in the season-opening Daytona 500, 10th at Talladega Superspeedway in April and he also brought home a runner-up effort in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in July. The 44-year-old driver has four top-10 finishes in his last four starts at restrictor-plate race tracks.
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Featured Cat Dealers … Thompson Tractor Company Inc. and Puckett Machinery Company will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 31 DriveCAT.com Chevrolet this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
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Team Chevy … Burton is scheduled to participate in a question and answer session at the Team Chevy stage located in the Talladega Superspeedway display area on Sunday, Oct. 7at 9:40 a.m. Eastern Time (8:40 a.m. Central Time).
Race Rewind: Dover International Speedway … Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team were relegated to a 27th-place finish after battling handling issues, while untimely cautions pinned the Richard Childress Chevrolet six laps down to the leader during the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway.
Points Racing … After 29 points-paying events of the 36-race Sprint Cup Series season, Burton has scored 713 points and sits in the 19th position in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings. The veteran RCR driver has two top-five and five top-10 finishes, has spent 2,658 laps running in the top 15 and made 2,510 green-flag passes thus far this season.
JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
The No. 31 team has had some success over the last two seasons at restrictor-plate race tracks.
“Every superspeedway event we’ve ran over the past few years, we were in position to win the race. It hasn’t surprised me that we’ve had success at superspeedway events, but it has surprised me that we haven’t had success at smaller one-mile, 1.5-mile and two-mile tracks.”
How are things going as far as engine temperatures? Are they a concern at Talladega Superspeedway?
“We have been at a disadvantage lately and not been able to race as hard as we liked to due to engine temperature concerns. Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines have worked diligently on that and I feel like we are going back to Talladega Superspeedway with a better cooling package. Hopefully, we can get in there and dig hard and be in the middle of the action all day. We’ve been forced to run in the back and ride around. That isn’t what I’m about.”
What is more ideal, pack racing or two-car tandem drafts?
“It depends on who you ask (laughter). I don’t know if there is an answer to that. Personally, I preferred the two-car tandem drafts. However, I think I’m the minority there. I’ve raced in restrictor-plate races for well over 20 years and I can tell you what is going to happen, there is going to be a big wreck. We don’t know how many cars will be involved, but we know there will be a big wreck. A majority of those competitors involved in that wreck will also be innocent bystanders. That is very frustrating for us as drivers. I’ve seen those frustrations for so many years that the two-car tandem drafts offered a glimpse of not having to be in that big pack. If there was a wreck with the tandem-style racing, it usually meant 10-15 cars weren’t taken out with you. I enjoyed that aspect of it. I understand why other people don’t like it though.”
What are your thoughts on restrictor-plate racing in general?
“Restrictor-plate races are the four races a year that I’m nervous. I’m not going to lie about it. I’m nervous because there is a high percentage that you will be caught up in a big wreck. It’s not that I’m afraid that I’m going to get hurt. I’m nervous because it means that your chances of winning can disappear so quickly and easily. There have been some spectacular wrecks there, but it’s difficult going into a race knowing that the odds are higher of you getting in a wreck than anywhere else. My theory has always been that if you don’t start the wreck, then you won’t be involved. Hopefully, everyone else is thinking the same thing. When the race starts and I get uncomfortable in a position, I’m not afraid to drop back and get out of there temporarily. If you get uncomfortable during a normal race, you need to keep digging. At Talladega Superspeedway, if you aren’t comfortable then just back out of the gas and get out of the situation. You have to be willing to do it mentally though.”
Race: Coca-Cola 250
Location: Talladega Superspeedway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Notes
Richard Childress Racing at Talladega Superspeedway … Richard Childress Racing has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway, earning two top-10 and three top-20 finishes. The organization also boasts an average starting position of 4.3 combined with an average finishing position of 11.7 at the 2.66-mile track. Collectively, the Welcome, N.C.-based race team has completed 100 percent of their contested laps (283 of 283) at Talladega Superspeedway and led for 14 circuits.
RCR’s Camping World Truck Series History … In 259 Camping World Truck Series starts, RCR has earned 27 wins, 97 top-five finishes, 162 top-10 finishes and 36 pole awards, along with the inaugural series championship in 1995 with Mike Skinner, and again with Austin Dillon in 2011. The organization has an average starting position of 9.4 and an average finishing position of 10.1.
Truck Line-up … Tim George Jr. will pilot the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet this week at Talladega Superspeedway. The No. 2 team will join Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team along with Joey Coulter and the No. 22 Husky Liners Chevrolet team for Saturday’s Coca-Cola 250.
Season in Review … Through the first 17 races of the season, RCR’s Camping World Truck Series entries have acquired three victories, one at Martinsville Speedway with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel, one with Coulter at Pocono Raceway and one with Dillon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. RCR has notched eight pole awards, with Harvick at Martinsville Speedway and Dover International Speedway, George at Kansas Speedway, Dillon at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Coulter at Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has 16 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes and has led 634 laps in 2012.
To the Points … With 17 Camping World Truck Series races completed so far in 2012, Dillon is the driver championship point leader by one marker and Coulter sits in the fourth position, 38 points outside the top spot. The No. 3 team is first in the owner championship point standings and the No. 22 team is fourth, while RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet team is 10th utilizing three different drivers (Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George).
Vote for Team RCR … Joey Coulter, Ty Dillon and Tim George Jr. are in the running for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award. Fans can vote online at nascar.com/ncwtsmpd through November 16. Two lucky fans and their guests will win an all-expense paid trip to the 2012 Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series awards banquet on Nov. 16 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel by registering for the MPD vote sweepstakes after placing their vote on NASCAR.com.
Social Media … To keep up-to-date with the latest news and information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing, RCR’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team Twitter pages – @RCR3TDillon, @RCR22JCoulter and @RCR2CWTS. RCR’s NCWTS driver personal Twitter pages – @tydillon, @JoeyCoulter, @timgeorgejr, @Brendan62 and @kevinharvick.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Coca-Cola 250 is scheduled to be televised live on Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on SPEED and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio beginning at 3:45 p.m. ET.
Tim George Jr
No. 2 Applebee’s Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway … Tim George Jr. will pilot Chassis No. 053 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable this weekend in the Coca-Cola 250. This Chevrolet was acquired over the off-season from the Kevin Harvick Inc., and RCR merger and will be put through its first competitive laps of the season under the RCR banner this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
Rookie Stripes … George will make his first appearance at the 2.66-mile facility in the Camping World Truck Series. The New York City native has four starts at the track in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards earning one top-10 finish, a 15.2 average starting position and a 13.5 average finishing position. George completed 99.7 percent (378 of 379) of his contested laps, leading for 12 circuits.
Season in Review … George has completed nine of his 12 scheduled races on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. At this point in the season, the RCR driver earned one pole award at Kansas Speedway (April) and completed 92.6 percent (1,233 of 1,331) of the contested laps. George holds an average starting position of 13.3 and an average finishing position of 19.6. Following this weekend’s 94-lap event, he is scheduled to participate in the Camping World Truck Series events at Martinsville Speedway and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Owner Points … After 17 races in the 2012 season, the No. 2 Chevrolet team currently sits 10th in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings courtesy of drivers Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and George.
In Your Neighborhood … George is scheduled to make appearances at two local Alabama Applebee’s restaurants before strapping into the No. 2 Chevrolet on Saturday. On Thursday, Oct. 4, George will visit the Applebee’s located at1722 Rainbow Drive in Gadsden, Ala., at 12 p.m. Central Time and 612 Hamric Drive East in Oxford, Ala., at 7 p.m. CT.The RCR driver will sign autographs for Applebee’s team members and restaurant guests.
Meet the Driver … George and his RCR teammate Joey Coulter are scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy stage on Friday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. CT. After the appearance on stage, they are scheduled to take part in the Camping World Truck Series driver autograph session located under the OV Hill South grandstands beginning at 2:15 p.m. CT.
Who Are You Voting For? … NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver contest is underway. Cast your vote for George at NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd and be entered to win an exclusive trip to the Camping World Truck Series year-end awards banquet in Miami, Fla. Fans may vote once every 24 hour period until Nov. 16.
Rearview Mirror: Kentucky Speedway … George and the No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet team worked back from an early-race incident to finish inside the top 20 at Kentucky Speedway.
TIM GEORGE JR. QUOTES:
What are your expectations for this weekend’s event at Talladega Superspeedway? “It will be great to get back to Talladega (Superspeedway). A lot can happen there, but I feel like we are due for a good run. The No. 2 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group team have been working hard on this superspeedway truck. We’ve had some good runs there over the years at RCR in the ARCA Racing Series, and that will give me confidence going in to the weekend. The fans at Talladega are some of the most fun to be around, and I’m really looking forward to feeding off of their energy.”
Ty Dillon
No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway … Ty Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 011 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s Coca-Cola 250. Dillon drove this Chevrolet to a ninth-place finish at Daytona International Speedway in February after starting from the fourth position.
First Timer … This week’s 94-lap event marks Dillon’s first appearance at Talladega Superspeedway in the Camping World Truck Series. However, the 20-year-old driver has made one previous start at the 2.66-mile track in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards where he made the trip to the Winner’s Circle.
Points Leader … Dillon remains the leader of the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, ahead of second-place driver by one point.
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update … Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings over driver Cale Gale.
2012 Season Recap … Throughout the course of the last 17 Camping World Truck Series races, Dillon has one win (Atlanta Motor Speedway), two pole awards (Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway), five top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C., native holds an average starting position of 5.4 and a 7.2 average finishing position. He has completed 99.9 percent (2,636 of 2,638) of the contested laps and led for 117 circuits.
Season to Date … Dillon has earned impressive stats with 17 races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule.According to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the Welcome, N.C., native leads the series in the Fasteston Restarts, Laps Run in the Top 15 (2,388) and Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (97.35 percent) categories. He ranks second in the Average Running Position (7.804), Driver Rating (102.4) and Fastest Drivers Early in a Run.Dillon holds the third position in Fastest Speed in Traffic and Green Flag Speed.He also ranks third in Quality Passes with 508 passes made this season.
Meet Dillon … Fans will have the chance to meet Dillon on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Bass Pro Shops located at 5000 Bass Pro Blvd. in Leeds, Ala. The Atlanta 200 race winner will sign autographs for fans beginning at 6 p.m. Central Time. Prior to competing in the Coca-Cola 250 at Talladega Superspeedway, Dillon will also visit the Team Chevy display on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Noon CT.
Calling All Voters … NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver contest is underway. Cast your vote for Dillon at NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd and be entered to win an exclusive trip to the Camping World Truck Series year-end awards banquet in Miami, Fla. Fans may vote once every 24 hour period until Nov. 16.
Rearview Mirror: Sin City … Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team started the 146-lap affair at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from the fifth position and were scored in the top 10 for the majority of the event. While exiting pit road on a routine yellow-flag stop, contact was made with Dillon’s Chevrolet resulting in left-front damage and a flat tire. The RCR team made additional pit stops to repair the battered machine, relegating Dillon to a 10th-place result.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
You’ve had success at Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. What are your expectations for this weekend’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race?
“We won at Talladega (Superspeedway) last year in the ARCA Racing Series. It’s really fun track to race at, if you can stay out of trouble. I think we can run up front this weekend if we’re smart and race the race track. Pack racing can be a lot of fun if you know how to do it right. You need to be sure you don’t get caught in the wrong place and the wrong time.”
Joey Coulter
No. 22 Husky Liners Chevrolet Silverado
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Husky Liners Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway … Joey Coulter will pilot Chassis No. 027 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday’s Coca-Cola 250. This Chevrolet is a brand new RCR racer and will be put through its first paces on Friday during practice.
‘Bama Details … Coulter has one previous start at the 2.66-mile track in the Camping World Truck Series, recording a 20th-place finish at the track. The Miami Springs, Fla., native was running in the sixth position during a late-race restart but was unable to find a drafting partner and was shuffled back through the field, crossing the finish line in the 20th position.
By the Numbers … With 17 races complete in the 2012 season, Coulter has collected one win (Pocono Raceway), three pole awards (Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway), five top-five and 11 top-10 results. He holds an average starting position of 8.4 along with an average finishing position of 9.3 and has completed 99.1 percent (2,613 of 2,683) of the contested laps, leading for 90 circuits.
Going for a Loop … Coulter has earned impressive this season, and according to NASCAR’s Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the 22-year-old driver is the series’ leader in Fastest Driver Early in a Run Green Flag Speed and Quality Passes (566). He ranks second in Fastest Speed in Traffic, and third-Fastest Drivers Early in a Run. He is ranked fourth in the following categories: Fastest on Restarts, Driver Rating (100.3), Average Running Position (9.555) and Fastest Laps Run (155 laps).
Get to the Points … With his third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend, Coulter improved one position, to fourth, in the Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 38 points behind the leader and RCR teammate Ty Dillon.
Welcome Back, Husky Liners … Husky Liners® will serve as the primary sponsor on Coulter’s No. 22 Chevrolet for the second time this season at Talladega Superspeedway. Husky Liners®, founded by Bob Tyler in 1988 is among today’s most successful automotive accessory companies. Tyler’s love for hunting and fishing sparked his interest to develop the original custom fit cargo line which has now expanded into a line of various items including custom fit Front and Back Seat Floor Liners, Heavy Duty Floor Mats, Custom Molded Mud Guards, Aluminum Tailgates and Contractor Racks, Husky Gear Box® Under Seat Storage Systems, Husky Shield® paint and headlight protection film, Husky Quad Capâ„¢ Bed Rail Caps and a variety of other products to serve the automotive aftermarket. In the past 20 years, Husky Liners has grown to a 197,000 sq. foot manufacturing and distribution operation and become one of the automotive aftermarket’s leading sources for custom fit floor and cargo liners as well as many other automotive aftermarket accessories.
Meet the Driver … Coulter and his RCR teammate Tim George Jr. are scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy stage on Friday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. Central Time. After the appearance on stage, they are scheduled to take part in the Camping World Truck Series driver autograph session located under the OV Hill South grandstands beginning at 2:15 p.m. CT.
Vote Today! … NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver contest is underway. Cast your vote for Coulter at NASCAR.com/ncwtsmpd and be entered to win an exclusive trip to the Camping World Truck Series year-end awards banquet in Miami, Fla. Fans may vote once every 24 hour period until Nov. 16.
Race Rewind: Las Vegas Motor Speedway … The No. 22 RCR team earned their second consecutive pole award of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and led for 40 circuits en route to a third-place finish despite battling a tight-handling condition throughout the majority of the 164-lap event.
JOEY COULTER QUOTE:
You’re first visit to Talladega Superspeedway ended in a 20th-place finish. What are your thoughts heading into race weekend?
“I had a pretty fast truck when we raced at Talladega (Superspeedway) last year, but that last restart really hurt us when we couldn’t find a drafting partner. I have a better grasp at what I need to do this year when we go back this weekend and will hopefully contend for the win this time around.”
