Phoenix International Raceway
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Notes:
Race: Phoenix 500
Date: March 3, 2013
Location: Phoenix International Raceway
RCR at “The Desert Jewel” … Team owner Richard Childress has four victories at Phoenix International Raceway, ranking him third on the all-time car owner victories list at the Avondale, Ariz.,-based facility. This includes RCR’s most recent points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win with driver Kevin Harvick last November; and Harvick’s sweep of both races at PIR in 2006. Prior to that, Dale Earnhardt won the Checker 500 on Nov. 4, 1990. In 83 races at PIR, the Welcome, N.C.-based organization boasts 16 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes.
RCR Daytona Rewind … In last Sunday’s Daytona 500, all four RCR drivers fell victim to accidents throughout the 200-lap event with Paul Menard finishing 20th, Jeff Burton 30th, Austin Dillon 31st and Harvick 42nd. Harvick was able to win his third Sprint Unlimited exhibition race and also picked up the victory in the first Budweiser Duel 150-mile qualifying race.
Get to the Points … RCR’s three full time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 20th (Paul Menard), 28th (Jeff Burton) and 38th (Kevin Harvick) in the driver championship point standings heading into this weekend’s race at Phoenix International Raceway.
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 – @RCR27PMenard, @RCR29KHarvick, @RCR31JeffBurton and driver Twitter page @KevinHarvick. Information about the 14-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages – www.facebook.com/PaulMenard27, www.facebook.com/OfficialKevinHarvick and www.facebook.com/OfficialJeffBurton.
Catch the Action … Live coverage of the 312-mile race from Phoenix International Raceway will be televised live on FOX Sunday, March 3, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time and will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Serta/Menards Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Serta/Menards Chevrolet … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 341 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) this weekend. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS previously ran last season during the fall race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, bringing home a 12th-place finish.
PIR Stats … Menard has 12 starts at the one-mile oval. His best start of seventh came in both 2009 and 2012 and his best finish of ninth came in both 2011 and 2012. The Wisconsin native has completed 3,795 of 3,818 laps attempted (99.4 percent) at the Avondale, Ariz., track.
About Serta …Serta will adorn the hood of Menard’s RCR Chevrolet SS this weekend at PIR. Serta is proud to be the manufacturer of the World’s Best Mattressâ„¢. Their commitment to quality has made them a leader in the industry, and they look forward to helping you find the right mattress so you can get a better night’s sleep for years to come. For more information on Serta visit, www.serta.com.
Race Rewind … In his last appearance at PIR, Menard started the No. 27 Chevrolet from the seventh position and brought home a top-10 finish, crossing the stripe in ninth.
Road Trip … Menard and several members of the No. 27 crew will be staying out west between the PIR and Las Vegas Motor Speedway races to go on a ski trip in Utah. The Wisconsin native is an avid skier and is excited to hit the slopes with his team.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
Menard’s Thoughts on Racing at Phoenix International Raceway:
“We tested at Phoenix (International Raceway) last fall with the new Gen-6 car and it drove really well. I’m looking forward to going to Phoenix, it’s a fun little short-track that can produce some exciting racing. The car’s aero package doesn’t mean a whole lot at there, so regardless of how the new car runs, it’s going to be a good race. Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks and since the new surface is starting to age, the cars are beginning to get pretty racy again. We ran really well at Phoenix last fall, so hopefully we can get a good finish in the Serta/Menards Chevrolet this weekend.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Jimmy John’s Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot chassis No. 383 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the Phoenix 500. This is the same Chevrolet the Bakersfield, Calif., native drove to Victory Lane at Phoenix International Raceway last November.
Freaky Good at Phoenix … Sunday’s 312-lap event will mark Harvick’s 21st start at the one-mile tri-oval. Since 2001, the RCR veteran driver has collected three victories (both events in 2006 and November 2011), six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Harvick holds a 19th-place average starting position, coupled with a 12.8 average finishing position and has led 420 laps.
Growing Freaky Fast …Jimmy John’s, known for fresh, quality products and freaky fast service, opened an additional 231 stores in 2012 and was recognized by the Nation’s restaurant News as the second Fastest Growing Chain in the U.S. The gourmet sandwich shop has several locations near the Avondale, Ariz.,-based track, including one less than three miles away, located at 10110 W. McDowell Rd. Visit www.jimmyjohns.com to view the full Jimmy John’s menu, find your nearest location and order online, or download the Jimmy John’s mobile application for additional Freaky Fast service.
2012 Race Rewind … Although Harvick led the most laps in the Sprint Cup Series event at PIR last March and mounted a charge in the closing circuits to take the victory, his No. 29 Chevrolet ran out of fuel coming to the white flag, leaving him to settle for the runner-up finish.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
You’ve won races on both the old and new Phoenix International Raceway. What do you like about the new configuration that is different since the repave?
“They did a great job of taking all aspects of what to do to the race track to try and make it better. First off, they took in the fan’s sight, so they can see the whole race track. Second, they made a unique back straightaway to go through. The racing has been really good. The track has done a great job in preparing the race track, with rubber on the race track and keeping the track clean. Washing it off when it needs to be washed off and doing the things they need to do to prepare the race track to be right.”
You’re going back to Phoenix International Raceway after winning last November. Are you heading into this race weekend with more confidence than usual?
“I’ve been on both sides. Sometimes you go back after winning a race and you run terrible, other times you go back and run well. This year we have a new car and a lot of new things to deal with, you to have an open mind on how to approach the weekend. Obviously, running the NASCAR Nationwide Series race will help by providing a little extra track time, but Phoenix (International Raceway) was a good track for us last year. We finished first and second in the two races last season, so we’re going back expecting that we’ll run just as well.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Cherrios Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet SS … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 392 this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. This No. 31 Chevrolet was utilized three times during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season at Kentucky Speedway in June and both Dover International Speedway races in June and September.
Burton in the Desert … Burton has 27 starts at PIR with two wins (2000 and 2001), seven top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. He has also led 222 laps at the one-mile facility.
Black and Yellow … The iconic General Mills brand Cheerios returns to the track this weekend as the primary sponsor on Burton’s No. 31 Chevrolet SS. America’s No.1 cereal franchise will bring its fan-favorite yellow and black paint scheme to these additional races in 2013: Bristol Motor Speedway (March 17), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 26), Dover International Speedway (June 2), Michigan International Speedway (August 18) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (September 22). General Mills has roots as a NASCAR sponsor for more than 15 years and began its partnership with RCR in 2008 with Cheerios brand as the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Sprint Cup Series team. The program moved to the No. 31 team as a co-primary sponsor for the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season.
Race Rewind 2012 … After running in the top 15 for 254 of the first 291 laps in last year’s Sprint Cup Series race at PIR, Burton’s No. 31 Wheaties Chevrolet suffered engine problems and was forced to retire early relegating the RCR driver to a 33rd-place finish.
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
Have drivers adjusted to the repave changes at Phoenix International Raceway?
“I think all drivers have become accustomed to it. It is different now because when you get there and unload, the track has no grip and you have to pace yourself in practice. The track gets better throughout the weekend and it changes all weekend long. A lot of the time, the guys who don’t look so good in practice are the ones who win the race because the track changes so much. Understanding the way it is going to change is going to be most important. It’s hard to know how it is going to change.”
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race Notes:
Race: Dollar General 200
Date: March 2, 2013
Location: Phoenix International Raceway
RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Phoenix International Raceway … In 41 previous NASCAR Nationwide Series appearances at Phoenix International Raceway, RCR has three wins at the one-mile track, with Elliott Sadler notching a win in March 2012, Clint Bowyer bringing the organization to the Winner’s Circle in April 2007 and Kevin Harvick doing so in April 2006.
By the Numbers … RCR has started Nationwide Series races at Phoenix International Raceway from the pole position with two different drivers -Bowyer in November 2007 and Harvick in November 2003. The organization has 19 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes at the track.
Averages … RCR boasts an average starting position of 13.7 and an average finishing position of 12.4 among all Nationwide Series races the organization has contested at Phoenix International Raceway. RCR drivers have completed 98.5 percent of the laps attempted at the one-mile track (8,098 of 8,225 laps), with 539 laps led.
RCR in the NNS … In 870 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts over the course of the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 65 wins, 298 top-five finishes, 490 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards, with an average starting position of 12.2 and an average finishing position of 12.5 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver points championships in 2001 and 2006 with Harvick and in 2008 with Bowyer. The Welcome, N.C.-based team earned the owner’s title in 2003 with Johnny Sauter and Harvick and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer. Â The Starting Line-up … New to the RCR lineup, Brian Scott (No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet) joins 2012 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet) in competing fulltime for RCR in the Nationwide Series this season. Kevin Harvick is driving the No. 33 Rheem Menards Chevrolet at PIR this weekend.
Sporty New Look … The RCR Nationwide Chevrolets had an all new skin at Daytona International Speedway as the Camaro, the top-selling sports car in America, made its series debut in the DRIVE4COPD 300. The Camaro Nationwide race car incorporates many of the distinctive styling elements of the production Camaro, including the unique power-bulge hood, deep recessed grille, distinctive halo light rings, dual-port grille appearances and the gold bowtie.
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 Nationwide Series team Twitter pages – @RCR2BScott, @RCR3ADillon and @RCR33NNS, RCR’s NNS driver Twitter pages – @BScottRacing, @AustinDillon3 and @KevinHarvick, and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/BScottRacing, facebook.com/austindillon3 and facebook.com/OfficialKevinHarvick.
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the Dollar General 200 will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, March 3 and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Satellite Radio.
Brian Scott
No. 2 Whitetail Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Whitetail Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Scott will pilot chassis No. 101 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in Saturday’s Dollar General 200. This workhorse from the RCR stable claimed three wins (Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway) and two poles (Iowa Speedway) in the 2012 season.
Winning Phoenix History … The 25-year-old Chevy driver has seven previous Nationwide Series starts at the track in the “Valley of the Sun”. His best start of fifth came in the 2011 spring event. He is credited with five top-15 finishes with a best finish of eighth. Last fall the Boise, Idaho native claimed victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event after leading 48 laps to earn his second career Camping World Truck Series win.
Welcome to the Whitetail Club … The Whitetail Club will adorn the hood of Scott’s Camaro this Saturday afternoon. Set on 1,300-acres of old-growth Ponderosa pine forests, grassy meadows, streams and trout ponds. Whitetail prides itself on a place for families to relax among friends and discover new forms of adventure. Whitetail comes with such amenities that include membership to Andy North golf course, athletic complex with indoor tennis courts, private fish and swim club, Nordic ski trails and ten miles of paved walking paths.
Last Time Around … In the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, Scott earned his best career superspeedway finish. In an event where the No. 2 driver ran a conservative and methodical race, he led five laps, and brought home the No. 2 Shore Lodge Camaro in the sixth position after getting caught in a multi-car last lap incident while crossing the finish line. Scott enters the Dollar General 200 fourth in the Nationwide Series Driver’s point standings.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
“I’m looking forward to getting on track at Phoenix (International Raceway); it’s one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. The No. 2 crew was able to win this event last year and we’re bringing the same car this weekend. I won the truck race there last fall and have had strong runs in the Nationwide Series over the years. It will be nice to get to a short track after superspeedway racing at Daytona (International Speedway) and we’ll head into this weekend looking to keep putting together strong and consistent finishes.”
How does having been to victory lane help you going back?
Anytime you have success at a track you always look forward to going back. More than anything you know the feel in a vehicle when it was good, so you have a baseline from when you led laps, had a strong rhythm and know what you need to achieve the next time out.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 125 in the Dollar General 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. This is a new addition to the RCR fleet that will be utilized for the first time this weekend.
Dillon at Phoenix International Raceway … Dillon has made three previous Nationwide Series starts at PIR, earning a sixth-place finish in November 2012, a fourth-place finish in March 2012 and a 34th-place finish in April 2009. In two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the track, he has a pair of top-10 finishes and has made one start in the K&N Pro Series West at PIR (finished 15th in 2009).
The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma … On behalf of AdvoCare and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, Dillon is scheduled to visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Thursday to help raise awareness for pediatric trauma, the No. 1 killer of kids in America. Fans can help save the lives of injured children by making their own contribution to the Childress Institute in two ways: donate $33 in honor of Dillon via his website, or text WIN to 80077 to make a $10 donation.
Spark your Engines … Dillon and the RCR team will sport the colors of award-winning premier health and wellness company AdvoCare on the No. 3 Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway. AdvoCare offers nutrition, weight loss, energy and sports performance products of the highest quality developed through comprehensive research and backed by a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Dillon trains with AdvoCare products throughout the week and is a distributor as well. For more information about Dillon’s favorite products, including Spark, Rehydrate, meal replacement bars and Post-Workout Recovery, visit .
Road Trippin’ … Dillon plans to join his Danny Stockman-led team for a week on the road following Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at PIR. Members of the No. 3 team will drive 300 miles from Avondale, Ariz., to Las Vegas, Nev., for the next Nationwide Series race on the schedule, which is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 9.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on heading to Phoenix International Raceway and that racetrack?
“Phoenix is a place where you’ll really find out who the competition is. I think it’s a handling race track where you have to work on your car and make sure it’s right for the race. I love going out to Phoenix. The new pavement and surface has made it a really fun place for a racer to race and I can’t wait to get out there.”
We have noticed a lot of guys cut the corner in turn two at Phoenix International Raceway. Do you do that?
“You can. I think it damages the splitter pretty bad and it’s not a gain in speed so I try to stay up on the track as much as I can. Keeping the splitter on the race car is very important to the downforce of these cars. Phoenix International Raceway is a place where getting off of each corner is very big. Entry is important. You need to be stable but you need to be the first one to the gas.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Rheem/Menards Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 106 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in the Dollar General 200. Harvick drove this RCR machine to Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway last September.
Proven Winner … Since 2000, Harvick has made 19 Nationwide Series appearances at the one-mile asphalt track. During that time, he has earned one pole award, one win (April 2006), 15 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. The two-time Nationwide Series champion has completed 98.3 percent (3,741 of 3,804) laps contested, holds an average starting position of 9.3, paired with a seventh-place average finishing position and is credited with 323 laps led.
Gotta Have a Rheem … Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. In its 88th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing, and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
2012 Race Rewind … Harvick had a dominant performance in the Nationwide Series event last March at Phoenix International Raceway. After leading 107 laps of the race, late-race pit strategy played against the team, leaving the veteran driver to settle for a fifth-place result.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
How will running the Nationwide Series event at Phoenix International Raceway help prepare you for the Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday?
“There really isn’t much that will translate from one series to the other, because the cars are so different. The main benefit of running both series for me is the additional seat time. I enjoy racing at Phoenix (International Raceway), it reminds me of the tracks I used to run on as a kid growing up on the West Coast. We had a good run there last year and I’m hoping we can improve on that performance and pick up another trophy to add to the collection.”
