Darlington Raceway
Richard Childress Racing
Race: Southern 500
Date: May 11, 2013
Location: Darlington Raceway
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series News and Notes
RCR at Darlington … Richard Childress is tied for third in all-time car owner victories with Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers at Darlington Raceway with eight wins each. Dale Earnhardt collected all of RCR’s victories at the South Carolina-based track. In 103 collective starts, RCR boasts 21 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval with five different drivers including Clint Bowyer, Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Robby Gordon. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 17.1 average starting position, an 18.1 average finishing position, has completed 32,525 of the 36,340 contested laps (89 percent) and has collectively led 2,597 laps.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,303 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 102 wins, 42 pole awards, 437 top-five finishes and 918 top-10 finishes with an average starting position of 17.9 and an average finishing position of 15.8. RCR has earned 14 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90,’91, ’93 and ’94, five NASCAR Nationwide 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.
RCR Talladega Rewind … In the Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend, Burton and Harvick were involved in an early accident finishing 28th and 40th, respectively, while PaulMenard battled mechanical issues to finish 24th.
The Collective RCR … Throughout the season’s first 10 races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series entries have earned one win, Harvick at Richmond International Raceway (April), notched two top-five and eight top-10 finishes with drivers Burton, Austin Dillon, Harvick and Menard. RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers are eighth (Menard), 12th (Harvick) and 19th (Burton) in the driver championship point standings.
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 … FOX’s live coverage of the Southern 500 begins Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio.
Paul Menard
No. 27 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 414 at Darlington Raceway. This No. 27 Chevrolet SS was previously run this season at Auto Club Speedway finishing eighth.
“Lady in Black” Stats … Menard has six career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway. His best start of 14th and best finish of 13th both came in 2012. The Wisconsin native has completed 2,161 of 2,206 laps attempted (98 percent) at the 1.366-mile track.
About Pittsburgh Paints … PPG Pittsburgh® Paints is a nationally recognized brand trusted by painting contractors, building owners, architects, designers, and homeowners for over 100 years. Products include interior/exterior paints and interior/exterior stains. For additional information, please visit www.ppgpittsburghpaints.com.
Vote Now, Vote Often … Fans have the opportunity to vote Menard into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 18 with the Sprint Fan Vote. You can vote for Menard online at http://www.nascar.com/SprintFanVote. Voting is unlimited. Fans can also vote on their mobile handsets by using the NASCAR Mobile 2013 application. Votes from the application count twice.
Race Rewind … In his last appearance at Darlington Raceway, Menard started the No. 27 Chevrolet from the 14th position and brought home a 13th-place finish, his best effort to-date at the track.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
Menard’s Thoughts on Racing at Darlington Raceway: “It a great track, and a lot of fun to drive. Since the repave we haven’t seen the tire wear that Darlington (Raceway) is known for. With the new pavement it has lost some of its character and drives a lot like some of the 1.5-mile tracks. It’s still a really cool track to race on and I’m anxious to see what our Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet has when we unload for practice on Friday. Turns one and two are really fast, and in turns three and four you’ve got to slow the car up a lot, which makes it tough to gauge how you want to lay your splitter down. You’ve just got to decide which end you want to set up for.”
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS Event
Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot chassis No. 383 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the Southern 500. This is the same Chevrolet the Bakersfield, Calif., native drove to Victory Lane at Phoenix International Raceway last November and a 13th-place result in March.
The Track ‘Too Tough To Tame’ … Darlington Raceway is one track where Harvick has yet to visit Victory Lane. Since 2001, the RCR veteran driver has made 16 starts collecting two top-five and five top-10 finishes. He holds a 17.6 average starting position coupled with an 18.8 average finishing position, has completed 5,267 of 5,583 (94.3 percent) of the laps contested and is credited with 63 laps led.
New BUD 360° App … Budweiser is giving consumers a whole new look at what it’s like to hit speeds of 190 mph in the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS with the interactive BUD 360° app. The King of Beers’ innovative new app utilizes surround video technology to provide users with a 360-degree look inside Harvick’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride as the driver completes several laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While Harvick controls the wheel, the consumer controls the view, allowing them to experience the sensation of speed in never-before-seen angles. The app is available for free in the Apple App Store for both iPhone and iPad users. The Budweiser Racing 360° video also is accessible on desktop computers at www.budweiser.com.
Bowtie Can Available Nationwide … Budweiser’s striking and original new beer can – a bowtie-shaped aluminum can that mirrors Budweiser’s iconic bowtie logo – is now available in a special 8-pack on store shelves nationwide. The proprietary can, in development since 2010, is created by a 16-step process, which involves 10 steps to form the bottom half of the can and an additional six steps to form the top portion. The bowtie can is another example of how Budweiser continues to innovate, evolve and attract a new generation of beer drinkers. Consumers interested in locating where they can purchase the special 8-pack can call 1-800-dial-Bud.
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 … Harvick and the No. 29 team will participate in a Goodyear tire test on May 7 and 8 at Chicagoland Speedway. They will utilize chassis No. 404 from the RCR stable, which was last seen in action at Texas Motor Speedway in April. Harvick will also be available to the media on Wednesday, May 8 from 12:30-12:45 p.m. Central Time in the track media center.
2012 Race Rewind … Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team collected a 16th-place finish in last season’s Southern 500 after battling handling issues at Darlington Raceway.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
Share your thoughts on racing at Darlington Raceway.
“There is a lot of history at Darlington Raceway. I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of the marquee races on the schedule, and I mark the Southern 500 on my calendar every year as one I want to win. There is so much history behind this event. It’s definitely a race we want to do well in, and Darlington is a race track we want to win at every year.”
What makes racing at Darlington Raceway such a challenge for the drivers and teams?
“The track was originally not designed for the cars to be running as fast as they are today. The track’s very narrow and you carry a lot of speed. From a driver’s standpoint, it’s very challenging just to keep the car off the wall, but it’s also a lot of fun to drive, too.”
Talk us through a lap around Darlington Raceway.
“Well, any lap around Darlington is a lap where you have to be paying attention to what’s going on because you can get yourself in trouble at any point on the race track. You carry a lot of speed into turn one and you run up the banking right up next to the wall and get right back into the throttle. As you come back down the hill you might have to breathe the throttle a little bit, but it’s a lot of fun coming out of turn two as it kind of shoots you down the backstretch. Turns three and four are probably the hardest because you carry so much speed off of (turn) two into three and the line kind of moves around a bit there. It’s probably the easiest place to get in the wall. Well, it’s pretty easy to get in the wall anywhere, but definitely the easiest place to get into the wall is the middle of (turns) three and four.”
Do you have any special plans for Mother’s Day now that DeLana is a mom? How much of a help was your own mom to get you where you are today?
“My biggest plan is to not screw up Sunday in the first year. You don’t want to screw up the first Mother’s Day. My main objective is to make sure that you have the gift pre-week, and don’t forget to hand it out on Sunday. Obviously, my Mom has always been there and has always been supportive of everything I do. That is something you don’t want to forget, as well. You want to make sure you don’t forget on either front.”
Jeff Burton
No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 416 this weekend at Darlington Raceway. This No. 31 Chevrolet has been utilized twice this season, at Auto Club Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.
Career Darlington Stats … The Southern 500 marks Burton’s 31st start at the 1.366-mile facility. Darlington Raceway is one of Burton’s favorite places to visit on the Sprint Cup Series schedule and he has amassed two wins, eight top-five and 16 top-10 finishes at the historic track, leading 817 laps.
No Stranger to Victory Lane … Burton’s six visits to Darlington Raceway’s Victory Lane across NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series competition stretch from 1997-2002. He completed a rare sweep of both Sprint Cup Series events in 1999 and both Nationwide Series events in 2002. His first win at the egg-shaped oval took place in the Nationwide Series in 1997. The 45-year old driver also holds trophies for winning the April 2001 race and two Nationwide Series pole awards in 1998 and 2002.
Appearance Alert … Burton is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Team Chevy stage located in the Darlington Raceway display area on Saturday, May 11 at 3:25 p.m. Eastern Time.
Sprint Fan Vote. Vote Now, Vote Often … Fans have the opportunity to vote Burton into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 18 with the Sprint Fan Vote. The Sprint Fan Vote was launched in 2004 as a way to bring one more deserving driver into the Sprint All-Star Race to compete for the $1 million payout. There are three ways you can vote for Burton.
Mobile Handsets
Use the NASCAR Mobile ‘2013 application
Votes from the application count double (x2)
www.NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote
Voting on handsets is unlimited
Online
NASCAR.COMhttp://www.nascar.com/SprintFanVote
Voting is unlimited
The Sprint Experience
Voting stations will be set up in the Sprint Experience mobile display each race weekend
Race Rewind 2012 … After a solid 10th-place qualifying effort, Burton and the No. 31 Chevrolet team battled to find the right handling throughout least season’s Southern 500 and finished 18th at Darlington Raceway.
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
It is known throughout the Sprint Cup Series garage that you love Darlington Raceway, why is that?
“I love Darlington Raceway. To be honest, I liked it more before the repave a few years ago. The fresh pavement has put a lot of grip into the track. Handling is still important, but not in the same kind of way. The track is much faster now and you don’t have that dramatic fall off with tire wear. I hope the pavement, with age, starts to lose some of that grip and that bad handling comes back, because that is what Darlington is all about. It’s still a great race though. To me, with no disrespect to any other race, winning that 500-mile race is huge. The Southern 500 is a big deal to me. It’s the race I circle on the schedule every year.”
Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Nationwide Series News and Notes
Race: VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200
Date: May 10, 2013
Location: Darlington Raceway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Darlington Raceway … In 34 Nationwide Series starts at Darlington Raceway, Richard Childress Racing has earned nine top-five and 16 top-10 finishes but remains winless at the 1.366-mile track. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has one pole award (Kevin Harvick – 2003).
RCR in the NNS … In 891 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts through the last 15 years, Richard Childress Racing has earned 65 wins, 303 top-five finishes, 502 top-10 finishes and 42 pole awards with an average starting position of 12.1 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 Clint Bowyer. The Welcome, N.C.-based team earned the owner’s title in 2003 with Johnny Sauter and Harvick, and again in 2007 with Burton and Scott Wimmer.
The Season So Far … In the eight races contested this season, RCR has earned one win in the Nationwide Series, with Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway, along with six top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. The organization has led 159 laps in 2013.
Get to the Points … Austin Dillon is ranked sixth in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing point leader Regan Smith by 48 points, while Brian Scott is seventh, 51 points out of the lead. In the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, the No. 33 Chevrolet team ranks sixth, while the No. 3 team ranks ninth and the No. 2 team ranks 10th.
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 @TyDillon and the official Facebook fan pages – facebook.com/BScottRacing, facebook.com/austindillon3 and facebook.com/TyDillonMotorsports
Catch the Action … Flag-to-flag coverage of the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 10; and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Satellite Radio.
Brian Scott
No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 126 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in Friday evening’s VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200. This chassis was utilized earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway where Scott started 20th and earned an 11th-place finish.
History with the “Lady in Black” … The 25-year-old Chevrolet driver has four previous Nationwide Series starts at Darlington Raceway, where he has one top-10 finish (seventh in 2012) to his credit.
Point Out the Points … After eight races in the 2013 season, Scott is currently seventh in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, 51 markers out of first.
Best Career Start … After the first eight Nationwide Series events of 2013, Scott is experiencing the strongest start to a season in his career. The Boise, Idaho native boasts five top-10 finishes, 10 laps led, and average finishing spot of 12.8.
Lodging in Idaho … Shore Lodge will serve as primary sponsor for Scott and the No. 2 team this Friday night at Darlington Raceway. Set on the southern shore of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, four seasons of adventure await at this idyllic location. A family favorite since 1948, the travel destination allows guests to enjoy the spectacular views, friendly service and generous accommodations at the lake front resort. Shore Lodge serves as the perfect mixture of adventure and luxury featuring 26 spa adventures, fitness studio, golf privileges at Whitetail Club, jet skiing, and a private beach for guests.
Last Time at the track “Too Tough to Tame” … One year ago, the 25-year-old Nationwide Series regular started the 147-lap event from his best starting spot, seventh, and brought home his best finishing postion, seventh, at the 1.366-mile speedway.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
What have your experiences been at Darlington Raceway?
“Darlington has always been a challenging place for me; I’m cautious about heading there with high expectations. My goal would be to come away with a top-10 and a solid finish in the point standings. It’s a place where track position is really important. I came home with a top-10 there last year, so I know I’m capable of good runs. If we get out front late in the race, I’ll feel a lot better about it.”
Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s AdvoCare Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 105 in the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200. In 2012, Dillon raced this Chevrolet to a fourth-place finish at Iowa Speedway in May and a fifth-place finish at Auto Club Speedway in March.
Dillon at Darlington Raceway … In Dillon’s lone Nationwide Series appearance at Darlington Raceway in 2012, he started third and earned a fifth-place finish. The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at the track in the Truck Series. He earned his best finish of fifth in August 2010, coupled with a 15th-place result in March 2011.
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 Darlington 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 .
AdvoCare Supporting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma … If Dillon wins this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway, AdvoCare will make a $5,000 donation to the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The health and wellness company will pledge $2,000 to CIPT for a top-five finish and $1,000 for a top-10 finish. So far this season, the No. 3 team has raised $7,000 towards the cause. The Childress Institute invests resources in research, education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children in the U.S. and AdvoCare’s generous donations are aimed at helping to raise awareness for pediatric trauma, the No. 1 killer of children in America. You can help save the lives of injured children by making a 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.
Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to take part in a Question-and-Answer session on the Team Chevrolet Stage at Darlington Raceway at 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, along with his teammate and brother, Ty Dillon.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
How do you like old school racing at Darlington Raceway?
“I enjoy Darlington Raceway. They call it the Lady in Black and it’s a cool track because it’s a place where you have to be really patient. You’re running right up against the wall and there is a lot of speed there. I enjoy racing there and I can’t wait to get there.”
If you don’t get a stripe at Darlington Raceway do you feel like you haven’t really been there?
“No, actually I’ve ran two or three races there now and I don’t even think I’ve gotten one, and I’ve ran in the top five in all three races. A Darlington stripe is coming surely, I will have one before long. When you get out there by that wall, you are carrying so much speed it’s inevitable.”
Ty Dillon
No. 33 Armour/Hungry-Man Chevrolet Camaro
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s Armour/Hungry-Man Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 112 from the Richard Childress Racing stable in Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event. This RCR-prepared Chevrolet was driven by Dillon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, where he earned an 11th-place finish.
Darlington Details … This weekend’s VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 marks Dillon first career appearance at Darlington Raceway. The Welcome, N.C., native will make his first competitive laps at the 1.366-mile track during Friday’s practice session.
Enjoy the Tastes of Victory … Armour® and Hungry-Man® are giving fans an opportunity to enjoy the tastes of victory and win a custom designed 2013 Chevrolet Camaro featuring Armour®/Hungry-Man® paint scheme. Now through Sept. 16, fans can enter for a chance to win one of 33 monthly prizes including: die-cast cars, gift cards/certificates, Armour apparel gift packs and more. At the end of the seven-month promotion, five finalists will be selected at random to receive an all-expense-paid, four-day, three-night trip for two to Charlotte, N.C. in October. The five finalists will have a chance to win the grand prize, a custom designed 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. Fans 18 years of age and older, within the continental United States, can enter the promotion once a month at www.thetastestofvictory.com, or by completing the official entry form found at participating retailers that carry Armour® and Hungry-Man® products. For official rules visit, www.thetastesofvictory.com.
Meet the Driver … Dillon is scheduled to participate in a Question-and-Answer session with RCR teammate and older brother, Austin Dillon on Friday, May 10 at the Team Chevy Stage at Darlington Raceway. The 21-year old driver will take questions from the audience beginning at 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time.
TY DILLON QUOTES:
This is your first start at Darlington Raceway, what are your thoughts for this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event?
“I’m looking forward to driving the No. 33 RCR Chevrolet two weekends in a row. I think it’s really going to help not having a few weekends off between (NASCAR) Nationwide Series races. We had a strong run last weekend at Talladega (Superspeedway) and got caught up in an incident. I’m going to use that momentum going into this weekend’s race at Darlington (Raceway). This is also the first race with Armour/Hungry-Man, so we’re hoping to put on a good show for them.”
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