Event: Bojangles’ Southern 500
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2015
Venue: Darlington Raceway
Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Darlington Raceway … Richard Childress is tied at third for 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 112 collective starts, RCR boasts 22 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval with five different drivers including Clint Bowyer, Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds an average starting position of 16.9, an average finishing position of 18.1, has completed 34,641 of the 38,563 contested laps (89.8 percent) and has collectively led 2,597 laps.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,585 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards, 105 wins, 467 top-five finishes and 999 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 15.9. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY 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.
The Collective RCR … Throughout this season’s 24 contested races, RCR’s Sprint Cup Series teams have collectively notched seven top-five and 20 top-10 finishes with drivers Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman and Paul Menard. RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 11th (Newman), 12th (Menard) and 19th (Dillon) in the driver championship point standings.
RCR Bristol Rewind … Before the off weekend, RCR teammates Newman, Dillon and Menard finished 10th, 13th and 24th, respectively, in the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
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.
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 – @RCR3ADillon, @RCR27PMenard, @RCR31RNewman, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3 and @RyanJNewman. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at RCRracing.com along with official driver pages -facebook.com/austindillon3, facebook.com/PaulMenard27 and facebook.com/RyanNewmanNASCAR.
Catch the Action … The Bojangles’ Southern 500 will be televised live Sunday, September 6 beginning at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 507 in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. This Chevrolet SS was built new for the 2015 season and has been utilized four times so far, with Dillon earning a 13th-place finish at Pocono Raceway in August, a 20th-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in June, a 22nd-place finish at Kansas Speedway in May and a 20th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
Dillon at Darlington Raceway …. Dillon has made one career start in the Sprint Cup Series at Darlington Raceway, posting an 11th-place finish in 2014 as a rookie. He has made two appearances at the “Lady in Black” in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, securing his best starting position of third and his best finish of fifth in 2012. He also finished 11th after starting eighth in 2013. The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has two starts at the track in the Truck Series, earning his best finish of fifth in August 2010, coupled with a 15th-place result in March 2011.
Think Green … American Ethanol, a renewable source of cleaner burning energy from the bounty of America’s farmers, helps create new green jobs and a renewed sense of pride for the American worker, while helping to achieve greater energy security for our country. Launched by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, along with the support of other partners, American Ethanol is a breakthrough brand that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, and takes the NASCAR Green initiative to the next level. Since the program launch for the 2011 season, NASCAR® drivers have run more than 7 million miles on renewable Sunoco Green E15.
A Tribute to RC … Dillon worked with American Ethanol to pay tribute to his grandfather and car owner, Richard Childress, for this weekend’s throwback theme at Darlington Raceway. Childress, a former driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, raced a classic No. 3 red and white Chevrolet in the late 1970s and early 1980s, prompting the inspiration for this weekend’s paint scheme.
Get to the Points … Dillon ranks 19th in the championship point standings leading into the Southern 500.
In the Rear View … Dillon qualified 16th and finished 13th in the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
The No. 3 car will be running a special throwback paint scheme this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Can you tell us what to expect?
“Yeah, we are. I’m really excited about the American Ethanol car this weekend. It’s going to be all white with a silver No. 3 like my grandfather used to run. It’s similar to his old CRC Chemical car. It’s going to be a special race for sure.”
Explain to the fans what it’s like to race at Darlington Raceway.
“It’s starting to get slicker. Tire wear is an issue. You really have to take care of your tires at the beginning of a run to save them for the end. Hopefully with the new downforce package, we’ll get a little more front turn back. I think at Darlington with an already slick track and less rear downforce, it’ll be a tough race.”
Paul Menard, No. 27 Moen / Menards Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Moen / Menards Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … The Richard Childress Racing team, led by crew chief Justin Alexander, will pilot chassis No. 487 this weekend at the Darlington, S.C. facility. This Chevrolet SS has been raced previously this season at Pocono Raceway in August (Start: 18 / Finish: 11), Dover International Speedway (Start: 18 / Finish: 8), Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Sprint Showdown (Start: 1 / Finish: 2), Auto Club Speedway (Start: 11 / Finish: 4) and Atlanta Motor Speedway (Start: 13 / Finish: 13).
The Lady in Black… In eight starts at the 1.366-mile track, Menard has three top-15 starts and two top-15 finishes. He has completed 94 percent of laps in competition. The RCR driver has also competed in six NASCAR XFINITY Series events with three top-15 starts and three top-13 finishes.
Tradition Returns … The No. 27 Chevy will look different this weekend at the track that’s “Too Tough to Tame”. Menard was integral in choosing the paint scheme that will honor Herm Johnson, who drove an Indycar fielded by John Menard in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Menard credits Johnson as the reason his family got involved in racing, and the rest is history.
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Rookie Stripe … Alexander has impressive stats in his first year as a full-time Sprint Cup Series crew chief. In 28 races with Menard, Alexander has led the team to one top-five, 13 top-15 and 18 top-20 starts. He’s also collected 21 top-20, 18 top-15 and three top-five finishes. Alexander is the first three-time winner of the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race award this season.
Where Do You Stand … Menard sits 12th in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings and currently holds the 14th position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Grid. There are only two races left before the Chase begins on September 20 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Double Duty … This weekend will be busy for the Eau Claire, Wisconsin native who will race in both the Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series events. Watch the No. 33 Richmond/Menards Chevy Camaro driver on Saturday, September 5 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network.
Last Time in Darlington … A flat right-front tire derailed the No. 27 team’s bid for a good finish in last year’s event at Darlington Raceway. Menard started 11th and maintained a decent track position despite a tight-handling race car. On lap 202, a cut right-front tire sent Menard into the wall and to the garage for repairs. The team fixed significant damage and was able to persevere through the night to a 41st-place finish.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
You’ll be running a special throwback paint scheme at Darlington Raceway. What was the inspiration behind the design?
“The design is the same theme as the first few IndyCars that my dad (John Menard) fielded back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Herm Johnson was the driver and is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, just like my family. He had a lot of success in Super Vees in the mid 70’s and basically is the reason my family got involved with racing. I’m excited to have this paint scheme in Darlington with Moen on the hood. It’s pretty different than the normal No. 27 Chevy you see every weekend. It should be pretty special.”
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Darlington Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 486 on Sunday at the “Track Too Tough To Tame”. This Chevrolet has been utilized two times this season at Atlanta Motor Speedway (Start: 7/Finish: 10) and Bristol Motor Speedway in April (Start: 18/Finish: 5). The No. 31 team also participated in a Darlington Raceway test June 9 to 11 with this car.
The Rocket Man at Darlington … Newman will make his 501 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. The Rocket Man won the 2003 pole at the 1.366-mile oval. In total, he owns seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. Plus, Newman ranks fourth in championship points earned over the last 10 events.
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Throwin’ It Back to the 70s … Newman’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet retro paint scheme is inspired by the company’s era of 1970 to 1974. The Block C logo featured on the hood was the new corporate symbol at the time. During a “Shaping the 70s” conference in Peoria, Ill., Caterpillar Vice President E.C. Chapman described the logo as an abstract design that reflected the precision, quality and dependability of Caterpillar products and the progressiveness of Caterpillar and its people.
Get to the Points … Newman moved up one spot after finishing 10th at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 22. He now ranks 11th in the championship point standings and 13th in the Chase Grid with just two races remaining before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship begins.
Last Time Around … Last year, Newman started seventh and raced as high as second and as low as 16th. With just five laps remaining, the Cat team dodged a close call after the team’s Chevy sustained damage on a three-wide restart, Newman went from seventh to 12th place. Fortunately, a debris caution slowed the action and forced the race into overtime. Newman used the second and final green-white-checkered-flag finish to earn a 10th-place finish
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the key to Darlington Raceway?
“You got to keep it out of the fence. You race so close to the wall there that one little mistake can change your entire day. You just have to race the track and obviously, have a good car.”
What is the toughest part to figure out?
“The toughest part I guess is getting the raw speed. If you get raw speed then you can slow down. If you don’t have the raw speed, then you have to put your car on the edge and that makes you vulnerable to getting stuck in the fence.”
What are your thoughts on Darlington once again running on Labor Day weekend?
“It’s great that we go back to the roots of our sport and the history of our organization. I think it is awesome that everyone is doing a throwback paint scheme. It is the way it was, and that’s the way it should be.”
Event: VFW Sports Clips Help a Hero 200
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2015
Venue: Darlington Raceway – Darlington, S.C.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Darlington Raceway … In 41 Series starts at the 1.366-mile oval, RCR has completed 5,738 laps of the 5,903 (97.2 percent) they have competed. The Welcome, N.C., organization has accumulated one pole award, nine top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, led 233 laps and averages a starting position of 11.5 and finishing position of 14.5.
Winner, Winner! Road America Review … Paul Menard won the Road America 180, Brian Scott finished third, Ty Dillon 10th and Brendan Gaughan was 16th, respectively, in the XFINITY Series race at Road America.
The Points … All three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Darlington Raceway this weekend for the 24th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brian Scott seventh and Brendan Gaughan is ninth. The No. 33 RCR team is fourth in the owner point standings.
Final #Dash4Cash Race … The fourth #Dash4Cash race will be held this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Ty Dillon and Brian Scott are qualified for the final #Dash4Cash event and will compete against Chase Elliott and Daniel Suarez for the $100,000 bonus.
Flashback Friday … All four of RCR’s entries for the race at Darlington Raceway will participate in the track’s throwback weekend. Each of RCR’s XFINITY Series teams will adorn special throwback paint schemes from earlier decades in racing. Along with paint schemes, the drivers will also wear a firesuit to match their new look for the weekend.
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, @RCR33NNS and @RCR62BGaughan. RCR’s XFINITY Series driver Twitter accounts – @bscottracing, @tydillon and @Brendan62. For additional photos, news and video log on to rcrracing.com.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this weekend’s XFINITY Series event at Darlington Raceway will be televised live on Saturday, September 5, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
Brian Scott, No. 2 Safeway/Sanderson Farms Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Safeway/Sanderson Farms Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Brian Scott will pilot chassis No. 169 in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200. This chassis from the Richard Childress Racing stable will make its debut during practice on Friday at Darlington Raceway.
Scott at Darlington … Scott will be making his seventh career start this weekend in the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200. In six previous starts, Scott captured one top-10 finish, has an average start of 14.8 and an average finish of 17.7. Scott finished 11th in the Series’ last visit to the 1.366-mile track.
10 to go … After 23 XFINITY Series races this season; Scott has captured four top-five, 15 top-10 finishes, sits seventh in the driver point standings and has led 136 laps with an average starting position of 5.9 and an average finish of 12.9. According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Scott currently leads the XFINITY Series drivers with the highest average starting position of 5.9.
Darlington Throwback … This weekend at the track “Too Tough To Tame”, the No. 2 Safeway/Sanderson Farms Chevrolet will don a special throwback paint scheme as Darlington Raceway heads back to the early 1970’s era. Both Safeway and Sanderson Farms will revisit the era by showcasing their logo’s from that time frame. The No. 2 also sees some change as we revert back to the popular script lettering used in the early 70’s.
#Dash4Cash … With a sixth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway, Scott qualified for the final Dash4Cash race, presented by XFINITY. Scott will compete for the $100,000 bonus this Saturday afternoon against teammate Ty Dillon, Daniel Suarez and Chase Elliott. Last season, Scott won the $100,000 Dash4Cash bonus at Chicagoland Speedway after recording a sixth-place finish.
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Road America Race Rewind … Rain cancelled NASCAR XFINITY Series qualifying and the starting lineup for the Road America 180 Fired Up by Johnsonville was set by the NASCAR rule book. Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet started the race from the fifth position. He led three laps before having to utilize pit strategy which played into his favor. Under the final caution, he gained six positions when other competitors had to pit before the restart with four laps remaining. The No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet gained one spot in the closing laps and crossed the finish line third.
Last Year at the Lady In Black … Scott and his No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro had another solid qualifying effort at Darlington Raceway starting the NASCAR XFINTIY race in seventh place. Scott found himself in position on the final restart to move from the sixth place to the front of the field. On a wild green-white-checker restart, Scott was shuffled to 11th where he would ultimately finish the race.
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTES:
Are you looking forward to the throwback paint scheme at Darlington this weekend?
“It’s very cool. Darlington Raceway has been such a historic track in NASCAR, it’s one of the crown jewel races. It’ll be fun to see all the old nostalgic paint schemes and to be reminded of the history. It’ll be neat to feel like a young guy racing back in the day from some of the historic races that Darlington has had.”
Talk about racing at Darlington Raceway, what are your thoughts?
“Darlington is definitely wearing out, but it is still really fast. It still has good grip and I’m looking forward to getting back there and running right up against the wall.”
Ty Dillon, No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Farms Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 168 for this weekend’s VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway. This brand-new, Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro will see track action for the first time on Friday during XFINITY Series practice.
Dillon in the XFINITY Series at Darlington … In two XFINITY Series starts at Darlington Raceway, Dillon has recorded a 13th-place finish in the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro on May 10, 2013 and a 10th-place finish last season in the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro.
No. 3 team ‘On a Roll’ … With Dillon’s 10th-place finish last weekend at Road America, the No. 3 team has gained some momentum in the dog days of summer. Since the Series visited New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 18, Dillon has recorded seven consecutive top-10 finishes, four top-five finishes and has cut Chris Buescher’s driver championship points lead from 38 points to 19 points. During this seven-race stretch, Dillon has an average starting position of 8.4 and an average finishing position of 5.8. With seven top-five finishes so far this season, Dillon has matched his total from last year.
Throwback Paint Scheme … This weekend, the No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet Camaro will be sporting a “throwback” paint scheme, reminiscent of the 1970s. Richard Childress Racing, one of the longest tenured race teams in NASCAR, and D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., America’s Oldest Brewery, together designed the color scheme of what was prevalent during the 1970s.
#RaceHardTy … Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook every race weekend by using the hashtag #RaceHardTy and have the opportunity to win free Yuengling Light Lager swag.
D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. partners with RCR for 2015 season … Yuengling Light Lager, the 99 calorie light beer produced by America’s Oldest Brewery, will be featured on the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro during the 2015 season. Based in Pottsville, Pa., D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., is family owned and operated since 1829. Principal Beer brands include Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Premium, Light, Black and Tan, Dark Brewed Porter, and Lord Chesterfield Ale. For more information, visit www.yuengling.com.
Oktoberfest is here! … Yuengling is proud to offer its Oktoberfest as a homage to our German Heritage. Copper in color, this medium bodied beer is the perfect blend of roasted malts with just the right amount of hops to capture a true representation of the style. Use the Yuengling “beer finder” to see if stores, restaurants and bars near you have Oktoberfest available: http://www.yuengling.com/distributors2
Last week at Road America … Last Saturday afternoon at Road America, Dillon brought home the team’s seventh consecutive top-10 finish in the No. 3 WESCO Chevrolet Camaro. Having to start 13th after qualifying was cancelled earlier that afternoon, Dillon quickly moved inside the top 10 running order, where he remained for the majority of the 45-lap race. In the end, Dillon crossed the finish line 10th.
#Dash4Cash … This weekend at Darlington Raceway, Dillon is one of four XFINITY Series driver’s eligible for the $100,000 #Dash4Cash bonus. The highest finisher of Dillon, Brian Scott, Chase Elliott and Daniel Suarez will receive the bonus courtesy of Comcast/XFINITY.
XFINITY Series Points Update … Dillon is currently third in the XFINITY Series driver point standings, trailing second place by only three points and the leader by only 19 points with 10 races remaining.
Meet Ty Dillon … Come have a cold Yuengling Light Lager with Dillon at Mellow Mushroom in Florence, South Carolina on Friday, September 4 beginning at 6 p.m. Specials include $3 Yuengling Lager tall boys, $3 Yuengling Lager draughts, $3 appetizers and $3 slices of Hawaiian pizza. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. On Saturday, September 5, Dillon will visit the Team Chevy Stage at 11 a.m. to participate in a question-and-answer session.
TY DILLON QUOTE:
Summer is over, and you’re in the championship hunt. How’s that going?
“It’s an exciting time for our team and our organization. We’ve had a pretty nice stretch of finishes since New Hampshire and I think we’re headed in the right direction. Each week we’ve been taking a little-by-little mindset, eliminate mistakes and capitalizing on other team’s mistakes. If we do that, I’m confident we’ll be on that podium in Homestead.”
What do you make of the “throwback” Southern 500 race weekend?
“I think it’s awesome. It’s really cool that Yuengling wanted to participate and I think the car looks great. RCR and Yuengling are both organizations that have historic backgrounds and make a great fit into the throwback-themed weekend. Darlington Raceway is great track to visit and it’s always an honor to be able to race here. It would be really cool to win this weekend’s race.”
Paul Menard, No. 33 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes:
This Week’s Richmond/Menards Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 159 in the VFW Sports Clips Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was previously utilized by the No. 3 team before switching over to a No. 33 entry. Chassis No. 159 has an average starting position of 12.0 and an average finishing position of 12.3.
Darlington Nuggets … The Eau Claire, Wis., native driver has six previous NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Darlington Raceway. Menard is credited with one top-10 finish at the 1.366-mile oval coupled with a 19.8 average starting position and an 18.8 average finishing position.
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Retro Look … The No. 33 Chevy will look different this weekend at the track that’s “Too Tough to Tame”. Menard was integral in choosing the paint scheme that will honor Herm Johnson, who drove an Indy Car fielded by John Menard in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Menard credits Johnson as the reason his family got involved in racing, and the rest is history.
Victory at Road America … Menard started from the eighth position, after inclement weather canceled qualifying, and raced his way into the top four, noting the car was in good-handling condition on lap five. Crew chief Danny Stockman called the No. 33 driver to pit road on lap 24 during a caution for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. This put the Richmond/Menards team on a different fuel strategy than other teams. The RCR driver restarted 12th on lap 25 and would not come to pit road again during the event. Menard took the lead on lap 40 and never looked back, crossing the finish line first and visited Victory Lane in front of his hometown crowd. Saturday’s win was Menard’s third-career XFINITY Series victory.
33 Team by the Numbers … So far this season, the No. 33 team has accumulated some impressive stats with Menard, Austin Dillon and Brandon Jones behind the wheel. In 23 races, the RCR team has garnered four wins, five pole awards, 12 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes with 437 laps led.
Looking Ahead … Following this weekend’s 147-lap affair, Austin Dillon will return to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway for the September 11 event.
PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
How do you manage both ends of Darlington Raceway, since they’re so different /unique?
“It’s a compromise. You can’t be great at both ends but need to be good at both, otherwise you’re in for a long night. Turns 1 and 2 are very fast, turns 3 and 4 are slower and slicker. It’s a great track, and a lot of fun to drive.”
The margin for error is very small at Darlington. What advice would you give to rookies on how to get around the track and keep calm?
“Don’t worry about hitting the wall, everyone will at some point. Just minimize the damage.”
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro
Race Notes and Quotes
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 125 this weekend at Darlington Raceway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro was last driven by Gaughan at Kentucky Speedway where he started third and finished ninth. Chassis No. 125 has an average starting position of seventh and a finishing position of 10.9.
Darlington Details … In four XFINITY Series starts at Darlington Raceway, Gaughan has completed 86.9 percent (520 of 598) of the laps he has competed. The Las Vegas native is credited with one lap led, a 12.5 average starting position and a 25.0 average finishing position.
Blast from the Past … No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet team will adorn a special throwback paint scheme this weekend as Darlington Raceway takes a step back in time. Gaughan will sport colors from the Orleans paint scheme from the 1980’s. The red, orange and blue scheme dates back to the late 1970’s when Michael Gaughan and Walker Evans used a very similar paint scheme on their off-road truck at Orleans Racing.
In the Rearview Mirror: Road America …. After rain cancelled XFINITY Series qualifying at Road America on Saturday, the field was set by first practice speeds. Gaughan started the 45-lap event from the 16th position and drove to the lead to pace the field for four laps. During the final caution period, Gaughan was scored in the 16th position. The race returned to green-flag conditions with four laps remaining. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas native didn’t have enough time to improve his track position and finished 16th.
Season in a Loop … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan ranks sixth in Quality Passes with 819 passes so for this season. He also ranks ninth in Driver Rating with an 88.6. Gaughan has spent 81.4 percent of his contested laps competing in the top 15 of the running order in the first 23 events this year.
To the Points … Gaughan is currently ninth in the driver point standings as the XFINITY Series heads to Darlington Raceway this weekend.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
Can you tell us about the special paint scheme you’ll be running this weekend at Darlington Raceway?
“We’re running the old Orleans paint scheme this weekend, but for us it goes beyond that. It goes back to the early 1980’s and the late 1970’s. My father ran that paint scheme. So, it’s a throwback to the old Michael Gaughan – Walker Evans 1980’s paint scheme we used at the Orleans Racing Team. I’m really excited about it. I’m glad Darlington (Raceway) is doing it.”
What do you like about racing at Darlington Raceway?
“It’s Darlington, one inch from the wall, it’s my kind of place. I’ve done pretty well there in the past. We had a great run there last year but on the green-white-checkered, had an issue with a couple of other race cars and didn’t end up where we should have finished. We’re fast there. Shane and I like that place. We’ve got the retro look and hopefully get a retro finish from 2002 or 2003, which would be a top three.”
