US Cellular 250 presented by Enlist Weed Control Systems
Iowa Speedway
NASCAR Nationwide Series
US Cellular 250 presented by Enlist Weed Control Systems
Iowa Speedway
August 3, 2013
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished fourth (Austin Dillon), ninth (Ryan Gifford) and 13th (Brian Scott).
Dillon leads the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings by 14 markers over Regan Smith and Sam Hornish Jr, while Scott is eighth in the standings, 57 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks third in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team 10th in the standings and the No. 33 team 13th.
According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Dillon maintained the best Average Running Position (2.768), had the highest Driver Rating (139.2), was the Fastest Driver Early in a Run (130.684 mph), Fastest Driver Late in a Run (128.161 mph), led the Fastest Laps Run (77), was Fastest on Restarts (128.357 mph), led the field in Green Flag Speed (129.104 mph), and led the most laps (116).
Gifford ranked third in the Closers category, advancing three positions in the final 10 percent of the race.
Scott ranked fifth in the Fastest Drivers Early in a Run category (129.730 mph)
Brad Keselowski earned his third victory of the 2013 Nationwide Series season and was followed to the finish line by Hornish, Vickers, Dillon and Larson.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Zippo 200 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on Saturday, August 10. The 21st race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ABC beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Satellite Radio Channel 90.
Brian Scott Finishes 13th at Iowa Speedway
Brian Scott drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet to a 13th-place finish in the US Cellular 250 presented by Enlist Weed Control Systems at Iowa Speedway. Scott qualified fifth for the 250-lap event and quickly moved into the third spot. He advanced into the second spot just before the evening’s first caution flag was displayed on lap 53. The Boise, Idaho native reported to crew chief Phil Gould that his Chevrolet Camaro’s handling was loose in and off the corners, prompting a visit to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Green-flag racing resumed with Scott in the third position. As the field set in for a lengthy green-flag run, Scott continued to battle a loose handling car as the sun began to set and track temperatures cooled. The caution was displayed once again on lap 137 with Scott scored seventh. He brought his Shore Lodge Camaro to the attention of the crew for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. The 25-year-old Nationwide Series competitor restarted eighth on lap 146. As Scott was battling for position in the late stages of the race, another competitor made contact with the No. 2 machine, sending both competitors backwards in the running order and ultimately contributing to a 13th-place finish for Scott.
Start – 5 Finish – 13 Laps Led – 0 Points – 8th
Brian Scott Quote:
“We had a great qualifying run and were strong in the beginning part of the race and able to contend for the lead. As the track changed, we continued to fight a loose condition. It was a frustrating night, but we’ll regroup and move on to Watkins Glen.”
Austin Dillon Extends NASCAR Nationwide Series Points Lead with Fourth-Place Finish at Iowa Speedway
Austin Dillon extended his lead in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship standings to 14 points over fellow contenders Regan Smith and Sam Hornish Jr with a fourth-place finish in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway on Saturday evening. Dillon started the US Cellular 250 presented by Enlist Weed Control Systems from the eighth spot and quickly moved up in the running order, advancing to fourth before the first caution flag of the evening was displayed on lap 55. With complaints of a loose-handling condition on the AdvoCare Chevrolet, Dillon made a trip down pit road for four Goodyear tires, Sunoco Green E15 Fuel and a track bar adjustment before green flag racing resumed with Dillon in the fourth spot on lap 60. The Welcome, N.C. driver posted some of the quickest laps of the race during the next segment. He assumed the lead on lap 85 and remained the leader until pitting under caution with just 50 laps remaining. During the routine stop, the RCR team opted for four tires in an attempt to maintain the balance of the car, while several other contenders opted to perform a two-tire stop, positioning Dillon fifth for the lap-205 restart. The two-tire strategy proved efficient as the teams with two tires gained speed during the final 45 lap run while Dillon’s four-tire method was unable to equate to additional speed or track position. Dillon ultimately posted a fourth-place finish in the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet.
Start – 8 Finish – 4 Laps Led – 116 Points – 1st
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“We had a really fast AdvoCare Chevrolet tonight, right up until that last pit stop. We made the call for four tires, but ended up too tight at the end of the race. It’s frustrating, but we will keep digging and I know eventually a win will come in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I’m so proud of this Danny Stockman-led team and all of their hard work. I’m also proud of my teammate and friend, Ryan Gifford, who made his first Nationwide start tonight and did a great job.”
Ryan Gifford Earns Top-10 Finish in NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut
Driving the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Ryan Gifford earned a top-10 finish in his career-first NASCAR Nationwide Series start by finishing ninth in the US Cellular 250 presented by Enlist Weed Control Systems at Iowa Speedway. The Winchester, Tenn., native started from the 23rd position and worked his way into the 18th spot by lap 51 reporting the car’s handling was tight on exit and free in, while running the same lap times as the leaders. The caution flag was displayed on Lap 53 prompting crew chief Ernie Cope to call Gifford down pit road for four Goodyear Eagles and Sunoco Green E15 fuel. The NASCAR Next driver restarted 17th on lap 59 and worked his way into the top 15 one lap later. Gifford relayed to the crew the yellow and black machine was tight as he went one lap down to the leader. While running 16th, the caution flag was displayed for the second time and Gifford was awarded the “Lucky Dog” award, allowing him to rejoin the lead lap cars. Battling in the 13th position, Gifford radioed to his crew the car was still tight as the caution flag was displayed with approximately 50 laps remaining in the race, prompting a round of pit stops by the field. The No. 33 team opted for a two-tire strategy positioning Gifford 12th for the restart on lap 205. He worked his way into the top 10 and ultimately earned a ninth-place finish in his Nationwide Series debut.
Start – 23 Finish – 9 Laps Led – 0 &nb
sp; Owner’s Points – 13th
RYAN GIFFORD QUOTE:
“Wow, what a night! I have to thank Menards, Rheem and everyone at Richard Childress Racing for giving me this opportunity. Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide series is way different than the NASCAR K&N series. In the beginning I didn’t know how it was going to turn out. But I kept digging and it all worked out. We set goals all weekend and with the effort of this team, we were able to achieve them and leave here with a top-10 finish.”
Pocono Mountains 125
Pocono Raceway
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Pocono Raceway
August 3, 2013
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished ninth (Brendan Gaughan) and 20th (Ty Dillon).
Dillon is fifth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 68 markers behind the leader; while Gaughan ranks sixth in the standings, 75 points out of the top spot.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team is sixth in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 62 team eighth in the standings.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Gaughan lead the field in the Closers category after gaining 10 positions during the final 10 percent (five laps) of the event.
Gaughan completed 37 Green-Flag Passes, ranking him fourth in the loop data category and was the 10th-Fastest Driver on Restarts.
Dillon scored ninth in Average Running Position (9.130) and was the seventh-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Dillon was the sixth-Fastest Driver on Restarts during the 54-lap affair.
Ryan Blaney claimed the victory at Pocono Raceway and was followed to the line by Miguel Paludo, German Quiroga, Joey Coulter and Ross Chastain.
The next scheduled Camping World Truck Series race is the Michigan National Guard 200 at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, August 17. The 12th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on SPEED beginning at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on Motor Racing Network.
Ty Dillon Finishes 20th at Pocono Raceway
Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team finished 20th after sustaining right-front damage in the late stages of the 54-lap affair at Pocono Raceway on Saturday. Rain showers forced NASCAR officials to cancel qualifying, setting the starting line up by practice speeds. Dillon started 11th in the Bass Pro Shop Chevrolet for the initial green flag. The Richard Childress Racing driver quickly reported a tight-handling condition on his Chevrolet to the Marcus Richmond-led team. The 21-year-old driver was called to pit road on lap 24 for right-side tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment under green flag conditions. The strategic pit sequence propelled the black and orange Chevrolet into the top five when other competitors pitted later in the race. During the lap-46 restart, Dillon fought for position in a four-wide battle and was forced up into the outside wall sustaining damage to the right side of his machine. With only three laps remaining in the race, Dillon was unable to improve his position and crossed the finish line 20th.
Start – 11 Finish – 20 Laps Led – 0 Points – 5th
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“I hate it for these guys. We had a top-five truck, but we were forced into the wall dashing our hopes for a good finish. I can’t say enough about this Bass Pro Shops team. They keep their heads up even when bad luck has visited us the past few weeks.”