NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Quaker State 400
Kentucky Speedway
July 11, 2015
Race Highlights:
Paul Menard finished 15th and was the highest finishing Richard Childress Racing driver in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. Ryan Newman finished 20th, and Austin Dillon 25th.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting lineup was based off of the NASCAR rulebook after being cancelled for weather. Richard Childress Racing drivers Austin Dillon started 11th, Paul Menard 14th, and Ryan Newman 26th.
Next up for the Sprint Cup Series event is the New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Catch all the action live on Sunday, July 19 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network, broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
Dillon Finishes 25th at Kentucky Speedway
Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Dow Styrofoam Chevrolet team earned a 25th-place finish at Kentucky Speedway Saturday night after battling an ill-handling race car for the majority of the 267-lap event. Due to inclement weather in the Sparta, Ky., area, qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway was rained out setting the field by first practice speeds. Dillon took the green flag from the 11th position and immediately reported he was too tight on the initial run and was too loose as the run progressed. The Slugger Labbe-led team used multiple two- and four-tire pit stops throughout the night adding and removing wedge to levy to changing conditions on the Richard Childress Racing entry. Dillon ran as high as eighth during the Saturday night affair but continued to battle tight and loose-handling conditions and slipped to the 25th position where he remained in the closing laps of the race.
Start – 11 Finish – 25 Laps Led – 0 Points – 21
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“We had a really fast Dow Styrofoam Chevrolet in practice on Friday, but we could not get the handling figured out during the race. I’m proud of these guys for working so hard in practice. We’ll keep working at it and get better. I’m excited for Loudon next week and another chance to battle up front.”
2011 CC Team Icon 27 NSCS Menards
Paul Menard Earns 12th Top-15 Finish of 2015 at Kentucky Speedway
Paul Menard earned his 12th top-15 finish of the 2015 season Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway in the No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS. The Richard Childress Racing driver started from the 14th position and fought changing handling conditions for the duration of the 267-lap event. Throughout the race, crew chief Justin Alexander made calls for a combination of four-tire and two-tire stops with air pressure and wedge adjustments while Menard made changes to his track bar inside the car. The No. 27 team chased adjustments and changing track conditions all night but made gains during a pit stop on lap 208 where Menard received four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. On the restart, Menard was 21st but quickly moved within the top 20, being scored 16th when the caution was displayed on lap 219. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native went to work with two fresh tires and fuel after the restart on lap 221. Menard moved within the field and crossed the finish line 15th. This finish maintains the team’s position of 13th in the driver point standings. Up next for the No. 27 team is Sunday’s event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Start – 14 Finish – 15 Laps Led – 0 Points – 13
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“Tonight wasn’t what we wanted. Justin (Alexander, crew chief) and the guys made a lot of good adjustments throughout the night. I think we learned a lot today, wish I could’ve gotten a better finish. I’m proud of my team for not giving up.”
Ryan Newman Earns 20th-Place Finish at Kentucky Speedway
Ryan Newman drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS to a 20th-place finish in Saturday’s Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. The South Bend, Ind., driver started 26th since the starting lineup was established by the first practice session times after rain washed out qualifying for the second-straight week. Despite the starting position, it took less than 40 laps to break into the top 10, while the driver reported tight-handling conditions. Crew chief Luke Lambert ordered several two and four-tire pit stops to help the overall balance of the No. 31 on laps 83, 100 and 124. The adjustments placed Newman comfortably in the top 15 but needed more to race back into the top 10. In an effort to get a valuable bonus point, Lambert left the Caterpillar Chevrolet out during the caution on lap 186 to take the lead. Despite the gamble, Newman tried everything to maintain as much track position as possible but the car’s handling still needed more work. The team’s final four-tire service occurred on lap 221. The Cat Chevrolet returned to the track in 25th place and raced up to 20th by the time the checkered flag waved. Newman ranks 14th in the championship standings. In the first 18 races of 2015, Newman has earned four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes with just nine races remaining before the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. Next Sunday, the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams competes at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Quicken Loans as the primary partner.
Start – 26 Finish – 20 Laps Led – 2 Points – 14
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTE:
“We gave it all we had tonight and we obviously have more work to do to figure out this new package. Our biggest issue was lack of grip but I’m confident that Luke and the team will figure it out. Next week we’re racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a track I’ve had success at so we’ll see if we can go there and get a win and lock ourselves into the Chase.”