Kansas Lottery 300
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Kansas Speedway 
October 5, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished second (Paul Menard), sixth (Austin Dillon), 18th (Brian Scott) and 19th (Dakoda Armstrong).
Dillon leads the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings by eight points over Sam Hornish, Jr. while Scott is seventh in the standings, 82 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks third in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 33 team eighth and the No. 2 team 10th.
According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Menard ranked first in the Closers category, gaining six positions in the final 20 laps of the 200-lap event, had the fourth-best Driver Rating (108.0), and ranked fourth in Green-Flag Passes (64).
Dillon was the Fastest Driver Early in a Run (176.600 mph), spent 93 percent of his laps running in the top 15, ranking him second, and ranked fourth in Average Running Position (7.775).
Scott made 28 Quality Passes.
Armstrong made 51 Green Flag Passes.
Matt Kenseth earned his second Nationwide Series victory of 2013 and was followed to the finish line by Menard, Regan Smith, Kyle Busch and Justin Allgaier.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, Oct. 11. The 30th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.
   
Brian Scott Earns an 18th-Place Finish at Kansas Speedway
 
Brian Scott piloted Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet Camaro to an 18th-place finish at Kansas Speedway in the Kansas Lottery 300 after fighting a tight handling condition for a better part of the 300-mile event. The Boise, Idaho native, making his 200th NASCAR National Series start, took the green flag from the sixth position and reported to crew chief Phil Gould his car was tight through the center of the corners. NASCAR displayed a competition caution on lap 25 during which time the team pitted for two tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment to alleviate the tight handling issue. Green-flag racing resumed on lap 30 with the 25-year-old Nationwide Series competitor in the 13th position. Scott reported he was fighting a vibration, which continued to worsen throughout long green flag runs. Gould called the Fast Fixin’ driver to pit road under green-flag conditions for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment as the race reached its halfway point. Upon returning to the track the caution flag was displayed, pinning Scott one lap down to the race leader. Scott took the “wave around” putting him back on the lead lap. Throughout the remaining 100 laps he continued to fight a tight condition. The afternoon’s final caution-flag waved inside 15-laps remaining. Taking a chance, Gould brought the Fast Fixin’ driver down pit road for four Goodyear tires, and a series of adjustments with hopes that the fresh rubber would get Scott valuable track position. On the final restart, Scott fought to pass his competitors on the high side, but ultimately took the checkered flag in the 18th position.
 
Start: 6         Finish: 18         Laps Led: 0         Points: 7th
 
Brian Scott Quote:
“We fought a tight-handling car all day long and just couldn’t move forward on the restarts. It was one of those days where very little when right. We’ll look at what malfunctioned on the car and assess the situation. I can’t wait to get to Charlotte, we were fast there in the spring and I feel we can improve on our first time out. I’ll be able to take what we learn in the Nationwide race on Friday night and apply it to my first Sprint Cup Series start on Saturday night.”
 
 

Austin Dillon Assumes NASCAR Nationwide Series Points Lead with Sixth-Place Finish at Kansas Speedway
 
Austin Dillon leads the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship standings by an eight-point margin over Sam Hornish, Jr. following a sixth-place finish in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Driving a No. 3 Pink Lemonade Spark Chevrolet in support of breast cancer awareness month, Dillon led the 41-car starting field to the green flag after earning his seventh pole award of the season. The Welcome, N.C. driver maintained a top five running position throughout the early stages of the race, falling to the 14th position during a lap-30 restart when another competitor pushed Dillon hard into the corner, causing him to back off the throttle to avoid wrecking, lose momentum and drop in the running order. A subsequent pit stop placed the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion even further back in the running order, in the 25th spot, but that did not deter the No. 3 RCR team as Dillon drove his way to the 10th spot by lap 76. The caution flag fell on lap 89 during the middle of a green-flag pit cycle for many Nationwide Series competitors, which worked to Dillon’s advantage as he had yet to pit. Crew chief Danny Stockman directed Dillon to pit road during the ensuing caution for four tires and fuel as many other competitors opted to take the “wave around”, positioning Dillon as the leader as the race approached the official halfway mark. Dillon relinquished the lead on lap 116 when tire blistering concerns caused the team to make a four-tire pit stop under caution on lap 116. Exiting the pits in the ninth position, the No. 3 AdvoCare driver pitted one additional time before ultimately posting a sixth-place finish.
 
Start – 1           Finish – 6         Laps Led – 36   Points – 1st                  
                                                  
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“There were tire issues with a lot of different cars today and we were one of those cars, so we couldn’t play the track position game as much as we would have liked. We battled hard and we were good on restarts, which put us in position to get some track position when we needed. I was really loose after the first caution. We tightened the car up and the adjustments worked out for us. The AdvoCare team was strong today and I am very proud of them for their efforts.”
 
 
 
 
Dakoda Armstrong Brings Home Top-20 Finish at Kansas Speedway
 
Dakoda Armstrong battled hard for a top-20 finish Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway, finishing 19th in the Kansas Lottery 300. After qualifying 30th earlier in the day, the 22-year-old driver immediately reported to crew chief Marcus Richmond that his No. 21 WinField Chevrolet was “wrecking loose.” Concerned that the handling condition stemmed from that specific set of tires, Richmond called the Richard Childress Racing driver to pit road under the first caution-flag period of the day on lap four. After receiving four fresh Goodyear tires with multiple chassis adjustments, Armstrong reported to the WinField team that the handling had improved and his Chevrolet Camaro was loose while running on the inside line of the 1.5-mile facility. During a green-flag run from laps 56 to 91, the longest green-flag run of the 200-lap race, Armstrong radioed to the team that his black and green machine had tightened up significantly and he eventually fell one lap down to the leader. Richmond played brilliant pit strategy by keeping the RCR driver out on the track while the lead lap cars made routine pit stops an
d the team caught a break when the caution flag was displayed just a few laps later. Gaining track position after the call to stay out, Armstrong continued to battle the tight-handling condition while maintaining a top-20 running position until he pitted for fuel only on lap 133. Armstrong restarted 21st, but the tight-handling issue was persistent throughout the remainder of the race with the Indiana native persevering through multiple caution-flag periods and eventually taking the checkered flag in 19th-place.
 
Start – 30        Finish – 19      Laps Led – 0         Owner Points – N/A
 
DAKODA ARMSTRONG QUOTE:
“We just never could get the balance right on our WinField Camaro today. It definitely wasn’t for lack of effort by our Richard Childress Racing crew, because I think we threw every change at it we could think of; it just seemed numb to everything we tried to do to help it rotate off the corners. Not the best way to end our NASCAR Nationwide Series races with this No. 21 Chevrolet team, but I feel like I learned a lot in all five of our races together. I’m thankful for the opportunity to drive for a great organization and looking forward to applying this experience in the future.”  
 
 

Paul Menard Rallies to a Second-Place Finish at Kansas Speedway
 
After making his fourth and final NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the season, Paul Menard rallied in the closing laps of the Kansas Lottery 300 to finish second after having one of the fastest cars on the track all afternoon. Qualifying the Rheem/Menards Chevrolet fourth earlier in the day, Menard maintained a position in or around the top five until pitting under green on lap 88 for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. Just two laps after coming down pit road, the yellow flag was displayed and the Richard Childress Racing driver was caught one lap down to the leader. Taking the “wave around” under caution, Menard restarted back on the lead lap in 18th on lap 94. Though he was struggling with a tight-handling condition, Menard was clicking off lap times faster than the leader and quickly worked his way to 13th when the caution flag flew on lap 118 for debris. After pitting for four tires and fuel, the Eau Claire, Wis., driver was assessed with a speeding penalty for exiting pit road too fast. Starting at the tail end of the longest line in 21st, Menard was back inside the top 15 at lap 140. Continuing to run the fastest lap times of the 40-car field, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular was scored in fifth when the caution flag was displayed for the 11th and final time on lap 189. Menard made a daring three-wide pass on the ensuing restart to put himself in the third position with four laps remaining in the 200-lap event and on the final lap gained another spot to finish second at Kansas Speedway on Saturday afternoon.
 
Start – 4             Finish – 2            Laps Led – 1         Owners Points – 8th
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“We had an awesome Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro at Kansas Speedway. The car was fast all day. We fell behind early, but were able to make up ground and come out with a great finish. I had a lot of fun today with the No. 33 team, but I just wish I could have gotten a win for Ernie (Cope, crew chief) and the guys in my last NASCAR Nationwide Series race of the season.”
 

AAA 400
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Dover International Speedway    
September 29, 2013
 
Race Highlights: 
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished sixth (Kevin Harvick), 14th (Jeff Burton), and 18th (Paul Menard) in the AAA 400.
Following the event at Dover International Speedway, Harvick is fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 39 markers behind the leader, while Menard is 17th and Burton sits 20th.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks fourth in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 18th and the No. 31 team 21st.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick completed 53 Green-Flag Passes, 39 of which came while running in the top 15 (Quality Passes), positioning him second and third in the loop data categories.
Harvick was the seventh-Fastest Driver Late in a Run, eighth in the Closers category after gaining two positions during the final 10 percent (40 laps) of the race, had the eighth-fastest Speed in Traffic, spent 95.5 percent of the laps in the Top 15, ranking him ninth, and was the 10th-Fastest Driver Early in a Run.
Burton gained one position during the final 10 percent (40 laps) of the race, placing him the 10th in the Closers category and was the 10th-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Menard completed 37 Green-Flag Passes during the 400-lap event.
RCR teammates Burton, Harvick and Menard posted nine of the Fastest Laps Run with four, three and two laps, respectively.
Jimmie Johnson earned his fifth victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Joey Logano, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Kansas 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 6. The 30th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
   
Menard Finishes 18th at Dover International Speedway
 
 Paul Menard started the 400-mile event at Dover International Speedway from the 21st position and struggled with handling issues throughout the day to finish 18th on Sunday afternoon. A long green-flag run in the early laps of the race, coupled with a loose-handling condition, caused Menard to fall a lap down to the leader at lap 130. The No. 27 pit crew made a variety of chassis adjustments during the ensuing pit stops in hopes of providing some relief to the Eau Claire Wis., native. After a lap-231 pit stop for four tires, fuel and multiple chassis adjustments, Menard was running in 18th and relayed to the No. 27 crew that the car was the best that it had been all day and the loose-handling condition was tightening up. Continued long green-flag runs and persistent handling issues contributed to Menard falling two laps down to the leader toward the latter portion of the race. The Richard Childress Racing driver and team never gave up and Menard was running lap times comparative to the leader, but the caution flags never fell in his favor. Unable to gain any laps back, Menard ultimately finished the 400-lap event in the 18th position and sits in 17th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into Kansas Speedway.
 
Start – 21         Finish – 18          Laps Led – 0          Points – 17
th 
 
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“It was a tough day for the No. 27 CertainTeed/Menards crew. We struggled with handling all weekend at Dover (International Speedway), and never seemed to hit on the right setup until the end of the race. The crew worked hard making adjustments all day to try and get the car to handle better. Track position is everything at Dover. Once you fall a lap down to the leader it’s hard to gain any ground, especially with the long green-flag runs we had today.”
 
 

Harvick Finishes Sixth at the Monster Mile
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team finished sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon after battling handling issues throughout the race. The California native started the 400-lap event from the 12th position and maintained a spot in the top 15 while battling a simultaneously tight and loose-handling red and white machine during the early laps. The Gil Martin-led pit crew made adjustments to the Budweiser Chevrolet during scheduled four-tire pit stops throughout the first half of the race, but Harvick continued to battle an ill-handling machine. As the race progressed, the pit crew continued to work to improve the handling of the Richard Childress Racing entry, allowing the 21-time Sprint Cup Series race winner to gain valuable track position, crossing the finish line sixth and picking up his 15th top-10 finish of the 2013 race season. Following the 400-mile event, Harvick gained two positions and now sits fourth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 12         Finish – 6         Laps Led – 0         Points – 4th
                      
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“This was a tough one for us. We struggled most of the weekend to find the right balance on the Budweiser Chevrolet and battled handling issues during the race. The team did a great job bouncing back today and it resulted in the solid finish we needed.”
 
 
 

Burton Finishes 14th at Dover International Speedway
 
Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team battled back to a top-15 finish of 14th at Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Starting the 400-lap event from the 25th position, the 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner battled a tight-handling condition on his black and yellow machine early, entering the top 20 just before lap 100. On two occasions, the Richard Childress Racing driver was trapped one lap down to the leader during long green-flag runs, receiving the “Lucky Dog” free pass award both times when the caution flag was displayed to get back onto the lead lap. Restarting with a top-20 position on lap 236, Burton struggled throughout another long green-flag run and once again dropped one lap down to the leader. The Caterpillar team didn’t give up over the course of the race, making several air pressure and chassis adjustments to remedy the tight-handling condition and Burton cracked the top 15 with less than 100 laps remaining. The South Boston, Va., native maintained that top-15 running position for the remainder of the event and brought home a 14th-place finish. Burton remains 20th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 25                      Finish – 14                   Laps Led – 0                 Points – 20th
 
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
“Everyone on this Caterpillar Chevrolet team put in a solid effort all weekend. We weren’t where we needed to be on the speed chart, but we never gave up throughout the race and ended up with a top-15 finish. When things are tough, you find out what people are made of. I am proud of these No. 31 guys.”
 

SYLVANIA 300
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
New Hampshire Motor Speedway    
September 22, 2013
 
Race Highlights: 
 
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished eighth (Jeff Burton), 20th (Kevin Harvick) and 22nd (Paul Menard) in the SYLVANIA 300.
Following the event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Harvick is sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 39 markers behind the leader, while Menard is 16th and Burton moved up three positions to 19th.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 18th in the standings and the No. 31 team 21st.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Burton ranked 10th for Laps Run in the Top-15 with 217 circuits in that position.
Burton completed 66 Green-Flag Passes, while Menard made 62 and Harvick had 61 during the 300-lap race.
Matt Kenseth earned his seventh victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson and Jamie McMurray.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 29. The 29th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
 
 
Menard Finishes 22nd at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
 
Starting from the seventh position, Paul Menard and the No. 27 SYLVANIA/Menards team faced handling issues throughout the 300-lap event, earning a 22nd-place finish when the checkered flag flew at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. After slipping back several positions in the early laps of the race, Menard was scored in 13th on lap 25 when he communicated to crew chief “Slugger” Labbe that the No. 27 machine was tight on entry and loose exiting the corners. The pit crew made a variety of adjustments during pit stops on laps 32 and 109 in hopes of remedying the issue. The Eau Claire, Wis., native maintained a position within the top-20 and at lap 156 he was scored in 19th, running lap times as fast as the leader. A two-tire pit stop on lap 202 allowed Menard to gain valuable track position, lining him up 15th for the ensuing restart. The Richard Childress Racing driver methodically worked his way up to 11th before coming to pit road one final time on lap 246 for left-side tires, fuel and wedge and air pressure adjustments. Restarting in 11th, Menard was caught in the middle going three-wide into the corner and shuffled back to 19th at lap 263. Struggling with a tight condition for the remaining 37 laps of the event, Menard ultimately finished 22nd at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Menard maintained his position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings and sits in 16th heading to Dover International Speedway.
 
Start – 7                      Finish – 22                     Laps Led – 0            Points – 16th
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“It was a rough day for the No. 27 SYLVANIA/Menards crew. We struggled with handling issues for the majority of the day, especially there at the end. That last set of tires made us really tight and we just couldn’t gain any track position. My guys never gave up and made a variety of adjustments all day to try and get the car to handle better. We’ll keep our heads up heading into Dover (International Speedway) next week.”
 
 
 

 
Harvick Finishes 20th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team finished 20th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon after battling handling issues during in the SYLVANIA 300. The California native started the 300-lap affair from the eighth position and slipped back to 11th in the early laps when a tight condition through the center of the corners and loose-handling condition on exit developed on the red and white Chevrolet. Though he was struggling with handling issues, Harvick continued to hold a position inside the top-15 for the first half of the 300 mile event. The Budweiser crew made a variety of adjustments during multiple two and four-tire pits stops throughout the race, but the handling issues persisted and Harvick slipped back to 20th at Lap 213. Crew chief Gil Martin called his driver to pit road one final time, with 53 laps remaining, for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. The Richard Childress Racing driver restarted in 23rd and fell back as far as 25th, before working his way back inside the top 20 at lap 269. Harvick maintained his position for the remaining 30 laps to finish 20th at “The Magic Mile.” Following the event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Harvick sits in sixth position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 8         Finish – 20         Laps Led – 0        Points Position – 6th
 
 
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:

“We struggled with handling issues all day and never could get it figured out. Even though we didn’t get the finish we were looking for today, we’re not going to let it get us down. Next week is another race and we’ll look for better results heading into Dover.”

 
Burton Finishes Eighth in the No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Jeff Burton started the SYLVANIA 300 in 25th at the one-mile oval of New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Once the initial green-flag waved over the Granite State-facility, Burton encountered a condition of loose in the entry and middle of the turns on the No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet. A pre-determined competition caution on lap 30 coincided with a spin in Turn 4. This allowed crew chief Luke Lambert to bring Burton down pit road taking on four tires, fuel and making a track bar adjustment. Restarting 25th, Burton began his methodical climb through the scoring ranks. By lap 50, he was 17th when the caution waved one lap later. During this break, Lambert radioed to Burton that he felt like the track conditions were working in their favor. That became evident through the next four cautions and the halfway point when Burton first entered the top-10 ranks. Taking only two right-side tires under caution on lap 166, then two left-side tires on lap 202 helped keep Burton in the top-15. He re-entered the top 10 on lap 245 and remained there for the rest of the race to finish eighth, earning his sixth top-10 finish in 2013. He also moved up three positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings to 19th place.

                Start – 25     Finish – 8       Laps Led – 0        Points Position – 19th

Jeff Burton Quote:

“We just got too tight there at the end to gain any more positions. We had great pit stops during the entire race, so my hat is off to the No. 31 Cheerios team today. That was a great Chevrolet we had, we just should have finished much better than we did. But, we’ll take that top-10 and head to Dover (International Speedway) and do it again.”                         

Kentucky 300
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Kentucky Speedway
September 21, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished second (Austin Dillon), third (Matt Crafton), 11th (Brian Scott) and 13th (Dakoda Armstrong).
Dillon is second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Sam Hornish, Jr. by 15 points, while Scott is seventh in the standings, 79 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks fourth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team ninth in the standings and the No. 33 team 10th.
According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranked second in Average Running Position (3.230), maintained the second-best Driver Rating (126.6), had the second-best Green-Flag Speed (172.496 mph), was the second-Fastest Driver Late in a Run (171.003 mph) and spent 100 percent of his laps running in the top-15.
Crafton ranked fourth in Green-Flag Passes (48).
Scott led the Closers category, advancing eight positions in the final 10 percent of the race, was fourth-Fastest on Restarts (166.486 mph) and ranked fifth in the Driver Rating category (107.8).
Armstrong made 12 Quality Passes.
Combined, the RCR drivers posted the Fastest Laps for 31 circuits with Dillon (25 laps), Crafton (4 laps) and Scott (2 laps).
Ryan Blaney earned his first career Nationwide Series victory and was followed to the finish line by Dillon, Crafton, Hornish and Alex Bowman.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 28. The 28th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.

   
Brian Scott Earns 11th-Place Finish at Kentucky Speedway Despite Penalty
 
Brian Scott and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet team battled among the top-five for a majority of the 200-lap affair at Kentucky Speedway for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in the Bluegrass State, but a pit road penalty relegated the team to an 11th-place finish. Scott took the green flag from the fourth position and quickly advanced into the second spot, despite reporting to crew chief Phil Gould that he was tight through the center of the corners. NASCAR displayed the yellow flag on lap 25 for a competition caution, which allowed Scott to visit pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. He restarted 12th after several other competitors opted to make a two-tire pit stop. The 25-year old competitor drove up to the third spot by lap 47. Scott remained among the top three until visiting pit road under green-flag conditions for routine service on lap 164. NASCAR relayed to the team that Scott was too fast exiting pit road as the caution-flag was displayed. The Boise, Idaho-native restarted from the rear of the field but was able to advance to 11th, where he took the checkered flag.
 
Start: 4         Finish: 11         Laps Led: 1         Points: 7th
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
“We had such a strong Shore Lodge Camaro tonight. Phil (Gould) and the guys were strong once again on pit road and we were able to run up front all night. Unfortunately, we got caught speeding and ran out of time to get back up to the front. I’m proud of the crew and looking forward to Dover next week.”
 

 
Austin Dillon Scores Second-Place Finish in Kentucky 300
 
Austin Dillon drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet to a second-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday evening and remains second in the driver championship point standings, 15 markers behind current leader Sam Hornish, Jr., with six races remaining in the season. After starting the 200-lap race from the third position, Dillon noted a tight-handling condition in the center of the corners during the early stages of the 300-mile event. Crew chief Danny Stockman called for a series of adjustments during a competition caution on lap 25, including air pressure and track bar adjustments during a four-tire and fuel pit stop. With several teams opting to take two tires only, Dillon lost 11 positions on pit road and restarted 13th when green-flag racing resumed on lap 30. Although the team continued to struggle finding the right balance on the No. 3 car during ensuing runs, they gained track position during a two-tire pit stop under caution on lap 62 which positioned Dillon in the third spot for a lap 68 restart. He took control of the race on lap 69, gaining a valuable championship bonus point, then fell to second as a dominate No. 22 entry took the race lead. Dillon challenged to retake the lead during several late-race cautions, but could not put a complete pass together. When the checkered flag waved, Dillon took  second in the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet.
 
Start – 3           Finish – 2         Laps Led – 32       Points – 2 nd                         
 
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“We had a second-place car today. I want to congratulate Ryan Blaney and the No. 22 team. They had a really strong car and put an amazing race together. We had a great car. I am really proud of Danny Stockman and all of the guys, especially the over- the-wall pit crew. They were really fast tonight. As strong as we were, the 22 car was just a tiny bit better and, at the end of the night, that is what made the difference.”
 
 
 
 

 
Matt Crafton Earns Third-Place Finish in NASCAR Nationwide Series Event at Kentucky Speedway
 
 
In his third and final scheduled 2013 appearance in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Rheem/Menards entry, Matt Crafton earned a third-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ Kentucky 300 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday evening. Crafton qualified the No. 33 car fifth, but dropped to the rear of the field at the start of the 200-lap race to serve a NASCAR-issued penalty for changing a radiator after qualifying. The Tulare, Calif., native quickly advanced his running position, working his way into the 18th spot before the yellow flag was displayed for a NASCAR-mandated competition caution on lap 25. During the caution period, crew chief Ernie Cope directed Crafton down pit road so the RCR crew could service his machine with right-side tires and fuel. Quick work by the team positioned him ninth for the restart on lap 30. The veteran NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver remained in the top-10 for the rest of the race, breaking into the top five at the halfway mark. Routine pit stops under caution flag conditions on laps 63, 108 and 167 helped Cope keep the car’s balance to the driver’s liking allowing Crafton to ultimately post a third-place finish.
 
Start – 5           Finish – 3         Laps Led – 0    Owner’s Points – 10th                   
 
 
MATT CRAFTON QUOTE:
“I have had a blast these past three races with the No. 33 Rheem/Menards team. We definitely had a car capable of winning tonight. These race cars are second-to-none and I look forward to hopefully doing this again next year.”
 
 
 

 
Dakoda Armstrong Secures Career-Best NASCAR Nationwide Series Finish with RCR
 
Dakoda Armstrong drove the No. 21 WinField Chevrolet to a career-best 13th-place finish at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday evening, marking h
is fourth of five scheduled NASCAR Nationwide Series starts with Richard Childress Racing. The 22-year-old driver took the green flag from the 21st position and climbed inside the top-20 during the early stages of the event, but reported to crew chief Marcus Richmond he was tight through the corners during his initial run. NASCAR displayed the yellow flag for a competition caution on lap 25, providing Armstrong & Co. an opportunity to bring their Camaro down pit road for two tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. When green-flag racing resumed on lap 30, the New Castle, Ind., native restarted in the 15th position. He reported the changes helped the handling and the car was coming to him as he worked to find the best line through each corner. As the crew continued to improve the handling to his liking throughout the evening, he found himself solidly inside the top-15 in the closing laps. When the checkered flag was displayed he crossed the line in the 13th spot, earning a career-best Nationwide Series finish.
 
Start: 21         Finish: 13         Laps Led: 0         Owners Points :N/A
 
DAKODA ARMSTRONG QUOTE:
“We kept improving all night and I think if we could’ve just had one more adjustment to help me turn off the corners, we could’ve easily gotten into the top-10. This RCR crew did a great job on pit road all night and we had a competitive WinField Camaro. I can’t complain about a 13th-place finish.”
 
 
 

GEICO 400
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Chicagoland Speedway    
September 15, 2013
 
Race Highlights: 
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished third (Kevin Harvick), 14th (Jeff Burton), and 22nd (Paul Menard) in the GEICO 400.
Following the event at Chicagoland Speedway, Harvick is fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 15 markers behind the leader, while Menard is 16th and Burton sits 22nd.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 17th and the No. 31 team 23rd.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick had the second-Fastest Speed in Traffic, was the third-Fastest on Restarts, fifth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run and posted three of the Fastest Laps Run.
Harvick tied for the most Green-Flag Passes with 118, of which 57 occurred while running in the top-15, positioning him first in Quality Passes.
Burton gained six positions during the final 10 percent (27 laps) of the 267-lap event, placing him second in the Closers category.
Menard completed 97 Green-Flag Passes, 15 were made while running in the top-15 (Quality Passes).
Matt Kenseth earned his sixth victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Kyle Busch, Harvick, Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 22. The 28th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
   
Menard Finishes 22nd in Rain-Delayed Event at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Paul Menard started the Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet from the 11th position in the 400-mile race at Chicagoland Speedway and finished 22nd after struggling with handling issues in the rain-delayed event. Light rain showers postponed the start of the GEICO 400, but when the green flag flew, Menard quickly gained two positions and was running in ninth at lap eight. A NASCAR-mandated competition caution was called on lap 30 and crew chief “Slugger” Labbe instructed his driver to come to pit road for four tires, fuel, air pressure and wedge adjustments. Several cars elected to take only two tires under caution and Menard lined up for the restart in 14th. Just a few laps into the second green-flag run of the day, the Wisconsin native slipped back to 21st and relayed to the team that his No. 27 machine was extremely tight. Menard continued to struggle with a tight-handling car until heavy rain showers forced the red flag to be displayed at lap 108. After a five-hour delay, Menard returned to his car and pitted under caution for four tires and fuel before the race restarted. The 33-year-old driver maintained a position around 20th until pitting under caution for right-side tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment on lap 149. The two-tire pit stop gained Menard valuable track position as he restarted in 13th.  Though the tight-handling condition persisted, the Richard Childress Racing driver continued to run inside the top 20. The No. 27 pit crew made a variety of chassis adjustments over the ensuing pit stops and the changes seemed to provide some relief to Menard. An on-track incident with the No. 51 on lap 239 caused a left-rear tire rub on the No. 27 Chevrolet and Menard was forced to pit under caution for fresh tires and fuel. Restarting in 23rd with 22 laps remaining in the 267-lap affair, Menard was able to gain one position in the final laps to finish 22nd. He now sits 16th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
 
Start – 11          Finish – 22          Laps Led – 0           Points – 16th
 
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“We struggled with handling issues on our Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet all day and evening. The rain and track conditions didn’t play to our advantage tonight. I have to give my crew credit, it was a long day and they never gave up. They made adjustments all night. We’ll learn from today and look for better results in New Hampshire (Motor Speedway) next weekend.”
 
 

Harvick Finishes Third in the First Race for the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Designated Driver team finished third after battling an ill-handling race car during the rain delayed GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday. Starting from the 17th position, the California native ran within the top 20 during the early laps while battling an extremely tight-handling Chevrolet. A lap-30 competition caution provided the Gil Martin-led pit crew the opportunity they needed to work on the handling of the red and white machine by changing four tires, adding fuel and making chassis adjustments. Positioned 21st for the ensuing restart, Harvick moved toward the front of the pack settling into the top 15 by lap 90. As the race progressed, Harvick noted the car’s handling was getting better, but still needed improvement. The No. 29 team was scored in the 14th position when the red flag was displayed for rain over the speedway. The Richard Childress Racing driver visited pit road for four tires before returning to green-flag racing following a lengthy rain delay and restarted 16th on lap 116. But, he quickly moved toward the front of the field settling into the top 10 prior to the halfway point of the 267-lap affair. The No. 29 team continued to work on the handling of the Budweiser Designated Driver Chevrolet during the second half of the event, allowing their driver to race into the top five during the final laps and cross the finish line third. Following the 400-mile event, Harvick is fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 17         Finish – 3         Laps Led – 1         Points – 4th
                      
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“We had a lot of fun tonight. Obviously, our Budweiser Designate a Driver Chevrolet was running really good after the break. These guys did a lot of work in between while it was raining, so they did a good job with the car and making some adjustments toward the end of the race. We just got too loose there the last couple of runs on exit. We had a lot of fun and came up a couple short, but all-in-all it was a good night.”
 
 
 

Jeff Burton Scores Top-15 Finish at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team persevered through the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race that ended under the lights at Chicagoland Speedway and brought home a 14th-place finish in the GEICO 400. After a rain shower postponed the start of the 267-lap event, the 46-year-old driver started from the 21st position and battled a tight-handling machine even after adjustments were made during a lap-30 competition caution. Persistent rain forced NASCAR officials to display the red flag before the halfway point of the event, bringing all competitors to pit road until the rain ceased. After a five hour and 10 minute red-flag period, the cars returned to the race track and the South Boston, Va. native reported to crew chief Luke Lambert that the No.31 machine’s handling condition only worsened as the race progressed. Lambert and the No. 31 team continued to make adjustments on multiple pit stops throughout the evening as Burton maintained a top-20 running position. With 26 laps remaining, the caution flag was displayed for the ninth time in the event and instead of bringing th
e Richard Childress Racing driver to pit road for routine service, Lambert made the call to keep Burton on the race track. The 21-time Sprint Cup Series race winner survived the final green-flag run and the gamble paid off in the form of a top-15 finish as he crossed the finish line in 14th-place. Burton remains 22nd in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 21                        Finish – 14                        Laps Led – 0                   Points – 22nd
 
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
“Luke (Lambert, crew chief) made the right call tonight to salvage a top-15 finish for the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team. We definitely fought some handling issues throughout the race and never quite got the setup figured out. The car seemed to be tight all night. I’m happy to come out of here with a decent finish.”
 

Dollar General 300
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Chicagoland Speedway
September 14, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished fourth (Austin Dillon), ninth (Kevin Harvick) and 14th (Brian Scott).
Dillon is second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Sam Hornish, Jr. by 17 points, while Scott is seventh in the standings, 72 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks fourth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team ninth in the standings and the No. 33 team 11th.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranked fourth in Average Running Position (4.515), was the Fourth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run (167.403 mph),was fourth-Fastest on Restarts (167.124 mph) and had the fourth-best Driver Rating (114.1).
Harvick ranked third in Quality Passes with 35 and was the fifth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run (167.396 mph).
Scott made 21 Quality Passes.
Dillon and Harvick were among five drivers who spent 100 percent of the race running in the top 15.
Kyle Busch earned his 10th Nationwide Series victory of the 2013 season and was followed to the finish line by Joey Logano, Sam Hornish Jr., Dillon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Kentucky 300 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 21. The 27th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPNEWS beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.
   
Brian Scott Finishes 14th at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge team traveled to Chciagoland Speedway for the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ 27th race of the 2013 season with added confidence after a strong finish at Richmond International Raceway last weekend. Scott started the 300-mile affair from the 19th
position, battled a tight condition for the majority of the event and earned a 14th-place finish. The 25-year-old competitor moved inside the top-15 during the early laps using the momentum from the top groove, but reported to crew chief Phil Gould he was extremely tight through the corners. The first caution flag was displayed on lap 23, allowing Scott to bring his Shore Lodge Chevrolet to the attention of his pit crew for two tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. The Boise, Idaho-native restarted second on the ensuing restart after taking two tires. While the field set in for a lengthy green-flag run, Scott reported the adjustments helped the handling of his Chevrolet, but he was still too tight. Gould called the Richard Childress Racing driver to pit road under green-flag conditions for four tires, fuel and another chassis adjustment. Once pit stops cycled through, Scott was shown in the 19th
position. Through the next several laps he battled for track position climbing as high as 12th, but made contact with the outside wall during a late-race restart and suffered right-side damage. The damage caused his Chevrolet to become even tighter and he ultimately crossed the finish line in the 14th spot.
 
Start – 19         Finish – 14         Laps Led – 0         Points – 7th
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
“We were just too tight all weekend. From the time we unloaded our Shore Lodge Camaro through the whole race we battled the tight-handling issue, which was really different from our first visit to Chicagoland Speedway earlier this season. I’m proud of the guys on pit road, they were solid all day long. We’ll evaluate and learn from this race and move on to Kentucky Speedway next week.”
 
 

 
Austin Dillon Earns Top-Five Finish in No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Austin Dillon drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet to a fourth-place finish in the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday afternoon, after starting the 200-lap race from the second position. Dillon reported to crew chief Danny Stockman the black No. 3 Chevrolet was tight in the middle of the corners during the initial run, prompting the team to make a chassis adjustment during the first round of pit stops under caution on lap 26. The Welcome, N.C. driver restarted in the sixth spot on lap 28, but struggled with a loose-handling condition on exit of the corners during the ensuing run, prompting an additional adjustment during a lap-84, green-flag pit stop. Running solidly in the top five for a majority of the 300-mile race, Dillon was scored in the fourth position for a restart on lap 171 and took the opportunity to make a three-wide pass to claim the second position. Several late-race restarts ensued in which he battled side-by-side with fellow championship point contender Sam Hornish Jr. for the second position. Dillon prevailed and maintained the second position before developing a tight-handling condition and dropping to fourth for the race’s finish.
 
Start – 2            Finish – 4              Laps Led – 0             Points – 2nd                          
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“The No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet was just a little bit tight during the final run, which caused us to drop a few spots.  It was fun racing side-by-side with the No. 12 car towards the end of the race. Sam Hornish, Jr. is a great competitor and this championship is going to come down to who is going to make a mistake. If he ends up making one, we will be there.”
 
 

 
Kevin Harvick Collects Top-10 Finish in NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 Rheem/MenardsChevrolet team battled handling issues during the Dollar General 300 on Saturday afternoon and finished ninth at Chicagoland Speedway. Starting from the 13th position, the two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion maneuvered his way into the top 10 within the first 10 laps of the 200-lap affair, while battling a Chevrolet that was tight in and loose off of the turns. The Ernie Cope-led pit crew made adjustments to the car during scheduled four-tire pit stops on laps 25, 82 and 109 in an effort to alleviate the handling issue. Harvick was running in the fifth position when he alerted the team the handling of the neon yellow machine had transitioned from loose to tight during the final laps of the event, leaving him to settle for a ninth-place result.
 
Start – 13         Finish – 9         Laps Led – 0         Owner Points – 11th
 
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“This wasn’t the most fun race for our team today. We had a solid run, but struggled all day to find the right handling we needed to get the Rheem/Menards Chevrolet up front.”
 
 

EnjoyIllinois.com 225
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Chicagoland Speedway
September 13, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished fifth (Ty Dillon) and 25th (Brendan Gaughan).
Dillon is third in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 59 markers behind the leader; while Gaughan ranks 10th in the standings, 126 points out of the top spot.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team is fifth in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 62 team 13th in the standings.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Dillon earned the third-best Average Running Position (4.700), was the third-Fastest on Restarts, earned the fourth-best Driver Rating (111.2), had the fourth-Fastest Green-Flag Speed and Speed in Traffic, was the fifth-Fastest Driver Early in a Run and fifth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Dillon was one of three competitors in the 36-truck field to spend 100 percent (150 laps) running in the Top 15.
Gaughan was the Fastest Driver Early in a Run and Late in a Run that didn’t finish within five laps of the leader, earned the fifth-best Average Running Position (6.847) and was the fifth-Fastest on the Restarts.
RCR teammates posted eight of the Fastest Laps Run, Dillon earned five and Gaughan three.
Kyle Busch took the checkered flag and was followed to the line by Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Matt Crafton and Dillon.
The next scheduled Camping World Truck Series race is the Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 28. The 17th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
 
   
Dillon Earns Second-Consecutive Top-Five Finish in Chicago
 
Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team finished fifth under the lights at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday night despite battling a tight-handling Chevrolet for the majority of the 150-lap event. After posting the second-fastest time in qualifying, Dillon took the initial green flag and immediately reported his black and orange machine was too tight. Crew chief Marcus Richmond called for chassis adjustments during routine two and four-tire pit stops under caution periods on laps 68 and 100. Quick work by the Richard Childress Racing pit crew allowed the North Carolina native to maintain track position within the top-10 for the entire 225-mile race. Due to multiple long green flag runs, the handling on the No. 3 Chevrolet didn’t improve causing Dillon to battle handling issues until the checkered flag waved when he crossed the finish line in the fifth position. Friday night’s result marks Dillon’s second-consecutive top-five finish.
 
Start – 2          Finish – 5          Laps Led – 0        Points – 3rd
 
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“I’m glad we could bring home a fifth-place finish tonight. We battled a tight-handling condition all night. It was a lot worse on long green flag runs, but the Bass Pro Shops team never gave up. I hope we can continue this momentum and turn these top fives into wins before the season ends.”
 
 
 
Solid Run by Gaughan Spoiled by Misfortune at Chicagoland Speedway
 
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team fell victim to another round of bad luck Friday night when overheating issues relegated the team to a 25th-place finish in the EnjoyIllinois.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway after a solid run by the Richard Childress Racing team. Starting from the fifth position, the Las Vegas native maintained a spot within the top 10 during the majority of the 150-lap event while battling a tight handling Chevrolet. Gaughan was scored fourth when he radioed to crew chief Shane Wilson that the temperature of the black and gold machine suddenly skyrocketed, forcing the team to make an unscheduled pit stop on lap 141 to assess the issue. The pit crew pulled tape from the grille in an attempt to bring down the engine temperature. Gaughan returned to the racing surface, only to come back down pit road the following lap. After final evaluation, Wilson determined the issue could not be remedied, forcing the team to settle for a 25th-place result. Following the 16th race of the season Gaughan remains 10th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 5         Finish – 25          Laps Led – 0          Points – 10th
 
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“It just seems like we can’t shake this bad luck lately. We had an incredibly solid run going tonight, and the South Point Hotel & Casino crew did a great job working on the truck and keeping us up front. This is not the way I wanted tonight to end, but we’ll move on and focus on the next race at my home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.”

Ryan Newman to Drive No. 31 CAT Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in 2014
 
 
WELCOME, N.C. (September 9, 2013) – Richard Childress Racing has signed Ryan Newman to drive the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting in 2014. Newman, 35, is a 17-time NSCS race winner with 50 pole awards to his credit; and is the 2008 Daytona 500 and 2013 Brickyard 400 champion.
 
“This is a great opportunity for our team,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “I am very proud to have Ryan in our No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet starting next year. We have high expectations for this No. 31 team. Ryan has proven himself to be a great driver and I’m looking forward to winning races with him.
 
“Luke Lambert will be his crew chief and the team is staying together next year. That team is building momentum to not only finish out this year strong, but to get even better in 2014.”
 
“Ryan will be a great fit with CAT and RCR in many ways. He’s an outdoorsman, a conservationist and is very familiar with CAT equipment as an owner of some of their products.”
 
A native of South Bend, Ind., Newman earned an engineering degree from Purdue University in 2001.
 
“I’m very pleased Richard and I were able to put this deal together for me to drive RCR’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet,” Newman said. “About five years ago, Richard and I talked about me joining RCR before I signed with my current team, but things just didn’t work out. However, we were able to make it happen this time and I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career. RCR has a long history of winning races and championships, and I want to add to that tradition.
 
“I am very excited to work with Caterpillar. They are a world-class company and I look forward to learning more about them. Since I’m already a customer of theirs, I can honestly say they make incredible equipment.
 
“One important thing I sincerely want everyone to know is how much I respect and admire Jeff Burton as a person and driver. He handled his recent announcement and situation with respect, class and dignity.
 
“We’re going to finish this season strong with the No. 39 team and give it our all to win races. Then, I’ll concentrate on working with Luke Lambert and the other members of RCR as we get ready for 2014.”
 
Announcements on sponsors in addition to Caterpillar will be made at a later date.
 
“We are excited to have Ryan Newman driving the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS in 2014,” said Greg Towles, NASCAR Program Director for Caterpillar. “Ryan’s racing accomplishments are well known and, when coupled with his knowledge of machinery and passion for the outdoors, he aligns well with Caterpillar customers, dealers and employees.”
 

Fan Appreciation 200
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Iowa Speedway  
September 8, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished third (Ty Dillon) and 24th (Brendan Gaughan).
Dillon is third in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 58 markers behind the leader; while Gaughan ranks 10th in the standings, 105 points out of the top spot.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team is fifth in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 62 team 13th in the standings.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Dillon was the Fastest Driver Late in a Run, earned the second-best Driver Rating (123.7), had the second-best Green-Flag Speed, was the third-Fastest on Restarts and fifth-Fasted Driver Early in a Run.
Gaughan completed 59 Green-Flag Passes, 26 which came while running in the top-15 (Quality Passes).
RCR teammates posted 49 of the Fastest Laps Run. Dillon earned 38 second-most of all competitors, while Gaughan posted 11.
James Buescher took the checkered flag and was followed to the line by Ross Chastain, Dillon, Johnny Sauter and Darrell Wallace Jr.
The next scheduled Camping World Truck Series race is the EnjoyIllinois.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday, Sept. 13. The 16th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

 
    
 
Dillon Fights Back to Finish Third at Iowa
 
Despite battling alternator issues throughout the second portion of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway, Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team earn a third-place result. After starting from the fifth spot, crew chief Marcus Richmond instructed the 21-year-old driver to stay on the racing surface during the lap 38 caution period to assume the lead on the ensuing restart. Dillon led the race until lap 80 when he was called to pit road under green-flag conditions for his first pit stop of the day for four tires and fuel. When Dillon returned to the track, he was scored 22nd, one lap down to the leader. When green flag pit stops began on lap 127, the Richard Childress Racing team gained their lap back and resumed the race lead. Trouble struck on lap 135 when the black and orange Chevrolet lost battery voltage. While under caution, the Richmond-led pit crew changed left-side tires and the battery. Dillon returned to pit road in the following lap for fresh right-side tires. He restarted 13th on lap 141 and maneuvered through the field, moving up to fifth by lap 179. Alternator issues continued to plaque the young driver forcing him to turn off all of his brake fans that kept his tires cool which made the No. 3 machine tight. Dillon survived two green-white-checkered attempts and battled through low battery voltage during the final laps to finish third at Iowa Speedway.
 
Start – 5         Finish – 3          Laps Led – 46          Points – 3
 
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“Man, what a day. Our alternator broke halfway through the race, so I couldn’t use any of my fans. That really hurt our tires, and we couldn’t get back up there to contend for the win. This Bass Pro Shops team has a lot to be proud of. We’re going to keep our heads up and go get us another win.”

    
Late-Race Incident Relegates Gaughan to a 24th-Place Finish at Iowa Speedway
 
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino team brought home a 24th-place result Sunday afternoon at Iowa Speedway after battling handling issues, surviving a blown tire and being involved in a late-race incident. The Las Vegas native started the scheduled 200-lap event from the fourth position and battled an extremely tight-handing Chevrolet during the initial race run. Following a visit to pit road under caution for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment, Gaughan made his way toward the front of the field settling into the second spot on lap 80. While running in the front of the pack, the Richard Childress Racing driver radioed to the Shane Wilson-led team that he had a flat right-front tire, forcing them to make an unscheduled pit stop on lap 115 under green-flap condition for repairs. Gaughan returned to the track a lap down to the leader, but was able to regain a position on the lead lap as green-flag pit stops cycled through the field, and moved back into the top 10 by lap 128. A timely caution followed, allowing the South Point Hotel & Casino pit crew to work on a brake issue caused by the blown tire. Gaughan returned to the track in the 12th position, and worked his way into the top 10 during the final laps when he connected with another competitor during the first attempt at a green-white-checkered finish, relegating the team to a 24th-place finish. Following the race at the America’s Place to Race, Gaughan dropped two positions, to 10th, in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 4         Finish – 24          Laps Led – 0          Points – 10th
 
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“The South Point Hotel & Casino team worked extremely hard and certainly earned their pay today. It seemed like if it could go wrong today it did, luck just wasn’t on our side. We had a good run going at the end, and I thought we were going to be able to salvage a decent finish. I tried to get too much during the restart and ended up connecting with the 18, taking us both out of the race. Certainly not the way we wanted to end the day.”
 

Virginia 529 College Savings 250
 
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Richmond International Raceway  
September 6, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
 
* Richard  Childress Racing teammates finished second (Brian Scott), 12th (Austin Dillon) and 16th (Ty Dillon). 
* Dillon is second      in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing      leader Sam Hornish, Jr. by 16 points, while Scott is seventh in the      standings, 61 points behind the leader.
 
* The No. 3 Chevrolet      team ranks fourth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point      standings, with the No. 2 team ninth in the standings and the No. 33 team      12th. 
* According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Scott led the field in Average      Running Position (1.064), Driver Rating (144.9), Fastest Drivers Early in      a Run (119.795 mph), Fastest Laps Run (57), Fastest on Restarts (119.553      mph), Green Flag Speed (116.563 mph) and Laps Led (239).
 
* A. Dillon was  the seventh-Fastest Driver Early in a Run and posted the Fastest Lap for      four circuits. 
* T. Dillon made 35 Green Flag Passes.
 
* Brad Keselowski   earned his fifth Nationwide Series victory of the 2013 season and was      followed to the finish line by Scott, Regan Smith, Kyle Busch and Trevor      Bayne.
* The next   Nationwide Series race is the Dollar General 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on      Saturday, Sept. 14. The 26th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be      televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast      live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel   90.
 
   
 
       Brian Scott Finishes Second at Richmond International Raceway After Dominating Performance
 
 
 
Brian Scott dominated the Virginia 529 College Savings 300 at Richmond International Raceway by leading 239 laps, but settled for a second-place finish after losing the lead during a restart following a late-race caution. The Boise, Idaho-native claimed his second career NASCAR Nationwide Series pole to start from the prime position. In the opening portion of the event. Scott reported that he was fighting a tight condition through the center of the corner, but still led the way. The evening’s first caution flag flew on lap 66, which allowed crew chief Phil Gould to bring Scott to pit road for routine service, along with a chassis adjustment. Scott continued to lead despite occasional challenges for the lead by the No. 18. The caution flag was displayed on lap 235, setting up a sprint to the finish with 11 laps remaining. Scott was beat to the line on the ensuing start by the No. 22, thus sliding into the second spot for the first time in the event. A second caution flag and subsequent restart with five laps remaining provided Scott with one additional opportunity to regain the lead. However, he ended up sliding into the third spot on the restart, but battled back to receive the checkered flag in second place.
 
 
 
Start – 1               Laps Led – 239                   Finish – 2                  Points – 7th
 
 
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
 
“Our Shore Lodge Camaro was amazing; I have to thank everyone at Richard Childress Racing and Nationwide Insurance. It’s a real honor to race in the 1,000th Nationwide race. That was cool and we just had a great car. Unfortunately on the second-to-last restart we were beat to the line and I was a little upset about that call. On the final restart the leader went early, which never gave us the chance to put on the race for the fans at the end. I’m proud of Phil Gould (Crew Chief) and this No. 2 team, we’ll have to go get it in Chicago next week.”
 
 
 
 
 

 
 Austin Dillon Finishes 12th in NASCAR Nationwide Series at Richmond International Raceway

Austin Dillon earned a 12th-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ 1000th race on Friday night at Richmond International Raceway. Dillon started Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet from the third spot, but lost track position early in the event as he struggled with a tight-handling condition in the middle of the corners and a lack of forward drive. When the caution flag was displayed on lap 66, crew chief Danny Stockman directed his driver down pit road so the RCR team could change tires, add fuel and work on the handling of the Camaro through a series of chassis adjustments. Dillon restarted from the ninth spot when green-flag racing resumed on lap 73, but continued to experience handling issues during the ensuing run. The pit crew made sweeping changes during caution periods on laps 135 and 174, but to no avail. He was able to climb up to fifth in the running order following a lap 180 restart, but lost track position during the final stages of the race during a series of late-race restarts, ultimately securing a 12th-place finish.
 
                 Start – 3              Finish – 12          Laps Led – 0       Points – 2nd                        
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“The pit crew had a great night and I need to thank them because their hard work is what saved us tonight. Without them, we would have finished worse than we did because they gained us track position all night long. We’re Chicagoland Speedway-bound next week and I’m looking forward to racing there.”
 
 
 

 
Ty Dillon Finishes 16th Under the Lights at Richmond International Raceway
 
 Ty Dillon and the No. 33 Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet team finished 16th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night. After starting the 250-lap affair from the 19th spot, Dillon reported a tight-handling condition in the center of the turns and loose on exit. The Ernie Cope-led team utilized caution flag periods to service the blue and yellow machine with four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments to alleviate Dillon’s handling issues. The Welcome, N.C., driver was scored in the 14th position prior to making his first pit stop of the race when the caution flag was displayed on lap 66. On the lap 72 restart, Dillon restarted 13th but quickly jumped to 10th. He continued his trek into the top 10 and was scored seventh on lap 138. During the ensuing green flag run, the handling issues facing Dillon returned causing him to slip to 16th in the running order. With minimal laps remaining in the event, Dillon was unable to retrieve track position and ultimately finished 16th.
 
              Start-19            Finish-16          Laps Led-0      Owners Points- 12th
 
 TY DILLON QUOTE:
 “That was a lot of fun. The Armour Vienna Sausages
team worked really hard today. We had a fast car in the middle of the race when we got the handling dialed in, but there at the end I got tight in the center of the corners. I wish we could have finished in the top 10. We definitely had a better car than the result we got.”
 

Jeff Burton announces he will not return to the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team in 2014
 
WELCOME, N.C. (Sept 4, 2013) — Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS for Richard Childress Racing, has announced he will not be driving that car after the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Burton, 46, has driven for RCR since 2005.
 
The native of South Boston, Va., has won four of his 21 NSCS victories with the team. He also earned seven NASCAR Nationwide Series wins with RCR and was an integral part of their 2007 NNS Owner’s Championship.
 
“I strongly believe in the No. 31 team as to what we can achieve this year, and for the team in seasons to follow,” Burton said. “However, the financial realities for next year were obvious to both Richard (Childress) and me. So, we talked about it and both made the decision to make this move for the team’s future.
 
“I would like to thank the dealers, customers and employees of Caterpillar for all we’ve achieved together. You can’t ask for a better and more supportive sponsor than those people, and it’s been an honor to wear their black and yellow colors on my uniform.”
 
Caterpillar will continue to sponsor the No. 31 Chevrolet SS.
 
“Jeff has been a true professional in every sense of the word,” said Greg Towles, Cat Racing Program Director. “On behalf of Caterpillar dealers, customers and Cat employees, we thank Jeff for his commitment to the No. 31 team and the Cat Racing program.”
 
A new driver for the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS will be named in the future.
 
“We have been working hard to try and get all the funding in place to have four Sprint Cup teams in 2014,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “With the date on the calendar getting closer to 2014, we just couldn’t run partially funded teams next year. Knowing what Jeff’s plans were in 2015, he and I worked out an agreement for him to step out of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet after this season. Jeff has been nothing but a professional driver, an asset to RCR and a great person for our organization since coming on board in 2005.
 
“Jeff has also been a great ambassador for Caterpillar and the other partners we’ve had on the car throughout the years. I can’t thank him and Caterpillar enough for how great they’ve been as we work through this transition.
 
“We intend to finish out 2013 in a strong way and I look forward to the possibility of Jeff still being part of RCR in the near future, just not driving the No. 31 car. I have been watching his son, Harrison, and the success he’s having. Hopefully, we can have another Burton in one of our cars someday.”
 

AdvoCare 500
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Atlanta Motor Speedway 
September 1, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished ninth (Kevin Harvick), 19th (Austin Dillon), 24th (Paul Menard) and 34th (Jeff Burton) in the AdvoCare 500.
Following the event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Harvick moved up one position, to third, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 42 markers, while Menard sits 17th, 179 points back, and Burton is 22nd, 235 points behind the leader.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks third in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 19th in the standings and the No. 31 team 24th.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick was the third-Fastest Driver Late in a Run, had the fourth-Fastest Green-Flag Speed, fifth-best Average Running Position (7.634), fifth-best Driver Rating (103.7) and was the fifth-Fastest Driver Early in a Run.
Harvick spent 308 Laps in the Top 15, ranking him third in the loop data category.
RCR teammates Harvick, Menard and Dillon posted 22 of the Fastest Laps Run, with 11,10 and one, respectively.
Menard completed 87 Green-Flag Passes and Dillon 86.
Burton made 126 Green-Flag Passes, second-most in the 43-car field with 32 coming in the top 15 (Quality Passes).
Kyle Busch earned his fourth victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, Sept. 7. The 26th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.

 
   
Early-Race Incident Relegates Menard to 24th-Place Finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway
 
Paul Menard started the AdvoCare 500 from the 16th position and involvement in an accident in the early laps of the Sunday night event relegated him to a 24th-place result at Atlanta Motor Speedway. After rain showers earlier in the day washed the rubber off the1.5-mile speedway, NASCAR officials mandated a competition caution at lap 25. Menard pitted for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment in an attempt to give the Moen/Menards Chevrolet better drive off of the corners. While exiting pit road, the No. 27 machine sustained minor left-front fender damage when several cars in front of Menard made contact with each other causing the field to bunch. Having to come down pit road a second time during the competition caution for repairs, Menard restarted in 41st on lap 29. Just 20 laps later the Richard Childress Racing driver was running 24th when an incident with another competitor caused Menard to make contact with the outside retaining wall. Having to pit under green on lap 54 for more repairs, the 33-year-old-driver fell two laps down to the leader. The caution flag waved just a few laps later and Menard was able to take the “wave around” gaining one of his laps back. Just as things started to look up, the No. 27 Chevrolet had a right-rear tire go down as a result of the earlier damage. Menard was forced to come to pit road under green-flag conditions for fresh tires and repairs, causing him to fall another lap down to the leader. Menard restarted in 39th on lap 80 two laps down to the leader. Despite the setbacks, the crew never gave up and made adjustments to the neon yellow machine all night. Though he remained laps down for the remainder of the night, by virtue of continuing to run laps and improve the car’s handling, Menard was able to gain 15 spots to finish in the 24th position under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Menard now sits in 17th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into Richmond International Raceway.
 
Start – 16          Finish – 24          Laps Led – 0           Points – 17th
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“It was a long night for the No. 27 Moen/Menards crew. We got caught up in pit road congestion during the first stop of the night putting us behind and then the No. 11 (Denny Hamlin) put us in the wall a few laps later. We lost laps early making repairs and we were never able to get them back. The crew worked really hard all night making adjustments and the car wasn’t too bad considering the damage. We’ll keep our heads up and hope for better results next weekend in at Richmond International Raceway.”
 
 

Harvick Finishes Ninth at Atlanta Motor Speedway
and Secures Position in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Jimmy John’s team earned a ninth-place finish, and clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, after battling a tight-handling condition during the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night. The California native started the 325-lap event from the 30th position and quickly worked his way toward the front of the field, picking up 11 positions on the first lap. During the initial green-flag run, Harvick informed the team he was battling a tight-handling Chevrolet. Crew chief Gil Martin directed his driver to pit road on lap 27 during a competition caution for four fresh tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. Harvick was positioned 14th for the ensuing restart and climbed into the top 10 on lap 32. Running as high as third during the second portion of the race, the Martin-led pit crew made a final attempt to remedy the handling issues Harvick continued to battle on lap 289 by taking four tires, fuel and making a chassis adjustment. The Richard Childress Racing driver was scored fifth for the lap 292 restart and maintained a spot within the top 10 of the running order during the final laps, ultimately crossing the finish line ninth. Following the top-10 finish, Harvick moved up to third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 30         Finish – 9         Laps Led – 0         Points – 4rd
                      
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“Obviously we’re happy to be in the Chase (for the NASCAR Sprint Cup), but our day wasn’t very good. Our car was just terribly tight all night long and drove nothing like it did in practice. We’ll work on that and try to figure that out. But all-in-all, it’s been an okay season so far and obviously you want to put yourself in position to race for the championship and everybody has done a good job doing that. So, we’ll go to Richmond (International Raceway) next week and try to win another race. I come to this race track (Atlanta Motor Speedway) expecting to have a chance to win the race and we were off all night.”
 
 
 

Burton Finishes in 34th-Place at Atlanta Motor Speedway
 
Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team finished 34th in the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway after getting caught up in an early accident and falling victim to a flat tire late in the race. Starting the 500-mile event from the 28th position, Burton moved into the top 20 by lap 25 when NASCAR officials waved the yellow flag for a competition caution period. On the ensuing restart, multiple competitors slowed in front of the Richard Childress Racing machine and Burton suffered moderate damage to the right front and right rear of his Chevrolet SS. The Caterpillar crew went to work immediately and fixed the damage without the 46-year-old driver losing a lap to the leader. Restarting 40th, Burton quickly worked his way back into the top 20 by lap 90 and entered the top 15
on lap 130. Maintaining a top-15 running position throughout the middle stages of the 325-lap event, Burton radioed to crew chief Luke Lambert that the Caterpillar machine was tight in the middle of the 24-degree banked corners of the 1.5-mile race track. The 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner persevered with the battered machine and climbed into the top 10 until bad luck struck on lap 289 while Burton was entering pit road for a green-flag pit stop. The No. 48 Chevrolet made contact with the black and yellow machine from behind, which sent Jimmie Johnson spinning and the caution flag was displayed while Burton was on pit road. The setback placed the No. 31 team in the 15th position and after barely missing another spinning car on the next restart, Burton’s right-rear tire gave out which sent the RCR driver spinning into his teammate Austin Dillon and eventually the outside retaining wall. The significant damage took multiple laps for the CAT Racing team to repair on pit road and Burton limped home to a 34th-place finish. Burton now sits 22nd in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 28          Finish – 34          Laps Led – 0          Points – 22nd
 
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
“I am honestly proud of how the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team ran tonight. We battled back into the top 10 after the first incident and a cut tire at the end of the race ruined our night. I really like these guys, they never give up. We will keep on digging.”
 
 
 

Dillon Earns Top-20 Finish in AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
 
Austin Dillon drove the No. 33 AdvoCare Chevrolet to a 19th-place finish in the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race under the lights of Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night. The Welcome, N.C., driver started the Labor Day weekend affair from the 26th position and reported handling issues to his Richard Childress Racing pit crew throughout the course of the 325-lap race. He made the first of several routine pit stops during a NASCAR-mandated competition caution on lap 25 receiving four Goodyear tires, Sunoco Green E15 fuel and a chassis adjustment designed to counteract a loose-handling condition. Restarting in the 35th position on lap 29, Dillon worked his way into the 18th spot by lap 40 and remained a mainstay in the top-20 despite handling issues that ranged from loose to tight and lacking forward drive and side force throughout the remainder of the event. The No. 33 AdvoCare team remained on the lead lap until making a routine pit stop under green-flag conditions on lap 162 for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment while running 18th. Dillon was in position to earn the “Lucky Dog”, thereby rejoining the lead lap cars, when the caution flag was displayed on lap 298, but NASCAR officials deemed him ineligible for the award when he incurred left-front fender damage during an on-track incident that occurred during the caution period. When green-flag racing resumed with 21 laps of racing remaining, Dillon was scored in the 19th spot, where he eventually finished.
 
Start – 26         Finish – 19         Laps Led – 0         Points – N/A
                                 
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“I’m really proud of the over-the-wall pit crew tonight. They were on it each and every pit stop. Tonight was a very long race, but I feel like I really learned a lot. I want to thank AdvoCare for giving me the opportunity to run this race and for supporting this NASCAR race weekend.”
 

Chevrolet Silverado 250
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
September 1, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished 17th (Ty Dillon) and 18th (Brendan Gaughan).
Dillon is third in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 64 markers behind the leader; while Gaughan ranks eighth in the standings, 88 points out of the top spot.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team is fifth in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 62 team 11th in the standings.
Dillon earned the highest Average Running Position (3.281), while Gaughan ranked 13th in the category (13.000).
According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranked third in Driver Rating (116.9).
Combined, Gaughan and Dillon made 57 Green Flag Passes during the inaugural road course event ranking them 11th and 22nd, respectively.
Dillon was second in Fastest Laps Run (7 laps) and Fastest on Restarts during the 64-lap affair.
Chase Elliott took the checkered flag and was followed to the line by Chad Hachenbracht, Miguel Paludo, Darrell Wallace Jr., and Ron Hornaday Jr.
The next scheduled Camping World Truck Series race is the Fan Appreciation 200 presented by New Holland at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, September 8. The 15th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
   
 
Last-Turn Incident Results in 17th-Place Finish for Ty Dillon
 
In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ first road course event in more than a decade, Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team dominated the majority of the 64-lap event at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park before another competitor forced them to make contact with the wall during the last turn of the race, relegating them to a 17th-place result. Dillon started from the fifth position and pitted for fuel during the first full-course caution of the day on lap seven. Restarting from the 14th position, the Richard Childress Racing driver maneuvered through the field and assumed the lead on lap 26 as other teams opted to pit under green flag conditions. The Welcome, N.C., driver continued to pace the field around the 10-turn road course until lap 31 when the Marcus Richmond-led crew called Dillon to pit road for four tires and fuel. Following the pit stop, the RCR driver once again drove back to the top spot on lap 48. In the closing laps of the race, Dillon radioed to the Chevrolet team he was running out of fuel with two laps remaining in the event. Working the corners to move the remaining fuel around in the fuel cell, Dillon continued to lead until the last corner of the race when the second-place competitor turned him hard into the outside wall, causing him to relinquish the lead, lose track position and fall to 17th for the finish. Despite the race result, Dillon improved one position, to third, in the championship point standings, 64 points behind the leader.
 
Start – 5        Finish – 17           Laps Led – 25           Points – 3rd
 
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“We had a really fast Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet today. The guys worked hard all weekend to put this truck together and were great on pit road. I hate that we couldn’t get the finish we deserved. I think we could have raced hard back to the checkered flag, but we ended up in the wall. The fans here at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park were awesome. I think they really enjoyed the show today.”
 
 

  
Gaughan Finishes 18th in Inaugural race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
  
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet team suffered bad luck and finished 18th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ inaugural road course race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp
; Gaughan started the 64-lap race from the 10th position and took advantage of an early caution to pit and make adjustments, moving his truck into the top-10 by lap 16.  Positioning himself in the sixth spot by lap 27, Gaughan pitted again under green flag conditions which allowed him to patiently work his way into fifth by lap 41.  With 17 laps remaining, the team pitted in order to fill the truck with fuel to guarantee enough until the end.  Shortly thereafter, bad luck struck and the team suffered a broken sway bar arm, which demanded immediate attention from the pit crew.  Making several green flag pit stops to repair the issue, Gaughan finished the Chevrolet Silverado 250 in the 18th position.  The team remains eighth in the point standings, 88 points behind series’ leader Matt Crafton.
 
Start – 10        Finish – 18         Laps Led – 0      Points – 8th
 
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“I was excited about running a new track this year at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, and liked having the opportunity to run a road course in a truck.  The South Point Hotel & Casino team was strong, like always, but was faced with a series of bad luck.  We will put it behind us and move on to Iowa Speedway next weekend.”

Great Clips 300
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Atlanta Motor Speedway 
August 31, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished first (Kevin Harvick), eighth (Austin Dillon) and 10th(Brian Scott).
Dillon is second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Sam Hornish, Jr. by 10 points, while Scott is eighth, 67 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks fourth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team 10th and the No. 33 team 12th.
According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick maintained the highest Average Running Position (2.851), had the best Driver Rating (149), was the Fastest Driver Late in a Run (166.476 mph), led the field in the categories of Fastest Laps Run (57), Green Flag Speed (168.289 mph) and Laps Led (132).
Dillon ranked third in Average Running Position (3.692), was the third-Fastest Driver Early in a Run (170.966 mph), was third-Fastest on Restarts (167.947 mph) and maintained the fourth-best Driver Rating (112.9).
Scott ranked third in Green Flag Passes with 68.
Harvick earned his first Nationwide Series victory of the 2013 season and was followed to the finish line by Kyle Busch, Sam Hornish, Jr., Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, Sept. 6. The 25th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.
   
Brian Scott Earns 11th Top-10 Finish of 2013 Season at Atlanta Motor Speedway
 
Brian Scott and the No. 2 Armour Vienna Sausages crew earned their 11th top-10 finish of 2013 in the Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday evening. Scott started from the 12th position and battled a tight-handling condition for a better part of the 195-lap event before taking the checkered flag in the 10th spot. From the drop of the green flag, the Richard Childress Racing driver reported that his blue and gold Chevrolet was too tight and wasn’t able to run the bottom of the track through the corners, but continued pace in the ninth position. The evening’s first caution flag was displayed on lap 36 and provided crew chief Phil Gould the opportunity to bring Scott to pit road for four tires and fuel, along with a chassis adjustment. The Boise, Idaho-native restarted 17th as the field spread out for a lengthy green-flag run, and made his way to the 10th spot before making a scheduled pit stop under green-flag conditions on lap 144. As the final laps wound down, the caution flag flew with just 13 laps remaining. Scott came to pit road for four fresh tires for the sprint to the finish. Upon the restart, he jostled for position and battled closely with the No. 7 car to the line ultimately taking the 10th spot.
 
Start – 12         Finish – 10         Laps Led – 0         Points – 8th
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
“We had a really strong Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet tonight, but were just too tight at the beginning of the race. During the last long green-flag run the car handled well and we were laying down lap times as fast as the leaders. The guys worked hard and I can’t wait to get back to Richmond International Raceway next Friday night.”
 

Austin Dillon Earns Top-10 Finish in NASCAR Nationwide Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway
 
Austin Dillon drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet to an eighth-place finish in Saturday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Welcome, N.C., driver started the 300-mile event second and maintained a position within the top 10 throughout the duration of the race, never falling lower than ninth in the running order. He spent the first half of the race running within the top three positions, leading lap 42 to gain a championship bonus point. Shortly after the race’s halfway point, Dillon slipped to sixth as the AdvoCare Chevrolet developed a tight-in, loose-off condition. The final caution flag of the event was displayed on lap 182 with Dillon in the fourth position, prompting crew chief Danny Stockman to call his driver down pit road for one final set of tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. The RCR driver was positioned fourth for the final restart on lap 189 but a tight-handling condition persisted for the final five laps of the race, resulting in an eighth-place finish. Dillon remains second in the Nationwide Series driver championship standings, 10 points shy of Sam Hornish Jr’s lead.
 
Start – 2           Finish – 8         Laps Led – 1    Points – 2nd                          
 
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“We had a really fast AdvoCare Chevrolet tonight and I really thought we were on our way to a top-three or four finish, but our car was pretty tight on the last restart and it caused us to lose track position. I feel like we’re still in solid contention in the point standings and I’m excited to race under the lights at Richmond International Raceway next Friday night.”
 

Kevin Harvick Victorious Under the Lights of Atlanta Motor Speedway
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 Bad Boy Buggies team drove to Victory Lane Saturday night following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after leading 132 of the 195-lap event. The California native started the 300-mile affair from the 20th position and quickly alerted the team that his Chevrolet was too loose during the initial run. Despite battling handling issues, Harvick drove into the top-five of the running order before crew chief Ernie Cope called his driver to pit road under caution on lap 37 for four tires, fuel and a variety of chassis adjustments. Harvick lined up in the sixth position for the ensuing restart and drove his way into the lead on lap 59. While running out front during the final laps, Harvick reported a vibration in the left-rear tire, prompting the team to make a final pit stop on lap 185 under caution for four tires and fuel. The quick work on pit road allowed the two-time Nationwide Series Champion to restart first with seven laps remaining in the event. Harvick held off the competition during the final laps and picked up his first Nationwide Series victory of 2013 season.
 
Start – 20         Finish – 1         Laps Led – 132         Owner Points – 12th
 
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“Our Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet was really good tonight. We were a touch too tight at the end, but we were in control of the race during the final restart and were able to do what we needed to do. We had a great car on long runs. It took us five or six laps to get going, but all-in-all we were able to keep up a good pace and were able to hold off the competition. We knew we had a good car after practice, but I didn’t qualify well and we were all a bit frustrated. In the end, that didn’t really matter.”

IRWIN Tools Night Race
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Bristol Motor Speedway 
August 24, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished sixth (Paul Menard), 13th (Jeff Burton) and 34th (Kevin Harvick) in the IRWIN Tools Night Race.
Following the event at Bristol Motor Speedway, Harvick remains fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 61 markers, while Menard sits 17th, 183 points back, and Burton is 20th, 229 points behind the leader.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks fourth in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 18th in the standings and the No. 31 team 21st.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Menard ranked third in Laps Led, with 64 during the 500-lap event.
Menard was the fourth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Burton made 120 Green-Flag Passes, third-most in the 43-car field, with 37 of them coming while running in the top 15 (Quality Passes).
Completing 55 passes while running in the top 15, Harvick ranked fourth in Quality Passes.
Harvick was the third-Fastest Driver Early in a Run and sixth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run, who did not finish within five laps of the leader.
Matt Kenseth earned his fifth victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Brian Vickers and Joey Logano.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 1. The 25th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
 
   
Menard Captures Third-Consecutive Top-10 Finish at Bristol Motor Speedway
 
Paul Menard captured his third-consecutive top-10 result in “Thunder Valley,” finishing sixth under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday evening. Starting 21st, Menard maintained a spot within the top 20 until a lap-91 caution-flag period when the No. 27 Schrock/Menards team elected not to come down pit road, positioning Menard in fifth for the ensuing restart. Another caution on lap 108 positioned Menard in the inside lane for the restart and he slipped back to 19th before blending back in line with the rest of the 43-car field. Struggling to get his No. 27 machine to point through the center of the corners, Menard pitted under yellow for four tires and fuel with wedge and air pressure adjustments. Upon exiting pit road, Menard was tagged with a speeding violation forcing him to serve a “pass through penalty” and he restarted in 29th on lap 185. With his car handling to his liking, the Wisconsin native worked his way back inside the top 20 and was running in 20th when the caution flag flew on lap 258. With track position proving to be crucial in the 500-lap event, crew chief “Slugger” Labbe elected not to bring his driver down pit road. The 19 cars in front of Menard pitted and he took the green flag as the race leader on lap 267. The Richard Childress Racing driver maintained the point position for the next 64 laps before falling to third with a tight-handling race car. Menard maintained a spot in the top 10 until pitting on lap 361 for fuel only. Several cars in front of the 33-year-old driver elected not to pit or take right-side tires only and Menard restarted 15th. Another caution period on lap 440 allowed Menard and crew to play pit strategy and Labbe again elected to keep his driver out under caution. Menard restarted in seventh on lap 447 and was able to gain one position in the remaining laps to finish sixth in the IRWIN Tools Night Race. Menard’s top-10 finish at Bristol marks his sixth top 10 of the season. He remains in the 17th spot in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend.
 
Start – 21            Finish – 6           Laps Led – 64          Points – 17
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“It’s great to bring home another top-10 finish this weekend. Bristol (Motor Speedway) has been good to me over the past couple of years and I love this short-track racing. We had a great Schrock/Menards car and it was awesome to be able to lead some laps tonight. We got shuffled back in the field taking fuel, but we were able to make some ground up with pit strategy at the end. It was a solid night for the No. 27 team and we’re looking forward to going to Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend and continuing our top-10 finishes.”
 
 
 
                                                  
Late-Race Accident Leaves Harvick with a 34th-Finish at Bristol Motor Speedway
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Jimmy John’s team finished 34th under the lights of Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday evening after being collected in a late-race accident. The California native started the 500-lap event from the 15th position and competed within or near the top 10 of the running order for the majority of the IRWIN Tools Night Race, leading the field for seven laps, all while battling a lack of grip on the red, black and white Chevrolet. Harvick was running in the second position on lap 360 when crew chief Gil Martin called his driver to pit road under caution for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. The Richard Childress Racing driver lined up 19th for the ensuing restart and worked his way up to the 13th position before being collected in a multi-car accident on lap 446. Harvick brought the battered Chevrolet into the garage for the team to repair damage and returned to the track with two laps remaining in the event. Despite returning to the racing action, Harvick crossed the finish line 34th, 51 laps down to the lead lap cars. Harvick remains fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 15         Finish – 34         Laps Led – 7         Points – 4
                      
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“This is definitely not the result we were going for tonight. I just hate it for the Jimmy John’s crew, but that’s part of racing at Bristol (Motor Speedway).”
 
 
 

Burton Survives Multiple Accidents to Finish 13th at Bristol Motor Speedway
 
Despite being involved in multiple accidents, Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team brought home a 13th-place finish in the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. After starting the race in the 41st position, Burton gained nine spots during the first 42 laps until the first yellow flag of the 500-lap race was displayed. Under the caution-flag period, crew chief Luke Lambert directed the Richard Childress Racing driver not to pit, allowing him to gain track position. Restarting 11th, Burton climbed into the top 10 while running fast lap times, but the No. 31 machine suffered significant damage to the left-rear quarter panel after a competitor directly in front of him struck the outside retaining wall. The Caterpillar pit crew was unable to refill the car with Sunoco fuel because of the damage and Burton was forced to make multiple pit stops for repairs. Once back on track, Burton reported that the damage suffered in the incident altered the handling on his Chevrolet, but the 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner was able to maintain a top-15 running position. During the
middle stages of the event, Burton radioed to Lambert reports of a tight-middle and loose-off condition, but maintained competitive lap times. After barely missing a multi-car pileup up on lap 359, Burton fell victim to bad luck when two competitors running below him made contact, sending the No. 31 Chevrolet spinning off turn two, barely making contact with the inside retaining wall. The 46-year-old driver was able to drive back to pit road and the No. 31 crew made more repairs to the battered machine without losing a lap to the leader. Burton restarted in the 24th position and worked his way back inside the top 20 over a long green-flag run, but fell one lap down to the leader in the process. The RCR driver caught a break when the caution flag was displayed and Burton was given the “Lucky Dog” award with 54 laps remaining. Restarting 21st, Burton managed to escape another multi-car pileup two laps later and Lambert decided not to pit in hopes of gaining important track position. Burton restarted in the 14th and managed and gained one position over the final 47 green-flag laps to bring home a hard-fought 13th-place result. With the solid finish, Burton remains 20th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 41          Finish – 13          Laps Led – 0           Points – 20
 
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
“To bring home this Caterpillar Chevrolet in 13th-place says a lot about this team. We had a terrible day on Friday in practice and qualifying, but never threw in the towel. After being involved in two separate accidents, we didn’t complain. The guys went to work, fixed it and in the end, here we are with a solid top-15 finish. It was just a great team effort by this Caterpillar crew in a tough situation.”

Food City 250
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Bristol Motor Speedway
August 23, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished third (Austin Dillon), seventh (Ty Dillon), ninth (Brian Scott) and 15th (Brendan Gaughan) in the Food City 250.
Following the event at Bristol Motor Speedway, A. Dillon gained two positions, moving up to second, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Sam Hornish Jr. by 6 markers, while Scott remains seventh, 60 points outside of the top spot.
The No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro team ranks fourth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team ninth in the standings, the No. 33 team 12th and the No. 21 team 39th.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, RCR drivers A. Dillon, T. Dillon and Scott tied for first in Laps in the Top 15, after competing within the top 15 of the running order for the entire 250-lap event.
Combined, A. Dillon and T. Dillon posted eight of the Fastest Laps Run during the 250-lap event, with four each.
A. Dillon was the ranked third in Quality Passes (37) and had the third-best Speed in Traffic.
Gaining one position during final 10 percent (25 laps) of the race, T. Dillon tied for third in the Closers category.
Posting an average speed of 116.616 mph, Scott was the sixth-Fastest Driver on Restarts.
Gaughan completed 33 Green Flag Passes, positioning him sixth in the loop data category.
Kyle Busch earned his ninth victory of the 2013 Nationwide Series season and was followed to the finish line by Brad Keselowski, A. Dillon, Justin Allgaier and Kyle Larson.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 31. The 24th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
    
Scott Earns Ninth-Place Finish in “Thunder Valley”
 
Brian Scott and the No. 2 Husky Liners team earned a ninth-place finish under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Food City 250 Friday evening after battling a lack of rear grip during the final laps. Scott qualified his No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro on the front row, in the second spot, reported early in the 250-lap event that he was too loose on entry and exit of the corner as he fell to the 10th position before the first caution. Crew Chief Phil Gould called the Idaho native to pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Scott lined up 10th for the ensuring restart and reported that the handling of his Husky Liners/Idaho Potato Camaro was much better the following run. The evening’s final caution flew on lap 168 for an incident on the front stretch, the team elected to stay on track positioning the sliver and yellow Chevrolet fourth for the lap 179 restart. Upon taking the green flag, he quickly moved up to third, but battled lack of rear grip during the final laps, ultimately crossing the line in the ninth position.
 
Start – 2         Finish – 9         Laps Led – 0         Points – 7
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
“The No. 2 Husky Liners/Idaho Potato Camaro was good, but just didn’t hold up on the long run, and the way the race shaped up there were a lot of long runs. I’m proud of the guys. We had the right strategy and track position at the end, but I’m happy to come out of Bristol (Motor Speedway) with a top-10 finish. It was a rough race by running the top side of the track the whole time and we got into the wall a couple times. We bounced back for a top-10 after all we went through, and I’m happy with the outcome.”
 

Austin Dillon Earns Third-Place Finish at Bristol Motor Speedway
 
Austin Dillon sits second in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship point standings, just six markers shy of the series’ leader, following a third-place finish in the Food City 250 on Friday evening at Bristol Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the Welcome, N.C., driver started the 250-lap race from the sixth position and spent several laps during the beginning portion of the race following his younger brother and teammate, Ty Dillon, in the No. 33 WESCO Chevrolet, before passing him for the third spot on lap 31. The first caution flag of the event was displayed on lap 65, prompting crew chief Danny Stockman to direct Dillon down pit road for four tires and fuel. The team restarted from the seventh position on lap 71, and Dillon quickly raced his way into the top five. With just 10 cars scored on the lead lap, the team opted to pit for the final time when the caution flag was displayed on lap 152 with Dillon scored in the fifth position. Exiting pit road in the eighth position, Dillon raced his way into fourth within four laps of a long green-flag run during the final stages of the race and ultimately earned a third-place finish.
 
Start – 6           Finish – 3          Laps Led – 0          Points – 2
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“I just can’t say enough about our guys on this No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet team. They built such a great Camaro for us. We had some bad pit stops tonight, but that car was built so well that we could just drive back up through traffic, so that’s just a testament to what they do at RCR. I’m so proud of Danny Stockman and all of the guys.”

 
Gaughan Finishes 15th at Bristol Motor Speedway
 
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 21 South Point Hotel & Casino team brought home a 15th-place result Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway after battling handling issues during the Food City 250. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular, started the 250-lap event from the 20th position and quickly alerted crew chief Shane Wilson that he was battling a loose-handling black and gold Chevrolet. Gaughan fell as far back as 25th in the running order, one lap down to the leader, before coming down pit road on lap 67 under caution for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Scored in the 22nd position for the ensuing restart, the Las Vegas native worked his way into the top 15 by lap 109. As the race progressed, Gaughan informed the team that the car’s handling had transitioned from loose to tight, but was able to maintain track position during the final laps, ultimately crossing the finish line 15th.
 
Start – 20          Finish – 15          Laps Led – 0          Owner Points – 39
                       
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“Bristol (Motor Speedway) wasn’t that good to me this time around. I really enjoy racing here, but we just couldn’t catch a break tonight. We got caught one lap down early on in the race when I was battling a loose race car, and cautions never really went our way to get our lap back to gain track position. The South Point Hotel & Casino team worked hard all day trying to find the right balance on the car, but it was a matter of luck in the end that didn’t play into our favor.”
 
   

Ty Dillon Drives No. 33 WESCO Chevrolet to Seventh-Place Finish  
at Bristol Motor Speedway
 
Ty Dillon and the No. 33 WESCO Chevrolet team secured a top-10 finish in the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway despite battling a loose-handling condition throughout a majority of the 250-lap affair. Dillon started the event from the third spot and maintained a position within the top-five until lap 80, when he dropped to eighth in the running order as
he struggled with a loose-handling condition on his blue and white Chevrolet Camaro. The Ernie Cope-led team took advantage of several caution periods to make routine pit stops for tires, fuel and chassis adjustments designed to combat the handling issues that Dillon was facing. Handling issues improved following the team’s final pit stop of the event on lap 152, and the Welcome, N.C. driver utilized the bottom groove to advance from 10th to post a seventh-place finish.
 
Start – 3          Finish – 7          Laps Led – 0          Owner Points – 12
 
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“I’m really proud of the No. 33 WESCO team. It was a solid day, and I learned a lot. The car was handling on the loose side throughout the race until the final pit stop, and I think if we could have gotten tightened up earlier we could have gained a few additional spots. Still, I feel like we’re gaining a solid notebook for next year. I can’t wait until my next NASCAR Nationwide Series race with this team. I want to thank all of the customers from WESCO for coming out to the track.”

UNOH 200
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Bristol Motor Speedway
August 21, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished sixth (Ty Dillon) and 16th (Brendan Gaughan).
Dillon is fourth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 58 markers behind the leader; while Gaughan ranks eighth in the standings, 80 points out of the top spot.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team is fifth in the Camping World Truck Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 62 team 10th in the standings.
Combined, Gaughan and Dillon made 65 Green Flag Passes during the 200-lap affair, ranking them fourth and 11th respectively.
Dillon ranked second in the Closers category.
Gaughan was the ninth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Kyle Busch took the checkered flag and was followed to the line by Timothy Peters, Ryan Blaney, Johnny Sauter and Chase Elliott.
The next scheduled Camping World Truck Series race is the Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Sunday, September 1. The 14th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
 
 
   
Dillon Finishes Sixth Under the Lights at Bristol
 
After spinning in the late stages of the UNOH 200, Ty Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team battled to a sixth-place finish under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway. Starting the 200-lap affair from the third position, Dillon quickly reported a loose-handling condition to the Marcus Richmond-led crew and fell to the 12th position. The Richard Childress Racing team utilized caution periods to service the black and orange Chevrolet with four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments to alleviate the ill-handling machine. Dillon was passing for position on lap 82 when he was forced up the track and spun as he was exiting the corner. Richmond called the 21-year-old driver to pit road for fresh tires and an additional splash of fuel. Restarting from the 22nd position, Dillon began his trek back through the field. He picked off one position at a time and was scored in the 12th spot when the caution flag was displayed to the field on lap 177. Richmond directed Dillon to the attention of the No. 3 pit crew for two tires and fuel under caution. The quick pit strategy allotted the Welcome, N.C., native the sixth spot on the ensuing restart. As the field took the green flag, multiple drivers ran out of fuel and brought out the caution flag. Dillon was boosted to the third position but slipped back to sixth as he fought handling issues. Tonight’s sixth-place result is Dillon’s seventh top-10 finish of the season.
 
Start – 3                      Finish – 6                      Laps Led – 0                        Points – 4
 
TY DILLON QUOTE:
“We salvaged another good finish today after what looked like a bad night. As a team, we need to be proud of the last two weeks. We picked up the pieces and battled back to have two strong finishes. These are the kind of nights we need to remind us of what we’re working towards. This Bass Pro Shops team is still in it, and we’re going to keep battling to Homestead (Miami Speedway).”
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gaughan Finishes 16th at Bristol Motor Speedway
  
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet team settled for a 16
th-place finish under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway Wednesday night after battling handling issues during the 200-lap event. Starting from 13th position, the Las Vegas native remained in the top 20 of the running order during the early laps while battling a tight-handling black and gold Chevrolet Silverado. Crew chief Shane Wilson called his driver to pit road on lap 73 for four tires, fuel and a round of chassis adjustments to combat the handling issues his driver was facing. A speedy pit stop by the pit crew gained the team valuable track position, allowing Gaughan to line up 10th for the ensuing restart. When green-flag racing resumed, the tight-handling condition persisted and caused the Richard Childress Racing driver to brush the outside wall and fall back to the 18th spot. Gaughan continued to struggle with the handling of the truck during the final laps, ultimately crossing the finish line in the 16th position. Following the race at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, Gaughan dropped two positions, to eighth, in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 13         Finish – 16          Laps Led – 0          Points – 8
 
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“This was definitely not the showing we wanted to have at Bristol (Motor Speedway) today. We struggled during both practice sessions, and figured a few things out before qualifying. We were tight during the race and just couldn’t get the right balance in the truck. I have to give the South Point Hotel & Casino boys credit, they worked extremely hard today and the pit crew gained us some track position on pit road, but I spent the race battling a tight-handling truck and just couldn’t keep it up front.”
 

Pure Michigan 400
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Michigan International Speedway
August 18, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished second (Kevin Harvick), fourth (Paul Menard) and eighth (Jeff Burton) in the Pure Michigan 400.
Following the event at Michigan International Speedway, Harvick remains fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 64 markers, while Menard gained two positions moving up to 17th, 214 points back, and Burton gained one spot taking over 20th, 252 points behind the leader.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks fourth in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 18th in the standings and the No. 31 team 21st.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick led the competition in Fastest Drivers Late in a Run, Green-Flag Speed, Quality Passes and Speed in Traffic.
Menard was the sixth-Fastest Driver Early in a Run.
Burton held the eighth-fastest Green-Flag Speed.
All three RCR drivers earned a spot in the Fastest Laps Run category. Harvick led all competitors with 24 of the fastest laps, while Burton was seventh with 7 laps and Menard tied for 15th with two.
RCR’s three entries ranked within the top 10 of the Driver Rating category, with Harvick third, Burton sixth and Menard eighth.
Joey Logano earned his first victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Harvick, Kurt Busch, Menard and Clint Bowyer.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 24. The 24th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
   
Menard Finishes Fourth at Michigan International Speedway
 
After starting 20th in the Pure Michigan 400, Paul Menard captured his first top-five finish of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. In the early laps of the event, Menard gained five positions and was scored in 15th at lap 25. The team’s first pit stop came under green-flag conditions on lap 40 and Menard came down pit road for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments to help remedy the car’s loose-handling condition. The adjustments provided some relief to the Wisconsin native, but crew chief “Slugger” Labbe and team called for further chassis adjustments under two ensuing pit stops on laps 72 and 107. Restarting 10th on lap 110, Menard relayed to the team that the NIBCO/Menards Chevrolet SS was the best it had been all day, and by lap 130 he was scored in fifth and was the fastest car on the track. The 32-year-old remained in the top five until a lap-158 pit stop under caution for right-side tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Several cars elected to stay out under caution and Menard restarted 11th with 39 laps remaining in the 200-lap event. It didn’t take long for Menard to race his way back to the front and he was back inside the top five at lap 176. The Richard Childress Racing driver gained one position in the final laps to finish fourth. Menard sits in the 17th spot in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings heading into Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend.
 
Start – 20         Finish – 4         Laps Led -0         Points – 17
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“We had a good car all weekend. We didn’t qualify very well and I knew that the No. 27 NIBCO/Menards car had some speed in it, but it mostly just drove really well all weekend. “Slugger” (Labbe, crew chief) made some good calls to get some track position. Matt Krueter (gasman) filled up the car with plenty of gas at the end. I’m just really proud of everyone on the team. We really needed a good run. We started off the season strong and just fell off the last couple of months. We have had good cars we just haven’t been able to put together a race and we have been crashing a lot and we just can’t do that. I’m really proud of everybody at RCR getting all three cars in the top 10 today. It was a great day for all of us.”
 
 
 
                                                
Harvick Claims Runner-Up Finish at Michigan International Speedway
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Rheem Chevrolet team claimed a runner-up finish in the Pure Michigan 400 Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway. Starting from the 15th position, the Richard Childress Racing driver quickly worked his way into the top 10 by lap 20. As the race progressed, Harvick alerted crew chief Gil Martin that the red and black machine needed more rear grip exiting the turns. Harvick visited pit road on lap 73 for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment to help the car’s handling. The California native was scored in the 13th position for the ensuing restart, but regained a position within the top 10 by lap 76, where he would remain for the duration of the event. Harvick lined up second for the final restart of the race on lap 178 and was shuffled back to fifth on the following lap. The 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner charged forward during the final laps, ultimately crossing the finish line second, picking up his 200th-career Sprint Cup Series top-10 finish. Harvick remains fourth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings with the top-five finish.
 
Start – 15         Finish – 2         Laps Led – 0         Points – 4
                      
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“We had a great car all day, I just misjudged the final restart and got myself a little behind near the end. I have to thank Rheem, Budweiser, Jimmy John’s, Hunt Brothers Pizza and everyone else who helps us get to the track each week. Our team tried a lot of different things than we usually would have during the race today that seemed to work out pretty well for us. It was a great effort by the Rheem crew today; just wish we could have gotten the win.”
 
 
 

Jeff Burton Collects Fifth Top-10 Finish of 2013 Season at Michigan International Speedway
 
Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet team collected their fifth top-10 finish of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, finishing eighth in the 400-mile event at Michigan International Speedway. After starting the 200-lap affair from the fifth position, the South Boston, Va., native maintained a top-10 running position while battling a loose-handling condition on his yellow and black machine. On multiple occasions, many competitors took two Goodyear tires only under caution-flag conditions, instead of the four tires that the No. 31 team changed. This decision by crew chief Luke Lambert placed the Richard Childress Racing driver mid-pack for restarts and altered the handling on the Chevrolet SS. With 50 laps to go, Lambert called Burton to pit road and the Cheerios pit crew changed right-side tires only, placing the 21-time Sprint Cup Series race winner 18th for the ensuing restart. Over the final 50 circuits, Burton climbed into the top 15 and entered the top 10 with 42 laps to go after taking Sunoco racing fuel only on the final pit stop of the afternoon. During the latter stages of the race, Burton maintained the top-10 track position and passed two competitors in the waning laps before crossing the finish line in the eigh
th position, earning his fifth top-10 result of the season. With the solid finish, Burton gained one position and now sits 20th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 5          Finish – 8          Laps Led – 0           Points – 20
 
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
“It’s good thing to be disappointed with an eighth-place finish. The No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet team had a lot of speed at times and I think was the best car on the track. We just struggled on fresh tires more than other drivers did. When we would put tires on, it seemed like it hurt us more than others. When we had our sequence of tires that we wanted our car was really happy. That next to last caution-flag period was not what we needed. Pitting under green-flag conditions and being able to put four tires on right there would have been 100 percent for us. We were about five laps from pitting and that caution came out. That kind of sealed us, just because of what we had going on with our car. It’s a good day though. That’s a step in the right direction. No drama and we got what we deserved.”
 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
August 17, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished fourth (Max Papis), 12th (Brian Scott) and 21st (Austin Dillon).
Dillon is tied for third in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Sam Hornish, Jr. by 15 points, while Scott is seventh in the standings, 63 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks sixth in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team ninth in the standings and the No. 33 team 13th.
According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Papis ranked second in Quality Passes (25), had the fourth-best Driver Rating (107.5) and ranked fifth in Average Running Position (8.047).
Scott ranked eighth in Speed in Traffic (92.879 mph).
Dillon ranked third in Green Flag Passes with 72.
AJ Allmendinger earned his second victory of the 2013 Nationwide Series season and was followed to the finish line by Michael McDowell, Hornish, Papis and Brian Vickers.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, August 23rd. The 23rd race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Satellite Radio Channel 90.

   
Brian Scott Earns a 12th-Place Finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
 
Brian Scott and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Shore Lodge team were on tap for their first top-10 road course finish of the season, but a late race caution and unfortunate pit road penalty consigned Scott to a 12th-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ inaugural appearance at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the Buckeye State. The Boise, Idaho-native took the green flag from the 12th spot Saturday afternoon for the scheduled 90-lap event. During the opening portion of the event, Scott reported that he needed more rear grip. The afternoon’s first caution flag was displayed on lap 20, which gave the No. 2 Shore Lodge driver the opportunity to hit pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. Green-flag racing resumed on lap 23 with Scott in the 12th position. The 25-year old Nationwide Series driver ran a consistent race navigating each corner with skill and avoided trouble. When green-flag racing resumed on lap 66, Scott advanced from 12th to seventh after several competitors veered off track or spun. In the closing laps of the race, the Nationwide Series competitor was in position for a solid top-10 finish, but a caution flag with two laps remaining created fuel concerns for the RCR team. With less than enough fuel in his tank, Scott visited pit road for a splash of Sunoco Green E15. NASCAR deemed that he entered pit road too early and forced the No. 2 Shore Lodge driver to start from the rear of the field. Upon taking the green flag from the 23rd position, Scott maneuvered his way up through the field ultimately taking the checkered flag in the 12th position.
 
Start – 12       Finish – 12    Laps Led – 0    Points -7th
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
“We had a fast Shore Lodge Camaro, but the way these road courses work out you need some luck. We were in line for a top-10 finish, but luck wasn’t on our side and we came home 12th. I’m proud of Phil (Gould, crew chief) and the guys who worked hard all weekend. We’ll head to Bristol (Motor Speedway) this coming weekend and have a good run. “
 
 

Last-Lap Spin Relegates Austin Dillon to 21st-Place Finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
 
Despite running within the top-10 for much of the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Austin Dillon earned a 21st-place finish in the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet after spinning on the final circuit of the 94-lap event. The Welcome, N.C., driver started the race from the rear of the field as a result of missing qualifying and the driver’s meeting in favor of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practices at Michigan International Speedway earlier in the day. He gained track position by staying out on the racing surface while the majority of the competitors pitted under a full course caution on lap 20, advancing to second in the running order. Dillon remained in the top five until making his first pit stop of the race on under caution on lap 25, dropping him to the 26th spot for the restart. Dillon led lap 59 to gain a championship bonus point before making his next green flag pit stop on lap 60. Just a few laps later, he was punted from behind and ran off course on lap 67, dropping him from 10th to 25th in the running order. He raced his way up to 12th, but was again spun on the white-flag lap and ultimately posted a 21st-place finish.
 
Start – 13             Finish – 21             Laps Led – 2           Points – 3                          
 
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“Today was a rough day but I am so proud of the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet team. They had a fast car for me. We just didn’t get the finish we deserved but we certainly improved our road course game. I’m excited for Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend.”
 

Max Papis Earns a Top-Five Finish at Mid Ohio
 
When the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 began at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday afternoon, Max Papis and the No. 33 Menards/Rheem Chevrolet team lined up 10th. In the early going around the 2.258-mile road course, Papis did what he does best on the left and right-turn tracks by starting out strong. He gained two positions in the first five laps and remained there until the first caution waved on lap 20. Crew chief Ernie Cope stuck to the team’s pre-race strategy and kept Papis out on the track while other teams headed for pit road. When the race restarted on lap 23, Papis had the lead and held onto it for three circuits. The second caution flag waved on lap 26 as Cope called the Italian-born driver to pit road for four new tires with different air pressures, a full tank of fuel and a spring rubber change in the Chevrolet Camaro’s rear end. Restarting 27th, Papis quickly moved through the field and was up to 19th for the lap 30 caution, and when the race restarted on lap 32. One lap later he was up to 14th place, 11th on lap 38 and ninth by lap 41. The team made their second pit stop, as planned, on lap 59 under green, after leading lap 58, for tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. When the sixth caution waved on lap 63, Papis was in ninth place and fairly content how his Camaro was handling. He quickly jumped to sixth on the lap 66 restart. The final caution waved on the white flag lap, thus forcing a green-white-checkered finish and extending the race by four laps past the scheduled 90 circuits. Papis put his extensive road racing experience to use and gained two more positions to finish fourth when the checkered flag waved.
 
            Start – 10                 Finish – 4              Laps Led – 4              Owner’s Points – 13rh  
 
MAX PAPIS QUOTE:
“This Menards/Rheem Chevrolet team was pretty darn good for most of the day. We had a little problem with it being loose into the corners, but that got fixed up on the first stop. From there, we stuck to our game plan on pit road and I did my part on the track. This has been
a great opportunity for me to drive for Richard Childress and Richard Childress Racing and this top-five finish was great for everyone on the team. I can’t thank Menards and Rheem enough for allowing me to drive their car. Good day, very good day.”
 

The Watkins Glen 355
Watkins Glen International
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
The Watkins Glen 355
Watkins Glen International
August 11, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished 13th (Kevin Harvick), 17th (Paul Menard) and 26th (Jeff Burton) in the Watkins Glen 355.
Following the event at Watkins Glen International, Harvick remains fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Jimmie Johnson by 101 markers, while Paul Menard sits 19th, 249 points back, and Burton ranks 21st, 283 points behind the leader.
The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team ranks fourth in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team 20th in the standings and the No. 31 team 22nd.
According to NASCAR’s Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick was the fifth-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
Harvick posted four of the Fastest Laps Run, positioning him third in the loop data category.
Menard gained five positions during the final 10 percent (nine laps) of the event, trying him for third in the Closers category.
Completing 19 passes while running in top 15, Menard ranked seventh in Quality Passes.
Burton advanced three positions during the final nine laps of the 90-lap event, tying him for ninth in the Closers category.
Burton made 59 green-flag passes during the annual road-course event at Watkins Glen International.
Kyle Busch earned his third victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Carl Edwards and Juan Pablo Montoya.
The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, August 18. The 23rd race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at Noon Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
 
    
Pit-Road Penalty Undercuts Menard’s Efforts at Watkins Glen International
 
Paul Menard started seventh in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. Once the initial green flag fell over the seven-turn road course, Menard kept the No. 27 SPLASH/Menards Chevrolet SS in a top-10 running position for the first 30 circuits of the 90-lap race. This was achieved by staying out through two cautions as crew chief “Slugger” Labbe stuck to his original strategy of going the distance via two pit stops. Under the first pit stop on lap 30 under green-flag conditions, Menard took on fuel and four tires with air pressure adjustments to give him more rear grip through the turns. The caution waved four laps later leaving Menard 18th in the running order. On the restart four laps later, he was up to 14th and looking to race back into the top 10. Just past the halfway point, Menard was 13th when a green-flag pit cycle started on lap 50. While making his scheduled stop on lap 59, the caution waved just as he was on pit road. Thinking he made it past the commitment line before the lights came on to keep it closed, the Menards pit crew added fuel, put on four new Goodyear tires with air pressure adjustments and made a track bar change, as well. Afterwards, NASCAR officials informed Labbe that Menard was one of four cars that passed the commitment line while the pits were closed and enforced a “tail of the longest line” penalty. This put Menard 33rd for the lap-63 restart. Eight laps later, he was up to 21st and was running there when another caution flag waved on lap 79. Being so far back in the pack, Labbe called Menard down pit road for tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. A multi-car wreck on lap 80 caused hood and left-front fender damage to his Chevrolet. A trip down pit road to bear bond the hood and straighten the fender enough to stay off the tire had Menard lined up 28th for the lap-84 restart. When the checkered flag waved, he had battled back to finish in 17th-place. Menard remains 19th in driver championship point standings as the series heads to Michigan International Speedway next weekend.
 
Start – 7          Finish – 17           Laps Led – 0           Points – 19
 
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
“I was very pleased with our SPLASH/Menards Chevrolet in the practices and how we qualified. For the race, we stayed in the top 10 and stuck to the pit strategy Slugger (Labbe, crew chief) had come up with. We got stuck with that penalty on pit road and that put us way back in the back. I honestly did not see any lights come on that pit road was closed, or I would have driven through and come back around. Then we got caught up in that wreck, but the crew made quick repairs and we were able to finish on the lead lap. I know we had a car much better than what the results showed.”
 
 

Harvick Earns 13th-Place Result at Watkins Glen International
 
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team picked up a 13th-place result at Watkins Glen International on Sunday afternoon after leading laps in the 220-mile event. Starting from the 26th position, the Richard Childress Racing driver immediately began working his way forward in the running order settling into the 21st spot on lap eight. Harvick informed the Budweiser team that his red and white Chevrolet was tight in the esses, leading crew chief Gil Martin to call his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments during the lap-15 caution period. Harvick was scored in the 26th position for the ensuing restart and continued to work his way toward the front, taking over the lead when a round of green-flag pit stops began cycling through the field for drivers who didn’t pit under the previous caution period. The California native remained out front for eight laps before surrendering the top spot and falling back in the field. Harvick continued to run in the top five until coming down pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 50 under green-flag conditions. As another round of green-flag pit stops cycled through the field, Harvick was scored in the 26th position. The team tried to make a final pit stop under green again to top off on fuel, but the caution flag was displayed before Harvick could wheel his way onto pit road, forcing the team to pit under caution on lap 61 for fuel and four tires. Unable to use pit strategy to regain track position, the 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner was forced to battle traffic on his way to the front of the field. Harvick survived multiple wrecks and caution periods during the final laps to bring home a 13th-place result. Following the event at Watkins Glen International, Harvick remains fourth in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 26         Finish – 13         Laps Led – 8         Points – 4
                       
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
“We had a really fast Budweiser Chevrolet today. We just couldn’t get the break we needed on pit strategy.”
 
 

Late-Race Incidents Relegate Burton to 26th-Place Finish at Watkins Glen International
 
Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet team finished 26th at Watkins Glen International following two separate late-race incidents that spoiled a strong effort from the Richard Childress Racing team. Starting the 90-lap affair from the 22nd position, the South Boston, Va., native worked his way into the top 20 early and reported to crew chief Luke Lambert that the black and yellow machine was tight on the throttle and loose off the corners of the seven-turn road course. The No. 31 team maintained a top-20 running position for a majority of the event and played a pre-determined pit strategy to succes
s. While running in the 16th position with less than 35 laps to go, the 45-year-old driver made contact with another competitor which sent the No. 31 Chevrolet SS spinning. Burton’s car didn’t suffer any damage in the incident, but many drivers passed him while he was stalled out in the middle of turn and the 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner fell back to the 29th position. After coming down pit road for fresh Goodyear tires under green-flag conditions, Burton managed to pass five competitors before being collected in another multi-car accident on lap 82. The RCR driver was able to pilot the battered Chevrolet back to pit road where the Caterpillar crew went to work and repaired the damage. Burton returned to the race track without losing a lap to the leader and was scored in 26th-place when the checkered flag waved. Burton now sits 21st in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 22           Finish – 26            Laps Led – 0           Points – 21
 
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
“We had a competitive Caterpillar Chevrolet today, but we were taken out late in the race by another driver and then got caught up in someone else’s mess. That’s been our luck the last few years. This team just never gives up and one of these days we will get the finishes we deserve.”
 

Zippo 200 at The Glen 
Watkins Glen International 
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Zippo 200 at The Glen
Watkins Glen International
August 10, 2013
 
Race Highlights:
Richard Childress Racing teammates finished 11th (Brian Scott), 12th (Austin Dillon) and 14th (Brendan Gaughan).
Dillon leads the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings by three points over Sam Hornish Jr, while Scott is seventh in the standings, 56 points behind the leader.
The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks third in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 2 team ninth in the standings and the No. 33 team 13th.
According to NASCAR’s Post Race Loop Data Statistics, Scott ranked ninth in Average Running Position with an Average Running Place of 9.902.
Dillon ranked fifth in Green Flag Passes with 39.
Gaughan ranked 10th in Quality Passes with 15.
Brad Keselowski earned his fourth victory of the 2013 Nationwide Series season and was followed to the finish line by Hornish, Vickers, Smith and Sadler.
The next Nationwide Series race is the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday, August 17. The 22nd race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Satellite Radio Channel 90.
   
Brian Scott Earns 11th-Place Finish at Watkins Glen International
 
Brian Scott and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet team earned an 11th-place result in the 82-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen International on Saturday afternoon, after starting from the seventh position. Once the initial green flag waved at the seven-turn road course, Scott maintained a top-10 position through the first half of the race pitting for fuel, four tires and air pressure adjustments under caution on laps 18 and 43. The Idaho native was scored 13th for the lap 46 restart and was called down pit road by crew chief Phil Gould on lap 50 to top off with fuel under green. Able to go the distance on fuel, Scott stayed on track during a lap 58 caution period, picked up five positions and restarted seventh with 21 laps remaining. During the final circuits, the RCR driver kept the car on course and crossed the finish line in the 11th place. The finish moved him up one position, to seventh, in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings.
 
Start – 7         Finish – 11         Laps Led – 0         Points – 7
 
BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:
“The team did a really good job on pit road with the stops and strategy calls. I was happy with the car and we only had to make minor air pressure and track bar adjustments during the race. I felt like I gave it my all, really got into the turns aggressively and hit my marks. We were better than when were at Road America, so that means we should be even better next week when we go to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.”
 

Austin Dillon Earns 12th-Place Finish in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet at Watkins Glen International
 
Austin Dillon maintained his lead in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship standings by earning a 12th-place finish in the No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet at Watkins Glen International on Saturday afternoon. Dillon started the Zippo 200 at The Glen from the 14th spot and noted a tight-handling condition during his initial run, especially through the carousal turn of the seven-turn road course. Dillon was scored in the 16th position when the Danny Stockman-led team made their first pit stop of the race under yellow-flag conditions on lap 18 for tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment to correct the handling issues. Restarting in the 17th position on lap 20, the Richard Childress Racing driver raced his way into the 13th position when the caution flag was displayed on lap 25, prompting several teams to pit. The No. 3 team stayed on the track and Dillon gained several positions, advancing to ninth for the lap-29 restart. Dillon was in the eighth spot when he missed the bus stop on lap 38, causing him to stop on the race track and drop to 15th in the running order. The Welcome, N.C., driver made a fuel-only pit stop under green-flag conditions on lap 50. The team gained track position in the late stages of the event as several competitors made their last round of pit stops during a lap 58 full course caution while Dillon stayed on the track. Dillon restarted from the 10th position on lap 61 but experienced fuel pickup issues in the closing laps of the race that slowed his lap times and resulted in a 12th-place result.
 
Start – 14          Finish – 12       Laps Led – 0                Points – 1                          
 
 
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“Today was a big improvement over last year for the No. 3 AdvoCare team so we have a lot to be proud of. We just struggled with the fuel cell at the end of the race. If we would not have had the issue with the fuel bogging down at the end of the race we could have accomplished our goal of getting a top 10 finish. I feel like we can’t win the championship at these road course races, but we can lose it. It’s onto Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course next week and I’m excited for that race. We’re bringing the same car that we raced today at Watkins Glen International and I think we will be good.”
 

Brendan Gaughan Finishes 14th at Watkins Glen International
 
Brendan Gaughan and the No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino team collected a 14th-place finish at Watkins Glen International after battling a loose-handling condition during the early laps of the 82-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series event Saturday afternoon. The Las Vegas native rolled off 16th for the 200-mile race, and quickly alerted crew chief Ernie Cope that his black and gold Chevrolet was loose in the esses of the seven-turn road course. Cope instructed his driver to pit road on laps 18 and 43 for scheduled four-tire pit stops and adjustments to correct the car’s handling issues. As the race progressed, Gaughan hovered around the top 20 in the running order and settled into the top 15 during the final laps. The Richard Childress Racing driver ultimately crossed the finish line 14th.
 
Start – 16         Finish – 14         Laps Led – 0         Points – N/A
 
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“I had a hard time getting a feel for the car today, it didn’t come to me like I thought it would. We were loose in the esses during the early laps, and the adjustments didn’t tighten me up like I needed them to. I tried running different lines, which helped. We gained ground in the end, but we just didn’t have enough to get the finish we wanted.”