TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
FEDERATED AUTO PARTS 400
SEPTEMBER 12, 2015
THE FINAL RACE TO THE CHASE IS HERE! TEAM CHEVY READY FOR RICHMOND
Five Chevrolet SS Drivers are locked into the Chase ~ Four Others Racing to Get In
DETROIT – (Sept. 8, 2015) – The day is finally here. The last race to decide which NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers make this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup is this weekend at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). Team Chevy currently has five drivers locked into the battle to decide this year’s champion – Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kurt Busch and Martin Truex, Jr. All have wins in 2015 and have locked themselves into this season’s playoffs.
Four other Chevrolet SS drivers and teams are currently in point’s positions to secure a spot – Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Paul Menard. All are heading to Richmond on the cusp of being in contention to be this season’s champion.
RIR, one of only three short-tracks (less than a mile in length) on the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, is a challenging 0.75-mile oval with 14-degree banked turns. Chevrolet is the most successful manufacturer at the track with 37 victories in 118 races held at the venue. Most recently, Kurt Busch took Chevrolet SS to Winner’s Circle in April.
The intensity will be high as 43 drivers, all with different agenda’s, beat and bang for 400-laps/300-mile under the lights around RIR. Once the dust settles and the checkered flag flies, 16 drivers will remain eligible to compete for this season’s championship title.
Team Chevy is ready to have more drivers in this season’s Chase than any other manufacturer. The odds are with the Bowtie Brand to earn an unprecedented 31st NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver’s title; all the while in the background, collecting maximum points week-in and week-out to secure Chevrolet’s 39th Manufacturer championship at Homestead.
While fans are waiting to take their seats to watch 400 miles of intense action under the lights, they are encouraged to check out all the happenings at the Team Chevy display, which will open at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Fans can check out Chevrolet’s great line-up of cars, trucks and SUV’s as well as ask questions of some of their favorite Team Chevy drivers that will visit the Team Chevy stage throughout the weekend. Ty Dillon, Martin Truex, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Justin Allgaier, Jamie McMurray, Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will all make appearances throughout the weekend.
The 400-lap/300-mile Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night September 12. Live coverage will be available on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), MRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.
TEAM CHEVY IN NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES (NSCS) COMPETITION:
· Chevrolet has won 38 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Manufacturers’ Championships
· Team Chevy drivers have scored 749 wins and 676 poles in NSCS competition
CHEVROLET ON THE TRACK—RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY:
Chevrolet drivers have won 37 of 118 races at Richmond International Raceway. Victories by current Team Chevy drivers are:
Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, has three (3) victories at RIR (’00, ’04 & ’06)
Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS, has taken the checkered flag at RIR three (3) time (’06, ’11 & ‘13)
Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, has three (3) wins at RIR (’07 – TWICE & ‘08)
Tony Stewart, No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS, has three (3) victories at RIR (’99, ’01 & ’02)
Jeff Gordon, No. 24 3M Chevrolet SS, has visited Victory Lane at RIR twice (2) (’96 & ’00)
Kurt Busch, No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet SS, has one (1) victory at RIR (’05)
Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Hendrickridealong.com Chevrolet SS, has made one (1) trip to Victory Lane at RIR (’05)
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS, has one (1) trophy from RIR (’03)
A Chevrolet driver has won one of the last four races at Richmond International Raceway
A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole at Richmond International Raceway 47 times
Team Chevy drivers have scored 224 top-five and 457 top-10 finishes at Richmond International Raceway
A Chevrolet has led 14,994 laps (33.8% of possible 44,296 laps) at Richmond International Raceway
TEAM CHEVY FOR THE FANS AT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY:
· Fans can check out great Chevrolet vehicles including: Cruze, Malibu, Impala Midnight Edition, Corvette Stingray, Camaro, Chevrolet SS, Equinox, 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year – Colorado, Suburban, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500 High Country and Colorado Diesel
· At the display fans can see a variety of show cars including: Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet SS and Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS
· Fans can see a sample of engines, parts and accessories in the Team Chevy Display available for purchase from Chevrolet at their local Chevrolet dealer
· Other activities at the Team Chevy Racing Display include a variety of interactive games for adults and kids
DRIVER FAN Q/A APPEARANCES ON THE TEAM CHEVY STAGE:
· Friday September 11th:
o 1:40 p.m. – Ty Dillon
o 3:15 p.m. – Martin Truex, Jr.
o 4:00 p.m. – Jeff Gordon
· Saturday September 12th:
o 3:30 p.m. – Kurt Busch and Justin Allgaier
o 3:45 p.m. – Jamie McMurray
o 4:40 p.m. – Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick
o 5:00 p.m. – Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
· Hours of operation: Fri. Sept. 11th – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sat. Sept. 12th – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
DID YOU KNOW? After more than four months and 1,200 man-hours of painstaking craftsmanship, restoration of the milestone 1 millionth Corvette – a white 1992 convertible – is complete. It was unveiled at the National Corvette Museum, where it returns as part of the permanent exhibit. The car was damaged on Feb. 12, 2014, when it and seven other rare Corvettes tumbled into a sinkhole that opened beneath the museum’s Skydome area.
TEAM CHEVY FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT:
KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 4 BUDWEISER/JIMMY JOHN’S CHEVROLET SS – POINTS LEADER
ON CHASE PREPARATION THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST YEAR: “I feel like we have been better all year. I think we are a better team than we were last year. I think just the preparation, the consistency, the speed and everything has been there week-in and week-out throughout last year, throughout this year. Obviously, we want to win every week, but the quality of the product that has been on the racetrack and the execution of everything that has happened throughout the year has been better than what we were last year. We will be better going into the Chase. I think we will have a better plan with the experience and I think with the confidence knowing that we made it happen last year we know we can do that at any point going forward throughout the year and especially throughout the Chase. Having to deal with the emotions will be less this year for us, because I think we know what to expect. But I think our preparation and planning is going to be better than it was last year.”
DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS – 3RD IN STANDINGS
“You can be aggressive at Richmond and the racing is fun. We struggled the last time we were there but it is nice going without the pressure of having to race for a spot in the Chase. We are going to go have fun and try to get a win. ”
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – 5TH IN STANDINGS
“This is what we work all year for. The race at Richmond is always a good one for the fans. It’s always exciting. There will be a few teams trying to get into the Chase and a few guys trying to defend their spot. We are lucky to have won and secured our spot early so we can just go out there on Saturday night and try to win, we don’t have that Chase pressure.”
MARTIN TRUEX, JR., NO. 78 FURNITURE ROW/VISSER PRECISION CHEVROLET SS – 6TH IN STANDINGS
“It’s a nice feeling going to Richmond knowing the race is the final tune-up before the Chase and not the final race to make the Chase. Though we don’t have the pressure of making the Chase, we’re still going to approach Richmond with the same energy to win as we did in the first 25 races of the season. We had a top-10 at the first race in Richmond this year and feel we can improve upon that result. It’s always a tough place to do well at because it’s a unique short track and also one of the hardest to make your car do what you want it to do. The car is usually tight in the middle of the corner and loose off.”
KURT BUSCH, NO. 41 HAAS AUTOMATION CHEVROLET SS – 9TH IN STANDINGS
“All of it has been pretty tough for me, but the toughest part of that track has always seemed to be the exit of turn four. It’s really hard to get the traction put down just right to not be just flat-out dead sideways all the way to the start-finish line. It’s really hard to get the speed through three and four and carry the traction off of turn four. So, going into this weekend, that’s something I know I’ll be looking for right from the start of practice on Friday.”
JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 1 CESSNA CHEVROLET SS – 10TH IN STANDINGS
“Richmond is a track where we really have to fight like crazy for the first 10 laps or so after a restart. But once you get single file you can pass there. We had a really good car there in the Spring and I got sent to the back for some reason and was able to drive right back up to the lead. I think the tire that we are taking there this time will allow the groove to widen out similar to what we had last year. Richmond is a great track for race racing. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t like racing there, it’s really fun! Also, going back this time, knowing that we will just have to start the race to be locked into the Chase is a great feeling. I have been the guy on the bubble going to Richmond and not come out on top so I’m glad to know that I won’t experience that again this weekend.”
RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 CATERPILLAR CHEVROLET SS – 11TH IN STANDINGS
“We want to win every race and it is no different than any other competitor. Whether we win at Richmond, Chicago or Loudon, it’s all about that main goal, and that’s winning. Even if we are locked in, we are there to win Richmond.”
JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 3M CHEVROLET SS – 13TH IN STANDINGS
“The plan is to try to get the win Saturday night or get the best possible finish and not think about the points. I’m sure (No. 24 crew chief) Alan (Gustafson) will keep an eye on it and let me know toward the end of the race if it’s close. We’ve gone into and through Richmond with a lot on the line before, so we have experience dealing with the stress if we have to deal with it again.”
PAUL MENARD, NO. 27 LIBMAN/MENARDS CHEVROLET SS – 14TH IN STANDINGS
“It has multi lanes and in some aspects drives like an intermediate track. You just kind of pick your lane and you may work the bottom groove while other guys make the high line work. It’s a really cool little short track from that perspective and it’s one we are still trying to figure out for sure. We always fight balance issues. It’s easy to be tight center and loose off. Sometimes you get tight on exit when you get on the throttle. It seems like every time we go, it’s a little bit different. It’s a track that I feel like I’ve run XFINITY Series cars really well at but still trying to figure it out in the Sprint Cup Series car.”
KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 HENDRICKRIDEALONG.COM CHEVROLET SS – 17TH IN STANDINGS
“My first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory came at Richmond, so I always look forward to going back. It is the ideal short track – wide, fast, smooth, very competitive and there’s plenty of room to set up the pass. We ran really well in the spring at Richmond. I think we can come back with that set up and run really well.”
KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – 19TH IN STANDINGS
“Richmond isn’t a track where I feel like I’ve run particularly well in the race, but our team has been fast in practices and has qualified pretty good there. We just need to figure out what to do to stay towards the front. We’ve tested there a couple times this season, so that should help as the guys get the car setup for this Saturday’s race. Our Chevy has been pretty strong the past few races, and everyone is really focused on getting better finishes. I thought we put together a really good race last weekend, so we need to do that again and hopefully be in a position late in the race to contend for the win.”
AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW CHEVROLET SS – 20TH IN STANDINGS
“Everyone is fighting for that last Chase spot on top of being a tough place to get around. The tires fade like crazy. For me, I enjoy the challenge of Richmond. I hope we can get around there and get a better finish than the ones we’ve had in the past.”
AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KROGER/BUSH’S BEANS CHEVROLET SS – 21ST IN STANDINGS
“It’s one of those things where no matter what happens at Richmond, whether we win our not, we’re still going to look at those last 10 races the same way and that’s just trying to get better. I’m going to look at Richmond like yeah, we are going to try to win to get into The Chase if we have the opportunity. If not, we are going to try to go win some of those last 10 races. “
CASEY MEARS, NO. 13 GEICO CHEVROLET SS – 22ND IN STANDINGS
“Richmond International Raceway usually provides great racing with an open groove where drivers can run the middle or the bottom. It allows for pretty good passing if you can get your car to handle. The track is fast enough that it’s possible to have your Chevrolet a little more aero tight than you’d like. But having a little bit of speed and being able to race side by side and get into someone just a bit and move them without wrecking them is fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with our GEICO Chevy at Richmond this weekend.”
DANICA PATRICK, NO. 10 GODADDY CHEVROLET SS – 23RD IN STANDINGS
“When you have a good car, it creates opportunities to pass. Turns one and two are kind of tight, and three and four are more of a long corner, so it’s a challenge to set the car up. We slip and slide there a bunch, anyway. Thank goodness we don’t race there in the day. There is more grip at night and I’m thankful for that.”
JUSTIN ALLGAIER, NO. 51 BRANDT CHEVROLET SS – 30TH IN STANDINGS
“I’m ready to get back to the short-track at Richmond [International Raceway]. I’ve always liked Richmond. It’s very challenging and the driver can really make a difference. There’s always extra pressure this weekend because it’s the last race before the Chase. I had a top-20 finish at Richmond earlier this season and I know we can improve on that. The guys have a prepared a great BRANDT Chevy for this weekend and I can’t wait to hit the track.”
Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics
Manufacturers Championships
Total (1949 – 2014): 38
First title for Chevrolet: 1958
Highest number of consecutive titles: 12 (2003-2014)
Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Drivers Championships
Total (1949 – 2014): 30
First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)
Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005 – ’11)
Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Event Victories
Record for total race wins in single season: 26 – (in 2007)
2015 STATISTICS:
Wins: 11
Poles: 10
Laps led: 3810
Top-five finishes: 70
Top-10 finishes: 146
CHEVROLET IN NASCAR SPRINT CUP CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:
Total Chevrolet race wins: 749 (1949 – to date); (2,438 possible = 30.0%)
Poles Won to Date: 676
Laps Lead to Date: 223,621
Top-Five Finishes to Date: 3,779
Top-10 Finishes to Date: 7,722
Total NASCAR Cup wins by Corporation, 1949 – To-Date
GM: 1,084
Chevrolet: 749
Pontiac: 155
Oldsmobile: 115
Buick: 65
Ford: 736
Ford: 636
Mercury: 96
Lincoln: 4
Chrysler: 466
Dodge: 217
Plymouth: 190
Chrysler: 59
Toyota: 75
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About Chevrolet:
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
