Richard Childress Racing at Michigan International Speedway … In 154 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, RCR teams have earned three wins, two with Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990) and the most recent with Kevin Harvick (August 2010). Additionally, RCR has claimed 23 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes with 10 different drivers including Richard Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, who recorded top-10 finishes at MIS in June 1978 and August 1979.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,672 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 471 top-five finishes and 1,015 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.0. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.
The Collective RCR … RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 13th (Dillon), 16th (Newman) and 22nd (Menard) in the driver championship point standings.
Catch the Action … The Firekeepers Casino 400 is scheduled to be televised live on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.
This Week’s Dow Salutes Veterans Chevrolet SS at Michigan International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 552 in the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. This is a new Chevrolet SS that will be utilized for the first time this weekend.
Dillon at Michigan International Speedway … In his junior season on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour, Michigan International Speedway ranks as one of Dillon’s most seasoned tracks with seven starts at the two-mile track. He finished fourth in August 2015 to earn his best finish at the track in his most recent start. He also earned his best starting position, also fourth, in the race.
#Speed3Glory … This weekend at Michigan International Speedway the No. 3 team will honor those from The Dow Chemical Company who have served in the U.S. military with 350 Dow employee names on the patriotic-themed No.3 Dow Salutes Veterans Chevrolet. Every day, Dow is committed to building a vibrant, diverse and talented employee base. Veteran employees bring skills and virtues beyond their military job titles. The different perspectives of Dow employees including those of our veterans reflect the rich depth of experience and backgrounds that make Dow a world leader in science and technology.
We look forward to seeing this special car take on Michigan on Sunday that acknowledges the military service of Dow employees.
The Century Mark … The Firekeepers Casino 400 on Sunday will mark Dillon’s 100th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Michigan International Speedway was repaved five years ago. Are we seeing the groove expand at all?
“I think it is. I think you’re going to see an exciting race. With the new rules package it should be interesting to see how the cars handle around each other. We got to do the Goodyear Tire Test there so I’m looking forward to Michigan. It’s probably one of my better tracks. I really enjoy the big speedways.”
This Week’s Knauf / Menards Chevrolet SS at Michigan International Speedway … The No. 27 Knauf / Menards team will bring a brand new Chevrolet SS to the track this weekend in Michigan. Chassis No. 553 will make its debut during Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions at the two-mile track.
Michigan Stats … Menard has 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts to his credit in the Irish Hills. He has four top-five and six top-10 finishes with his best start of fourth coming in June 2013 and best finish of fourth in June 2011, August 2013, June and August 2014.
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PAUL MENARD QUOTES:
You’ve had success a Michigan International Speedway. What do you think about the two-mile track? Has the surface started to age at all?
“The track surface has aged, but now I think they’re going to change some rules on us for that, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen. They did a test the other week and tried some different things. It definitely knocked some corner speed out and increased the straightaway speed, so we’ll see what rules they come with. The surface is definitely widening out and aging, it’s not as fast as it was a couple years ago. We keep cutting downforce out of the cars but we always seem to make it back in the corner speed. I’m curious to see how it all plays out.”
What made you so good there last year and in years past?
“We’ve always run well there. We’ve got a bunch of top-five finishes. It’s just a track that I feel comfortable with keeping momentum up. Our eighth-place finish last year was during that rainy day and we just played strategy right to get the track position we needed when the race was called early.”
This Week’s Grainger Chevrolet SS at Michigan … Ryan Newman will pilot a brand new car, No. 551, at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. All three Richard Childress Racing teams will field brand new Chevrolets for the Firekeepers Casino 400.
Newman at MIS … Newman will make his 526th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start when the Series returns to the Irish Hills of Michigan this weekend. In 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at MIS, Newman scored back-to-back victories in the fall 2003 and spring 2004 events. The “Rocket Man” also owns a pole award. In total, he’s recorded five top-five and eight top-10 finishes. He has led 111 laps in competition. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 13.6 and average finish of 16.9. And in four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the speedway, he visited victory lane two times (2001, 2005).
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RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What is the key to success at Michigan International Speedway?
“Momentum is the key at Michigan. If you slip at all, I mean just a little bit, it takes forever to recover. You lose a big chunk of time in one little slip up. Keeping your car underneath you and keeping that momentum up and having a fast car is necessary. Once small slip up can cost you eight to 10 spots pretty easily.”
What’s the toughest part for you to figure out?
“It seems to me just the difference in Turns 1 and 2 versus Turns 3 and 4. Typically you are pretty loose getting into Turn 3 so if you can get a car that is good turning down into Turn 3 and has a good balance running the rest of the track, you are ahead of most people.”
What do you think of the new rule change they are implementing with downforce?
“I haven’t heard a whole lot about it other than it’s fast at the end of the straightaways. I think it all depends on how the conditions are when we go back there from what they tested when it was really cool and had damp conditions. If we go back there and it’s 90 degrees, it could be slower or it could be faster.”
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Michigan International Speedway … In 36 Series starts at the two-mile speedway, RCR has captured two victories with drivers Kevin Harvick (2003) and Paul Menard (2014). The Welcome, N.C., organization has completed 4,471 laps of the 4,479 (99.8 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated two pole awards, nine top-five and 20 top-10 finishes, led 250 laps and averages a starting position of 9.6 and finishing position of 12.1.
Pocono Review … Ty Dillon was the highest RCR finisher in third, Paul Menard seventh, Brandon Jones eighth and Brendan Gaughan 14th, respectively, in the Pocono Green 250 at Pocono Raceway.
The Points … All three RCR XFINITY Series full-time drivers remain in the top 10 of the driver point standings as the Series heads to Michigan International Speedway for the 13th event of the season. Ty Dillon is currently third, Brendan Gaughan is fourth and Brandon Jones is sixth. The No. 2 RCR team is third in the owner point standings. Brandon Jones is currently second in the XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings.
Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Menards 250 at Michigan International Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, June 11, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on FOX Sports 1. It will also be broadcast live on Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.
This Week’s Richmond / Menards Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway … Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 179 in the Menards 250 at Michigan International Speedway. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet is brand new and will makes its first competitive laps on Friday during NASCAR XFINITY Series practice.
Irish Hills Stats … The Eau Claire, Wis., native driver has made 10 XFINITY Series starts at the two-mile paved oval, collecting four top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Menard also has one pole award and one victory to his credit with an average starting position of 10.2 and an average finishing position of 8.7 and 73 laps led.
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No. 2 Team by the Numbers … With 12 XFINITY Series events complete in 2016, the No. 2 team has one victory, seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes with 13 laps led to their credit.
PAUL MENARD QUOTE:
Michigan International Speedway is certainly a track suited to your driving style. What are your thoughts heading into this weekend’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race?
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the XFINITY Series car with Danny (Stockman, crew chief) and team. Double duty always makes for a busy weekend but I like getting the extra seat time, especially at a track like Michigan. It’ll be interesting to see what the track surface is like after another year of aging. I like to roll the car through the center, not really point and shoot. With the wide corners and grippy surface, Michigan is a perfect track for that. I’m ready to get back there this weekend and take a shot at the win, especially with Menards and Valvoline as the race sponsor.”
This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway … Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 168 for this weekend’s Menards 250. This Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro last saw track action at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this season, where Dillon finished seventh. Chassis No. 168 has three starts, including two top-10 finishes and one top-five finish.
Dillon at Michigan International Speedway … Dillon will be making his 91st career NASCAR XFINITY Series start this weekend at the two-mile speedway. In two XFINITY Series starts, Dillon has one top-10 finish. Dillon also has one start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at MIS to his credit; he finished 14th in a rain-shortened race last June in the No. 33 Nexium® 24HR Chevrolet SS. Dillon won the 2011 ARCA Racing Series event at MIS in the No. 41 Chevrolet.
No. 3 team season-to-date … Last weekend’s rain-shortened race at Pocono Raceway resulted in a podium finish for the No. 3 team – his fourth top-five finish of the 2016 season. The third-place finish moved Dillon into third in the XFINITY Series driver point standings with 20 races remaining.
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TY DILLON QUOTES:
For the second week in a row, you’re racing at a track that is greater than two miles. What is your approach?
“I think anytime you go to a track, like Michigan, our team is automatically at an advantage because of the significant power that we bring with our ECR Engines. We thrive at these types of tracks and all you need to do is look at our performance the past few years. Nick (Harrison, crew chief) won this race two years ago with Paul (Menard). As a driver, I feel very comfortable going into this race weekend. I enjoy racing at Michigan because it’s fast and can be technically difficult at times. I had a chance to win in the ARCA Series there a few years ago and have had a lot of experience in other series; I finished 14th last season in the Cup car and have a few top-10 finishes in the (Camping World) Truck Series. We should compete for a win this weekend.”
This Week’s Nexteer Automotive Chevrolet Camaro at Pocono Raceway … Brandon Jones will pilot chassis No. 181 this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. This is a brand-new Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet Camaro.
Michigan Nuggets … Jones will be making his first XFINITY Series start at Michigan International Speedway this weekend, but will run the ARCA Racing Series event to get acclimated to the track. The Rookie of the Year contender started 14th and finished ninth at Auto Club Speedway earlier this year, a similar two-mile track.
Meet Brandon Jones … Jones is scheduled to appear at the XFINITY Zone on Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. ET for a Q&A session and autographs.
Nexteer Automotive … Jones counts on Nexteer Automotive’s steering technology to deliver precise, high-performance under intense conditions. Mere seconds can mean the difference between winning and losing, so Richard Childress Racing chooses Nexteer – renowned for exceptional handling, performance and safety. Nexteer provides electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steering columns, driveline systems, advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and autonomous technologies to global manufactures. Nexteer Automotive, a Leader in Intuitive Motion Control. Visit Nexteer.com for more information.
Rearview Mirror: Pocono … While rain may have shortened the inaugural XFINITY Series race at Pocono Raceway, Jones and the No. 33 team came away pleased with their efforts. After working on the handling of the Cometic Gasket Chevrolet throughout practice and the race, Jones made some bold moves on the racetrack to move from his 14th-place starting spot into the top 10. When rain hit the 2.5-mile track and NASCAR brought the cars to pit road after just 52 laps, Jones had worked his way into the eighth spot. The strong result was Jones’ sixth top-10 finish in the first 12 races of the season.
BRANDON JONES QUOTES:
After having a good run at in March at Auto Club Speedway, do you think there is anything you can apply to this weekend’s race at Michigan International Raceway?
“I picked up on a few things during the XFINITY Series race at Fontana that I’ll be able to apply this week in Michigan with our No. 33 Nexteer Automotive Chevrolet. We struggled a bit in practice, just trying to figure out where to run on the racetrack and when to get back on the throttle. During the race, we definitely learned some of those small things that make a big difference and we were able to earn a top-10 finish by the end of it. This weekend, I’ll focus on staying out of trouble and continue learning from my RCR teammates; both of which will help a lot on Saturday at Michigan.”
At what point do you stray from the bottom groove at Michigan and try to run other lines?
“My spotter, Rick Carelli, tells me if people are moving around if I can’t see them. Rick has a ton of experience himself, so it really helps me as a rookie driver to have that veteran experience up in the spotter’s stand. Once the tires start wearing off and we start losing speed in the bottom line, it will be time to try moving our Nexteer Automotive Chevrolet up the track to search for a different line and more speed.”
This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot chassis No. 180 this weekend in the Menards 250 at the Michigan International Speedway. Chassis No. 180 is a new addition to the RCR stable this year and will make its debut during practice on Friday.
Gaughan’s Michigan Stats … In four NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the two-mile track, Gaughan has completed 488 of 500 (97.6 percent) laps that he has competed. The Las Vegas native also has eight starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at MIS, earning a victory in 2003 and accumulating three top-five finishes, five top-10 finishes and averaging a starting position of 16.4 and finishing position of 8.8.
Michigan Milestone … The 40-year-old driver is scheduled to complete his 100,000th mile of NASCAR competition this weekend at the two-mile speedway. Gaughan’s 18-year NASCAR career spans the K&N Pro Series West, Camping World Truck Series, XFINITY Series and the Sprint Cup Series.
Meet Gaughan … Gaughan is scheduled to sign autographs for fans at the Comcast XFINITY store on Thursday, June 9, beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The session is located at 1509 Boardman Road, Jackson, Mich.
At The South Point Hotel & Casino … This week, the South Point will host the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Core Balance Derby – Classic / Challenge. The Classic / Challenge features cutting competition in the non-pro and amateur categories June 10 – 19.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTES:
Michigan, a track that was recently re-paved, do you see much of a change year-to-year?
“I have seen some change, the biggest problem is the technology in paving. These surfaces are so smooth and perfect. The technology makes the track stay new longer. Last year, we started to see Michigan (International Speedway) widen out, to what I call the Michigan merge. Five-wide as you go into the turn, then everyone comes back one-lane off. The track is slowly getting back there.”
How quickly will you test out the high line?
“I will test it pretty quick. I usually run that middle groove and then work my way up there. You can’t get up to early with the rubber and debris, drivers can’t just blaze it and go. Hopefully it’s just like Richmond, we get that track wide and the boys use all of it.”
