RCR Post Race Report – Texas Motor Speedway

Race Highlights:

  • Richard Childress Racing teammates Ryan Newman, Paul Menard and Austin Dillon  finished 15th, 17th and 21st, respectively.
  • Newman is third in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings, while Dillon ranks 19th and Menard ranks 21st.
  • Jimmie Johnson earned his fourth victory of the 2014 season and was followed to the finish line by Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch and Jamie McMurray.
  • The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, November 9, which is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.

 

 

Austin Dillon Earns 21st-Place Finish in Dow Energy and Water Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway

Sporting a special Energy and Water paint scheme on behalf of Dow, Austin Dillon drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to a 21st-place finish on Sunday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway. The Welcome, N.C., driver started the 501-mile race from the 28th position and noted a tight-handling condition during the initial laps around the 1.5-mile speedway. Shortly after the Gil Martin-led team’s third round of pit stops on lap 138, Dillon was scored in the 12th position as adjustments on pit road and quick stops by the RCR crew helped him gain positions on the race track. Dillon worked his way into the top 10 by lap 194. However, following a caution for debris on lap 284, Dillon overshot his pit stall and had to back up, causing the team to lose 10 positions on pit road. After taking four tires and fuel, Dillon restarted 19th on lap 290 and advanced to 17th before the next round of pit stops on lap 297. Unfortunately, it was once again difficult to get in the box on a crowded pit road and Dillon restarted 22nd when green-flag racing resumed. The team attempted to stay out while the rest of the field pitted during an ensuing caution in order to gain track position, but fresh tires proved crucial on the worn track. Dillon survived several late-race cautions in the closing laps to earn a 21st-place finish in the Dow Energy and Water Chevrolet.

Start -28th        Finish – 21st    Laps Led – 0    Points – 19th   

                                                   

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
“We worked really hard as a team today and we have to hold our head up high. It was a really good performance in the Dow Energy and Water Chevrolet but, unfortunately, our finishing position just doesn’t reflect that. I’m proud of our entire team and our efforts today.”

 

2011 CC Team Icon 27 NSCS Menards

 

Paul Menard finishes 17th at Texas Motor Speedway in Richmond/Menards Chevrolet SS

 

Paul Menard and the No. 27 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet SS team finished 17th at Texas Motor Speedway after starting in the 15th position.  The Richard Childress Racing driver immediately reported a tight-handling condition that would remain persistent throughout the duration of the event. Crew chief Justin Alexander took the opportunity to remedy the condition multiple times on pit road with four tires, fuel and a mixture of adjustments including air pressure, track bar and wedge. Menard raced as high as seventh, but numerous cautions halted his progression through the field as the Richmond/Menards Chevrolet was better on the long runs. The Eau Claire, Wisc.-native fought hard through two green-white-checkered restarts to finish in the 17th position. Up next for the No. 27 team is Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Phoenix International Raceway.

 

Start – 15th             Finish – 17th            Laps Led – 0                Points – 21st

 

PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

“We had a fast Richmond/Menards Chevy on the long runs. Unfortunately, we didn’t get many of those tonight. We really needed some 20 lap or longer runs at the end to advance through the field. That’s alright though, my guys brought a fast car to the track.”

 

 

   

 

Newman Rallies Back From Late-Race Mishap to Finish 15th at Texas Motor Speedway

 

Ryan Newman drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS to a 15th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, the second of three events in the Eliminator Round. The South Bend, Ind. driver started seventh and raced in or around the top five during the first half of the race. Newman’s only complaint was a tight-handling chassis at the start of a green-flag run. Crew chief Luke Lambert focused on air pressure adjustments to fine tune the Cat Chevrolet while the pit crew turned in stellar performances which included an 11-second pit stop. At the halfway point, Newman competed in  the fourth position with the top three well within his reach but in the closing laps, several cautions mixed up the field as teams utilized different pit strategies. Newman restarted 13th with 18 laps to go on fresh Goodyear tires but a few circuits later made contact with another car, causing a tire to rub. Fortunately, the caution flag waved on lap 320 allowing the 31 team to address the issue. With 10 laps remaining, Newman lined up 21st. Two more yellow flags waved to put the race into overtime and Newman rallied back to finish 15th. The result places Newman third in the championship point standings, just two markers out of first place. Next Sunday, the final race in the Eliminator Round takes place at Phoenix International Raceway where Newman visited victory lane in 2010. 

 

Start – 7th            Finish – 15th           Laps Led – 0          Points – 3rd

 

RYAN NEWMAN QUOTE: 
“We did not get the finish we deserved, but it is what it is. We raced  in the top five all day until we got hit hard and it caused a tire rub. Timing worked out for us and we were able to rally back. I have to thank the pit crew today, they were on their game. It was a solid team effort for us and I look forward to Phoenix. We have a shot at advancing to the final Championship Round and that’s all this Richard Childress Racing team can ask for.”

 

RCR PR