RCR Post Race Report – Charlotte Motor Speedway

By:
On:
In: NASCAR Cup Series News

Race Highlights:

  • Richard Childress Racing teammates Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon and Paul Menard finished seventh, 13th and 42nd, respectively.
  • Newman ranks fourth in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings, while Dillon ranks 19th and Menard is 21st.
  • Kevin Harvick earned his third victory of the 2014 season and was followed to the finish line by Jeff Gordon, Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch.
  • The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Talladega 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, October 19, which is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and  broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.

 

Austin Dillon Finishes 13th in the Dow Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Austin Dillon earned a 13th-place finish in the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday evening. The Welcome, N.C. driver started the 501-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race 20th and noted to crew chief Gil Martin that the black, white and red Chevrolet SS was tight in the middle and free on exit during the initial run, prompting the team to remove a spring rubber during a competition caution on lap 25. Dillon restarted from the 24th position on lap 30 and raced his way into the top 20 before the next round of pit stops on lap 76. Throughout the race, Dillon noted a tight-handling condition, which was remedied through a series of track bar adjustments during routine pit stops. Dillon steadily moved up in the running order, working his way to 10th by lap 226. When the caution flag was displayed on lap 237, Dillon was scored in the seventh position. The Richard Childress Racing team stayed on the track while a majority of other teams pitted, positioning Dillon first for the restart on lap 242. He fell back to sixth when green-flag racing resumed as cars with fresher tires advanced in the running order. A caution four laps later provided the team an opportunity to pit for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Dillon restarted 13th on lap 266 and quickly raced his way into the top 10. A late-race caution prompted Martin to direct Dillon down pit road on lap 328, positioning him 13th for a restart with two laps remaining, which is where he ultimately finished.

Start -20th        Finish – 13th    Laps Led – 5    Points – 19th   

                                                   

  

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE: 

“It’s fun to race in front of a hometown crowd at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Gil Martin and everyone on the RCR team did a great job of giving me a fast Dow Chevrolet this weekend from the time we unloaded for first practice, through the end of the race. We were tight throughout some stages of the race, but adjustments helped.”

 

    

2011 CC Team Icon 27 NSCS Menards

Mechanical Failure Results in 42nd-place finish for Paul Menard at Charlotte Motor Speedway

 

Paul Menard drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 27 Schrock/Menards Chevrolet SS to a 42nd-place finish in Saturday night’s 334-lap event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Menard noted in the opening laps that drive off was going away but his car was turning well and required no adjustments. During the NASCAR-mandated competition caution on lap 25, crew chief Slugger Labbe called Menard down pit road for four tires and fuel. The No. 27 Schrock/Menards Chevy team restarted in the rear of the field on lap 30, because of a pit road penalty. The RCR driver gained 18 spots within 20 laps, moving from 38th on the restart to 20th by lap 69. Menard advanced his position all the way to 12th before a mechanical issue ended the team’s night on lap 135, resulting in a 42nd-place finish. Up next for the No. 27 team is Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

Start – 6th             Finish – 42nd            Laps Led – 0                Points – 20th

 

PAUL MENARD QUOTE:

“We had a mechanical failure tonight, but that’s not where our focus should be. Our Schrock/Menards Chevy was really good. We had a pit problem in the beginning but were able to regain position within the top 15 or so. We definitely had a top-five car so it’s all just unfortunate. Tonight was Slugger’s last race with me and our team. I just have to thank him for all he’s done for me over the years. He’s been a great leader and I appreciate his efforts and dedication.”

 

   

Ryan Newman and the Caterpillar Racing Team Persevere at Charlotte Motor Speedway

 

Ryan Newman drove Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS to a seventh-place finish in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The South Bend, Ind., driver started fifth and raced in or around the top 10 during the first 100 laps. Newman’s biggest challenge was a loose-handling condition on the restarts but by the team’s fourth service of the night on lap 140, the driver climbed to eighth and had a top five within his grasp. With 100 laps to go, the Cat crew rallied back after the team’s jack broke on lap 223 and a spin to avoid an accident on lap 246. Newman restarted 19th with no damage and with plenty of time to race back into contention. Then, Newman pitted as the leader on lap 315. The team’s final service consisted of a two-tire stop. The No. 31 Chevrolet returned to the track in 13th before the caution flag waved on lap 327. Crew chief Luke Lambert kept his driver out in the eighth position. It all came down to a three-lap shootout and when Newman crossed the finish line, he picked up a spot to finish seventh. The top-10 result keeps the No. 31 team in fourth place, just 11 points out of the lead in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. The third and final race in the Contender Round is next Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

Start – 5th            Finish – 7th           Laps Led – 1           Points – 4th

 

RYAN NEWMAN QUOTE: 

“It was a good rebound with all the problems after missing the wreck and broken jack. These Caterpillar guys don’t give up. I don’t give up. I am so proud that we were able to fight back. We had some fun. We didn’t have the best car on the short run there at the end when we needed it. To go from 18th to seventh isn’t too darn bad.” 

 

RCR PR
Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 27