No. 2 High Point University Impala SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
Event: U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Northland Oil and TMC Trucking – August 1, 2009
Venue: Iowa Speedway – Newton, Iowa
• This Week’s High Point University Chevrolet Impala SS at Iowa Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 069 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in this weekend’s U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Northland Oil and TMC Trucking. In 12 previous starts, this RCR-prepared chassis has recorded two wins, one pole, five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Most recently, fellow RCR developmental driver Sean Caisse finished 29th in this Impala SS after being involved in a mid-race accident at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June.
• High Point University … Dillon’s No. 2 Chevrolet will carry the black and purple colors of High Point University. Four weeks following this race, the Lewisville, N.C., native will enter this Division-I institution as an incoming freshman to study at the Nido R. Quebin School of Communications. According to U.S. News and World Report, High Point University, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, ranks fifth best amongst comprehensive universities in the south and is the top university in the category of up-and-coming schools. For more information about High Point University, please visit www.highpoint.edu.
• Breaking It Down … The 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series East Rookie of the Year has competed at Iowa on three different occasions. In 2008, Dillon captured the pole position and finished sixth in the Camping World Series East/West Challenge. Earlier this season, he finished 19th in the NCWS East/West Challenge after starting seventh. Most recently, Dillon drove the No. 31 RCR Chevy to a runner-up finish in the ARCA Re/Max Series event last month after starting from the rear of the field. All told, the 19-year-old driver has earned one pole, one-top five and two top-10 finishes at the seven-eighths-mile oval. He has led five laps of competition and completed all but three of the 600 laps contested in those starts.
• Fifth Nationwide Series Start … Dillon will attempt to qualify for his fifth-career NNS event and third of the 2009 season. In four previous starts, he boasts one top-five and two top-20 finishes, a 27.5 starting average and 20.6 finishing average. He has been running at the end of each race and has completed 96.4 percent (873 of 906) of the laps contested.
• Rearview Mirror … In last weekend’s NNS race at O’Reilly Raceway Park, Dillon overcame contact with the outside retaining wall in the early stages of the Kroger 200 to finish 18th at the Clermont, Ind. facility.
• RCR Teammate this Weekend … For the fifth time this season, RCR will field multiple entries in the NNS. Dillon’s teammate Stephen Leicht will pilot the No. 29 Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet in the race at Iowa.
• Meet the Drivers … Dillon and Leicht will be available for autographs on Saturday, August 1. The RCR duo will appear at the Chevrolet display, located outside the main grandstand, from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time followed by an appearance for Iowa Speedway underneath the main grandstands from 10 to 11 a.m. local time. Both sessions will be on a first come, first serve basis, due to time constraints.
• Meet the Press… RCR stablemates, Leicht and Dillon, will answer questions from the gathered media on Friday, July 31 at 11:45 a.m. inside Iowa Speedway’s infield media center.
• Race Broadcast Information … The U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Northland Oil and TMC Trucking will be televised live on Saturday, August 1 on ESPN beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Qualifying for the 20th event of the 2009 NNS season will air on the same day at 1 p.m. EDT on ESPN2. MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also provide updates of time trials.
• Mark Your Calendars … In honor of its 40th anniversary, RCR will host a Fan Day at the Welcome, N.C. complex on Thursday, October 22 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Activities include driver and pit crew autograph sessions, self-guided tours of RCR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide shops as well as ECR’s engine shop, radio remotes, musical entertainment, pit crew competition, viewing of the DALE movie, question-and-answer session with team owner Richard Childress and much more. General admission to RCR’s Fan Day is just $5, which will benefit the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.
• Online With the Times … To keep up with the latest news and information about Richard Childress Racing and to view exclusive online content, visit the team’s official website at www.RCRRacing.com. For qualifying and race results, check us out at www.twitter.com/RCRRacing.
AUSTIN DILLON Quotes:
You’ve raced twice at Iowa already this season. Does that give you an extra boost of confidence heading into this weekend?
“It definitely does. We raced in the ARCA Series and in the (Camping World Series) East races to learn how the tires wear there and how the car handles over a long green-flag run. Our team learned a few things that we can apply to Thursday’s practice session, which is like another test for us, in order to get our No. 2 High Point University Chevy where it needs to be for the race.”
You’re starting classes at High Point University in a few weeks as a freshman. What is it like to carry your school’s colors at Iowa?
“It’s really cool to be able to carry the colors of High Point University. I’m not necessarily a typical ‘student-athlete,’ but it’s an honor to show off my Panther pride this way. I can’t wait to head to college in four weeks to start classes. Everyone has been supportive of our efforts in preparing for this weekend and I hope we can have a solid run.”
DAN DEERINGHOFF (crew chief) Quote:
What are you plans heading into this weekend at Iowa?
“Thursday will be a day where we do testing not only Iowa, but for other tracks as well. On Friday, we’ll focus on getting the car to roll through the middle of corners. Knowing that we’ve raced here three times already gives us a confidence boost. Hopefully, we can fine tune the car well enough to have a solid top-15 run, if not better, for everyone at High Point University and RCR.”
