Phoenix International Raceway was the site of a huge display of muscle by the Germain Racing crew and GEICO driver Casey Mears in the Spring race earlier this season. At that point, the team was looking for vindication from rough luck at Daytona. This weekend, the team could have used a reprieve following the deflating flat tire experience of last week’s race at Texas. Just as earlier in the year, any beacon of light at Phoenix would be one hard-earned, not handed out.
The GEICO Ford Fusion ranked 33rd in first practice and landed 30th in the starting lineup for Sunday’s 312-lap race. In the final practice sessions, Mears was again 30th and 32nd. The lap times throughout the sessions were within a half-second. From his qualifying position of 30th, Mears moved up to 26th in the opening laps of the race and settled into 27th by lap 15.
“I can’t really put the power down coming off the corners,” said Mears as he fought to find a line that might work better for the GEICO Ford, 15 laps into what would be a long race, slowed by several long caution periods.
“Good job, you are pulling away now,” called crew chief Bootie Barker from the pits at lap 18, while he made plans for adjustments to the GEICO Ford.
The chance to work on the No. 13 car finally came following the lap 49 caution brought out by Denny Hamlin’s spin. The GEICO Racing crew went to work on lap 50 on the 26th place GEICO Ford, installing four tires, fuel and making a couple of adjustments to help Mears fight the loose handling condition of the car. Thanks to the quick work of the Germain Racing pit crew, Mears restarted the race one spot to the good in the 25th position at lap 56.
Loose was the term that echoed up and down pit road on Sunday. Many drivers complained of their cars not having enough grip off the corners. Barker and the crew managed to make some headway fighting this condition for Mears, but, according to Mears, the adjustments might have hurt the handling through the center of the turns. He shared this information with Barker while racing in 22nd position at lap 75.
Over the remaining laps, the crew made changes to the car and fought their way into the top ten during the race’s long, 82-lap green flag run. As the final green flag pit stops were completed, Mears was shown in 24th position, one lap down, on lap 273. He pulled to 22nd before the final caution flag of the race flew at lap 283, and restarted in this position, in line to be the Lucky Dog if another quick caution flew. For this reason, the team stayed out, and didn’t take fresh tires, hoping for another quick caution to allow them to get fresh tires while back on the lead lap. The yellow didn’t wave again and the cars that pitted under the final caution, showed fresh rubber was much faster at Phoenix.
The GEICO Ford was credited with a 27th place finish after a day of consistent lap times, strong pit work from the Germain Racing pit crew and a worthwhile gamble. Next up for Mears and the GEICO team is the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway!
PMI PR
Actress and Hollywood Records recording artist Zendaya will present the National Anthem prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race, the Ford EcoBoost 400, at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 17. Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.
Zendaya recently released her self-titled debut full-length album featuring her hit single “Replay.” She also stars as Raquel “Rocky” Blue, one half of the comedic duo of young dancers trying to dance her way to stardom, in the hit Disney Channel series “Shake It Up!” Zendaya was the break out star and runner-up on Season 16 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
“One of the hallmarks of a NASCAR event is the entertainment surrounding the race,” said Becherer. “Zendaya rounds out an already stellar entertainment lineup and will make the day that much more memorable. I’m sure she’ll give a stirring rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ that our fans will enjoy.”
The Los Angeles resident has performed around the world, including at the White House and in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She is currently touring select cities with her Z-Swagg Dancers and Singers. Zendaya is also featured on numerous soundtracks including Shake It Up: Break It Down, Shake It Up: Live 2 Dance and Shake It Up: I <3 Dance.
The green flag for the season-ending race is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on the 17th. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN-TV, MRN and the SiriusXM NASCAR Channel.
Homestead-Miami Speedway PR
2013 SEASON FINALE: Germán Quiroga has one thing left to accomplish in his 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie season, Win. The NET10 Wireless driver is hoping that the 1.5-mile oval of Homestead-Miami Speedway will be the place where he makes his statement for the Hispanic Community and be the first Mexican to win in a national division of NASCAR. Quiroga has two starts at the Speedway and has two top five and three top-10 finishes on intermediate tracks this season. With the speed from Chassis No. 007, look for Quiroga to accomplish his goal during the 2013 season finale.
2013 IN REVIEW: There is nothing better than saying you were able to make history in your rookie year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. And Germán Quiroga can say he did that twice. Along with two top five and five top-10 finishes, Quiroga became the first Mexican to win a pole position in a national division of NASCAR. He also earned the highest finishing position for a Mexican (third) at both Texas Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway. Quiroga demonstrated his talent by racing up front week in and week out and leading over 63 laps.
NET10 WIRELESS®: Welcome Home, NET10 Wireless. This weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Germán Quiroga will race with primary sponsor NET10 Wireless on his No. 77 Toyota Tundra. NET10 Wireless has its headquarters in Miami and will complete the season being the primary sponsor at home this weekend. For more information on NET10 Wireless, visit www.NET10Wireless.com.
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 77 Toyota Tundra team will unload Chassis No. 007 this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Most recently, this chassis was raced at Texas Motor Speedway and collected a 14th-place finish. Previously, teammate Timothy Peters raced this chassis at Chicagoland Speedway. The intermediate chassis was also utilized earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway. Peters earned a third-place starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway with this chassis in May. Chassis No. 007 made its debut at Texas Motor Speedway last fall and collected a 10th-place finish.
REARVIEW MIRROR - PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY: Germán Quiroga in the No. 77 OtterBox/NET10 Wireless Toyota Tundra was the highest qualifier for the Red Horse Racing stable qualifying for the Lucas Oil 150 in the 11th-place. When the green flag dropped he proceeded to drive a savvy race and managed to stay out of trouble. There were few, if any, opportunities to capitalize on track position during the course of the 150-lap event. Quiroga crossed the finish in the 12th position.
Germán Quiroga on Homestead-Miami Speedway:
What is it like to race at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
"It's nice to end the season at a track that I am familiar with. Since this was my first season there were a lot of unknowns going into a lot of the race weekends. I did well at Homestead last year and finished 15th. I am hoping this weekend I can make the history that I've worked so hard for all season long and put my NET10 Wireless Toyota Tundra into victory lane. It would be very special for my fans and special for NET10 Wireless with us being in their home town.
How do you capture your season in a statement?
"We definitely had our ups and downs this season. I am very happy to say that I did make history for a Mexican in a national division. That is very important to me and the Hispanic community for NASCAR. My Red Horse Racing team worked really hard all year long trying to make our victory happen. Hopefully this weekend we can go out and improve our position and fight for the victory."
RHR PR
EVERYTHING COMES TO AN END: The 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series comes to an end this Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Timothy Peters, driver of the No. 17 Parts Plus Toyota Tundra, is hoping to end his season on a high note and mark off another milestone for the driver by capturing a third victory this season. With a recent win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Chassis No. 015, the Red Horse Racing team comes in full force out of the stable for the season finale.
2013 IN REVIEW: After finishing the 2012 Truck Series season in the runner-up position, Timothy Peters rates his 2013 season as a good one. The driver captured two wins, one at Iowa Speedway where he became the only two-time Truck Series winner at the track, and another at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he won what he calls 'the biggest win of his career,' his first 1.5-mile victory and first for Red Horse Racing. In addition, the Toyota Tundra driver collected four top five and 10 top-10 finishes with over 227 laps led.
PARTS PLUS: This weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Parts Plus will join Timothy Peters and the No. 17 Toyota Tundra to complete the 2013 Truck Series season. The Memphis-based warehouse distributor originated more than 56 years ago tracing back to a series of jobber programs. Since 2005, Parts Plus has been a member of the Automotive Distribution Network that has over 300 member distributors under five brand names and from over 400 separate warehouses across the United States, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information on Parts Plus and locations near you, visit PartsPlus.com.
CHASSIS HISTORY: Timothy Peters and his No. 17 Parts Plus Team will unload winning Tundra Chassis No. 015 this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Last raced at Texas Motor Speedway, this chassis captured Red Horse Racing and Peters' first 1.5-mile victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September. It was also raced at Iowa Speedway where Peters qualified sixth and crossed the finish in 12th. He also collected a sixth-place finish at Michigan International Speedway with this chassis after making its debut at the 2.5-mile tri-oval of Pocono Raceway.
REARVIEW MIRROR - PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY: Timothy Peters driving the No. 17 Parts Plus Toyota Tundra came to Phoenix International Raceway driving chassis No. 10 which has proven to be a real workhorse for Peters. Peters qualified in the 18th position after a loose qualifying run. On lap 80, Peters brought his Tundra to pit road for service with his Parts Plus Toyota Tundra team moving him up to 4th. Peters remained inside the top-10 until a competitor ran him off the track, resulting in a spin and contact with the wall. Peters restarted the race in 20th position and could only gain four positions before the checkered flag waved and had to settle for a respectable 16th-place finish.
Timothy Peters on Homestead-Miami Speedway:
How would you rate your success at Homestead-Miami Speedway compared to other 1.5-mile tracks?
"Obviously, now I can say that I have success at Las Vegas Motor Speedway since I was able get my first 1.5-win there. But, I really like racing at Homestead. The track puts the race in the driver's hands with how abrasive the track is. I do have a pretty decent record there so it would be nice to top-off the season and put our Parts Plus Tundra into victory lane."
If you could capture your season in a statement, what would you say?
"It's been a good year for our Parts Plus Tundra. Obviously, we would have liked to be in a position where we were up front battling for the championship like we did last year. But, these were the cards that were dealt. We were successful in having two wins this year for the second year in a row and I owe that all to everyone at Red Horse Racing. I'm looking forward to wrapping up the season and getting ready for Daytona."
RHR PR
ONE LAST SHOT: John Wes Townley and his No. 7 Zaxby's Toyota Tundra team have one last shot in the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season to capture the driver's first career victory, and Homestead-Miami Speedway just might be the place. Townley has finished 15th or better in seven of the eight 1.5-mile speedway races this season with an average finishing position of ninth. If those numbers are any indication of what the Red Horse Racing driver is capable of, look for the young driver to be out front fighting for the win after 134-laps in the Truck Series season finale.
2013 SEASON IN REVIEW: John Wes Townley has certainly found something special at the Red Horse Racing stable this 2013 Truck Series season. The young driver has had his best year on record capturing six top-10 finishes. Townley found his niche on the intermediate program earning his career highest finish (sixth) at Chicagoland Speedway. With veteran crew chief Mike Beam coaching the Zaxby's driver, he was able to increase his average starting position by almost two positions and average finishing position by four positions.
WHAT'S NEW AT YOUR LOCAL ZAXBY'S: Zaxby's, a southeast favorite for chicken fingers and wings, has been indescribably good for more than 20 years. The Athens, Georgia based chain offers its guests prepared-at-order Chicken Fingerz, Traditional or Boneless Wings, sandwiches, Zalads and Zappetizers, along with a variety of nine sauces ranging from Wimpy and Tongue Torch to Nuclear and Insane. A meal to rival all others, fans can score big with Zaxby's new Fan Special. The meal includes four signature Chicken Fingers, Crinkle Fries, Texas Toast, Zax Sauce and a Large Beverage. It's a FAN-tastic deal and only around for a limited time. The company operates more than 595 locations in 13 states. For more information, please visit zaxbys.com, facebook.com/zaxbys or follow on Twitter @Zaxbys.
CHASSIS HISTORY: There is no better way to finish out the season-finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway than to have a chassis you feel most confident about. John Wes Townley and his No. 7 Zaxby's Toyota Tundra team will unload Chassis No. 016 for the 134-lap event. As one of the most recent chassis built in the Red Horse Racing stable, Townley debuted the chassis at Chicagoland Speedway. It succeeded with shining colors as Townley collected his career high Truck Series finish (sixth). Most recently, Townley captured his sixth top-10 of the season with this chassis at Texas Motor Speedway.
REARVIEW MIRROR - PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY: John Wes Townley and the No.7 Zaxby's Toyota Tundra qualified for the 150-lap event in the 15th-place. On a restart with 31 laps to go, the Zaxby's Tundra was hit by another competitor that sent the truck hard into the wall and ended Townley's day. At race's end, the team was scored 27th. This was in no way indicative of John Wes' season in that the past seven races, Townley has finished 13th or better, with four top-10 finishes on all different types of tracks.
John Wes Townley on Homestead-Miami Speedway:
How do you feel about your chances of capturing your first Truck Series win at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
"I feel really good about our chances of winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I have all the confidence in the world in my Red Horse Racing team and my crew chief Mike Beam. We are taking my favorite Chassis, No. 016, and I feel like this could be a great way to end my season."
How do you capture your 2013 season at Red Horse Racing in a statement?
"It's been a really great year. I really owe everything to everyone at Red Horse Racing for their hard work on our Toyota Tundras and for having the great support that we have with Zaxby's, Toyota, Joe Gibbs Engines. The pieces just really fit together this year and we were able to race consistently week in and week out. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Red Horse Racing and hope we can go out with a great finish at Homestead."
RHR PR
Jimmy Weller Races to Homestead with Engine Parts Plus
Ohio native Jimmy Weller will get behind the wheel of the SS Green Light Racing No. 81 Toyota for the season-ending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200 Friday night at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Engine Parts Plus of Detroit, MI will support Weller and the SS Green Light team at Homestead with added backing from Hopek Hardware Plus. “We’re excited to support NASCAR and the SS Green Light Racing Team,” said Mac Caravillo of Engine Parts Plus. “We have admired how Bobby Dotter has survived over the years with limited resources so we’re proud to be able to help Bobby, Jimmy Weller and the No. 81 team at Homestead.”
“I’m excited to get to Homestead, I’ve only been there once a couple years ago and it looked like a fun joint. I remember when we were leaving the track thinking how much fun it would be to run there; so I’m really looking forward to actually racing there in the Camping World Truck Series.” Weller said. “I was talking with Ryan (Blaney) and he said that with the banking and the speeds at Homestead is to start at the bottom and begin working your way up the track. We’ve had our best success running on the dirt tracks when we were able to run up around the top where you can keep it wound up and use your momentum.”
“I’m looking forward to representing Mac and staff at Engine Parts Plus,” continued Weller. “Everyone on the SS Green Light team is going to do everything we can for them to have a great experience this week. The guys have worked hard on our Toyota and I think everyone feels confident that we should have a competitive truck.”
The Ford EcoBoost 200 is the 313th consecutive NCWTS start for the SS Green Light Racing team and the fifth career start for Weller in the Truck Series, all this season.
“We don’t have any true goals for this week, we’re just trying to run as good as we can, trying to make laps and be competitive doing it. I want to show that we can do it and give Bobby a good run to end the 2013 season.”
“That said, we have to be smart and run all the laps so I can get my approvals for Daytona next year. Somehow once the race starts you forget all that,” concluded Weller with a chuckle.
Cal Boprey will be atop the SS Green Light Racing pit box for the Ford EcoBoost 200.
SS Green Light Racing PR
Dakoda Armstrong NCWTS Post Race Report- Phoenix
Making his first career start at Phoenix International Raceway in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) competition, Dakoda Armstrong entered Friday night's Lucas Oil 150 with hopes to quickly adapt to the track and seal a solid finish in the WinField Silverado. Battling a tight handling condition throughout the main event and dodging several on-track incidents, Armstrong fought through 150 laps for a 19th-place finish.
Utilizing the majority of both practice sessions on Thursday to get acclimated to the 1-mile oval, Armstrong began to get comfortable with the driving style that was required to be competitive in Friday night's main event. Near the end of final practice, the team suffered a blow as a sway bar arm failure caused significant damage to the WinField Silverado. After extensive repairs, Armstrong was able to put up a 25th-place qualifying effort on Friday afternoon.
Reporting early and often throughout the 150-lap event that the tight handling condition he had experienced in practice had not changed, Armstrong worked feverishly with spotter Tyler Green and crew chief Richie Wauters to find a line that would help the handling of his Silverado. Receiving his first chance to come to pit road for changes under the second caution on Lap 37, Wauters called for what would be the first of many chassis and air pressure adjustments. Unfortunately for the team and Armstrong, the No. 60 machine did not respond to each of the many changes made under five separate pit stops throughout the night. The 22-year-old driver would settle for a 19th-place finish.
Dakoda Armstrong PR
Newman ‘Brings Home’ Top-10 at Phoenix
Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), finished 10th in the AdvoCare 500k NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Newman started 17th in the 43-car field and led three times for 31 laps en route to recording his ninth top-10 in 23 career Sprint Cup starts at the 1-mile oval and 18th top-10 finish of the 2013 season.
Newman struggled throughout the first 140 laps with a racecar that was tight in the center of the corners but loose on the exit. He was able to maintain his position until a well-timed caution period on lap 144. Having already been to pit road on lap 132, Newman and crew chief Matt Borland agreed to stay on the racetrack while the drivers that had not stopped under the previous caution came in for their scheduled service. The move saw Newman advance to the third position for the lap 158 restart. He would take the lead on lap 190, holding the point for 25 laps.
As long green-flag runs and varying pit strategies saw the running order constantly jumbled over the second half of the 312-lap race, Newman’s Quicken Loans Chevrolet was scored as low as 19th and as high as first on two additional occasions. While leading the race under green-flag conditions, Newman came to pit road for scheduled service on lap 274. He ran out of fuel as he entered pit road but was able to coast to his pit box.
“We had a good strategy, but we ran out of fuel coming to pit road,” Newman said. “We had an opportunity to make something of it, but running out of fuel cost us four or five spots. That was probably the difference between us finishing fifth to where we actually finished, in 10th.”
Newman was scored 19th after the miscue but was able to climb to the 10th position, where he would take the checkered flag, over the final 30 laps of the penultimate race of the 2013 season.
TSC PR
RCR NSCS Post Race Report -- Phoenix International Raceway
Race Highlights:
- Richard Childress Racing teammates finished first (Kevin Harvick), 16th (Paul Menard) and 17th (Jeff Burton) in the AdvoCare 500.
- Following the event at Phoenix International Raceway, Harvick is third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings, 24 markers behind the leader, while Menard is 17th and Burton sits 19th.
- The No. 29 Chevrolet SS team is third in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 27 team ranks 17th and the No. 31 team 20th.
- According to NASCAR's Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, Harvick led the most laps (70), earned the best Average Running Position (4.901), had the best Driver Rating (140.7), was the Fastest Driver Early in a Run, Fastest on Restarts, had the Fastest Green-Flag Speed, the best Speed in Traffic, spent the most Laps in the Top 15 (95.8 percent), had the second-most Quality Passes (53) and was the third-Fastest Driver Late in a Run.
- RCR teammates Harvick and Menard posted 64 of the Fastest Laps Run with 63 and one, respectively.
- Menard gained three positions during the final 10 percent (32 laps) of the 312-lap event, tying him for third in the Closers post-race loop data category and had the 10th-fastest Speed in Traffic.
- Completing 95 passes, Burton ranked second in the category of Green-Flag Passes.
- Harvick earned his fourth victory of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season and was followed to the finish line by Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kurt Busch.
- The next Sprint Cup Series race is the Homestead 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 17. The 36th and final race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
Paul Menard Finishes 16th at Phoenix International Raceway
Paul Menard and the No. 27 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet team started Sunday's 312-lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in 13th place. Once the initial green flag waved over the one-mile oval of Phoenix International Raceway under sunny skies, Menard would remain in a top-15 running position for the early going. While competing against the other 42 competitors, Menard radioed to crew chief "Slugger" Labbe he was having trouble getting his Chevrolet SS to handle exiting the turns. Utilizing right-side tire only pit stops on laps 52, 101 and 131 allowed Menard to compete in the top 10 and top 15 positions. After falling to 26th place because of pit sequences under cautions, Menard stayed out under a yellow flag on lap 190 while others hit pit road. This lined him up 12th for the restart for a gain of 14 places. As the race continued, Menard remained in 13th-place needing the car to turn better in the turns by lap 282. Making one last pit stop under caution on lap 184 taking four tires and fuel, he restarted 18th. During the final run, he gained two positions to finish 16th. As a result, Menard remains 17th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
Start - 13 Finish- 16 Points Led - 0 Points - 17th
Paul Menard Quote: "We were doing pretty good there in the early parts of the race, but just needed more grip exiting the turns and a better balance through them in the No. 27 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet. Two-tire pit stops worked really well for us and the guys did a great job on pit road. We have one more chance to earn a victory this season, and Homestead-Miami Speedway seems like the perfect place to make that happen."
Harvick Collects Fourth Win of the Season at Phoenix International Raceway
Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team collected their fourth win of the 2013 season on Sunday afternoon in the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Starting the 312-lap affair from the ninth position, the California native showed speed early on, breaking into the top five on the first lap and settling into the lead by lap 56. While battling a loose-handling Chevrolet, Harvick led the field around the one-mile facility until the caution flag waved on lap 101 when he brought the red and white machine down pit road for service. Following the four-tire pit stop, the 23-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner returned to the track in the seventh position for the ensuring restart and patiently worked his way back to the lead by lap 248. Harvick remained out front until reporting he was out of fuel and was forced to come down pit road under green-flag conditions on lap 268 for right-side tires and fuel. Back on track, the Richard Childress Racing driver quickly returned to the top five by lap 276, regained the lead on the final lap when Carl Edwards ran out of fuel and drove the Budweiser Chevrolet to Victory Lane for the 23rd time in his 13-year Sprint Cup Series career. Following Harvick's fourth victory of the season, he remains third in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, 34 markers out of the top spot.
Start - 9 Finish - 1 Laps Led - 70 Points - 3rd
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
Burton Finishes 17th in 1,000th-career NASCAR start at Phoenix International Raceway
Jeff Burton and the No. 31 @CATMining Chevrolet team finished 17th at Phoenix International Raceway in his 1,000th-career NASCAR start on Sunday. Starting the 312-lap event from the 15th position, the 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner battled a loose-entry and tight-middle handling condition on his black and yellow machine during the early laps, while maintaining a top-25 running position. Throughout the middle stages of the event, the South Boston, Va., native continued to battle with the ill-handling machine while the Luke Lambert-led Caterpillar pit crew made chassis and air pressure adjustments on four-tire pit stops under multiple caution-flag periods. Under caution on lap 147, Lambert called for the 46-year-old driver to stay out and not hit pit road for routine service, giving Burton a top-15 running position on the restart. The Richard Childress Racing driver maintained a top-20 running position throughout the final stages of the race and ultimately crossed the finish line in the 17th position. Burton remains 19th in the Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings.
Start - 15 Finish - 17 Laps Led - 0 Points - 19th
JEFF BURTON QUOTE:
"It was really cool to have @CATMining on the No. 31 Chevrolet this weekend and see all the support for my 1,000th-career NASCAR start. When I was a kid growing up, I wanted to be a race car driver. Here I am doing it at 46-years-old. I'm truly blessed to have a family that supported me through the good and bad times. I look forward to finishing out my RCR career with a strong effort at Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend."
RCR PR
Mid-Race Accident Causes Patrick to Finish 33rd
Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), finished 33rd after being involved in an accident on lap 146 of the AdvoCare 500k NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Patrick, who started 32nd, battled a loose-handling racecar early in the event and then was caught in an accident not of her making at the midway point of the race.
“It was a tough day all around,” said Patrick, who made her 45th Sprint Cup start and her third at Phoenix. “We started out pretty loose and got down a lap early. Then obviously we got caught up in the accident. Someone spun in front of me, and there was so much smoke I started to check up, and all of a sudden my car got hit from behind. It tore the back of the car up pretty good. It’s disappointing, but the GoDaddy guys did a good job of fixing it as best they could so we could finish. It’s tough to have a day like this, especially with a lot of people from GoDaddy here watching. Obviously, we wanted to put a better performance on for them. We’ll go to Homestead and see if we can have a good run to end the season.”
Patrick, who is competing for Rookie of the Year honors against Ricky Stenhouse Jr., finished 21 spots behind Stenhouse, who placed 12th. Patrick fell two spots to 27th in the point standings and has 622 points.
Patrick’s teammate, Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet SS, finished 10th. The third member of SHR, Mark Martin, interim driver of SHR’s No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS as he subs for the injured Tony Stewart, finished 15th.
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