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| Ryan Newman is 30/1 to win at Pocono; Austin Dillon is 100/1 |
No. 31 WIX Filters Chevrolet SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
This Week’s WIX Filters Chevrolet SS at Pocono Raceway … Ryan Newman will drive chassis No. 456 on Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Chassis No. 456 has been utilized in two Sprint Cup Series events so far in 2014 (Las Vegas Motor Speedway – seventh and Texas Motor Speedway – 16th).
Newman at the Tricky Triangle … In 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Pocono, Newman drove to victory lane in the second summer event of 2003. The “Rocket Man” also owns two pole awards. In total, he’s recorded nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. He has led 184 laps in competition. The South Bend, Ind., native has an average start of 10th and average finish of 12th. In the last six races at Pocono, the RCR driver ranks third in most points earned. Plus, Newman’s first ever ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start came at Pocono Raceway in 2000 where he started on the outside pole to win the race.
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Point of Interest … Newman ranks 11th in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings, trailing 10th place by just three markers and the current leader by 89 points, entering the 14th event on the schedule - the Pocono 400.
Where’s Ryan? … On Sunday, Newman is scheduled to participate in a question and answer session at the Sprint Experience at 9:55 a.m. ET located at the Pocono midway.
Race Rewind … Last season, Newman led the Pocono 400 three times before crossing the finish line in fifth place.
Team Test … Newman and teammate Austin Dillon participated in an RCR team test at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., on Wednesday. Last week, all three RCR Cup teams tested at Pocono Raceway in preparation for this weekend’s event.
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
What are your expectations for Pocono now that the new surface has aged a year?
“I think it has definitely slowed down a little bit even though our cars are a little bit faster, but to me, it’s still the same track. They changed Turn 2 a little bit, the curbs are gone. It makes for a better escape route especially with the way our splitters are now. On a restart, it will really help when we get jumbled up. We will have a place to go now instead of running in the back of someone. The track is pretty much the same and it remains one of my favorite tracks on the circuit.”
Do the three unique turns make it fun for you to drive?
“It’s a third more work per lap is what it amounts to. I wouldn’t say it’s anything crazy or anything we can’t handle. All three corners are different and it makes it more different. It’s possible to set your car up for all three turns. It’s doable to make the car perfect. It’s not easy, but all it takes is good communication between you, the crew chief and the engineers. One of the reasons why I like the place is because of the unique turns and the chance to shift. Shifting makes it fun and adds a little more fun. There is still heavy braking, so it has characteristics of a short track. It’s totally unique, which is what I like.”
- Richard Childress Racing
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