Catchfence

JR Motorsports

TRACK – Kansas Speedway (1.5-mile D-shaped oval)

DATE – Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010

TV / RADIO – ESPN2 (coverage begins at 3 p.m. EST) / MRN (broadcast begins at 3 p.m. EST)

Aric Almirola

No. 88 GT Vodka Chevrolet

“I’m really excited to get another chance to drive the GT Vodka Chevrolet this weekend. It means a lot that Dale Jr. and Kelley are willing to put me back in the 88 before season’s end. Everyone knows a lot of success in this sport is about chemistry. Getting to work with Pops (Tony Eury Sr.) and all the guys on our GT Vodka crew is a good way to start laying a solid foundation for 2011. We want to focus on our ability to work together and keep this No. 88 car at the front. I’m optimistic Kansas will be a good starting point for that.

“Kansas is a great facility. It’s a fun track and we normally get a decent fan turnout for the races there. Pops and the guys have put some extra work into their intermediate program and hopefully we can capitalize on that this weekend – like they did at Atlanta – and give our friends at GT Vodka something to celebrate.”

Josh Wise

No. 7 Lionel NASCAR Collectibles Chevrolet

“Our No. 7 Lionel NASCAR Collectibles Chevrolet is one of the coolest cars I’ve ever had the chance to drive. I can’t think of a greater opportunity for this No. 7 team than to get its first win with Lionel on board. For me, it’s an honor to be part of their initial involvement in NASCAR, and everyone at JRM is looking forward to this weekend’s race.

“I’ve always enjoyed running the mile-and-a-half tracks. I think our No. 7 team has made some big gains at those types of facilities. It’d be great if we could improve on some of my finishes in the No. 7 Chevrolet from the past few weeks. We’ve definitely been a top-10 car, and that’s where we need to finish.”

JR MOTORSPORTS NOTEBOOK –

INTRODUCING LIONEL NASCAR COLLECTIBLES – As part of Lionel’s initial foray into NASCAR, the No. 7 Chevrolet driven by Josh Wise will feature a special Lionel NASCAR Collectibles paint scheme at Kansas Speedway. Lionel NASCAR Collectables, LLC is the new partnership between Lionel Electric Trains, NASCAR and the NASCAR Team Licensing Trust that will revolutionize the world of die-cast motorsports replicas. The new company, which formed in July of this year, is already the premiere manufacturer and supplier of NASCAR licensed die-cast cars and will proudly carry on the Action Racing Collectables and RCCA Elite Brands.

Wise’s No. 7 features train elements emblazoned across the entire vehicle, most notably along the sides of the car where the actual tires blend in among the train wheels that are part of the paint scheme. The No. 7 Lionel NASCAR Collectibles Chevrolet will also be available for purchase in a 1:24-scale die-cast.

ALMIROLA READIES FOR 2011 – Almirola will return to race for the GT Vodka team for the first time since being named the full-time driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet for 2011. His initial stint for JRM took place at O’Reilly Raceway Park earlier this year, where he led one lap, ran among the top-five all night, and finished third in his team debut. Additionally, Almirola piloted the No. 7 Chevrolet to an 11th-place finish at Richmond. He has led at least one lap in each race with the team and earned an average finish of 7.0.

EIGHT FOR WISE – Wise makes his eighth start of the season for JRM this weekend at Kansas. In his seven previous starts with the team he’s earned one top-10 (Gateway), and six top-15 finishes driving the No. 7 Chevrolet. His average finish in those races is 13.1.

NATIONWIDE SERIES AUTOGRAPH SESSION – JRM driver Josh Wise is participating in the Nationwide Series autograph session on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. The session is located in the Sprint Fan Walk between the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series garages in the Kansas Speedway infield.

WISE AT KANSAS – Wise owns one start at Kansas in the Camping World Truck Series. He started 15th and finished 17th in 2007 driving for Darrell Waltrip.

ALMIROLA AT KANSAS – Almirola holds three starts at Kansas Speedway across the Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series. His best showing came in a Billy Ballew owned truck this season when finished seventh.

TEAM POINTS POSITION – The No. 88 GT Vodka team is ranked eighth in the 2010 owner points after Dover. The No. 7 Lionel NASCAR Collectibles Chevrolet team is 16th in owner points.

CRUISIN’ WITH DALE JR. – The Dale Jr. Foundation has announced that bids are now open for the Foundation Fast Laps, which offers a limited number of ride alongs with Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, Oct. 18th, 2010. Fans have their choice of either bidding on a ride through the NASCAR.com auctions page, or purchasing one through The Dale Jr. Foundation website.

Winners are entitled to many extras, including two pre-race pit passes, and two grandstand seats for the Bank of America 500, a walk-through tour of Dale Jr.’s Hendrick Motorsports hauler and much more. Proceeds will benefit the Blessings in a Backpack program, which fills backpacks with food for underprivileged children. The auction page can be found here, and to purchase a ride visit http://www.thedalejrfoundation.org/_10_08_17.html

FREE JR NATION CREW FAN CLUB – Dale Jr. and JR Motorsports are welcoming race fans to join the JR Nation Crew Fan Club for free. The exclusive fan club offers fans an online hub with chat rooms, forums, and blogs from JRM personalities. Join today for your chance to win an autographed fire suit courtesy of Hellmann’s®. For more information, visit www.jrnation.com.

- JR Motorsports Press Release