First, he has the same car that was running great at Talladega Superspeedway until getting hit from behind under caution. Second, he loves racing the 2.5-mile track of Daytona International Speedway because of the high speeds. Third, the thrill of racing under the lights of DIS on a Friday night is the one ingredient Richardson likes the most.
The No. 23 North Texas Pipe Dodge team is taking to the track looking to complete the entire event, unlike the season opener when they got caught up in someone else’s mess and hurt their radiator. This time, the car and driver are ready to race like hell to the checkered flag.
Fast Facts: This will be the 83rd-career start for the native of McKinney, Texas and 14th of the 2011 season. His best start, to date, this year is 26th place; which was achieved at Talladega Superspeedway. The best run to the checkers took place at Richmond when he placed 20th.
Track Facts: Richardson is making his 10th -career start at DIS, and second of the season. The season opener was shaping up to be a good run for him and the No. 23 team as they were up in the top-15 early. When they got caught up in someone else’s wreck, it punched a hole in the radiator and caused the car to overheat and out of the race. His best start DIS was 27th and finish of 25th place. The 29-year old driver has completed 95.3% (963 of 1011) laps contested at Daytona.
Car Facts: Walter Giles and team are taking chassis No. 55 with them to the World Center of Speed for this weekend. This car made its debut at the season opener at DIS and was used again at Talladega.
Tune in for the Win: On-track action begins on Thursday with two practice sessions for the NNS. The first is from 2:30 to 3:50 p.m. ET and the final one is from 5:30 to 6:25 p.m. That one will be aired on ESPN2. Qualifying is on the same network at 2 p.m. on Saturday, with race action a few hours later on ESPN at 7 p.m. Radio coverage can be heard on MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Ch. 90 for all 100 laps.
Did you know: People often ask how Lake Lloyd came to be in the infield of the 2.5-mile oval. When Bill France, Sr. built the track on the relatively flat landscape of Florida in 1957, he had to come up with dirt to make the high banking for the turns. So, they dug it right out of the middle of the track leaving a large hole. That hole filled with water and was named Lake Lloyd; which is now used for fishing and water sports.
Robert Richardson, Jr. Quotes: “This race is always one I look forward to at Daytona for a few reasons. First, it’s Daytona – what more needs to be said. Second, it’s under the lights on a Friday night and that makes it even more interesting and exciting for the drivers, teams and fans.
“What I don’t like is the two-car draft deal that’s come about with these new cars. You either have to be a pusher or be pushed, and that doesn’t work out too well sometimes. You’ve seen in the previous races at Daytona and Talladega how that usually works out for the guy in front.
“But, it is what it is and I know our No. 23 Dodge is a great car and the team did a great job getting it ready for this race. Now, it’s up to me – and whomever I work with – to get that car up front and get that great finish we all want.”
- R3 Motorsports Press Release
