No. 29 Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express Impala SS

Following Bowyer on the speed chart was Denny Hamlin, who ran a lap speed of 153.244 mph, while Matt Kenseth (152.970) was third fastest, David Reutimann (152.821) fourth, Kyle Busch (152.620) fifth, Ryan Newman (152.594) sixth, Carl Edwards (152.504) seventh, Mike Bliss (152.484) eighth, Raybestos Rookie contender John Wes Townley (151.950- required to qualify on time) ninth and Scott Speed (151.783) rounds out the top-10 fastest.

2009 Dover 200 NNS First Practice Session Speeds

No. 29 Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express Impala SS

Event: NAPA Auto Parts 200 – August 30, 2009

Venue: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – Montreal

NOTES:

· This Weekend’s Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet Impala SS at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve … Stephen Leicht will pilot Chassis No. 075 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend. Built new in 2008, Clint Bowyer raced this former No. 2 Chevy to a sixth-place finish last April at Autòdromo Hermanos Rodrìguez (Mexico City) and a ninth-place finish last August at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal).

· 70th career NNS Start … The 22-year old Asheville, N.C., native will make his 70th career NNS start this weekend. In 69 starts, Leicht has one win (Kentucky – 2007), 14 top-10 and 38 top-20 finishes. He boasts an average start of 17.3 and an average finish of 20.7. In his five-year NNS career, he has led six races for a total of 66 laps and been running at the finish in 60 races (87.0 percent).

· Unique Status … Leicht is one of eight drivers to earn a top-five finish at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Additionally, Leicht and Marcos Ambrose are the only two drivers who accomplished this feat at Montreal while running the full 35-race NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. Leicht did it in 2007 and Ambrose did it back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.

· Third Time Around … Leicht finished fifth in his only career start at Montreal in 2007. Last season, he posted the 17th- and 13th-fastest speeds while practicing RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet for Clint Bowyer.

· Leicht’s Montreal Loop … According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Leicht is second among drivers at the 2.71-mile Canadian road course with an average of 27 quality passes. The quality pass formula is calculated by the number of passes a driver has, while running inside the top 15, under green-flag conditions.

· RCR Equipment for Leicht … Leicht joined RCR in 2008 and has driven in 12 NNS events for the Welcome, N.C.,-based race team. He has recorded six top-10 and nine top-15 finishes dating back to February 25, 2008. Leicht has an 11.5 starting average, a 13.8 finishing average and has completed 2,331 of 2,444 (95.4 percent) of the lap contested.

· Elite Winner … Leicht is one of six non-double-duty drivers to run at least one full NNS season since 2006 and won a race in NASCAR’s junior division. The list also includes Ambrose, Mike Bliss, Brad Keselowski, Jason Leffler and Paul Menard.

· RCR in Montreal … In four previous starts at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, RCR-prepared Chevrolets have earned one win and four top-11 finishes. The 54-time NNS winning organization won the inaugural race in 2007 with Kevin Harvick.

· RCR’s Road Course Stats … In 25 NNS road course starts (includes Mexico City, Montreal and Watkins Glen), the five-time NNS championship organization earned two wins, eight top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. RCR-prepared Chevrolets boast a 9.8 average finish and have completed all but one lap (1957 of 1958) contested in those starts.

· Rearview Mirror … Bowyer drove the No. 29 Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet to a seventh-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway last Friday, extending the No. 29 team’s streak to 10 consecutive top-15 finishes. With 11 races remaining in the 2009 NNS season, the Richard Childress-owned team remains seventh in the owners’ point standings, 97 markers behind Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20 entry in fifth.

· Stay Updated … For behind-the-scenes information about the No. 29 team and updates throughout each race weekend, visit www.twitter.com/HolidayInnRacin.

· Blog Spot … Keep up with Leicht this weekend by viewing his daily blog on www.rcrracing.com. Leicht will begin his blog on Friday, August 28, about his experiences both on and off the track in Montreal.

· Media Session … Leicht will field questions from the media on Saturday, August 29 from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. inside the media lounge.

· Race Broadcast Information … The NAPA Auto Parts 200 will be televised live on Sunday, August 30 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on ESPN2. The race can also be heard on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio beginning at 3 p.m. EDT. Qualifying for the 25th event of the 2009 NNS season will begin at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Live updates of time trials can be found at www.twitter.com/HolidayInnRacin and can be heard on MRN and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. Taped-delayed coverage of qualifying can be seen at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN2.

· 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.

Stephen Leicht

With one race under your belt at Montreal, what are your goals heading there this weekend?

“I definitely have more confidence heading into the weekend than I did back in 2007. We finished fifth here when I was with (Robert) Yates, but I feel I’m with a better team and have better equipment this time around. Last year, when I practiced the No. 2 Chevy for Clint, I developed a better feel for the track. I’ve learned that tire wear is not big, but track position and a smart strategy for the race are important. We need to qualify well, have a good pit strategy and, if we play our cards right, we might be in a position to win the race.”

You’ve said that Montreal is one of your favorite tracks the Nationwide Series visits. Why is that?

“This is one of the stops on our circuit that I can’t wait for at the beginning of each season. The fans are very welcoming to our sport. They love NASCAR racing just as much as our fans do in America. They enjoy having big name drivers from the Nationwide Series race alongside their Canadian drivers. The track is relatively flat and open, which gives everyone the chance to see the amazing scenery. The city of Montreal is awesome, too, and there is plenty to do away from the track.”

What’s your take on the Canadian road-course ringers?

“I think it’s great they get the opportunity to race with us once a year. They know how to get around this road course and enjoy helping series regulars learn the track better. They do have the home-track advantage on their side, especially with the fans in attendance, but I intend to give them a run for their money and have a solid finish.”

It’s your 70th career NNS start. How do you feel about what you’ve accomplished thus far in your early career?

“It’s been amazing so far. I’ve learned a lot in this series and have met some great people along the way. I started out racing when I was little, but never dreamed I would be in the position where I’m at today. To be able to tell people who I raced door-to-door with is pretty cool. This season alone is filled with awesome memories. I was a part of Richard Childress’ 700th career Nationwide Series start and I’ll be making my 70th career Nationwide start driving for the same guy who owned Dale Earnhardt’s car. That’s big. I’m just proud to be along for the ride right now, and hope for bigger and better things to come in the future.”

DOUG RANDOLPH (CREW CHIEF) QUOTE:

What are your goals heading to Montreal?

“It’s one of the few places I’ve yet to visit on the Nationwide Series side, but I’m definitely excited. Stephen seems to have the track figured out, which definitely gives us confidence heading into the weekend. We’re going to get our Chevrolet to handle to Stephen’s liking during the practice sessions and try to have a strong qualifying effort. Track position is so important at road course races, so starting further up definitely helps. In regards to the race, we’re going to stick to our fuel strategy we set and, hopefully, put ourselves in position to contend for the win at the end of the day.”

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

No. 29 Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express Impala SS

Bowyer, who received his first ever victory at Daytona, his first victory of the season and his seventh in the series, was followed by Kyle Busch in second (who now has a 172 point lead over third-place finisher Carl Edwards) Joey Logano finished fourth and Kasey Kahne finishing fifth.

Rounding out the top-10 were: Brad Keselowski finishing in sixth, Brian Vickers seventh, the highest finishing rookie Justin Allgaier was eighth, David Ragan ninth and Kevin Harvick finishes tenth.

Unofficial top-10 in the points standings: 1. Kyle Busch – 2756 2. Carl Edwards – 2584 (-172 Behind Leader) 3. Brad Keselowski – 2488 (-268) 4. Jason Leffler – 2367 (-389) 5. Joey Logano – 2200 (-556) 6. Justin Allgaier – 2006 (-750) 7. Mike Bliss – 1986 (-770) 8. Brendan Gaughan – 1956 (-800) 9. Steve Wallace – 1950 (-806) 10. Jason Keller – 1907 (-849)

2009 Subway Jalapeno 250 NNS Race Results

· This Week’s Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet Impala SS at The Milwaukee Mile… Stephen Leicht will pilot chassis No. 066 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in this weekend’s NothernTool.com 250. This is the same Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Impala SS Leicht finished sixth and 11th at both Nashville Superspeedway events this season. Formerly a No. 21 Chevrolet, Leicht raced this car at Texas Motor Speedway last October where he finished 18th. This chassis was also driven twice in 2008 by Clint Bowyer as a No. 2 Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway, where he finished ninth and seventh, respectively. The car was rebuilt over the off season to fit the 2009 Chevrolet Impala SS specifications.

· Statistically Speaking …

o One Year Ago … Leicht practiced and qualified RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet for Bowyer last season at Milwaukee. During time trials, Leicht posted the sixth fastest time, touring the one-mile Wisconsin oval at 29.681 seconds at an average speed of 120.559 mph.

o Loop-D-Loop … Based on NASCAR’s loop data statistics at Milwaukee, Leicht has been scored in the top 15 for 67.5 percent of the laps contested (343 of 558) in his two starts. His average running position during both events is a 13.6.

o In the Month of June … In 10 career starts in the month of June, Leicht has earned one win and three top-10 finishes coupled with a 13.8 average starting spot and an average finishing position of 19.3.

o RCR Equipment for Leicht … Leicht, an Asheville, N.C., native joined RCR in 2008 and has driven in eight NNS events for the Welcome, N.C.,-based race team. Dating back to Feb. 25, 2008, he has earned three top-10 finishes, a 13.8 average starting position and an average finishing position of 16.1 and he has completed 92.7 percent of the laps contested for the five-time NNS championship-winning organization.

o RCR at Milwaukee … In 19 NNS starts at The Milwaukee Mile, RCR has one win (Ron Hornaday Jr – 2004) and two poles (Kevin Harvick – 2001 and Johnny Sauter – 2003). Additionally, RCR-prepared cars have four top-five and eight top-10 finishes. RCR Chevrolets have led 315 laps and have completed 98.6 percent of the laps contested.

o Holiday Inn Racing at Milwaukee … Scott Wimmer piloted the No. 29 Holiday Inn Racing Chevrolet in two events at Milwaukee, finishing second in 2007 and sixth in 2008.

· Elite Status … Leicht is one of only six non-double-duty drivers to have run at least one full NNS season between 2006 and the present who have won a NNS race. The list also includes Marcos Ambrose, Mike Bliss, Brad Keselowski, Jason Leffler and Paul Menard.

· Rear-View Mirror… Leicht and the No. 29 Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet finished 31st at Kentucky Speedway last weekend after the engine overheated 63 laps shy of the checkered flag. The Richard Childress-owned No. 29 entry dropped one position, to ninth, in the Nationwide Series owners’ point standings, sitting 387 points behind the leader but a slim 94 markers separate them and Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 6 entry in seventh.

· ‘Three Wide for the Name on the Ride’ … Three races remain to determine which of the three Holiday Inn Racing drivers (Bowyer, Jeff Burton, and Leicht) will have their name above the door of the No. 29 Chevrolet for the remainder of the season. The driver with the most wins, or best average finish, following the July Daytona event will win the internal wager.

o Bowyer currently leads the competition with a 10th-place average finish. The defending NNS champion will be behind the wheel of the green and blue No. 29 Chevrolet for the final two starts of the ‘wager’ at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.

o Leicht is second with a 16th-place average finish in his first three starts. Milwaukee marks his last start of the competition.

o Burton, who does not have any starts remaining in the 17-race competition, is third with a 13.1 average finishing position.

· Birthday Celebration … Brian Daniels, a mechanic for the Holiday Inn Racing team at the track, will celebrate his 34th birthday on Sunday, June 21st. During the week, Daniels serves as an electrical technician at RCR’s Nationwide Series shop.

· Race Broadcast Information … The NorthernTool.com 300 will be televised live on ESPN2 Saturday, June 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will also broadcast worldwide on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio beginning at 8 p.m. EDT. Qualifying for the 15th event of the 2009 NNS season will air on ESPN2, on tape-delay, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also air live updates of time trials.

STEPHEN LEICHT QUOTES:

Coming off a rough weekend at Kentucky, what are the team’s goals heading into Milwaukee?

“The No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet was fast last weekend but we had some issues during the race and the result really didn’t show how good we should have been. The team is working their tails off in the Nationwide shop and at the track each weekend and we are getting stronger. Milwaukee is a track that the RCR stable has had some success and the Chevrolets we have seem to perform well there. Bringing the exact chassis that I’ve raced twice this season is comforting and our goal is to keep up the solid finishes we’ve had in four of the last five races. Doug Randolph (No. 29 crew chief) and the team have made huge strides is getting our program back running consistently and we’re looking to continue improving this weekend.”

DOUG RANDOLPH (Crew Chief) QUOTE:

Milwaukee is a decent track for Stephen Leicht. What are your thoughts about this weekend’s race at the one-mile oval?

“We are brining an Impala SS that was solid for us at both Nashville events this season. We’re confident heading into this weekend that we’ll have another consistent run with this chassis. Milwaukee is a track that Stephen likes running at and he did a great job last year helping out the No. 2 RCR team while Clint was practicing and qualifying in Infineon. Last week we had a little setback but we know that the gains we have been making are working and our consistency should be back with us this weekend.”

- Richard Childress Racing, Press Release