NASCAR Camping World Truck Series — Chicagoland Race Info, Links and News

 

THE RACE: American Ethanol 225

TRACK: Chicagoland Speedway

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race #10 of 22 for the 2012 season

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Pit Stall Selections | Race Results | Driver Point Standings | Owner Point Standings |
Official Race Report

Race / Track Info

 

  • Race Date: Saturday, July 21, 2012
  • Title Sponsor: NCWTS 225
  • Start Time: 8:00pm/et
  • 2011 Winner: Austin Dillon
  • 2011 Pole: Steve Arpin
  • Track Layout: 1.5 Miles
  • Length: 150 Laps, 225 Miles
  • Degree of Banking in Turns: 1-4: 18 degrees
  • Degree of Banking on tri-oval: 11 degrees
  • Degree of Banking on Backstretch: 5 degrees
  • Length of Frontstretch: 2,400 feet
  • Length of Backstretch: 1,700 feet

Television Coverage/TV Team

 

  • TV: SPEEDtv
    Qualifying: 4:00pm/et
    Pre-race: 7:30pm/et
    Race: 8:00pm/et
    In the Booth: Rick Allen, Phil Parsons, Michael Waltrip
    Pit Reporters: Ray Dunlap, Hermie Sadler
    Pre-race Host: Krista Voda

Radio Coverage

 

Event Schedule

Thursday, July 19th
6:00 PM NCWTS HAULERS ENTER

Friday, July 20th
11:30 AM NCWTS REGISTRATION OPENS
12:00 PM NCWTS GARAGE OPENS
3:30 PM NCWTS ROOKIE & SPOTTER MEETINGS & RANDOM DRAWING
4:30 PM – 5:50 PM [5:30PM – 6:50PM EASTERN] NCWTS PRACTICE
7:00 PM NCWTS REGISTRATION CLOSES
8:10 PM – 9:00 PM [9:10PM – 10:00PM EASTERN] NCWTS FINAL PRACTICE
10:00 PM NCWTS GARAGE CLOSES

Saturday, July 21st
11:00 AM NCWTS GARAGE & REGISTRATION OPENS
12:50 PM NCWTS DRIVER/CREW CHIEF MEETING (TENT)
2:35 PM [3:35 PM EASTERN] NCWTS QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS)
6:30 PM NCWTS DRIVER INTRODUCTION
7:00 PM [8:00 PM EASTERN] NCWTS RACE (150 LAPS, 225 MILES)
7:30 PM NCWTS REGISTRATION CLOSES

  • Note: All times listed in Central Time Zone unless otherwise indicated, and are tentative, subject to change.

Race Rundown….news and links

 

  • Chicagoland Official Race Report (pdf) .(7-23-2012)
  • Buescher wins at Chicagoland: On the final restart with just three laps remaining, James Buescher, driving the #31-Fresh From Florida Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports, battled side-by-side for the lead to pick up the win for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. Buescher had driven back into contention after being two laps down when earlier in the race the team had to change out the carburetor. This is Buescher’s third victory this season. #2-Brendan Gaughan, who led the most laps on the night with 83, finished second. Rounding out the top ten were; #17-Timothy Peters, #88-Matt Crafton, #29-Parker Kligerman, #33-Cale Gale, #9-Ron Hornaday Jr., #18-Jason Leffler, #23-Jason White, #81-David Starr. There were 16 lead changes among 10 drivers, with 7 caution flags for 31 laps. Complete race results are posted on the Chicagoland Race Results page (pdf).(Unofficial)(7-21-2012)
  • Race Fast Facts
    Chicagoland Speedway
    4th Annual American Ethanol 225
    Race Winner: James Buescher
    Age: 22
    Team: No. 31 – Fresh from Florida Gulf Seafood Chevrolet
    Owner: Steve Turner
    Crew Chief: Michael Shelton
    *James Buescher won the 4th Annual American Ethanol 225, his third victory in 82 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races
    *This is his third victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2012.
    *This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in four races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    *Brendan Gaughan (second) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his second top-10 finish in 2012.
    *Gaughan led 83 laps, his highest total since leading 106 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on 9/27/03.
    *Timothy Peters (third) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    *Cale Gale (sixth) was the highest finishing rookie.
    *Timothy Peters leads the point standings by 23 points over Ty Dillon.
    (Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, July 21, 2012 @ 10:19 PM Eastern)
  • Race Awards:
    Featherlite Most Improved Driver: James Buescher, #31 29 Places
    Keystone Light Pole Award: Justin Lofton, #6 174.154 mph
    Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, #2
    Mobil 1 Oil Driver of the Race: James Buescher, #31
    Sunoco Rookie of the Race: Cale Gale, #33(NASCAR Statistics)(7-21-2012)
  • Lucky Dog Awards – Who got a lap back on each caution at Chicagoland: (and finish)
    Caution 1: #38-Dennis Setzer, 33rd
    Caution 2: #09-John Wes Townley, 14th
    Caution 3: #18-Jason Leffler, 8th
    Caution 4: #81-David Starr, 10th
    Caution 5 #31-James Buescher, 1st
    Caution 6: #92-Chad McCumbee, 20th
    Caution 7: #32-Miguel Paludo, 17th
    (NASCAR Statistics)(7-21-2012)
  • Driver Point Standings following Race #10 at Chicagoland:
    1) #17-Timothy Peters, 395
    2) #3-Ty Dillon, 372 -23
    3) #6-Justin Lofton, 365 -30
    4) #30-James Buescher, 360 -35
    5) #29-Parker Kligerman, 346 -49
    6) #88-Matt Crafton, 345 -50
    7) #9-Ron Hornaday Jr., 334 -61
    8) #22-Joey Coulter, 322 -73
    9) #31-Nelson Piquet Jr., 302 -93
    10) #23-Jason White, 295 -100
    Complete point standings are posted on the Chicagoland Driver Standings page (pdf).(Unofficial)(7-21-2012)
  • Owner point standings: following the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway are posted on the Chicagoland Owner Standings page (pdf).(Unofficial)(7-21-2012)

Qualifying Results, Practice Speeds, Entry List….news and links

 

  • Chicagoland Pit Stall Selections
  • Lofton wins pole at Chicagoland: Justin Lofton, driving the #7-Lofton Cattle Chevrolet for Eddie Sharp Racing, was the fastest qualifer with a top speed of 174.154 mph to win the Keystone Light Pole for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. This is Lofton’s first series pole. #22-Joey Coulter was second. Rounding out the top ten were; #3-Ty Dillon, #17-Timothy Peters, #18-Jason Leffler, #2-Brendan Gaughan, #11-Todd Bodine, #33-Cale Gale, #88-Matt Crafton, #32-Miguel Paludo. Did not qualify: #74-Mike Harmon, #65-Chris Lafferty. Note: The following trucks will start from the rear of the field; #17-Timothy Peters & #29-Parker Kligerman due to engine changes; #13-Johnny Sauter late to drivers meeting. Complete starting lineup is posted on the Chicagoland Lineup (pdf)(7-21-2012)
  • Post-Qualifying Fast Facts:
    Chicagoland Speedway
    4th Annual American Ethanol 225
    Keystone Light Pole Winner: Justin Lofton
    Age: 26
    Team: No. 6 – Lofton Cattle Chevrolet
    Owner: Eddie Sharp
    Crew Chief: Daniel Bormann
    *Justin Lofton won the Keystone Light Pole Award for the 4th Annual American Ethanol 225 with a lap of 31.007 seconds, 174.154 mph.
    *This is his first pole in 60 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. He started first at Texas Motor Speedway on 6/8/12 after qualifying was cancelled due to rain. His best previous qualifying effort was second at Charlotte Motor Speedway on 5/18/12.
    *This is his first pole and seventh top-10 start in 2012.
    *This is his first pole in three races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    *Joey Coulter (second) posted his fifth top-10 start of 2012 and his first in two races at Chicagoland Speedway.
    *Ty Dillon (third) posted his first top-10 start at Chicagoland Speedway. It is his eighth in ten races this season.
    *Ty Dillon (third) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
    (Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, July 21, 2012 @ 04:52 PM Eastern)
  • Crafton quickest in Chicagoland final practice: Matt Crafton, driving the #88-Schrock Cabinetry/Menards Toyota for ThorSport Racing, led the final practice session for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway with a top speed of 174.014 mph. Rounding out the top ten were; #22-Joey Coulter, #6-Justin Lofton, #11-Todd Bodine, #30-Nelson Piquet Jr., #31-James Buescher, #29-Parker Kligerman, #3-Ty Dillon, #18-Jason Leffler, #9-Ron Hornaday Jr., #17-Timothy Peters; RHR team changed motor and will have to start from the rear of the field tomorrow night. There were 36 trucks on track for the final session. Practice speeds are posted on the Chicagoland Final Practice Speeds page (pdf).(7-20-2012)
  • Lofton leads opening practice at Chicagoland: Justin Lofton, driving the #6 Lofton Cattle Chevrolet for Eddie Sharp racing, had the fastest lap with a top speed of 174.132 mph to lead the opening practice session for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. Rounding out the top ten were; #22-Joey Coulter, #18-Jason Leffler, #33-Cale Gale, #2-Brendan Gaughan, #88-Matt Crafton, #31-James Buescher, #32-Miguel Paludo, #17-Timothy Peters, #3-Ty Dillon. There were 35 trucks on track for the opening session. Complete practice speeds are posted on the Chicagoland Practice Speeds page (pdf).(7-20-2012)
  • Official Entry List: There are 38 trucks listed as entered on the final entry list for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. Note: Two late entries; #37-Jeff Green, #38-Dennis Setzer. Complete entry list is posted on the Chicagoland Entry List page.(7-20-2012)
  • Preliminary Entry List: There are 34 trucks listed as entered on the preliminary entry list for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. Complete entry list is posted on the Chicagoland Entry List page.(7-16-2012)
    Some Notes:
    #2-Brendan Gaughan, returns as driver of the South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing
    #27-Driver TBA, Hillman Racing Chevrolet
    #73-Rick Crawford, driver of the Lilly Trucking/Superseal Chevrolet for Tagsby Racing
    #86-Blake Koch, driver of the Clay Greenfield Motorsports RAM, 2nd entry for CGM
    #92-Chad McCumbee, driver of the BTS Tire & Wheel/QMI Chevrolet for RBR Enterprises(7-16-2012)
    UPDATE:
    #0-driver TBA, late entry Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Ram
    #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, Driven2Honor.org Ram [JJC tweeted truck entered; #0 would be late entry](7-17-2012)
    UPDATE 2:
    #65-Chris Lafferty, Chris Lafferty’s Motorsports TV Ford for MB Motorsports(7-19-2012)
    #0-TJ Bell, late entry Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Ram
    #10-Jennifer Jo Cobb, Driven2Honor.org Ram(7-17-2012)
    UPDATE 2:
    #65-Chris Lafferty, Chris Lafferty’s Motorsports TV Ford for MB Motorsports(7-19-2012)
    UPDATE 3:
    #74-Mike Harmon, Koma Unwind Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing(7-19-2012)

Goodyear Tire Notes

 

  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
    Race No. 10 American Ethanol 225
    Chicagoland Speedway (1.5-mile oval) Joliet, Ill.
    Fast Facts for July 21-22, 2012    Tire:
    Goodyear Wrangler Speedway Radials

    Number of Tires:
    Left-side — 350
    Right-side — 350

    Set limit:
    4 sets for the event

    Tire Codes:
    Left-side — D-4392
    Right-side — D-4410

    Tire Circumference:
    Left-side — 87.2 in. (2,215 mm)
    Right-side — 88.4 in. (2,246 mm)

    Technical Inspection Inflation:
    Left Front — 30 psi; Left Rear — 30 psi
    Right Front — 48 psi; Right Rear — 45 psi

    Minimum Recommended Inflation:
    Left Front — 20 psi; Left Rear — 20 psi
    Right Front — 48 psi; Right Rear — 44 psi

    Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Chicagoland this weekend will be running the same tire codes, though the Nationwide Series tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tire codes that teams in these two series ran at Chicagoland last season . . . Nationwide teams also ran this exact tire set-up at Texas and Homestead in 2011, and at Texas again earlier in 2012 . . . Camping World Truck teams also ran this exact set-up at Homestead in 2011, and only this left-side tire (D-4392) with a different right-side at Texas earlier in 2012 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Chicagoland . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.(Goodyear PR)(7-18-2012)

NASCAR News & Notes

Peters Predicts Consistency Alone Won’t Win Championship
It’s not quite midseason but NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standings leader Timothy Peters already is looking ahead at the job to be accomplished. Peters became the season’s eighth different winner in nine races on July 14 at Iowa Speedway. He finally made it to Victory Lane after posting second–place finishes at Daytona and Kansas. Peters has finished outside the top 10 just once– 11th– and carries a 5.4 average–finish into Saturday’s event at Chicagoland Speedway.

A year ago, Austin Dillon won the title by averaging a finish of 9.3. According to Peters, that won’t cut it. “With 22 races, bonus points are going to be critical,” he said. The point system also supports Peters’ thinking. A year ago, 15 of 25 races were won by drivers who were not points eligible in the NCWTS. They removed a significant number of bonus points from the equation, thus enabling Dillon and others to contend for the title with lesser finishes. So far, the landscape is different. Just two “outsiders”– Kevin Harvick at Martinsville and Kasey Kahne at Rockingham– have won in 2012. With the participation rate of NSCS and NNS competitors expected to be lower than a year ago, the trend of NCWTS points–eligible drivers occupying more Victory Lanes should continue. Brendan Gaughan and Mike Harmon are the only non–NCWTS points eligible drivers entered this week.

Ageless Hornaday Eyes Milestone At Chicagoland
You could say Ron Hornaday Jr. is back. Problem is he never really left. The 54–year–old Hornaday came within a restart of winning the American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway, ultimately finishing second. The drive was his best since winning his 51st series race last September in Las Vegas and the top finish for the sophomore team of Joe Denette Motorsports.

You might say Hornaday has “hung around”– finishing on the lead lap of eight of nine races. He has scored a top–10 finish in four of his last six starts and stands seventh in the standings. “It’s a big leap and a big gain for a new operation team,” said Hornaday of his Iowa finish. “That shows a good sign we’re on the right track.”

Hornaday has run three times at Chicagoland Speedway, finishing 10th in September. His best finish, driving for the former Kevin Harvick Inc. organization, is a third in 2010. Just about every start is some sort of milestone for Hornaday, who won the Keystone Light Pole for the series’ first race in Phoenix in 1995. The American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland will mark his 310th start, third all–time to Rick Crawford (331) and Terry Cook (314). By completing 73 laps, the Palmdale, Calif., veteran will reach 50,000 laps run in the NCWTS. That works out to over 52,300 miles– or more than twice around the world. ;

Magic Number For Bodine Is 200
Todd Bodine will make NASCAR history at Chicagoland, becoming the first driver to start at least 200 races in each of the sanctioning body’s three national series. By starting the American Ethanol 225, Bodine will have 766 NASCAR national series starts: 241 in NASCAR Sprint Cup, 321 in NASCAR Nationwide and 200 in trucks. He stands 20th on the all–time national starts list. Bodine’s truck series resume is full of impressive numbers:

      • 2 championships
      • 22 victories
      • 7 poles
      • 90 top–five finishes
      • 121 top–10 finishes

Bodine finished second (2009–10) in three previous starts at Chicagoland.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Etc.
Chicagoland’s Victory Lane will see a new face Saturday since its two previous NCWTS occupants — Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon– aren’t competing in the American Ethanol 225. … Matt Crafton prefers to see himself as late–blooming title contender rather than spoiler but regardless, the ThorSport Racing driver continued his surge in the points with a third–place finish in Iowa. Crafton’s third consecutive top–five finish moves him to within one point of fifth in the standings (Parker Kligerman). … Crafton’s teammate Johnny Sauter is within two points of the top 10 following a fourth in Iowa, his third straight top–10 effort.(NASCAR Integrated marketing Communications)(7-17-2012)

 

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