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July 17, 2012

Ty Dillon Event Preview: American Ethanol 225

"We're almost there and if we keep digging, we'll get a win here very soon."

Event Preview Fact Sheet

Ty Dillon
No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet

Event/Date:
American Ethanol 225 - July 21, 2012

Venue:
Chicagoland Speedway - Joliet, Ill.

Race Notes and Quotes:

This Week's Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway ... Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 019from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in Saturday's American Ethanol 225. Dillon earned the pole award with this chassis at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and finished 10^th. He also drove this Chevrolet to a seventh-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in June after starting third. This chassis was utilized by Dillon's older brother, Austin, in four events in 2011.

Windy City Details ... This week's 150-lap race marks Dillon's second appearance at the Joliet, Ill.-based facility. Although the RCR driver has yet to compete at the 1.5-mile track in the Camping World Truck Series, he earned the pole award and made a trip to Victory Lane in his lone ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start at Chicagoland Speedway, leading for 16 circuits.

Memory Lane ... A year ago when Dillon made his first start at Chicagoland Speedway in the ARCA Racing Series, the 20-year-old driver missed practice due to his high school graduation and didn't turn any laps on the racing surface until qualifying. Earning a fifth-place starting position, Dillon maintained his running position in the top 10 for a majority of the event. With 16 laps remaining in the 100-lap event, Dillon took the lead earning his third victory en route to the 2011 ARCA Racing Series driver championship title.

Points Racing ... After a seventh-place showing at Iowa Speedway last weekend, Dillon is third in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series driver championship point standings, 14 points behind leader Timothy Peters.

Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update ... Dillon leads the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings by 57 points ahead of driver Cale Gale.

Season to Date ... Dillon has earned impressive stats with nine races complete on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series schedule. According to NASCAR's Season-to-Date Loop Data Statistics, the Welcome, N.C., native is ranked second in the Fastest Driver Early in a Run category and is fourth in the following areas: Average Running Position (8.706), Driver Rating (99.2), Fastest on Restarts, Laps Run in the Top-15 (1,297), and Percentage of Laps Run on Lead Lap (96.92 percent). Dillon has also made 252 Quality Passes ranking him eighth amongst his competitors.

Dinner and an Autograph ... Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team are scheduled to sign autographs at Bass Pro Shops located at 709 Janes Ave. in Bolingbrook, Ill., on July 19 beginning at 6 p.m. Central Time. Fans will have the opportunity to not only receive an autograph from the team, have a chance to win dinner with Dillon and the No. 3 pit crew. A gold "3" will be located on one autograph card and the recipient will be invited to join the team for dinner.

Iowa Speedway Recap ... The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet started from the 15^th position last weekend at Iowa Speedway. After reporting a right-front tire shake, Dillon was called to pit road for service. As he was rejoining competition, a caution flag slowed the field placing Dillon a lap down to the leader. Restarting from the 32^nd position with 60 laps remaining in the 200-lap event, the Welcome, N.C., native began his trek through the field and was awarded his lap back by receiving the "Lucky Dog" award. Dillon was able to climb to the seventh position before the checkered flag was displayed to the drivers.

TY DILLON QUOTES:
You've never actually practiced at Chicagoland Speedway. What are your thoughts heading into this race?
"Last year, I was graduating high school during the ARCA Racing Series practice sessions. Scott Wimmer stepped in and helped the guys get the car dialed in for me to qualify. I learned a lot during the race, and I tested an ARCA car there at the beginning of last season. I treat this track like I do any other track that I haven't raced on; I'll learn everything I can during practice and work hard to compete up front."

Last weekend at Iowa Speedway marked your eighth consecutive top-10 finish. How do you turn those top-10 finishes into victories?
"We just have to keep our eyes focused on the prize. Marcus (Richmond, crew chief) and the guys have worked really hard putting together fast Bass Pro Shop Chevrolets for me each week. We're almost there and if we keep digging, we'll get a win here very soon."

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