Race 2 Win: Nationwide Series Race Notes

Nationwide Series

Stater Bros. 300 - Stephen Leicht Notes

Stephen Leicht
No. 21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: Stater Bros. 300 – February 23, 2008
Venue: California Speedway – Fontana, Calif.

NOTES:

This Week’s Race Car at California Speedway … Stephen Leicht will pilot Chassis No. 060 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) stable in this weekend’s Stater Bros. 300. In 2007, Scott Wimmer piloted this chassis in June at Dover International Speedway (started second, finished third) and in August at Bristol Motor Speedway (started 25th, finished fifth). RCR developmental driver Tim McCreadie drove this chassis in September at Dover International Speedway where he started 34th and finished 24th. Additionally, Kevin Harvick piloted this car to a second-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March after starting 12th.

Stat Facts … In three Nationwide Series starts at California Speedway, Leicht has posted one top-20 start and one top-20 finish.

For the Record … 2008 marks Stephen Leicht’s fourth season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with 57 starts, one win, three top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Additionally, the Ashville, N.C., native finished seventh in the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings.

RCR at California … In 26 NNS starts at the two-mile D-shaped oval, RCR has earned one win (Jeff Burton, September 2007), three poles (Kevin Harvick, April 2003; Clint Bowyer, September 2005 and 2006), 12 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. RCR cars have also led 246 laps at the track outside the City of Angels.

Three to Go … RCR has earned a Nationwide Series victory at 23 of the 26 tracks on the 2008 schedule. With Burton’s win last fall at California Speedway, the only tracks on the current schedule where RCR hasn’t earned wins are Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (Mexico City), Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

What’s on the 21 Slate for 2008 … The 2008 season will feature Leicht and Bobby Labonte as co-pilots of RCR’s No. 21 Chevrolet. Leicht will run a minimum of two Nationwide Series races for the Shane Wilson-led team while Labonte is scheduled to compete in 15 events.

Up to Speed Challenge … Nationwide Insurance announced the launch of The Up To Speed Challenge, a new, free on-line fantasy contest, on ESPN.com. The NASCAR Nationwide Series first-of-its kind, on-line fantasy contest offers fans a chance to win $100,000 and other great prizes throughout the season. In addition, the contest keeps fans in the driver’s seat for all the latest NASCAR Nationwide Series action. Fans can participate by logging onto ESPN.com and searching keyword “Nationwide Insurance.”

Catch the Action … The Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway will be televised live on ESPN2 on Saturday, February 23 beginning at 7 p.m. EST. The race will also be broadcast live on MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 2nd of 35 races on the 2007 Nationwide Series calendar will air live the same day on SPEED at 12:30 p.m. EST.

STEPHEN LEICHT QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on making your Nationwide Series debut with RCR this weekend?
“I’m really excited about competing under the RCR banner this weekend. The Nationwide program at RCR is the best out there and to have an opportunity to drive for a championship winning team is unbelievable. I’m honored to drive for Richard (Childress) and equally excited to be part of the RCR family. Knowing that I can talk with my teammate (Bobby Labonte) and the guys on the Cup side (Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick) will make my learning curve that much better.”

Does RCR’s Nationwide Series history give you confidence going into this weekend’s race?
“Absolutely. The track record with RCR’s Nationwide program is amazing and it definitely gives me a lot of confidence going into the weekend. My goal is to keep the good finish streak alive. I know that Shane (Wilson) and the rest of the team work hard week-in and week-out to build and prepare great race cars. I’m excited to work with Shane and look forward to learning from the championship team.”

What is key to a strong finish at California Speedway?
“California Speedway is a fast race track so you have to have a fast car. The track has multiple grooves so, over the course of the race, you will see drivers move around to see which groove is the fastest for them to catch up on the competition. The racing at California always puts on a great show for the fans. This one won’t be any different.”