Penske Racing Geico 400 Race Preview
September 12, 2013
THE RACE
Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway (1.5-mile oval, Joliet, Ill.)
Sunday, September 15, 2:00 pm ET
THE CARS
The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion
Driven By Brad Keselowski
The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion
Driven By Joey Logano
THE NEWS AND NOTES
The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion
· DEFENDING WINNER: In the 2012 Geico 400, Keselowski got off to a strong start in his quest for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) title as he led 76 laps on his way to his first career win in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Chicagoland Speedway will unveil a plaque in their Champions Park on Saturday afternoon to commemorate Keselowski’s win.
· JUST WIN, BABY!: While he will not be able to defend his 2012 NSCS title, Keselowski will focus on winning races for the remainder of the season. He has scored either NSCS or NASCAR Nationwide Series wins at seven of the 10 tracks remaining on the schedule this season.
· LENDING A HAND: Knowing full well the distractions that can come along with trying to win a title, Keselowski will do his part to help his Penske Racing teammate, Joey Logano, as he competes in his first Chase for the Championship.
· STILL BUSY: Though he won’t be racing in the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang this weekend for Penske Racing at Chicagoland, Keselowski will make an appearance at a Discount Tire store on Thursday afternoon. He will also pilot the No. 19 Ford F-150 from Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday night. Originally, Logano was scheduled to race in the event for Keselowski’s team.
· HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Keselowski, one of the most determined racers in the Cup Series, will have extra incentive to perform well this weekend at Chicago. MillerCoors, the long-time sponsor of the “Blue Deuce,” is headquartered in downtown Chicago. Keselowski would like nothing more than to deliver the company another victory at its “home” track this weekend.
· MIDWEST HOMECOMING: Keselowski always enjoys running well when the series visits the Midwestern part of the country. A native of Rochester Hills, Mich., Keselowski – along with his father, uncle and brother – has won numerous short track races throughout the mid-section of the United States over the years.
THE NEWS AND NOTES
The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion
· CHASE BOUND: Despite the struggles of a 22nd-place finish last weekend at Richmond, Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil team locked themselves into the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase. Logano ended the season 10th in the point standings. Because he was in the top 10 at the end of the “regular season,” Logano can utilize the three bonus points from his win in August at Michigan and is seeded sixth as the point standings reset heading into the Chicagoland weekend.
· SECOND YOUNGEST: At age 23, Logano will be the second-youngest driver to ever compete in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Kyle Busch was 22 when he qualified for the Chase back in 2006.
· DOUBLE DUTY: Logano will be doing double duty this weekend, competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event in the No. 22 Penske Racing machine. The No. 22 team has won seven of the last 12 races and leads the Nationwide Series Owner’s Championship point standings.
· CHASE ACROSS THE COUNTRY: Qualifying for the Chase translates into a big week for Logano. He will travel to New Hampshire to take part in the Chase Across America events on Wednesday, September 11, as he will tour an National Guard base and participate in a fan Q&A session. Logano will then take part in a number of activities in Chicago on Thursday, including the NASCAR Contenders Live event in the Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
· SPECIAL LOGO ON 22: The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion will be carrying a special logo on the deck lid this weekend at Chicagoland. The logo highlights the upcoming Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 4. Manufacturing Day is an occasion during which U.S. manufacturers open their doors to demonstrate the potential of modern manufacturing and to foster interest in manufacturing careers. For more information on MFG Day, go to: www.mfgday.com/about-us
Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway (1.5-mile oval, Joliet, Ill.)
Sunday, September 15, 2:00 pm ET
THE CARS
The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion
Driven By Brad Keselowski
The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion
Driven By Joey Logano
THE NEWS AND NOTES
The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion
· DEFENDING WINNER: In the 2012 Geico 400, Keselowski got off to a strong start in his quest for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) title as he led 76 laps on his way to his first career win in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Chicagoland Speedway will unveil a plaque in their Champions Park on Saturday afternoon to commemorate Keselowski’s win.
· JUST WIN, BABY!: While he will not be able to defend his 2012 NSCS title, Keselowski will focus on winning races for the remainder of the season. He has scored either NSCS or NASCAR Nationwide Series wins at seven of the 10 tracks remaining on the schedule this season.
· LENDING A HAND: Knowing full well the distractions that can come along with trying to win a title, Keselowski will do his part to help his Penske Racing teammate, Joey Logano, as he competes in his first Chase for the Championship.
· STILL BUSY: Though he won’t be racing in the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang this weekend for Penske Racing at Chicagoland, Keselowski will make an appearance at a Discount Tire store on Thursday afternoon. He will also pilot the No. 19 Ford F-150 from Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday night. Originally, Logano was scheduled to race in the event for Keselowski’s team.
· HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Keselowski, one of the most determined racers in the Cup Series, will have extra incentive to perform well this weekend at Chicago. MillerCoors, the long-time sponsor of the “Blue Deuce,” is headquartered in downtown Chicago. Keselowski would like nothing more than to deliver the company another victory at its “home” track this weekend.
· MIDWEST HOMECOMING: Keselowski always enjoys running well when the series visits the Midwestern part of the country. A native of Rochester Hills, Mich., Keselowski – along with his father, uncle and brother – has won numerous short track races throughout the mid-section of the United States over the years.
THE NEWS AND NOTES
The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion
· CHASE BOUND: Despite the struggles of a 22nd-place finish last weekend at Richmond, Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil team locked themselves into the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase. Logano ended the season 10th in the point standings. Because he was in the top 10 at the end of the “regular season,” Logano can utilize the three bonus points from his win in August at Michigan and is seeded sixth as the point standings reset heading into the Chicagoland weekend.
· SECOND YOUNGEST: At age 23, Logano will be the second-youngest driver to ever compete in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Kyle Busch was 22 when he qualified for the Chase back in 2006.
· DOUBLE DUTY: Logano will be doing double duty this weekend, competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event in the No. 22 Penske Racing machine. The No. 22 team has won seven of the last 12 races and leads the Nationwide Series Owner’s Championship point standings.
· CHASE ACROSS THE COUNTRY: Qualifying for the Chase translates into a big week for Logano. He will travel to New Hampshire to take part in the Chase Across America events on Wednesday, September 11, as he will tour an National Guard base and participate in a fan Q&A session. Logano will then take part in a number of activities in Chicago on Thursday, including the NASCAR Contenders Live event in the Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
· SPECIAL LOGO ON 22: The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion will be carrying a special logo on the deck lid this weekend at Chicagoland. The logo highlights the upcoming Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 4. Manufacturing Day is an occasion during which U.S. manufacturers open their doors to demonstrate the potential of modern manufacturing and to foster interest in manufacturing careers. For more information on MFG Day, go to: www.mfgday.com/about-us