K&N Pro East Stat Advance: Dover
Analyzing The Drive Sober 125 At Dover International Speedway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season will come to a close and a champion will be crowned at Friday’s Drive Sober 125 at Delaware’s Dover International Speedway. Below is a statistical look at the performance of the series and selected drivers at the track.
EVENT INFORMATION | CHAMPIONSHIP GRID
Drive Sober 125 Setup:
• William Byron, Scott Heckert, and Austin Hill are all in the running to be crowned the 2015 K&N Pro Series East champion.
• Byron needs to finish ninth of better to wrap up the championship. If he leads a lap or leads the most laps, he can clinch the title with finishes of 10th or 11th, respectively.
• Bryon could become only the fifth rookie to win the championship title and would join the likes of Joey Logano (2007), Ryan Truex (2009), Kyle Larson (2012) and Ben Rhodes (2014).
• Defending winner Austin Hill and Corey LaJoie are the only previous Dover race winners scheduled to compete Friday.
• Hill has won the last two races at the Monster Mile and a win in the Drive Sober 125 would make him the first driver in series history to record three or more wins at Dover.
Dover International Speedway:
History
• The official opening of Dover International Speedway, then named Dover Downs International Speedway, was in 1969.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on July 6, 1969 – won by Richard Petty.
• Dover held 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series-NASCAR K&N Pro Series East combination races from 1987-92.
• The track surface was changed to concrete in 1995.
• The first stand-alone K&N East race was held at Dover on July 18, 1998.
• The track’s name was changed to Dover International Speedway in 2002.
Notebook
• There have been 14 previous stand-alone K&N East races at Dover.
• Of those 14 events, there have been 12 different race winners and 12 different pole winners, with qualifying canceled one year.
• Of the 12 previous race winners, only Brett Moffitt and Austin Hill have won twice.
• Of the 12 pole winners, only Darrell Wallace Jr. has two.
Dover International Speedway Data:
Race: #14 of 14
Track Layout: One-mile concrete oval
Race Length: 125 laps (125 miles)
Banking/Corners: 24 degrees
Banking/Straights: Nine degrees
Telecast: NBCSN, Thursday, October 8 at 4 p.m. ET
Qualifying/Race Data:
2014 Winner: Austin Hill
2014 Pole Winner: Jesse Little
Qualifying Record: Matt DiBenedetto, 22.201 seconds (155.166 mph), September 25, 2009
Active Series Leaders At Dover International Speedway:
Wins
Austin Hill … 2
Corey LaJoie .. 1
Poles
Jesse Little … 1
Top Fives
Corey LaJoie … 3
Eddie MacDonald … 3
Brandon McReynolds … 2
Austin Hill … 2
Kaz Grala … 1
Top 10s
Corey LaJoie … 4
Eddie MacDonald … 3
Brandon McReynolds … 3
Austin Hill … 2
Gray Gaulding … 2
Kaz Grala … 1
Laps Led
Austin Hill … 125
Corey LaJoie … 42
Jesse Little … 14
Peyton Sellers … 8
Kyle Benjamin … 3
Laps Completed
Eddie MacDonald … 1847
Sergio Pena … 680
John Salemi … 638
Corey LaJoie … 473
Brandon McReynolds …456
Jesse Little … 384
Austin Hill … 300
Selected Driver Highlights:
Rico Abreu (No. 98 AccuDoc Solutions/Go-Pro Motorplex/Curb Records Chevrolet)
• Is ranked seventh in the series standings after earning one win, three top fives, and seven top 10s.
• Earned his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win on July 4, 2015, at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.
• This will be his first series start at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
• In previous events at ovals longer than a mile Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Richmond (Va.) International Speedway), he has an average start of 9.4 and an average finish of 10.4.
• His best finish at an oval longer than a mile was third at Iowa on July 31, 2015.
• Is a member of the 2015-16 NASCAR Next class.
Kyle Benjamin (No 27 Eibach Spring Ford)
• Is ranked ninth in the series standings after tallying one win, three top fives, and six top 10s.
• Earned his first K&N East win at Bristol on April 18, 215.
• This will be his third series start at the Monster Mile.
• In his two starts, he has an average start of 3.5 and an average finish of 13.5.
• His best finish at the one-mile concrete track was third in 2013.
• Is a member of the 2015-16 NASCAR Next class.
William Byron (No. 9 Liberty University Chevrolet)
• Is leading the series standings after recording four wins, five top fives, and 10 top 10s.
• Earned his victories at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway (April 4, 2015), Iowa (May 16, 2015), Virginia’s Langley Speedway (May 20, 2015) and New Hampshire (July 17, 2015).
• This will be his first series start at Dover.
• At previous ovals longer than a mile (Bristol, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Richmond), he has an average start of 3.6 and an average finish of 4.6.
• He’s earned two races at tracks longer than one mile (Iowa and New Hampshire) and has started on the pole two times (Iowa and New Hampshire), not including Richmond due to weather.
• Is a member of the 2015-16 NASCAR Next class.
Nick Drake (No. 15 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)
• Is ranked eighth in the series standings after registering one top five and six top 10s.
• In one start at Dover in 2014, he finished 28th after starting 13th after a crash on Lap 69.
• This season at ovals longer than one mile, he has an average start of 7.6 and an average finish of 14.4.
Kaz Grala (No. 3 NETTTS Toyota)
• Is ranked fifth in the series standings after racking up four top fives and nine top 10s.
• In his only start at Dover in 2014, he finished second after starting in fifth.
• This season at ovals longer than one mile (Bristol, Iowa, New Hampshire and Richmond), he has an average start of 9.4 and an average finish of 7.8.
• His best finish this season at one of those ovals was third at New Hampshire on July 17.
JJ Haley (No. 5 Braun Auto Chevrolet)
• Is ranked sixth in the series standings after tallying six top fives and nine top 10s.
• In his one start at Dover (2014), he finished seventh.
• This season at ovals longer than one mile, he has an average start of 8.8 and an average finish of 7.4.
• His best finish at an oval longer than one mile, was fourth at Iowa Speedway in both May and July.
Scott Heckert (No. 34 Project Lifesaver Chevrolet)
• Is runner-up in the series standings after earning two wins, nine top fives, and 10 top 10s.
• He is one of two drivers who can take the championship away from William Byron.
• Earned his two victories at North Carolina’s Bowman Gray Stadium (May 30, 2015) and VIRginia International Raceway (August 29, 2015).
• At his two previous starts at Dover, he’s finished 23rd (2013) and third (2014).
• He has an average start of 14.0 and an average finish of 13.0 at the Monster Mile.
Austin Hill (No. 22 A&D Welding/Don Rich Ford/SRI Ford)
• Is third in the series standings after recording two wins, five tops fives, and 11 top 10s.
• He is one of two drivers who can take the championship away from William Byron.
• Earned his two wins at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway (February 15, 2015) and Richmond (Va.) International Raceway (September 10, 2015).
• Is the defending Dover race winner, after earning back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2014.
• Has an average start of 7.5 and an average finish of 1.0 at the one-mile concrete oval.
• Is a member of the 2015-16 NASCAR Next class.
Kenzie Ruston (No. 4 L&M Ethanol Toyota)
• Is ranked 10th in the series standings after recording four top 10 finishes.
• In her two starts at Dover, she’s finished 13th (2013) and 14th (2014).
• Has an average start of 26.0 and an average finish of 13.5 at the Monster Mile.
Dalton Sargeant (No. 51 GALT Chevrolet)
• Is ranked fourth in the standings after racking up six top fives and nine top 10s.
• This will be his first series start at the Monster Mile.
• This season at ovals longer than one mile, he has an average start of 9.8 and an average finish of 12.8.
• His best finish at one of those ovals was third at Richmond on September 10, 2015.
Fresh Faces:
Landon Cassill (No. MDM/Hillman Racing Chevrolet): Will be making his third NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start. His best series finish was fourth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 29, 2007.
Corey LaJoie (No. 12 WinStax Toyota): This will be his 36th K&N East start. Has earned five career wins, including Dover in 2012.
Brandon McReynolds (No. 1 Gunma Toyopet Toyota): Will be making his 14th K&N East start. In three starts at Dover, he has always finished in the top 10 and earned his best finish (third) in 2012.
Peyton Sellers (No. 18 DRIVE Technology Toyota): This will be his 32nd K&N East race. In two series starts at Dover, he’s finished ninth (2007) and 18th (2008).
Clair Zimmerman (No. Zimmerman Racing Chevrolet): This will be his third K&N East start. He finished 16th (New Hampshire) and 24th (Dover) in 2005.
Up To Speed:
• The 2015 season is the 29th for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.
• The 2015 schedule features 14 races at 13 different tracks across the United States.
• Austin Hill won the season opening Hart to Hart Breast Cancer Foundation 150 at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway from the pole.
• William Byron picked up his first win at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway on April 4 after leading all 152 laps.
• Kyle Benjamin earned his first K&N East win at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in the PittLite125 after leading 81 laps on April 18.
• Byron was victorious for the K&N East in the Casey’s General Store 150 at Iowa Speedway on May 17 and earned his second win of the season.
• Scott Heckert reached the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 Victory Lane at North Carolina’s Bowman Gray Stadium on May 30.
• Byron picked up his third win of the season in the Visit Hampton 175 at Virginia’s Langley Speedway on June 20.
• Rico Abreu captured his first K&N East win on July 4 at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.
• Byron took his fourth win in the United Site Services 70 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17.
• Jesse Little took home the win for the K&N East during the #ThanksKenny 150 at Iowa Speedway on July 31.
• Heckert picked up his second win of the year, his third career road course win) at Watkins Glen International for the Bully Hills Vineyards 125 on August 7.
• Dillon Bassett won his first series victory at Pennsylvania’s Motordrome Speedway during the UPMC Health Plan 150 on August 15.
• Sergio Pena ended up in the Biscuitville 125 Victory Lane at VIRginia International Raceway on August 29.
• Hill bagged his second win of the season at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway during the UNOH 100 on September 10.
Sources: Brooke Franceschini, NASCAR PR
NKNPS East Dover 10/2/15 Schedule
K&N Pro Series East
Time Event
7:00 a.m. Garage opens.
8:30-10:00 a.m. Final Practice.
12:30 p.m. Qualifying (2 Laps).
2:00 p.m. Driver Autograph Session.
3:20 p.m. Driver/Crew Chief Meeting.
4:45 p.m. Driver Introductions.
5:00 p.m. Driver Sober 125 presented by The Delaware Office of Highway Safety.
* Times are local and subject to change.
NKNPS East Dover 10/2/15 Entry List
K&N Pro Series East
Series:
K&N Pro Series East
PRINTABLE VERSION (PDF)
CAR DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM OWNER CREW CHIEF
1 Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C. Gunma Toyopet Toyota Shigeaki Hattori Bobby Burrell
2 Collin Cabre, Tampa, Fla. * UTI/NTI Toyota Jennifer Satterfield Matt Bucher
3 Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass. Kiklos Toyota Benjamin Kennedy Mike Fritts
04 Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C. Bassett Gutters Ford Ronnie Bassett Jerry Babb
4 Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla. L&M Ethanol Toyota Max Siegel Mark Green
5 J.J. Haley, Winamac, Ind. * Braun Auto Chevrolet Harry Scott, Jr. Mark McFarland
6 Devon Amos, Rio Rancho, N.M. * Max Siegel, Inc. Toyota Max Siegel Jon Wolfe
7 Codie Rohrbaugh, Petersburg, W.Va. * Grant County Mulch Chevrolet Larry Berg Mark Huff
8 Tyler Hughes, Cordova, Md. * G-2 Inc. Ford Paul Green Paul Green
09 Christian Celaya, Caborca, Mexico * Clinica La Familia Toyota Rodrigo San Martin Tony Ponkauskas
9 William Byron, Charlotte, N.C. * Liberty University Chevrolet Justin Marks Kevin Bellicourt
12 Corey LaJoie, Concord, N.C. TBA Toyota Rick Gdovic Charles Denike III
14 Trey Hutchens, Lexington, N.C. Wix Filters Chevrolet Bobby Hutchens Bobby Hutchens Jr.
15 Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Bill McAnally David McCarty
18 Peyton Sellers, Danville, Va. DRIVE Technology Toyota Shayne Lockhart Hoyt Overbagh
20 Spencer Davis, Dawsonville, Ga. * Ruud Chevrolet Bob Newberry Doug Howe
22 Austin Hill, Winston, Ga. A&D Welding/Don Rich Ford/SRI Ford Bryan Hill Mike Abner
23 J.P. Morgan, Mooresville, N.C. * www.soldbyjackiemorgan.com Chevrolet J.P. Morgan James Beck
27 Kyle Benjamin, Easley, S.C. * Eibach Springs Ford Steven Benjamin Kevin Reed
31 David Garbo, Jr., Stonington, Conn. * Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Ted Marsh Todd Fisette
34 Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn. Project Lifesaver Chevrolet Justin Marks Fuz Burgdoff
36 Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn. * Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Linda Marsh Todd Fisette
37 Clair Zimmerman, Denver, Penn. * TBA Chevrolet Jeff Spraker TBA
39 Chad Finchum, Knoxville, Tenn. Martin-McClure Racing Chevrolet Eric McClure TBA
40 Travis Miller, Chesapeake, Va. TBA Chevrolet Michael Hillman Doug Chouinard
41 Landon Cassill, Cedar Rapids, Iowa MDM/Hillman Racing Chevrolet Douglas Fuller Mark Hillman
42 Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nevada * Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Toyota Max Siegel Clyde Eyler
44 Dillon Bassett, Winston-Salem, N.C. * Bassett Gutters Ford Ronnie Basset Ron Otto Sr.
51 Dalton Sargeant, Boca Raton, Fla. * GALT Chevrolet Harry Scott, Jr. Kris Bowen
71 Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass. Grimm Contracting Chevrolet Rob Grimm Rollie Lachance Jr.
97 Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C. NASCAR Technical Institute Toyota Jason Little TBA
98 Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. * AccuDoc/Go-Pro Mtrplx/Curb Record Chevrolet Mike Curb Mardy Lindley
99 Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla. * AutoNation Cure Bowl Toyota Bill McAnally Matthew Goslant
* – Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender