Dillon Closing In On Sought-After Points Lead
Edging out one of the most competitive fields of the year, Ty Dillon posted his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series win at the historic 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In doing so, he claimed Nationwide Insurance’s $100,000 Dash 4 Cash check, also closing the gap of -15 between he and the points leader, Chase Elliott. Dillon became the 12th different winner through 19 races this season, the most at this point since 2007.
Dillon has quietly formulated a solid season thus far. He is fourth in the standings, 15-points back from the lead after posting one win and 13 top-tens. Though under the radar earlier this season, this past weekend’s victory at Indianapolis thrusts Dillon into the spotlight of championship contention. Dillon has an average finish of 9.5 and a season-to-date Driver Rating of 96.2 – seventh-best in the series – in 2014.
Returning to Iowa, Dillon looks to capitalize on his recent success and make it two wins in a row. Dillon made his series track début at Iowa earlier this season where he started 13th and finished eighth.
“Iowa has always been one of my favorite race tracks,” Dillon said. “I really think it fits my driving style because it’s fast, but a shorter track. It’s important that we qualify well and stay smart. We’ve got all the momentum in the world right now,” said Dillon.
The 22-year-old has fixed his sights on standings leader Elliott, who has set the bar high this season. Elliott has three wins, eight top-fives and 13 top-tens in 19 starts. Elliott finished fourth in his series début at Iowa earlier this season.
Dillon will have to leap-frog two formidable opponents in the series standings to get to Elliott, however. Now third in the standings just four points ahead of Dillon is Elliott Sadler. Sadler has made seven starts at Iowa, winning once and posting six top-five finishes. His average finish of 3.9 at Iowa is his career best among series tracks on the schedule.
Ahead of Sadler is Regan Smith, second in the series standings, 11 points ahead of Dillon. Smith is having a career season. In 19 starts he has a career-best average finish of 9.0, has led the standings multiple times and won the season-opening race at Daytona. In three starts at Iowa, Smith has posted an average finish of 7.0, including finishing third earlier this season.
Own It: Gibbs, Penske Titans Of The Owner’s Title
Rivalries bring out the best in competitors every time there is a match-up, and Iowa sets the stage for the powerhouse teams of Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske to have it out – as they have the past couple of seasons.
The JGR No. 54 Toyota team is now eight points ahead of Team Penske’s No. 22 Ford team in second. Sam Hornish Jr. returns to the No. 54 Toyota to defend his Iowa win from earlier this season. Despite a DNF due to an engine failure at Chicago, Hornish has been on a mission. In his five starts he has one win and three top-fives. In six starts at Iowa, Hornish has posted one win, and four top-fives.
Brad Keselowski, the 2010 series champion, returns to the series this weekend after taking the last two events off. Keselowski has made six starts this season posting two wins and six top-fives. He has made four starts at Iowa posting two wins – including the inaugural series event – four top-fives and an average finish of 2.3. Keselowski won this event last season.
Joe Gibbs leads the series in owner titles with four, but Roger Penske grabbed his first last season. Each owner has fielded teams by rotating drivers trying to add to their title totals. With both drivers participating in limited schedules this season, this will be the first time Hornish and Keselowski will compete against each other in 2014.
Nationwide’s Dash 4 Cash Final Round Rolls Into Iowa
“Show me the money!” famously exclaimed by Tom Cruise in the movie Jerry Maguire, is exactly the sentiment taken by drivers and fans alike heading into this weekend’s last round of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dash 4 Cash program. The famous cash wielding program from Nationwide Insurance reaches its fourth and last round of competition this weekend in the U.S. Cellular 250 Presented by New Holland at Iowa Speedway. While the first three rounds have packed excitement into the series for the drivers to win the money, this time around the fans also get a chance at the cash.
Four NASCAR Nationwide Series championship contenders are eligible to compete for the chance to win the $100,000 bonus this weekend at Iowa. Ty Dillon banked the third round of Dash 4 Cash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend. By winning the award Dillon automatically qualifies for the next payout this Saturday at Iowa. He will compete against Trevor Bayne, Brian Scott and Regan Smith.
This weekend, Nationwide includes a fan element into the program. The following four sweepstakes winners could win the bonus: Kathy Coffman (winner), Gonzales, LA (Hometown: New Orleans, LA); Patricia Martens (winner) Danville, CA (Hometown: Norwalk, CT); James Dennis (winner), Henry, IL; Patricia Cochran (winner), Houston, TX.
Each sweepstakes winner is randomly paired with a driver on Saturday morning; they will also be an honorary team member during the race. If their driver wins the Dash 4 Cash they win the $100,000 dollars bonus as well.
Also every fan attending the NASCAR Nationwide Series race may join the “Dash 4 Cash Bash,” a NASCAR-style celebration immediately after the checkered flag waves, culminating the popular “Dash 4 Cash” driver and fan sweepstakes and Iowa Speedway’s 2014 race season.
“The Dash 4 Cash was created to reward the full-time drivers and their avid fans in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small. “It’s fitting that our loyal fans will get to party on the track to celebrate the end of our racing season and the conclusion of the wildly successful program.”
The ‘Dash 4 Cash Bash’ will take place on the recently raced frontstretch of Iowa Speedway and feature NASCAR Nationwide Series driver appearances, music from DJ Michaelis and K&N gift certificates for the first 100 fans ‘over the wall.’ Party goers will also get a chance to win prizes and giveaways, play tailgate games, grab a drink and show off their best ‘Robot’ or ‘Shopping Cart’ moves on the frontstretch ‘under the lights.’