This Week’s Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Camaro ZL1 at Richmond Raceway
Ryan Newman will make his 612th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start when he competes at Richmond International Raceway. In 33 MENCS events at Richmond Raceway, Newman visited victory lane at the fall event in 2003. The “Rocket Man” also owns one pole award from the fall of 2004. In total, he owns seven top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. His average starting position is 13.2 and average finishing position is 12.6. Newman ranks ninth in most championship points earned over the last 10 events at Richmond.
Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day … Newman, an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman and conservationist will have Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s on board the No. 31 Camaro ZL1 for select races in 2018. Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”
RYAN NEWMAN QUOTES:
In 2014, you finished second in the Playoffs without winning a race. With the current format, do you think it is possible that a person can win the MENCS Championship without winning a race?
“Of course, you can. You can finish second in the final 10 races and still be the Cup champion. It is mathematically and physically possible. But do I think it will happen? No. I also think there will be a day when a person doesn’t win the final race. I think we were really close to that in 2015 when Larson was up front and then we had a late-race caution. There will be a time when the champion is not the race champion or the champion could finish 20th for all we know. It’s just the way the system is. You don’t have to win, but you want to go into the Playoffs knowing you are a winner and not pointing your way in. Those wins gave you a bye into the next round and that’s exactly what a driver wants.”
What’s the mentality now? Will we see more bump and runs?
“In the case of 2014, I didn’t bump and run Kyle Larson to make it to Homestead-Miami Speedway. I used him up with four tires. I didn’t hit him from behind. I think when it comes to the overall mentality of the Playoffs and how you race drivers is exactly that. You take into consideration who you are racing and what is at stake. Would you bump and run a teammate? That’s a good question. Is it a race to get into the next round in the Playoffs? Is it a race to make up some points and ensure you are into the next round? It all depends. Is there a time where it can get carried away? Absolutely, yes. But there is a point when you have to be humble and take what you can get and not try and be greedy.”