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Stewart-Haas Racing announced on Monday afternoon that Austin Dillon would drive the No. 14 Chevrolet while Tony Stewart continues to recover from his injuries in a sprint car race in Iowa last week.
“I've watched Austin for many years and at each stage of his racing career he's been successful,” Stewart said.
“He's proven to be a very fast learner, and he's able to adapt quickly. Being the youngest champion in the history of the Truck Series is proof of that. His background in dirt racing is an asset, and off the track we share many of the same interests, specifically, hunting and fishing. I know he'll perform well at Michigan and I'm just as confident in his ability to properly represent Mobil 1 and Bass Pro Shops throughout the race weekend.”
SHR has not determined who the interim driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet will be for the Sprint Cup Series' following race Aug. 24 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Max Papis drove for the team this past weekend at Watkins Glen.
While no timetable has been established for Stewart's return to the No. 14 Chevrolet, the three-time Sprint Cup champion was discharged from the hospital late Sunday afternoon.
Part of the decision to put the 23-year old in Stewart's seat has to do with his sponsor is also the sponsor of the car at Michigan and Dillon's (who is a full-time Nationwide Series driver) experience there. Dillon qualified seventh and finished 11th at the two-mile MIS track in June. This will be his tenth Sprint Cup start and eighth this year.
As Dillon is the points leader in the Nationwide Series, which will run at Mid-Ohio on Saturday, arrangements have to be made for him to alternate between both tracks.
“Yeah, we're working all of that out right now,” said Dillon “We're going to be running both of them, and the scheduling is pretty tough this weekend, so we'll be on doing our best to give equal amount of practice time. The good thing about Mid‑Ohio, we have a full test day there Thursday, so we'll have plenty of time on the track. We have lots of sets of tires, and we'll be using them up on Thursday.
“Qualifying seems to be the issue for the Nationwide race. That is the only part that will be tough. We might have to start in the rear. But I think we've done a good job of trying to work out where each party gets a good amount of practice on both cars.”
Between preparing cars and keeping Tony Stewart in good spirits, Zipadelli has been kept busy by unemployed drivers who would like a shot at the well prepared race car.
“I would say it was more in the 50 range,” said Zipadelli. There's been people that I didn't even know raced called. And we appreciate everybody reaching out and willing to help. But it's been interesting, let's leave it at that.
“I've watched Austin for many years and at each stage of his racing career he's been successful,” Stewart said.
“He's proven to be a very fast learner, and he's able to adapt quickly. Being the youngest champion in the history of the Truck Series is proof of that. His background in dirt racing is an asset, and off the track we share many of the same interests, specifically, hunting and fishing. I know he'll perform well at Michigan and I'm just as confident in his ability to properly represent Mobil 1 and Bass Pro Shops throughout the race weekend.”
SHR has not determined who the interim driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet will be for the Sprint Cup Series' following race Aug. 24 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Max Papis drove for the team this past weekend at Watkins Glen.
While no timetable has been established for Stewart's return to the No. 14 Chevrolet, the three-time Sprint Cup champion was discharged from the hospital late Sunday afternoon.
Part of the decision to put the 23-year old in Stewart's seat has to do with his sponsor is also the sponsor of the car at Michigan and Dillon's (who is a full-time Nationwide Series driver) experience there. Dillon qualified seventh and finished 11th at the two-mile MIS track in June. This will be his tenth Sprint Cup start and eighth this year.
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| Austin Dillon (Photo: Justin Edmonds/NASCAR via Getty Images) |
As Dillon is the points leader in the Nationwide Series, which will run at Mid-Ohio on Saturday, arrangements have to be made for him to alternate between both tracks.
“Yeah, we're working all of that out right now,” said Dillon “We're going to be running both of them, and the scheduling is pretty tough this weekend, so we'll be on doing our best to give equal amount of practice time. The good thing about Mid‑Ohio, we have a full test day there Thursday, so we'll have plenty of time on the track. We have lots of sets of tires, and we'll be using them up on Thursday.
“Qualifying seems to be the issue for the Nationwide race. That is the only part that will be tough. We might have to start in the rear. But I think we've done a good job of trying to work out where each party gets a good amount of practice on both cars.”
Between preparing cars and keeping Tony Stewart in good spirits, Zipadelli has been kept busy by unemployed drivers who would like a shot at the well prepared race car.
“I would say it was more in the 50 range,” said Zipadelli. There's been people that I didn't even know raced called. And we appreciate everybody reaching out and willing to help. But it's been interesting, let's leave it at that.