Chicagoland: Tim George Jr. preview

This Week's RCR Chevrolet at Chicagoland ...Tim George Jr. will pilot chassis No. 155 in Friday's Ansell Protective Gloves 150 at Chicagoland Speedway. George drove this Chevrolet to an eighth-place finish after starting 14th at Michigan International Speedway in June, and has used this car at ARCA Open Tests at Michigan and Chicagoland this season. Prior to the ARCA Racing Series, this chassis had a successful former life as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racer. In fact, Jeff Burton considered this among his favorite cars during the 2007 race season. Burton raced this Chevrolet into Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway in April 2007 after starting second.

Familiar Grounds ... Crew chief Gere Kennon has been to Chicagoland Speedway at least once each season since the track was constructed in 2001.

Bill France Four Crown Concludes This Weekend ... The Ansell Protective Gloves 150 is the final race in the ARCA Racing Series' prestigious Bill France Four Crown. The complex slate of races at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway (August 7), New Jersey Motorsports Park (August 15), the Illinois State Fairgrounds (August 22), and Chicagoland Speedway (August 27) tests drivers and teams on four distinct types of tracks: a short track, a road course, a dirt track, and a speedway, respectively. The driver who accumulates the most points during these four races will earn the Bill France Four Crown, recognizing the driver's ability to perform well on a diverse combination of tracks.

All about Points ... George is currently ninth in the ARCA Racing Series point standings, heading into race 15 of the 20-race schedule.

TIM GEORGE JR.:

How does Chicagoland Speedway compare to other 1.5-mile tracks?

"Chicagoland is the first intermediate track I ever tested on. I feel a lot more comfortable there now than I did last year. The track is pretty similar to other intermediate tracks, and there's a sizable bump getting into one that may become a factor in the race. However, for qualifying and practice the bump is avoidable."

Talk about the transition from dirt track racing last week to speedway style racing this weekend.

"ARCA is a very diverse series. Going from a short track, to a road course, to a dirt track, and now to an intermediate track requires a broad skill set of driving abilities. I feel like the dirt racing helps me tremendously with car control, and I look forward to applying this to the higher speeds at Chicagoland. My crew guys have been bringing great cars to the track, and this has helped me continue to improve and gain confidence."

How did the ARCA Open Test at Chicagoland go?

"The ARCA test at Chicago last week went pretty well. We didn't make a qualifying run, but had consistent race trim speeds. I had Scott Wimmer helping me out, as he did at the Michigan test. The gap between our time was much smaller than the previous test, so I feel pretty good going into the race weekend."

Rate your season so far, and your expectations for Chicagoland.

"For the past four weeks, we have been a top-five contender, if not one of the most competitive cars on track. We have qualified up front, led practice, and been a contender for wins. I've been getting better each week, and feel like we are in line to become another first-time winner in the ARCA series. I'm excited to be in this position and have the opportunity driving for RCR."

-source: rcr