Preview: Eric McClure/ No. 24 Hefty® Odor Block™ Ford
Venue: The Milwaukee Mile
Circuit: NASCAR Nationwide Series (Race 15 of 35)
Event: NorthernTool.com 250 (250 laps; 250 miles)
Primary Sponsor: Hefty® Brand—Lake Forest, IL
Eric McClure/Hefty® Ford Notes of Interest:
Kentucky Recap
- Eric McClure started the event in the 37th position and finished 30th after spending more than 40 laps in the garage to repair a push rod failure in the engine.
Milwaukee Mile Fast Facts
The Virginia native will compete in his 88th NASCAR Nationwide Series event this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile and will be piloting chassis # 31. It was last raced in Darlington where McClure started 27th and finished 28th.
McClure will be making his fourth start at the one-mile oval. In three starts he has an average starting of 36.7 and an average finish of 31.3 and has completed 96.9% of the total 700 laps.
His best start is 35th (2007 and 2008) and his best finish is 29th (2008).
* Father’s Day Weekend
The 30-year-old driver, who’s a father to two girls, wishes his father, Jerry, a Happy Father’s Day and wants to thank him for his support and encouragement over the years and for being present at each race during the season.
* Pit-Road Camera
This weekend Rob “Fuzz” Craig will be sporting a helmet cam for ESPN during the race on Saturday. Craig is the front-tire changer on the No. 24 Hefty® Ford.
* Up To Speed
Catch all of the action live on Saturday, June 20 beginning at 8:00pm (EDT) on ESPN 2. Sirius Satellite Radio and MRN will also broadcast the event live.
* Personal Appearances
Come One, Come All: Visit Hefty® Racing™ driver Eric McClure as he signs autographs at the following locations:
+ June 19: Lowe’s 2554: 7027 S 27th St. Franklin, WI; 9am – 10:30am
+ June 19: Roundy’s 6878: 250 W Holt Ave Milwaukee, WI: 11am – 1pm
Eric McClure, driver of the No. 24 Hefty® Odor Block™ quotes:
(On his expectations for Saturday’s event)
“I’m optimistic for a good race. We certainly need a good result after the engine problem lately. It seems like we’re always trying to climb out of a hole every three or four races. Milwaukee is a very flat track but a lot of fun to drive in a race. We wrecked the car that was so good at Phoenix and Richmond, but I’m confident the guys at RHR will bring a good piece. Each race we go to I run stronger at that particular track than I have at any previous event at a facility in my career. I’m confident this week will be no different.”
(On his thoughts regarding Father’s Day and its significance in his life)
“For me personally there’s nothing greater than being a father. I have two of the sweetest little girls in the world (Mabreigh and Maryleigh). It’s very difficult being away from them each week, especially now that Mabreigh is 2 and aware of why I’m gone. She watches the races and looks for ‘Daddy’s orange car.’ They don’t know if I have a good day or bad day, or what people might think, or whatever; all they know is ‘Daddy’s home’. It’s the greatest feeling.
Spending time with them, trying to give them everything and bring them up right makes me appreciate all the sacrifices my Dad made for me and my sister, Emily, and the opportunities he helped to give me. He still comes to just about every race and is very supportive and I appreciate it more and more as I get older. So, for me, every day is Father’s Day.”
