SPARTA, Ky. (June 13, 2009) – Ken Butler III had a great finish and jump in the owner’s points standings with his 17th-place finish at Kentucky Speedway in Saturday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
After starting 36th, Butler roared through the field when the green dropped vaulting nine positions to 27th on the first lap. From there, he would move to 25th by lap seven and then remained in the 20s for the remainder of the race.
On lap 55 the No. 23 Aaron’s Dream Machine Chevrolet of R3 Motorsports would go down one lap to the leaders. However, a great caution-pit stop on lap 72 put Butler in the Lucky Dog position.
The driver who carries the Aaron’s Lucky Dog mascot on his hood, got back on the lead lap when the caution waved on the 75th circuit. During the caution, KB3 radioed in that this was only the second time in his career he’s ever taken advantage of the Lucky Dog rule to get back on the lead lap. “Can you believe I have only gotten to use the Lucky Dog just one other time before tonight? Yet, he’s on my car every week.”
KB3 would not need the Lucky Dog after getting passed by the leaders on lap 117 while running 20th. While green flag pit stops ensued the Aaron’s Dream Machine was able to stay out longer than most because they team pitted when they received the Lucky Dog earlier.
During the green-flag stops, Butler would move up to ninth in the running order before pitting himself on lap 143. Returning to action in 19th, he radioed to his crew, “The car is really good.” He soon passed two other cars by the lap 162 caution moving up to 17th.
The last pit stop was on lap 165 for tires and fuel with no adjustments. From there, KB3 went from 18th to 17th and a spirited battle with the 16th-place car would ensue before the driver and team were credited with their 17th-place finish.
That would equal Butler’s best-career finish, which took place at another 1.5-mile track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“Man, what a night! This was great to finish a race and go up against some of the best in the business out there too,” exclaimed an excited Butler. “We raced smart, we didn’t do anything stupid and I had total support from the Aaron’s Dream Machine pit crew.
“This team of R3 Motorsports has really been getting better and better on pit road each week. They were the ones who put me in position to get the Lucky Dog and back on the lead lap.
“This was a great night for us in regards to confidence and the owner’s points. My teammate, Robert Richardson, Jr., had a 21st-place finish last week and that really helped us out. Now we can go to Milwaukee and not have to worry about qualifying our way into the race.
“That takes a lot of pressure out of us in that regard and allows us to concentrate on running and getting ready for the actual race. Man, this was fun tonight and I’m really looking forward to next week at Milwaukee now.”
Butler wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the Kentucky race weekend. Aaron’s annual Regional Managers Summit was held earlier that week in nearby Belterra, Indiana. In attendance was 150 regional managers and division VPs, many of whom stayed for the race and were treated to pit tours, meet and greets with KB3 as well as photo ops on pitroad.
Also taking in the action was Hillary Duff who was on-hand to promote “Blessings in a Backpack,” a program designed to provide weekend nourishment to children grades K-5 in Title 1 schools who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Meal Program. Duff waved the green flag for a children’s relay race in which the winning team received a medal for each child and got to meet and take pictures with the pop star. Lucky Dog and NASCAR drivers, including KB3, were there to meet the kids and talk to them before the race.
Earlier in the week KB3 and Michael Waltrip participated in the regional managers golf tournament which kicks off the meetings. The week’s activities concluded at the track with a large Aaron’s display where more than 4,000 potential customer names were collected
Next week Butler and the No. 23 Aaron’s Team look to build on their momentum at the NorthernTool.com 250 at The Milwaukee Mile. ESPN2 will carry the television coverage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.
Aaron’s Sports Marketing Director – Rich Lamprey – 404-915-1683 - Richard.Lamprey@aaronrents.com
R3 Motorsports Media Relations Contact for Ken Butler III – Tim Packman - 704-507-1838 – timpackman@yahoo.com