Perseverance Leads to a 16th-Place Finish for Bayne, Aaron's Racing Team at Atlanta

Event/Date: Degree V12 300/Sept. 5, 2009
Venue: Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, Ga.
Starting Position: Seventh
Finishing Position: 16th

Hampton, Ga. (Sept. 6, 2009) – Despite experiencing a pair of setbacks during Saturday night’s Degree V12 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Trevor Bayne and the Aaron’s Racing team were able to hang on for a 16th-place finish.

In qualifying Saturday afternoon, Bayne wheeled the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota around the 1.5-mile oval to its best lap of 32.059 seconds (172.931 mph) which was good enough to line up seventh for the 300-mile event.

Under clear skies Saturday evening, the 43-car field took the green flag to begin the scheduled 195-lap contest around the Hampton, Ga. racetrack. The 18-year-old driver was quick to inform his crew that their Toyota Camry was a little loose.

The race was barely underway, on lap 25, when debris in turn one brought things under caution for the first time of the evening. Crew chief Jerry Baxter summoned his driver into the pits for service which included fuel, four fresh Goodyear tires with an air pressure adjustment and a chassis adjustment. A solid pit stop by the over-the-wall crew allowed Bayne to remain 14th in the running order for the lap 30 restart.

After the round of adjustments the No. 99 Dream Machine came to life and Bayne began a forward march. He was 13th by lap 46, 12th on lap 55 and worked his way to the 11th spot by lap 64. Unfortunately, on lap 66, Bayne slightly brushed the wall which caused his No. 99 machine to become tight.

He began to free fall through the field and lost a lap to the leaders 15 laps later. However, his bad luck didn’t end there. On lap 84, he had a right-front tire losing air pressure and was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop on lap 87. Bayne was now listed 30th two laps down.

Despite running times as fast as the leaders, the Knoxville, Tenn., native was never able be get his laps back. However, he was able to pick up 14 spots and cross the finish line 16th, the first car two laps down.

Kevin Harvick grabbed his second NASCAR Nationwide Series victory followed by Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski and Jeff Burton.

Next weekend, Scott Speed climbs behind the wheel of the No. 99 Red Bull Toyota for the Virginia 529 College Saving 250 at Richmond International Raceway. Live coverage will begin Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and will be telecast live on ESPN2. The event will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 27th stop on the 35-race schedule will be televised live the same day live on ESPN2 beginning at 4 p.m. EDT.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:
“The Aaron’s Dream Machine was coming to life, and I just brushed the wall. I think we had a car capable of finishing in the top eight. Jerry (Baxter) and all the guys did and awesome job and I had a great car for the race. I learned so much this weekend and can’t wait to come back here next year.”

Misfortune Strikes Bayne, Aaron’s Racing Team at Bristol

Bristol, Tenn. (Aug. 21, 2009) – A top-10 showing for Trevor Bayne and the Aaron’s Racing team was dashed when contact with another competitor on lap 136 of 250, strapped the No. 99 Toyota with a 24th-place finish in the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

As the Knoxville, Tenn.¸ native was battling for the 10th spot when he was tapped from behind, sending him into the outside retaining wall. The 18-year-old driver visited pit road several times to repair the damages and he ended up restarting 26th, two laps down to the leaders.
At the end of the day, it cost Bayne and Company a top-10 finish but all was not lost as Bayne received valuable seat time and boasted his starting average to 7.7 over 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series races.

In qualifying early Friday evening, Bayne wheeled the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota around the .533-mile oval to its best lap of 15.950 seconds (120.301 mph), which was good enough to line up fifth for the 250-lap event.

Bayne remained in the top 10 during the opening 100 laps. However, a car that was a little loose to his liking dropped him to 12th on lap 120.

Unfortunately, 16 laps later, Bayne was tapped from behind and received heavy damage to the No. 99 machine. The Aaron’s Dream Machine was able to continue making laps but crossed the finish line 24th, four laps down to the leaders.

David Regan grabbed his second NASCAR Nationwide Series victory followed by Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth.

Next week, the NASCAR Nationwide Series heads north of the border to Montreal for round 25 of the 35-race tour.

Patrick Carpentier will be behind the wheel of the No. 99 machine for the third running of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 from Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Race coverage will be televised live on ESPN2 Sunday, August 30, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM satellite Radio. Qualifying will air on ESPN2 Saturday, August 29, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:
“I was hoping for a good finish this weekend in front of the hometown crowd. We were running pretty well until I got hit from behind which sent me into the outside wall. I think we had a car capable of finishing in the top 10. However, the damage was just too severe to compete with the leaders.”

Trevor Bayne Previews Bristol Motor Speedway

NOTES:
· This week’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota at Bristol Motor Speedway … Trevor Bayne will pilot Chassis No. 046 from the Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Built new for 2009, this is the same car Bayne raced to a 27th-place finish at Gateway International Speedway in St. Louis, Mo. in July. Additionally, Scott Speed drove this car to an eighth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in March and to a 13th-place finish at Darlington Raceway in May.
· What a Start … In eight starts behind the wheel of the No. 99 Toyota Camry, Bayne has tallied a 5.75 starting average. Additionally, he grabbed his first NNS pole at O’Reilly Raceway Park in June and crossed the finish line seventh. His highest NNS finish to date.
· Where it all Began … This Friday Bayne will return to the site of his first NACAR Nationwide Series start. The 18-year-old driver drove the No. 52 Jimmy Mean’s entry to a 23rd-place finish in March 2009.
· Hometown Kid … Bayne hails from Knoxville, Tenn., which is located approximately 120 miles southwest of Bristol. Since joining the MWR racing ream, Bayne has grabbed one pole, one top-10 and four top15 finishes.
· Vote, Vote, Vote … Go to http://www.nascar.com/ and cast your votes for Bayne as the 2009 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award. Fans may vote or submit a write-in candidate once per day and are encouraged to vote throughout the season. Voting ends Oct. 31 for the NNS. Results will be announced at each of the respective series’ season-end banquets.
· Bayne on the SPEED Stage … Bayne will be a guest on this week’s addition of NASCAR Trackside. NASCAR Trackside will shoot this week’s installment live from the SPEED Stage Fri. Aug. 21 from 7-8 p.m. local time. The SPEED Stage will be located in the Bristol Motor Speedway FanZone.
· Racing to Read … Bayne will visit Cherokee Elementary School in Johnson City, Tenn. on Thursday, August 20 to help promote positive reading habits. The rookie driver will talk with the students and then sign autographs for them.
· After 23 … Over the season’s first 23 races, the No. 99 team has notched four top-10 and 12 top-15 finishes. The MWR team sits 16th in the owners’ point standings. They are only 73 points behind the No. 62 entry owned by Rusty Wallace in 15th.
· Meet the Driver … Bayne will sign autographs from 5-7 p.m. on Thurs. Aug. 20 at the 2009 Food City Family Race Night. The Food City Family Race Night is located on State Street in Bristol, Tenn.
· Online with the Times … To keep up with the latest news and information about Bayne visit his official website at http://www.trevorbayne.com/. For minute-to-minute info about Bayne and the rest of the MWR crew, check out www.twitter.com/aaronssports.
· Race Broadcast Information … The Food City 250 will be televised live on Friday, August 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN2. PRN and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio will begin their live race coverage at 7:15 p.m. EDT. Qualifying for the 24th event of the 2009 NNS season will air live the same day beginning at 4 p.m. EDT on SPEED. PRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also broadcast live updates of time trials.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:

What is it like racing in front of the hometown crowd?
“It’s really cool to race in front of people that have watched you through your entire racing career. This weekend there are about 50 people that are taking a bus to come watch me race at Bristol. It’s going to be really cool to have my own cheering section.”

From a driver’s standpoint, what is the night race at Bristol like?
“I really enjoy racing at Bristol. It’s a very physical and very competitive track. It is an emotionally draining race as well as being physically draining. The track is so small and there is never a chance for a break. However, the night atmosphere reminds me of good old Friday night racing.”

Late-Race Skirmish Leaves Bayne 30th at Michigan

Brooklyn, Mich. (Aug. 15, 2009) – Trevor Bayne’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine was a mainstay in the top 15 in Saturday’s CARFAX 250 at Michigan International Speedway, but an incident with just a few laps remaining relegated the 18-year-old driver to a 30th-place finish.
Bayne recorded the fifth-fastest time in Friday’s final practice session and on Saturday morning ran a lap of 39.155 seconds at an average speed of 183.885 mph to place him second on the starting grid for Saturday afternoon’s race.
At the drop of the green flag, Bayne fell back to seventh before contact with Carl Edwards sent him spinning on lap three. The 18-year-old driver received minor damage to the right-front fender but was forced to hit pit road several times for repairs. Bayne restarted 36thon lap nine.
The Knoxville, Tenn., native quickly worked his way back trough the field and was listed 17th when green-flag pit stops began on lap 41. Fortunately, the caution flag flew before crew chief Jerry Baxter summoned his driver to pit road allowing the No. 99 team to pit under caution and restart the race eighth on lap 49.
Baxter’s adjustments kept the Aaron’s Dream Machine in tune and Bayne remained in the top 15 over the course of the 125-lap event.
As the race neared the conclusion, the No. 14 car spun in Turn 2 and brought out the caution flag at lap 114. Bayne lined up 16th for the lap 118 restart. As the final laps clicked away it looked like Bayne was going to bring home another top 15 for the No. 99 team. Unfortunately, something happened and Bayne hit the outside wall hard and was left with a 30th-place finish.
Brad Keselowski grabbed his third win of the season followed by Brain Vickers, Kyle Busch, David Ragan and Kevin Harvick.
Short-track action kicks in to high gear next weekend for the annual NASCAR Nationwide Series late-summer race at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.”
The Food City 250 from Bristol Motor Speedway will take the green flag Friday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT broadcast from coast-to-coast on the Performance Racing Network and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. Qualifying will be televised live on SPEED Friday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m. EDT. PRN and

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:
“Our car was a little loose at the beginning of the race. Jerry Baxter (crew chief) and the crew were able to make it better and better all race. Something happened to the car on the last few laps and I hit the outside wall pretty hard. It wasn’t the day we wanted but we will take what we learned and move on from here.”

Trevor Bayne - Carfax 250 Preview

NOTES:

• This week’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota at Michigan International Speedway … Trevor Bayne will pilot Chassis No. 054 from the Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Built new for the 2009 season, this Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota was put through its first paces at Kentucky Speedway in June where Bayne drove it to a 12th-place finish. Since then, the Knoxville, Tenn., native drove this No. 99 machine to a 12th-place effort at Chicagoland Speedway in July.


• MIS Debut … Bayne will make his first start at MIS Saturday afternoon.


• What a Start ... In seven starts behind the wheel of the No. 99 Toyota Camry, Bayne has tallied a 6.2 starting average. Additionally, he grabbed his first NNS pole at O’Reilly Raceway Park in June and crossed the finish line seventh. His highest NNS finish to date.


• Welcome Back, Bayne … Bayne returns to the season of the Aaron’s Toyota after a one-race hiatus. During this time, teammate Scott Speed captured a 10th-place finish at Watkins Glen International.


• Ninth Nationwide Series Start … Bayne will make his ninth-career NNS start this weekend at MIS. In eight previous starts, he boasts one top-10 and four top-15 finishes, an 8.8 starting average and 18.4 finishing average. He has completed 93.0 percent (1,698 of 1,825) of the laps contested.


• Vote, Vote, Vote … Go to www.nascar.com and cast your votes for Bayne as the 2009 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award. Fans may vote or submit a write-in candidate once per day and are encouraged to vote throughout the season. Voting ends Oct. 31 for the NNS. Results will be announced at each of the respective series’ season-end banquets.


• After 20 … Over the season’s first 22 races, the No. 99 team has notched four top-10 and 12 top-15 finishes. The MWR team sits 16th in the owners’ point standings. They are only 70 points behind the No. 62 entry owned by Rusty Wallace in 15th.


• Online with the Times … To keep up with the latest news and information about Bayne visit his official website at www.trevorbayne.com. For minute-to-minute info about Bayne and the rest of the MWR crew, check out www.twitter.com/aaronssports.


• Race Broadcast Information … The CARFAX 250 will be televised live on ESPN2 Sat., Aug. 15 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will also broadcast worldwide on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio beginning at 3 p.m. EDT. Qualifying for the 23rd event of the 2009 NNS season will air on SPEED, the same day, at 10:30 a.m. EDT. MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also air live updates of time trials.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:

You have five races left on your Nationwide Schedule for this season what are your goals?
“I think my number one goal is to just go out and learn as much as I can. I just want to get as much as I can under my belt so hopefully I can be in the championship hunt next season. I would really like to win a race but if that doesn’t happen I won’t be too upset.”

What have you heard to be the key to being successful at Michigan?
“Well I heard that you can race from the white line to the wall. You can pretty much get your car to go anywhere on the race track. I have also heard that Michigan is one of those places that you need the entire package to compete for the win. Being successful has a lot to do with horsepower and how well your car handles all over the track.”

AARON’S NASCAR DREAM MACHINES TO FEATURE AARON’S OUTDOORS, MOSSY OAK BRAND CAMO PAINT SCHEMES

ATLANTA, GA (July 30, 2009) - Aaron’s, Inc. of Atlanta, GA (NYSE: AAN), the Aaron’s Outdoors television program and Mossy Oak Brand Camo have teamed together to produce a unique marketing campaign that features specialty paint schemes on three NASCAR racecars and a national register-to-win sweepstakes. Aaron’s will replace its familiar Aaron’s Dream Machine paint schemes with Mossy Oak patterned camouflage and prominently feature the Aaron’s Outdoors logo on the hood and TV panel of the racecars. To help promote the special paint schemes, Aaron’s has also developed a national register-to-win sweepstakes that will award nine grand prize winners camouflaged replica race helmets, each autographed by the three drivers who will pilot the cars.

Aaron’s has had ownership in the Aaron’s Outdoor television program since 2007 and this campaign will promote the partnership of the Aaron’s Outdoors, Aaron’s motorsports teams and Mossy Oak Brand Camo. It is designed to appeal to avid and casual outdoorsmen and NASCAR fans.

The first of these special paint schemes will premiere on the Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) No. 00 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s Dream Machine driven by David Reutimann at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 6, 2009. The paint scheme will again be featured on the R3 Motorsports No. 23 NASCAR Nationwide Series racecar driven by Ken Butler III at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 16. The final paint scheme can be seen on the MWR NASCAR Nationwide Series No. 99 driven by Trevor Bayne at Texas Motor Speedway on November 7.

In addition to featuring the special paint schemes on the racecars, the program will include a national register-to-win sweepstakes offering fans a chance to win one of nine replica race helmets featuring Mossy Oak Brand camouflage and autographed by each of the three drivers. Registration for the sweepstakes begins July 30 and ends on Nov. 4. An independent judging organization will choose three winners the week before each featured race.

The specialized racecars and helmet sweepstakes will be promoted through a combination of television, radio and print advertising along with a comprehensive Internet program all designed to drive fans to learn more about Aaron’s and register for the sweepstakes on the www.shopaarons.com/camocontest website.

“Our involvement with the Aaron’s Outdoors television program has been beneficial in communicating Aaron’s business model to the casual and avid outdoorsmen and we are proud to develop this program and combine the Mossy Oak camouflage pattern with our racecars,” said Robin Loudermilk, Chief Executive Officer, Aaron’s, Inc. “Aaron’s knows that our customers and associates enjoy the outdoors and that when they get home, they also enjoy top-quality name-brand furniture, appliances, electronics and computers that are available at Aaron’s. We believe this program will be a hit with race fans, as well as those who hunt and fish.”

“I’m thrilled to be the first to run the Aaron’s Outdoors/Mossy Oak Brand ‘Tree Stand’ Camo paint scheme on the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September,” said driver David Reutimann. “For a majority of fans, being outdoors is just as popular as attending their favorite NASCAR race weekend, so partnering with Aaron’s Outdoors and Mossy Oak Brand is going to be an exciting experience for everyone.”

“I am so grateful to Aaron’s and Mossy Oak Brand Camo who allow me to bring family traditions into your home though our Aaron’s Outdoors television program,” stated Jarrod Brannon, host of Aaron’s Outdoors. “Having this Aaron’s Outdoors /Mossy Oak special paint scheme on David Reutimann’s No. 00 NASCAR Cup Series racecar at Atlanta Motor Speedway is truly a dream come true for me. And with the camo race helmet sweepstakes supporting the race cars, I believe race fans and outdoorsmen will really relate to this program. I can’t wait to see this car on the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway.”


About Aaron’s, Inc.
Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation’s leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 1,615 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s has been publicly traded since 1982.

About Aaron’s Outdoors Television
Aaron's Outdoors TV is featured on CSS and the Pursuit Channel with host, Jarrod Brannen. Jarrod, along with his wife and five children, bring viewers an up close and personal look to some of North America's best game and fishing opportunities. By visiting their website, www.aaronsoutdoorstv.com, you can learn more about the show and how the Brannen Family continues to make time for traditions.

About Mossy Oak Brand Camo
Mossy Oak/Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc., headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, Mossy Oak Interactive, LLC, Nativ Nursery and Mossy Oak Properties.

Trevor Bayne - US Cellular 250 Preview

NOTES:

• This week’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota at Iowa Speedway … Trevor Bayne will pilot Chassis No. 052 from the Michael Waltrip Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable this weekend at Iowa Speedway. A new chassis for the 2009 season that Bayne drove at Nashville Superspeedway. The Knoxville, Tenn., native qualified this No. 99 Aaron’s Dream machine second and was involved in an incident just past the halfway point and finished 28th.


• Nationwide Stats … In seven NNS starts, the 18-year-old driver has a 9.4 starting average coupled with a 17.3 finishing average. He has completed 1,454 of the 1,574 total laps run this season.


• Iowa Series Debut … This weekend the Nationwide Series rolls into Iowa Speedway for the inaugural NNS race at the .875-mile track, as Bayne jumps behind the wheel of the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota. In 2008, Bayne competed in the NASCAR Camping World East Series race. The rookie driver stared sixth and finished third.


• Vote, Vote, Vote … Go to www.nascar.com and cast your votes for Bayne as the 2009 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award. Fans may vote or submit a write-in candidate once per day and are encouraged to vote throughout the season. Voting ends Oct. 31 for the NNS. Results will be announced at each of the respective series’ season-end banquets.


• After 20 … Over the season’s first 20 races, the No. 99 team has notched four top-10 and 11 top-15 finishes. The MWR team sits 16th in the owners’ point standings. They are only 76 points behind the No. 27 entry owned by Mike Curb in 15th.


• Online with the Times … To keep up with the latest news and information about Bayne visit his official website at www.trevorbayne.com. For minute-to-minute info about Bayne and the rest of the MWR crew, check out www.twitter.com/aaronssports.


• Meet the Press … Bayne will be available inside the Iowa Speedway infield media center Sat., July 31 at 2:45 p.m. local time to field questions from the gathered media.


• Autograph Signing … Bayne will sign autographs on Sat., Aug. 1 from 10 – 11 a.m. local time under the Manatt Grandstand at the north end of the Iowa Speedway concourse.


• Race Broadcast Information … The US Cellular 250 will be televised live on ESPN Sat., Aug. 1 beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will also broadcast worldwide on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Qualifying for the 21st event of the 2009 NNS season will air on ESPN2, the same day, at 1 p.m. EDT. MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio will also air live updates of time trials.

TREVOR BAYNE QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on racing at Iowa Speedway?
“I am actually pretty excited to final go to a track that I have raced on before. I raced the Hooter Pro Cup and Camping World East cars there before. I have been able to pick up some solid finishes and I think I am going into this race with a lot more confidence. I also think we can be a little more aggressive on the initial set-up than being so conservative with the car at the beginning and having to free it up all day. I think we can go there with something like what he’d (Jerry Baxter, crew chief) take David Reutimann to the take with and just go out and try to bust off some laps early.”

Do you think Thursday’s initial test/practice at Iowa is important to the teams?
“A lot of these drivers have been to that track in ARCA, Hooter Pro Cup or the Camping World East/West Series. For the teams, I think it is crucial because I don’t know how many of them got to test there. I’m sure a few of them did before the NASCAR testing policy because that was a good track to go test. For teams that haven’t been there at all it’s going to be very crucial because they don’t have the five or six years of notes to go back on. It’s going to be kind of a guessing game for what the track is going to do for the race. No one knows if it’s going to tighten up or free up or just gain more grip as the night goes on. I think you’ll see a lot more adjustments as the race goes on.”