TOYOTA NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS)
Post-Qualifying Notes & Quotes
Auto Club Speedway – March 22, 2013
1st, DENNY HAMLIN 28th, DAVID REUTIMANN
4th, KYLE BUSCH 32nd, DAVID STREMME
5th, MATT KENSETH 33rd, TRAVIS KVAPIL
7th, MARTIN TRUEX JR. 41st, MIKE BLISS
8th, MARK MARTIN 43rd, JOE NEMECHEK
13th, CLINT BOWYER
25th, BOBBY LABONTE
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Starting Position: 1st
How was your qualifying lap?
“It was fast. I told my crew I could pretty much guarantee the pole had we qualified — anywhere 20th or later. I knew our car was just ridiculous fast in qualifying trim. They’re dragging qualifying out so long right now for TV that it’s going to get fast here at the end.”
Does anything from last year transfer to the 2013 cars?
“These cars have different bodies on them. They’re the same race cars we’ve been racing for a really long time. So, everything is pretty much correlated.”
Did you expect to be good at this track?
“I love this race track. A lot of the reason is because it’s bumpy and it’s worn out, and we got tire fall off — like three seconds between the beginning of a run and the end of a run. That always makes for good racing. If you polled the drivers, this is one of the favorite race tracks that we go to.
Do you have any ‘unfinished business’ after last year’s rain-shortened race?
“For the record, in my eight years in Cup, I’ve never benefitted from rain whatsoever. Never have we ever been on the right side of a rain strategy in my eight years. That was just another win that got chalked up to weather. We were pretty strong that day. Another one is Richmond before the Chase last year. We dominated that race and the rain screwed stuff up. We’re not going to see any rain this weekend. So, it’s going to be a good week.”
Is there any track right now that you don’t look forward to?
“For me, I really don’t care. I love going to all of them, honestly. It used to be like road courses, where I was like, ‘I’m not really sure we could win.’ But, I think I’ve been working on my road course skills daily when I’m at home. Hopefully, we’ll be better there. We got better road course cars coming down the line. So, I don’t know if there’s one real race track — maybe Kansas because it’s a new paved race track and we know we’re going to be on hard tires and it’s going to be tough to pass. Other than that, any race track we go to we feel like we can win.”
Have you talked to Joey Logano after last weekend?
“No. You guys know that we haven’t talked or anything. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing to it from here on out. Other than reading on Twitter every now and then, and then the media updates — I don’t know anything else about it.”
Do you regret anything after the incident with Joey Logano last weekend?
“I probably shouldn’t have gave that last little jab at the end. Probably should have just left it alone after the question was asked about what he said. You can’t as a driver — it’s not up to me to determine where he stands among the elite of NASCAR. I think that it’s the fans and the teams who decide that. I didn’t need to give my opinion on that. I think that was kind of a low blow.”
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Starting Position: 4th
How was your qualifying run?
“It was a really good lap. Just too tight overall. I thought the car would be a little bit closer than that the way we practiced. We didn’t make any changes. Just got a little too tight there. Overall, the Interstate Batteries Camry is really fast and these guys have done a really good job. Everybody at Joe Gibbs racing and TRD –they’re pulling together and making us all look good. It’s working for us.”
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing (continued)
Did talking to Denny Hamlin and his crew chief before qualifying help?
“A little bit. Certainly we both had really fast race cars and that’s just a testament to everybody at JGR and TRD and all the folks that work so hard to give us good stuff each and every weekend. The Interstate Batteries Camry was good — just a little too tight I felt like. I didn’t think we were even that close for as bad as it was. But, overall we pulled through and ended up second. I think for as fast as that lap was — Denny (Hamlin) was thinking it would be about fifth or sixth — I’m hoping that it’s still the front row. We qualified on the front row here together last year. Hopefully, we can do that here again today.”
Where do you expect to run in Sunday’s race?
“For some reason, it used to be you run the bottom for about five or eight laps at least, and then you kind of go to the top. But, right now, what I’m seeing is you’re going to be on the top maybe lap two, or right away. It’s interesting the way it’s playing out. These cars are just a little bit too tight. It’s the big spoiler that we have on the back of them and the rear camber and everything. I think it’s just going to kind of play out that you run up top, try not to scrub the right front tires much, and just try to keep your momentum rolling.”
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Starting Position: 5th
How was your qualifying run?
“It was pretty good. We really struggled all day and made great changes and we got to the other side of it. Considering everything, it was great — I’m really happy with it.”
What does a top-five starting position mean for Sunday’s race?
“I think it’s always nice to start up front and get a better chance at picking a good pit stall. Hopefully, we’ll get up front and get some bonus points — with a couple DNFs, it’s important to stay up front and lead and hopefully get a good finish.”
MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting Position: 7th
How was your qualifying lap?
“It was good. We had an interesting day and learned a lot. We did quite a bit of testing — trying some new things this afternoon — and the guys did a good job of figuring out what we liked the best and tuning it up for qualifying and then having a great pick-up from practice. Overall, a good day. The guys did a great job and we’re still learning a lot about this car and I feel like we’re starting to, I feel figure some things out that are working for us and some things that I like with the feel in the car.”
How do you feel about this weekend?
“We’ll get through this week hopefully with a really good weekend, and maybe even take home a victory. I feel really good about what we’ve been doing as a team. We haven’t quite had the finishes to show for it this year, yet. The guys are doing a great job and we’re learning constantly each week. So far this weekend I feel really good about the car and what we’re trying to get working with it.”
MARK MARTIN, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting Position: 9th
How was your Camry during qualifying?
“My Aaron’s Camry was excellent. I have been watching the wind and all and I over compensated a little for the wind in turns one and two. I saw a lot of people struggling down there, so I wanted to make sure that I hit it a little conservative. Very proud because the car was excellent, after it was all over with, I was like, ‘Dang, I didn’t even scare myself.’ That’s not what my signature series lap is right there.”
How do you handle the wind like you did today?
“Well it was blowing that way (towards turn one). A lot of guys were going in down there to the top of the track. Well that really messed there lap time up.”
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting Position: 13th
How was your qualifying lap?
“It was okay. Didn’t really backup where we were in practice, but we’ll be alright on Sunday.”
TRAVIS KVAPIL, No. 93 Burger King Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Starting Position: 33rd
BOBBY LABONTE, No. 47 Charter Toyota Camry, JTG-Daugherty Racing
Starting Position: 25th
DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 83 Burger King Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Starting Position: 28th
MIKE BLISS, No. 19 G-Oil/Plinker Tactical/Doubletree Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Starting Position: 41st
DAVID STREMME, No. 30 Swan Energy Toyota Camry, Swan Racing
Starting Position: 32nd
JOE NEMECHEK, No. 87 MaddiesPlaceRocks.com Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports
Starting Position: 43rd
