TOYOTA NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS)
Post-Qualifying Notes & Quotes
Daytona International Speedway – July 4, 2014
1st, David Gilliland
6th, MATT KENSETH
17th, COLE WHITT
30th, BRIAN VICKERS
34th, CLINT BOWYER
37th, DENNY HAMLIN
39th, KYLE BUSCH
41st, MICHAEL WALTRIP
42nd, RYAN TRUEX
43rd, ALEX BOWMAN
DNQ, JOE NEMECHEK
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Home Depot Husky Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Starting Position: 6th
How was qualifying?
“We stayed out the whole time and ended up getting a good lap there at the end. Me and David (Ragan) and Brian (Vickers) was behind me for just a little bit and then I think he bailed off there at the end because it was looking a little spooky. We stayed together and we were able to catch the cars in front of us there and creep up on them. We had a three-lap run there and that last lap was pretty good and shot us up the charts. That will give us a decent spot to start tomorrow night.”
Was it as wild out on the race track as it looked?
“It was really wild and it was pretty dangerous. There’s cars doing 80 and there was cars doing 200 and nobody wanted to go. Everybody wanted to be in the back of the pack and try to catch the front to get a lap so it was pretty chaotic.”
COLE WHITT, No. 26 Al’s Liner/Scorpion Window Film Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Starting Position: 17th
How was qualifying?
“It just went pretty good. I just tried to find my own group and just tried to do my own thing and tried to pick the best cars around me and just kind of try to lay down a lap, so it worked out pretty good. It’s a good qualifying effort for our team. These speedway races are just a little bit of a crapshoot so I’m just glad that we got a good starting spot and just trying to stay upfront tomorrow.
Are you disappointed you couldn’t go back out for the second round due to the rain?
“Yeah, just because you never know. I mean, being in the second round I would’ve just been happy to stay in 24th. So, even if we were worse it really wouldn’t have mattered to me because 17th is pretty good for us. I’m content either way, but would’ve liked to maybe get another shot just to see what happened.”
BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron’s FSU National Championship Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting Position: 30th
Was your initial game plan to stick with other Toyota drivers on the race track?
“Yeah, it was and it clearly didn’t pan out. It was just so much going on out there and it’s a wonder we haven’t wadded a bunch of cars up, but I know it’s got to be exciting for the fans because I can tell you none of us drivers have any clue what’s about to happen. You’re kind of playing it by ear.”
How was this qualifying session different from qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway?
“It was just a lot more movement. A lot of guys running even slower than at Talladega and then some guys even taking chances on blocking the field, which was what really almost caused a few wrecks. But, it is what it is. We did the best we could and of course didn’t have quite the speed we wanted but think we’ve got a good car for tomorrow to put this Florida State University Aaron’s Toyota in victory lane.”
What is your outlook for the race tomorrow night?
“I feel good about it. The car is handling really well, which I think handling will matter tomorrow night. We don’t have quite the speed we needed as you could see in qualifying. We need to go a little faster, but I know the guys will make some great strategy for tomorrow and we’ll hopefully get upfront.”
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 RK Motors Charlotte Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting Position: 34th
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Starting Position: 37th
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Starting Position: 39th
MICHAEL WALTRIP, No. 66 RoyalTeakCollection.com Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Starting Position: 41st
RYAN TRUEX, No. 83 VooDoo BBQ/Armed Forces Motorsports Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Starting Position: 42nd
ALEX BOWMAN, No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Starting Position: 43rd
JOE NEMECHEK, No. 29 ToyotaCare Toyota Camry, RAB Racing
Starting Position: DNQ
