TOYOTA NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS)
Post-Race Notes & Quotes
Watkins Glen International – August 9, 2014
Kyle Busch (second) was the top Toyota to the finish line in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Watkins Glen International, crossing the finish line behind race-winner Marcos Ambrose.
Camry drivers Matt Kenseth (fifth) and Elliott Sadler (seventh) also earned top-10 finishes for Toyota at the Upstate New York road course.
Toyota drivers to lead laps during the 200-mile, 82-lap event included Kenseth (two laps), James Buescher (two laps), Busch (one lap) and Mike Bliss (one lap)
Sadler is currently third in the unofficial NNS point standings and 13 points behind leader Chase Elliott. Camry driver James Buescher (10) is also in the top-10 in the point standings.
KYLE BUSCH, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd
Did you think you could catch Marcos Ambrose on that final lap of the race?
“Another second place. Monster Energy Camry was good, probably good enough just never had track position. We didn’t qualify as well as we needed to and tried to make a move on somebody who don’t give a crap and then he just turned into me and we spun us out so that put us behind. We come back and got second.”
What happened on that last run when you almost caught Marcos Ambrose?
“Just driving for all it’s worth trying to give it everything it’s got and we were faster and we had some speed in particular areas and maybe not some in others. But, we made the most of our day I guess considering how it could’ve been considering how last year went.”
How was your race?
“Just was another race essentially. Nothing to it really. Just got caught in a bad spot early and battled back from that and was able to get myself back up to second I guess it was on pit strategy thanks to Adam (Stevens, crew chief) and then we got passed by the 12 (Joey Logano). And, the 12 car was really quick there for probably 10 laps or so and then he kind of faded and we got back by him. Tried to chase down Marcos (Ambrose) and a few more laps maybe, but it wasn’t.”
Did you learn anything today that you can use in tomorrow’s Sprint Cup Series race?
“A couple things. Your cars have got to drive good enough though first and we didn’t have that today in qualifying. Couldn’t get it to change directions. I know exactly where I lost all my time and that’s why we qualified in the back. I can’t ever overdrive the corners and try to make up any more speed because I start missing corners and the car doesn’t start reacting right. So, you’ve just got to go to what the car will give you and that’s it. To try to find that line — that’s what I’ve got to do.”
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Reser’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 5th
How was your race?
“It’s about where we ran all day. We started 10th and made a couple passes right away and was able to get up in the top-five and just kind of stayed there. So, they could get away from me in the beginning of the run and we’d be a little better at the end but they would just get so far away I just couldn’t run with the best three or four cars.”
Where did you come up short today?
“The end of the run we could do pretty good, but I just couldn’t keep up at the beginning of the run. We were just mainly loose and they’d get away from me quite a ways and then we could break even after that. So, we’re just a little bit off but overall it was a good day for our Reser’s Camry. I feel like I learned a few things. Wish I could’ve got up there with the top couple but it was a solid day.”
ELLIOTT SADLER, No. 11 OneMain Financial Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 7th
JAMES BUESCHER, No. 99 Toyota Care Toyota Camry, RAB Racing
Finishing Position: 11th
MIKE BLISS, No. 19 Tweaker Energy Shot Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 14th
CARLOS CONTRERAS, No. 44 38 Special/Ingersoll Rand/Voli Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 23rd
ERIC MCCLURE, No. 14 Hefty Ultimate/Reynolds Wrap Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 24th
KENNY HABUL, No. 75 Sun Energy 1 Toyota Camry
Finishing Position: 26th
BLAKE KOCH, No. 10 SupportMilitary.org Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 38th
