· Matt Kenseth (second) was the highest-finishing Toyota driver in Sunday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Atlanta Motor Speedway behind race-winner Kasey Kahne.
· The runner-up result locks Kenseth into this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup and puts all three Joe Gibbs Racing Camry drivers in the Chase.
· Camry driver Denny Hamlin (third) also earned at top-five result at the 1.5-mile Georgia oval.
· During the 335 lap race, Kenseth led 53 laps while Hamlin paced the field for 37 laps.
· Kenseth is currently third in the unofficial NSCS point standings, 78 points behind leader Jeff Gordon. Camry drivers Clint Bowyer (12th), Kyle Busch (17th), Brian Vickers (18th) and Hamlin (19th) are also in the top-20 in the point standings following Atlanta.
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Home Depot Husky Tools Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd
What was the two restarts like and the final laps of the race?
“I had a really good restart the first time. I was kind of hoping it went green there because Paul (Menard) was in there and the 5 (Kasey Kahne) and the 4 (Kevin Harvick) were stuck at the top, but that didn’t work out. The second (restart) was okay, it wasn’t good, just spun the left rear (tire) a little bit and the 5 got up the middle there and I was able to get to (turns) one and two wide-open and almost wide-open through there and cleared him but somehow he was able to get back up alongside me. We did all we could. Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) is pretty much the man. He works every week to make these cars fast enough to win and also calls these races to win and we have the best crew on pit road. Things are looking up for us.”
How was your race?
“If you get in the front, you have a chance. This aero package there is so much downforce and it’s hard to pass. You saw that when the 4 (Kevin Harvick) dominated all night, then you put the 5 (Kasey Kahne) in front of him and you just can’t pass very good. We knew if we were in front, we’d at least have a chance. That’s what I love about Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) — he gives me a chance. I couldn’t hold on and get it for him, but he gave me a shot at it.”
How does it feel to be locked into the Chase and have such a consistent record this year?
“I’d like to consistently have wins, that’s what I’d like to have. The team has really been performing at a high level all year, really. I know when you look at the record books we have some crashes and some bad finishes and we don’t have a win yet, but I feel like our pit stops have been more consistent and faster than they were last year. I think our team has a lot of confidence, knock on wood, we haven’t had any kind of mechanical failures. I feel like the team is really ready, we just need a little more speed. I feel like we’re doing everything we can, we just need a little bit more to get over that hump and be standing over there in victory lane.”
Do you feel relief to be locked in the Chase?
“That was the goal, to have all three JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) cars in the Chase and we were able to accomplish that. The ultimate goal is for one of us to be able to win the championship. I feel like we’re gaining on it. I’m not a huge believer in momentum, but yet I feel like everyone is really clicking together and working well together and the stops are good. I feel like we’re doing everything right right now, we just need a little more speed to be able to start getting those wins.”
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 Sport Clips Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 3rd
What happened on the final restart?
“We really didn’t have the fastest car after halfway by any means. We really overachieved with our pit stops — those guys just kept me in it all day long and it’s a great feeling when you come to pit road and you know you’re going to come out first pretty much every time. If it wasn’t for our pit crew, it was a tough fight for us, but they did a good job, the whole Sport Clips Camry team did today. A little disappointing. I thought we had a little better car than this overnight and was pretty optimistic. Still it puts us in position to win. That top line, you just can’t accelerate up there for whatever reason. It’s no different banking than the bottom, but for whatever reason, you just can’t get going.”
Would you have done anything different?
“I would have tried to box the 5 (Kasey Kahne) in behind the 20 (Matt Kenseth). If I would have tried to stay a little closer to the 20’s door, maybe not give that 5 an opportunity to jump to the side. Would have, could have, should have. Still, a great run for us.”
BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 15th
How was your race?
“That wasn’t the finish we deserved tonight. The Aaron’s Dream Machine was really good and my pit crew turned in awesome stops. We were a little tight in the center but I thought we had something for them. We’re just going to have to go win Richmond now. If my Aaron’s Dream Machine is as good as it was tonight we’ll be good.”
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 16th
COLE WHITT, No. 26 Rinnai Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 30th
BRETT MOFFITT, No. 66 Royal Teak Collection Toyota Camry, NEMCO Racing
Finishing Position: 34th
ALEX BOWMAN, No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 35th
RYAN TRUEX, No. 83 Burger King Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 36th
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 SpeedDigital.com Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 38th
