- Camry driver Clint Bowyer (ninth) was the top-finishing Toyota driver in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Dover International Speedway.
- Camry driver Denny Hamlin (21st) led 118 laps (of 200) after starting from the pole position.
- Four Camry drivers are currently in the top-20 in the unofficial NSCS point standings – Matt Kenseth (11th), Hamlin (14th), Edwards (16th) and Clint Bowyer (17th).
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 AAA Insurance Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 9th
DAVID RAGAN, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 13th
How was your Camry in today’s race?
“I felt like we had about a 10th to 15th-place car on the short runs, but we were really good on the long runs. I felt like that was our strong suit. All of those cautions at the end didn’t really play into our favor, but I’m proud of everybody on the Aaron’s Dream Machine. We’ve just got to keep getting better throughout the course of a weekend. We’ve got some really good speed at times. Our pit crew did an amazing job. We qualified well, but we’ve just got to keep getting better. In order to win these races you’ve got to be perfect. It was a step in the right direction and hopefully we can learn from it and capitalize on the second Dover here in September.”
CARL EDWARDS, No. 19 Stanley Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 19th
How was your race?
“We had a couple problems on pit lane, but the biggest problem was my speeding. I didn’t realize I couldn’t speed in that segment so I was being a little aggressive and that cost us. I just feel bad for all of my teammates. They were running really well and we all had bad luck. Overall, the JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) cars were very fast this weekend and I still believe we’re on a big upward swing with our Toyotas. I’ve just got to thank TRD (Toyota Racing Development) and everybody – Stanley. I did not want to finish 19th today. I thought we had a top-three car, so just frustrating. But, once we got back there man it’s very hard to get track position.”
Was it hard to work your way back through the field after the speeding penalty?
“I’m really excited about some of the stuff I hear about NASCAR possibly going away from some of these aero devices. I think that is going to be really good. I’m definitely not making excuses – I sped and put us back there – but it will be really neat when you can drive through the field a little bit easier. Everybody is so close, it’s so competitive. The most fun parts were back in the pack on the restarts when it’s slick and it’s dirty air and everybody is just racing their guts out. That was actually kind of fun.”
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Cares Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 21st
What was your race day like?
“It’s a bad day. We were pretty good at the beginning, not so good in the middle and pretty good at the end. We drove our way back to the top-five and just restarts are crazy. Obviously the track leaves a lot of marbles, so it’s very, very slick and you just couldn’t grab hold – even new tires would not grab hold of the surface. Just staying out and track position was key.”
What did Clint Bowyer talk to you about following the race?
“He just said he was sorry. He ran into the back of us and wrecked us. That was it.”
Are you disappointed with this result after having such a strong performance this weekend?
“Well we were on those new tires and I thought we were going to really make some hay and we got clear of the 15 (Clint Bowyer) and we were – I thought we were going to make a run at it. We never even got a corner through before we got turned around. Disappointed, but we really didn’t have a winning car there at the end of the race.”
What type of challenges do you think Kyle Busch will have after his finish at Dover based on your previous experience?
“I think everyone is going to do what they can. I don’t know his particular situation today, but I’m sure those guys are going to drive as hard as they can. Obviously winning is still a priority. They’ve got to go out there and try to get a win.”
Do you feel the Joe Gibbs Racing Camrys are picking up despite the results at Dover?
“A little bit. Our cars fade in the middle of the race it seems like. We had some good raw speed while the track is clean, but it seems like our cars – they were fifth-place cars for the most part. The 20 (Matt Kenseth), 18 (Kyle Busch), those guys got a little better at certain points of the race, but I still think we have work to do. We’re not the best organization, we’re not the fastest cars by any means right now.”
How slick was the race track at the end of the event?
“It was slick – the track was really slick. You’ve got to know that – you’ve got to know you’re going to slide around and I guess he just miss judged.”
Was the meeting last night with NASCAR productive?
“The meeting was good. I thought that we talked about a lot of things, things that will hopefully make our sport better, our cars better, make them a better show for the fans. I think all that stuff being said, it’s a process, it takes time and hopefully we get this deal better.”
JJ YELEY, No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 29th
JEB BURTON, No. 26 Maxim Fantasy Sports Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 30th
MATT DIBENEDETTO, No. 83 Burger King Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 32nd
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Skittles Camry Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 36th
What happened in the incident that took you out of the race?
“I don’t know. I guess Brian (Scott) said his spotter didn’t say anything and he just chopped the corner and I was under him already and it just sucked me around. I hate it. I hate it for my guys. Man, we had a really good run going obviously — we ran in the top-five all day long. Just hate it for the Skittles Camry and everybody at M&M Mars. This is a shame. This isn’t what we need, and we weren’t going to win today but it doesn’t help when you finish 40th.”
Are your legs okay?
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 39th
What happened to your race car to end your day?
“Not really sure, we broke something in the suspension and I’m not really sure what.”
