- Kyle Busch (eighth), who is one of 16 drivers in the Chase playoff, was the highest-finishing Toyota driver in Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
- Joey Logano was the race-winner in the 303 lap event at the one-mile New Hampshire oval.
Brian Vickers (10th) also registered a top-10 finish. - In addition to Busch, Camry drivers Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth are also in the Chase championship playoff. Kenseth finished 21st and Hamlin ended up 37th.
- In the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship point standings, Busch is in fifth-place (-20 points) and Kenseth is eighth (-40 points). Hamlin sits just outside the top-12 drivers that will advance beyond the Challenger round after Dover next weekend. Hamlin is in 13th-place — six points out of the 12th spot.
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 8th
How were you able to come back and get a top-10 finish?
“I just hate that we got messed up there. (Matt) Kenseth was trying to race with the guy in front of him to pass him, I think it was (Jamie) McMurray, and got loose. I checked up, but not quick enough. I hit him, but then the guy behind me — I think it was Kasey (Kahne) — he just drove right through me. He couldn’t see what was going on in front of me — the spoilers on these cars you can’t see. I don’t know, we kept working on it, kept fighting on it and put fresh tires on it every chance we could get and we came back for a really good finish all things considered — and how bad it could have been. That’s a day that would do you good in the old format, just being able to salvage on and get a good day to keep going throughout and not have a bad day. But with this format, I’m not sure it matters.”
Do you find any relief in the fact that there were other Chase drivers that had problems in the race?
“For us though, if guys are going to have problems, we’d rather them have problems in the third round. That would just make it easier for us to be able to get in and get on to Homestead. This is probably our best round considering the three tracks we’re running at are really good for us. We’ll just keep fighting — keep going.”
BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 10th
How was your race?
“The guys just did an awesome job with our Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota today. We had a really good race car — it was fast, we were one of the best cars in the corner today. Unfortunately, we couldn’t compete in some other areas with those guys. That was the biggest thing that hurt us — passing in traffic was really easy to get inside them in the turn, but was hard to complete the pass. The guys did a good job today, I’m really proud of them.”
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 14th
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 21st
What happened when you spun?
“I got spun out on that wall up there.”
What did Paul Menard say to you after the race?
“Said he wheel-hopped it in there and got into me.”
How frustrating is it when something like this happens when you have a good race car?”
“Well, it’s always frustrating when you get in a wreck, especially if you don’t feel like you had much or anything to do with it and get a bad finish. That’s always frustrating.”
Is there more pressure now heading to Dover?
“Has it ever been off — there’s always pressure to run good. You do the best you can every day and take the results you have and move on from there. I felt like I did the best I could today. I don’t know what I could have done any different. I made that mistake off (turn) two — I’m glad I didn’t cost Kyle (Busch) too bad. Other than that — did everything we could. I couldn’t really do anything about that situation.”
ALEX BOWMAN, No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 28th
TRAVIS KVAPIL, No. 83 Burger King Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 32nd
MIKE WALLACE, No. 66 Royal Teak Collection Toyota Camry, Jay Robinson Racing
Finishing Position: 34th
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 37th
What happened on the track?
“We somehow couldn’t get fuel in the car or there was something going on — I’m not sure what it is. Couldn’t get fuel in it and that pretty much set the tone for the rest of our day. Gosh, you just can’t have any mistakes in this three race deal — from the driver, from the crew, the team — no one can really make a mistake in three races and unfortunately no one did, it’s just we had a mechanical failure that really hasn’t bitten us in a while and it’s untimely, but we’re going to keep digging with our FedEx Ground team and all these guys trying to get this thing back on the race track. Frustrating to say the least, obviously we are looking to stretch things out here. We had a great car running top-two all day and it’s just part of it.”
What brought you into the garage?
“Well, we got into a crash and that ultimately set us back the extended amount of distance. Still, we were five laps down and were trying to get some back with wave-a-rounds, but our tone is pretty much set and I was up in the high line. Saw the wreck happen, hit the brakes and got into loose stuff and just couldn’t stop the car at that point. It’s disappointing because obviously on performance we’re good enough to move on, but can’t have any mistakes in this three race deal and unfortunately we have a pretty bad one.”
Is there any reason for the problem getting fuel in the car?
“I don’t think it was anyone’s fault — I don’t think. But, we couldn’t get fuel in it from the get go. Don’t know where that’s coming from, what it’s all about — you just can’t have any mistakes in this three race Chase deal. We went from looking pretty and probably going to coast our way to the next round to a long shot, at best. It’s frustrating, but what can you do about it. Really can’t do anything about it honestly. You just have to suck it up and move on and try to do the best you can next week.”
How disappointed are you right now?
“It’s so frustrating because you know on performance you deserve to move on. We would have a great shot to move on and really make some noise here in these last eight races. In this three race section, you just can’t have one bad week. Not right now. And, so you’ve got to be flawless — you’ve got to be at your best these last 10. We just got bit by a mechanical deal. We’ve had them bite us in the Chase in the past, but I thought we were past that — but sometimes you roll the dice and you crap out. Today is that day for us.”
What are you thinking about next weekend’s race in Dover?
“You just try to do the best you can to get the best finish and hope for some help. It’s a long way to go in this race. I hate to say it, but maybe some guys get some trouble and let us back in it. Other than that, it’s going to be hard for us to do it without some help.”
COLE WHITT, No. 26 Rinnai Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 38th
CLAY ROGERS, No. 93 Iowa City Capital Partners, Toyota Camry, BK Racing
Finishing Position: 43rd
