Official Release

ARIC ALMIROLA – No. 43 Smithfield Ford Fusion – “We had a test here a few weeks ago and we were very happy with our car at the test. I put us behind. The car bottomed out and I wrecked it off of turn two early in practice and we thrashed for two hours just to get the car back on the race track.

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed competing in his final race at Bristol Motor Speedway as a full-time driver, the first two practice sessions of the day, if he has any second thoughts about retiring at the end of this season and many other topics.

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Smithfield Ford Fusion, is battling for one of the final spots in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field. Almirola, who qualified for the Chase last year after his win in the July Daytona race, spoke to the assembled media following today’s second practice session.

Martin Truex Jr. was forced to a backup car after his primary car suffered damage during today’s (Friday) first practice session at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 1 OneMain Financial Ford Mustang, came to the infield media center following NASCAR XFINITY Series practice to talk about tonight’s race and competing in the Dash 4 Cash.

CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing - Opening Statement: “First and foremost, it’s a tough time for everybody involved and it’s unfortunate. The truth is that we’re eight months into a three-year commitment to one another."

As Jeff Gordon prepares to make his final start at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 10, speedway officials are rolling out a multifaceted campaign to mark the milestone in a fashion fitting the future NASCAR Hall of Famer.

MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - What are the chances your team can notch another victory this weekend at Bristol? “One in 43. It’s been a good track for us. I always like coming up here at Bristol. I feel like since I’ve got to JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) it’s been one of the better tracks I think as a company."

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 BUSH’S GRILLIN’ BEANS CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed Bush’s Beans renewing their sponsorship with JTG Daugherty Racing, his thoughts on getting in the Chase this weekend at Bristol and many other topics.

JTG Daugherty Racing is proud to announce a multiyear renewed partnership with one of their long-standing primary sponsors, Bush Brothers & Company, as driver AJ Allmendinger prepares to race the No. 47 BUSH’S Grillin’ Beans® Chevrolet SS in the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.