Official Release

MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - Starting Position: 3rd - Are you surprised to start the Sonoma road course race from the third position? “Yeah, we kind of overachieved today."

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 AARP MEMBER ADVANTAGES CHEVROLET SS – QUALIFIED 5TH - ON HIS QUALIFYING EFFORT: “After the first run we were third and I certainly got encouraged that I could make a few adjustments and hit my marks. I think the car was capable of being at least first or second. I missed one corner there on that last run and I don’t know how much that cost me, but overall it was a really solid effort. I’m excited to have AARP Member Advantages on board this weekend. We are trying to take advantage of somethings ourselves here and having fun this weekend.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI – No. 2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford Fusion – “It was great teamwork and great strategy for the team today to really make the most of our day. We didn’t have the speed we wanted, but we overcame that with just great execution by the team. I’m very proud of that. We’ve got to find some speed for tomorrow to have a shot at winning and we know that, so we’ll keep working on it.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KINGSFORD CHARCOAL CHEVROLET SS – Pole Winner - IT’S NEVER A PERFECT LAP, BUT HOW CLOSE WAS IT? “They were both pretty good."

Genesee Brewing Co. announced that it will be the primary sponsor for Go Green Racing's No. 32 Ford Fusion driven by racing legend Boris Said at Watkins Glen this August.

“I’m happy with the speed we ran which was way, way better than I expected based on the speeds I did earlier today. I knew qualifying was going to be our weakness but I think the race car is pretty good. I don’t want to start too far back obviously but I told my guys I thought we would qualify between 15th and 18th. Everyone adds so much downforce back on the cars for the race."

CARL EDWARDS, No. 19 Stanley Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - How much do you enjoy this race track? “This is just pure driving. We get to drive these race cars for really 90 percent of the lap you’re doing something. You’re sliding the car around, you’re shifting, you’re choosing your line – the braking is tough."

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 MICROSOFT WINDOWS 10 CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed the new partnership with Microsoft and Windows 10, his engagement to Amy Reimann during their trip to Germany, his relationship with Jeff Gordon, the new rules package for the upcoming race in Kentucky, road course racing, and more.

Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the No. 9 Jacob Fusion, will be making his fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Sonoma Raceway this weekend and his first since 2010. In addition, this will be his sixth race with crew chief Kevin Manion, who joined the team last month. Both men spoke to Ford Performance this morning to talk about their hopes for the weekend with a Fusion that Marcos Ambrose finished eighth with last season.

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 AARP MEMBER ADVANTAGES CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Sonoma Raceway and discussed his success at Sonoma Raceway, what drivers and teams can expect with the new rule changes at Kentucky Speedway, his relationship with the Earnhardt’s and many other topics.