SM Archive

Whether it’s before the race or during it, Martinsville Speedway prides itself on getting fans as close to the action as possible and the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 on Oct. 26 will be no exception.

Brad Keselowski went from the brink of elimination to having a spot in the Eliminator Round of NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup. Fresh off his must-needed win at Talladega, Keselowski now has his sights set on the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26.

The final race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ “Contender” round at Talladega Superspeedway lived up to its billing with a thrilling finish in determining the final eight drivers who will advance to the next portion of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Three Team Chevy drivers move to the ‘Eliminator’ round following the 46th Annual GEICO 500.

Two of the three Camry drivers in the Chase -- Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth -- advanced to the third round of the championship playoffs following Talladega. Four drivers were eliminated from the 12-driver field following Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race, including Camry driver Kyle Busch who was involved in an accident and finished the race 40th.

RICK HENDRICK, TEAM OWNER, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS - INITIAL THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAPPENED WITH DALE EARNHARDT, JR. THERE? “its just Talladega. We have been up front all day and I don’t know where we are going to end up. You just can’t avoid it down here when you are running that close together. It’s just what you have to get used to accept it and move on. It’s not easy.”

VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW – “I can’t believe it. Talladega is such a wild card and to be able to win here you have to catch breaks and make your own breaks, a little of both. I can’t believe we won at Talladega. This race is the scariest of the three in the bracket. To be able to win here is really a privilege, it really is.”

VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW – “I can’t believe it. Talladega is such a wild card and to be able to win here you have to catch breaks and make your own breaks, a little of both. I can’t believe we won at Talladega. This race is the scariest of the three in the bracket. To be able to win here is really a privilege, it really is.”

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing - Starting Position: 1st - Were you surprised to end up with the pole in this format? "It's crazy. I thought that coming to three (laps) to go that we had literally no shot. We were way back -- like a half a straightaway behind the whole field and they all checked up and gave me a chance and gave me a run. I really get no credit for it."

Jimmie Johnson and AJ Allmendinger led Team Chevy’s efforts Saturday in qualifying for the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Johnson, in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS will start second in the final round of the ‘Contender’ segment of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – QUALIFIED 2ND - WAS THERE ANY STRATEGY BEING PLAYED OUT THERE DURING THAT RUN? “There were a lot of strategies being put into use. Having to really come through and work out for you is just the toughest thing, because 20 some guys and a lady have an idea of what is going to work and timing that right and finding what works for you is impossible."