NASCAR Cup Series

Leavine Family Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Martinsville Speedway ... Team owner Bob Leavine has three starts at the Martinsville Speedway. Leavine Family Racing finished 41st a year ago in the spring event and finished 40th in October event at the Martinsville, Va. facility.

David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 Long John Silver's Ford, comments on racing at Martinsville Speedway:

David Ragan, driver of the No. 34 Taco Bell Ford, comments on racing at Martinsville Speedway: "I like Martinsville. I grew up racing Legends cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway, in Atlanta, even some in Texas on those flat, quarter-mile tracks. It's fun and I enjoy it. We did a good job qualifying in the top 10 there the last time we went, so we'll look to go back and do that again.

David Reutimann, driver of the No. 35 MDS Transport Ford, comments on racing at Martinsville Speedway:

I must admit I was rather surprised to learn that The Great Gonzo, of Muppets fame, was named to be the Grand Marshall for the Auto Club 400. I found myself asking: "seriously? A Muppet puppet is going to give the command to start engines?

Richard Childress Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Martinsville Speedway ... In 141 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned four pole awards and posted seven victories with drivers Dale Earnhardt (five times), Ricky Rudd (1983) and Kevin Harvick (2011).

By virtue of his 10th-place finish on Sunday at Auto Club Speedway, Carl Edwards took the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points lead by one over Dale Earnhardt Jr. The last time Edwards held the points lead it was only for a few minutes because after his September victory at Richmond gave him a one-point lead over Jimmie Johnson, the points were reset for the Chase.

Okay, everyone from Goodyear engineers, NASCAR officials, crew chiefs, car chiefs, drivers, the media and the fans have had some time to digest the issue of tire wear that was presented during last Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Auto Club Speedway.

When it comes to watching NASCAR racing at the Auto Club Speedway, sometimes you have to be patient and wait until the waning laps of the event in order to witness the drama unfold.