NASCAR Cup Series

New Thunder Ring Track Record: A new track record was set Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway on the quarter-mile Thunder Ring during qualifying for Tim Smith’s CLIMAX Moonshine Sprint Car Shootout.

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing - How do you feel entering the Atlanta race weekend? "Obviously, I'll start off with the wrist and what happened at Bristol (Motor Speedway). It was obviously unfortunate for something like that to happen this time of year with the position we're in and where we are at in points and trying to make the Chase and the Wild Card situation and all that, but I feel good that we're able to come here and race and do the best job we can do. "

Chip Ganassi of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates made it official Friday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway that Kyle Larson will drive their No. 42 Target Chevrolet full-time in the Sprint Cup Series beginning next season.

CHIP GANASSI, OWNER EARNHARDT GANASSI RACING WITH FELIX SABATES, MET WITH MEDIA TO ANNOUNCE THAT KYLE LARSON WILL DRIVE THE NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET IN 2014. JOHN OLGUIN, VP OF COMMUNICATIONS WAS THE MODERATOR.

KURT BUSCH, NO. 78 FURNITURE ROW RACING/BEAUTYREST CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Atlanta Motor Speedway and discussed the new tire at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his move to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014 and other topics.

Friday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Brad Keselowski was in a much better mood than might be expected for a driver who is fighting to make the Chase.

Cancer survivors Sam and Tracie Shields of Smyrna, Georgia stand next to a specially themed pink Chevrolet Camaro SS that will serve as the pace car for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 race Sunday.

RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 39 ASPEN DENTAL CHEVROLET SS, met with media and dicsussed the next two races leading into the Chase, the new zone tire, maintaining team momentum while planning to go to another team and season-end, the intensity of the Richmond race, and more.

MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Home Depot Husky Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - What is your team's mindset coming to Atlanta Motor Speedway? "I love coming to Atlanta. It's probably not been my best track over the last few years, but it's a great race track. It's really wide. The cars that handle good really show a lot of strength as the run goes on and the tires drop off with slick pavement and all that stuff. I'm excited to be here and excited to come off a win last week. Hopefully we can come here and perform good again this week and get a good finish and keep some momentum."

Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion, is currently ninth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings with two races remaining before the field is set for the Chase. Biffle spoke about his situation in the AMS infield media center before Friday’s practice.