NASCAR Cup Series

A thunderstorm invaded the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” which forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying for the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 43-car field has been set by the provisions set forth I the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) rulebook.

RYAN NEWMAN, DRIVER OF THE NO. 39 OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed the Irwin Tools Night Race, sponsor promotion, changes to BMS and other topics

Each race weekend, SRT Motorsports Engineer Howard Comstock gives his insight on the ‘Keys for Success’ for the upcoming race. This week’s focus is on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing How do you plan to get some bonus points before the Chase? "We hope to win the race -- that's how we plan to accomplish that. I'm excited to be back at Bristol obviously, after the last two races here we've had some really strong runs. We ran second and third and had a shot at winning -- always excited to come here. It's a great race track -- it's a lot of fun to race on."

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion, and Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion, held back-to-back press conferences in the Bristol Motor Speedway infield media center after today’s second practice session. Edwards is 12th in the point standings and looking for a much-needed win to join the wild card race while Biffle leads the point standings after winning last week at Michigan.

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 MOBIL 1/OFFICE DEPOT CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed the first practice session, changes made to the track, Danica Patrick racing at Bristol and other topics.

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M's Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing What do you think of the changes to the race track? "I think it's terrible. That's about it."

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 DIET MOUNTAIN DEW/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET, met with members of the media and discussed growing up in the public eye, Brad Keselowski’s comments last week regarding Hendrick Motorsports, a recent visit to a Bristol area high school and other topics.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S DOVER WHITE CHEVROLET, met with media and discussed his frustrations at the Michigan race last week, how the engine shop handles failures, working at Hendrick Motorsports, and more.

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Valvoline NextGen Ford Fusion, is second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings to Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle. Kenseth, who is 20 points out of the top spot, met with reporters before Friday’s first practice session.