NASCAR Cup Series

REGAN SMITH, NO. 78 FURNITURE ROW CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Daytona International Speedway and discussed the confidence a Cup win gives a driver, attending Daytona 500 races as a kid, not racing in the Budweiser Shootout and much more.

ROBBY GORDON (No. 7 MAPEI/Menards/SPEED Energy Dodge) SINCE WE LEFT HOMESTEAD, HOW MUCH RACING HAVE YOU DONE? “The 150 (qualifying race on Thursday) next week will be my 17th race of 2012. That’s counting Dakar – every day being in the race, about 500 miles every day. We had a lot of fun with Dakar. Our cars were very fast.”

PAUL MENARD, NO. 27 PEAK/MENARDS CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Daytona International Speedway and discussed winning the Brickyard 400, his chances of winning the 2012 Daytona 500 and his high school classmate Bon Iver front man Justin Vernon

A.J. Allmendinger (No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger R/T) HOW HAS TESTING GONE SO FAR THIS YEAR? “We tested in Nashville for two day and tested at Disney World. I feel like the team is gelling really well with Todd Gordon (crew chief) and the guys."

SAM HORNISH JR. (No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts/WURTH Dodge Challenger R/T) WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ENTERING THIS SEASON? “I’m really excited about it. I feel like we’ve got a great opportunity with our Alliance Truck Parts and WURTH Group Dodge Challenger."

GREG BIFFLE – No. 16 3M Ford Fusion – “I certainly think the Bud Shootout is gonna set the tone for this weekend here, but I’m really looking forward to going to Phoenix and Vegas.

Although it’s not exactly one giant “tweet” for mankind, it is one small step for Dennis Bickmeier to become the fan-friendliest track president in all of motorsports. This week, Richmond International Raceway’s president joined the Twitterverse, where he is known as @RIRprez.

JIMMIE JOHNSON NO. 48 LOWES CHEVROLET, met with members of the media today at Daytona International Speedway and discussed crew changes, losing the 2011 championship, the off season and Danica Patrick’s entry into the Cup series.

TREVOR BAYNE – No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion – CAN YOU REPEAT? “That’s the plan. We wouldn’t have come if we didn’t think we could win. There’s a little bit more pressure this year. We’re not exactly flying under the radar, but I think we can go for it, that’s for sure.”

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Do you think you started competing in the Sprint Cup Series too early? "Looking at it now -- probably yeah. There's a lot more to it than I thought."