NASCAR Cup Series

TALLADEGA, Ala. – All four Stewart-Haas Racing cars were amply endowed with speed for Saturday’s knockout qualifying session at Talladega Superspeedway. Kurt Busch was just glad he got the pick of the litter.

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Fusion, visited the Talladega infield media center before today’s practice session to discuss his status in the Playoff standings and tomorrow’s race.

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA NIGHTVISION LAMPS CAMARO ZL1, met with members of the media at Talladega Superspeedway and discussed the relief of being locked into the Round of 8 heading into the unknown of Talladega, how the Hendrick Motorsports cars will work together at Talladega, the impact Darian Grubb will have in his new position at Hendrick Motorsports in 2019 and many other topics.  Full Transcript:

Alex Bowman, No. 88 Nationwide Camaro ZL1, met with members of the media at Talladega Superspeedway and discussed what the changes at Hendrick Motorsports will mean for the No. 88 team in 2019, what he has learned about the Playoffs his first time through the system and many other topics.

Liberty National Life Insurance Company has extended its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and the No. 31 team for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Liberty National will remain a primary sponsor for select races with Daniel Hemric and the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and will be an associate sponsor for select races on the No. 3 Chevrolet with driver Austin Dillon.

Darrell ‘Bubba’ Wallace, Jr., No. 43 Medallion Bank/Petty's Garage Camaro ZL1, met with members of the media at Talladega Superspeedway and discussed his thoughts on the 2019 rules package, returning to his “home” track Talladega Superspeedway and many other topics.

“It’s always coming back to the place where you got your first win,” Stenhouse said. “Excited to get back on the track. I think we had a real good run here in the spring (fifth-place finish). I wish I had done a few things different coming down to the last few laps. Hopefully, I learned a little something that if it comes down to it [Sunday] we can put ourselves in a better position to cross the finish line first.”

“It’s always fun coming back home and come back to the place of your first win. Obviously, for me it’s nice because friends and family come down and I get to see them and it just feels good to be here. I’m excited to get back on the track.

“I always feel comfortable racing here at Talladega. I think it started with the ARCA race you were talking about, I was able to win it in I guess ‘Talladega’ fashion using up that whole front stretch to pass Frank Kimmel back to the line and always gave me confidence coming back to be able to be good here. 

KEVIN MEENDERING, CURRENT CREW CHIEF OF THE NO. 1 CAMARO SS AT JR MOTORSPORTS AND 2019 CREW CHIEF OF THE NO. 48 CAMARO ZL1, DRIVEN BY JIMMIE JOHNSON, ALONG WITH JEFF ANDREWS, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMPETITION FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, met with members of the media at the Hendrick Motorsports campus. Full Transcript: