NASCAR Cup Series

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – On team’s decision not to participate in Qualifying today for Sunday’s race: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HAVING TO START IN THE BACK ON SUNDAY? “We had a tough practice session and mid-pack was probably going to be our goal anyway."

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Auto Club Speedway and discussed being the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series point leader, racing on dirt, thoughts on stage racing and many other topics.

RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 CATERPILLAR CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed his win last weekend at Phoenix, extreme heat conditions, his approach to the season after earning a spot in the playoffs, how the cars handle this year compared to last year, and more.

For the last few years, attendance at The Brickyard for NASCAR events has dwindled and the sanctioning body is looking for any measure to rectify the racing. Their solution, slap restrictor plates on the cars.

Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, is one of five Ford drivers in the Top 10 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series point standings going into Sunday’s race. He visited the infield media center at Auto Club Speedway to talk about this weekend.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Auto Club Speedway and discussed making his 600th Cup Series start, his thoughts on NASCAR choosing not to penalize Austin Dillon, thoughts on potentially running restrictor plates at Indianapolis and much more.

Kyle Larson topped the chart in first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Auto Club Speedway.

Daniel Suarez, No. 19 Subway Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - Are you excited to have Subway on your Camry this weekend? “Yeah, it's been a lot of fun. You know, you love the hat. A lot of people out there, they love the fire suit. I love the paint scheme of the car. I think the car looks awesome. Honestly, I haven't been with someone that say, Hey, I don't really like the 19 Toyota Camry this weekend, because that thing looks awesome."

As much as I harp on NASCAR for getting things wrong and continuously point out the serious problems within it, I think it's only fair to also give them their due when they get things right and point out the fantastic aspects in the sport at the moment.

Danica Patrick, driver of the No 10 Aspen Dental Ford Fusion, was part of a press conference today in which it was announced that Aspen Dental signed a multi-year partnership as the ‘Official Dentist of NASCAR.’ In addition, she answered some questions about various issues within the sport and this weekend’s race at Auto Club Speedway.