By Roy J. Akers — www.skyviewsports.net
Hampton, Ga. — I often wonder how often a driver gets interviewed each week at a NASCAR event. I should ask this question. Whatever it is, you might take the over. I have interviewed drivers on a Friday, and by the time of the race, they have been interviewed at least a half a dozen times more. Add all the times a driver is interviewed that I do not see or hear, and it could be double or triple that number, and maybe more? Add fans and sponsor questions, and heck, it could be 40 times in one weekend.
Here are questions we asked from around Echo Park Speedway.
What they said going into the Quaker State 400
QUOTABLE QUOTES:
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Are you looking forward to Atlanta?
“I’m looking forward to Atlanta this weekend. We’ve been close a couple of times with the reconfigured track. My teammate Daniel has found success there with a win last year. The most important part about Atlanta is you’ve got to be around at the end of the race. It’s a night race and that makes it fun, especially with our very colorful Wendy’s Frosty Chevrolet that should be easy to spot on the track.”
Over the last couple of weeks with your teammates winning in various series, there seems to be a camaraderie between you guys. Why is that?
“A lot of that is credit to Justin for creating a culture at Trackhouse. I knew how huge Daniel’s win at Mexico City was for him personally. It was an extremely important race for him to be in his home country and get a win. And then Shane followed it up with a win on Sunday and he did it with so much skill. It was great to see him get to victory lane. While all of us drivers are from three different countries, we all want to win and support each other.”
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
What are your thoughts heading into Atlanta Motor Speedway?
“I think Atlanta Motor Speedway presents some opportunities to win, to get after it, and really experience speedway-style racing. It’s going to be hot for the race, and I think the track has gotten a little slicker since they’ve paved it, so it should be an exciting race. I think it’ll be intense being a night race. We’ve got to put ourselves in really good positions and try and be there at the end to give ourselves a chance to win. It’s a speedway race. You feel like you have a good shot as anybody.”
Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Heading back to Atlanta for the second time this season, what are your thoughts on the night race?
“I’ve always enjoyed competing at Atlanta. The reconfiguration has made it a fun balance between speedway-style racing and traditional racing where balance needs to be perfect. I feel like the No. 7 team is starting to find a good rhythm and I’m confident that our Spire Motorsports Chevrolets will be fast as always, this weekend. We’ve had a really good performance at the 1.5 mile tracks this year and looking back on what we learned in the spring gives me a lot of confidence.”
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
What are your thoughts overall on Atlanta at night?
“I enjoy night racing. It’s going to be fun, and it’s going to be an important race. There are so many things that can change in any given lap, let alone a whole race, with superspeedway style racing. Those two dynamics – night racing and speedway racing, are going to make Saturday night’s race at Echo Park Speedway one of the ones to remember.”
Is Echo Park Speedway as exciting for you behind the wheel as it is for the fans?
“Racing at Echo Park Speedway is intense, so I guess that would be exciting for us. The race certainly brings a lot of adrenaline and action. There’s something happening all the time so you’re trying to figure out your next move and seeing what lanes are moving, and what things are happening in order to get yourself further up front. It seems like there’s a lot of maneuvering in the middle of the pack from those ten spots between eighth and 18th, but at the same time it might seem like it’s dull up at the front. Although we’re all trying to get there, it just seems like it gets a little locked up because sometimes the track gets that one lane, that high lane moving in the bottom. It just doesn’t materialize”
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
“It’s going to be a challenging race this weekend with how slick the track will be from the heat. Being a drafting racetrack, track position is always critical, but I think this will probably be one of the toughest races since the repave just due to how hot the racetrack is going to be. In the past, we have had good runs, and I think we can do the same thing if we’re focused on the handling of the car and minimizing mistakes. It’s easy for something to happen there, but we will go out there with our best and look to get the momentum rolling headed into these next couple road courses.”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
“I’m really looking forward to Atlanta this weekend with Hungry Jack on board. It’s always a fast, unpredictable race, and that keeps things exciting. We’ve been working hard to bring more speed to the No. 47 car, and having a partner like Hungry Jack behind us gives the team an extra boost. Hopefully we can stack some strong laps and give the fans a great show.”
Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
What are your thoughts heading into Atlanta, another drafting track?
“We’ve had a good bit of success at Atlanta the past few years. We swept the poles in 2024 and were running well until the power steering issue in February. Our guys did a great job getting that replaced and getting me back on track. We fell six laps down and still put ourselves in position to earn all those laps back with enough time left in the race to come away with a decent finish. That race says a lot about our team, and it’s one I’m proud of. Our day could’ve been over, but our guys showed a lot of fight. Hopefully, we can go back there, run a clean race, and shake up the In-Season Tournament. Atlanta is a real opportunity for us to punch our ticket to the playoffs.”
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
It has been a busy few weeks for you and the No. 77 team, do you view Atlanta as a chance to reset and lead the team to another top-five finish?
“We’ve had some really strong runs and I hate that we haven’t had the finishes to show it. Atlanta was the first time this year that we showed we were capable of being up front and running with the bigger teams. I don’t think anyone’s forgotten that and we’ve kinda reinforced that with the last few races. So, yeah, I think we can go back to what we were doing in that first race and take some things we’ve learned since then to maybe get up front sooner and be in the position to defend the win instead of fighting for it in overtime.”
Connor Zilisch, No. 87 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
What are your thoughts on Atlanta this weekend?
“I know this weekend at Atlanta will be a lot different than Charlotte and COTA (Circuit of the Americas). The Cup cars are a little bit quicker than my Xfinity car and are a lot more rigid and twitchy. Trackhouse has been good at Atlanta in the past and I showed speed there earlier this season in the Xfinity race. Hopefully we can run all the laps and have a good day. I just want to learn as much as I can. I’m very thankful to Red Bull and Trackhouse for this opportunity to get some more experience in the Cup car.”
Roy J. Akers covers NASCAR for www.skyviewsports.net
