Before the quotes, check out the Sky View Sports Zoomcast with Steve Sweitzer and the All-Star race
By Roy J. Akers – www.skyviewsports.net
The All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway comes just one race before the halfway point of the NASCAR season. There are plenty of Playoff drivers in the race with plenty more to come starting next week in Charlotte. Drivers want to win the one-million-dollar prize and will race all out for this exhibition race.
They Said It…
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – Finished: 3rd
“I thought our No. 9 Amazon Prime Video Chevrolet was pretty good. I think it was worth fixing it. We knew we had a little bit of damage. We weren’t exactly sure to what extent or how much it was going to hurt us, but we just didn’t want to have to wonder about it. I certainly think it was the right call. To come from 10th to third was pretty good, with all things considered. We had a good pit stop and gained a couple spots on pit road, and we got a couple spots on track. We start sixth tomorrow, and we’ll try to go to work from there.”
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet– Finished: 4th
“In the truck, entering high and staying high in (turns) one and two, was sort of better for me. In the Cup car, I kept trying that and it was just too loose, so I had to be a lane down. That’s where I found the best speed, being a lane down, so what I learned in the truck didn’t really translate to the Cup car. But still getting the track time and being able to move around; knowing what to expect, feeling tire chatter and all that sort of stuff was helpful. Overall, it was a good effort by this No. 8 SENIX Chevrolet team. We certainly want more. “
CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing – Finishing Position: 1st
How was the car for you in today’s heat race?
“Maybe the Mobil 1 Camry is a million-dollar Camry. It’s feeling really good. I knew yesterday in practice that if they could get some rear grip in it, I felt like I had a lot of car potential. The guys did an amazing job on just making the car better overnight and it was really refreshing to get out there and just cruise those first 30 laps. Then, I didn’t know how it was going to work with having Joey (Logano) right behind me, but this thing was on rails. I’m really happy and excited about the opportunity tomorrow.”
BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – THAT WENT ACCORDING TO PLAN. IS THIS A SHOT IN THE ARM FOR THIS TEAM? “Yeah, it doesn’t hurt. It’s been a good two days for everyone on this 6 crew and hopeful the other two cars can have good runs – the heat race and the Open so that we can get a great day for tomorrow. It’s good to be starting up front with the Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang and to be running fast. This is fun.”
More Keselowski…
YOU TRIED SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS SETUP AND MAYBE TIRES. DO YOU WANT TIRES TOMORROW? “Those guys that put tires on, they were really hard to hold off. I had the preferred groove and just tried to use it to my advantage. We’ll see if that’s the case tomorrow.”
Roy J. Akers covers NASCAR for www.skyviewsports.net
