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  • Austin Dillon fastest in final practice

    Austin Dillon fastest in final practice

    Austin Dillon topped the chart in final Sprint Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.

    The driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 37.056 and a speed of 194.301 mph. Brad Keselowski was second in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford with a time of 37.111 and a speed of 194.013 mph. Jimmie Johnson was third in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 37.142 and a speed of 193.851 mph. Trevor Bayne was fourth in his No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with a time of 37.156 and a speed of 193.778 mph. Kurt Busch rounded out the top-five in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with a time of 37.163 and a speed of 193.741 mph.

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sixth in his No. 88 HMS Chevrolet. Martin Truex Jr. was seventh in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota. Kyle Larson was eighth in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. Joey Logano was ninth in his No. 22 Penske Ford. AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top-10 in his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet.

    Truex posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 191.991 mph. Keselowski was second at an average speed of 191.968 mph. Ryan Blaney, whose fastest single lap was 14th fastest, was third at an average speed of 191.746 mph.

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  • Suárez Becomes First Mexican Driver To Win NASCAR National Series Race

    Suárez Becomes First Mexican Driver To Win NASCAR National Series Race

    NASCAR Drive for Diversity, NASCAR Next Graduate Wins At Michigan

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 11, 2016) – Daniel Suárez earned his first career NASCAR XFINITY Series win on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to capture a NASCAR national series victory.

    With the victory, Suárez clinches a spot in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.

    Suárez, a graduate of both the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next programs, has a accomplished a long list of accolades since joining NASCAR in 2011. Last season, he became the first Mexican driver to win the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, finishing fifth in the championship standings. This season, Suárez became the first foreign-born driver to lead the points in any of the three NASCAR national Series, topping the NASCAR XFINITY Series standings for six consecutive weeks. He is the current points leader in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, the series where “Names Are Made.”

    Suárez, 24, has quickly climbed the NASCAR ladder system throughout his career, with full-time stops in the NASCAR Mexico Series and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East before joining the NASCAR XFINITY Series with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2015 season.

    During his four years (2011-14) in the NASCAR Mexico Series, Suárez won 10 races and finished in the top 10 in championship points in all four of his seasons, including a runner-up championship finish in 2013.

    In two full-time seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Suárez won three races and finished third in the final standings in 2013.

    Suárez had scored six runner-up finishes in the national series prior to his win on Saturday.

    With the victory, Suárez becomes only the fifth Latino driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining Frank Mundy, Juan Pablo Montoya, Aric Almirola and Nelson Piquet Jr.

    NASCAR Next is an industry-wide initiative designed to spotlight to best and brightest rising young stars in racing. NASCAR Drive for Diversity, operated by Rev Racing, is an academy-style development program for female and multicultural drivers and crew members who have the potential and determination to succeed at the highest levels of NASCAR.

     

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (’NASCAR’).

  • Edwards Fastest at Michigan in Second Practice

    Edwards Fastest at Michigan in Second Practice

    Carl Edwards topped the chart in second Sprint Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.

    The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 36.406 and a speed of 197.770 mph. Kyle Busch was second in his No. 18 JGR Toyota with a time of 36.412 and a speed of 197.737 mph. Joey Logano was third in his No. 22 Team Penske Ford with a time of 36.466 and a speed of 197.444 mph. Ryan Blaney was fourth in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford with a time of 36.473 and a speed of 197.406 mph. Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-five in his No. 2 Penske Ford with a time of 36.475 and a speed of 197.395 mph.

    Martin Truex Jr. was sixth in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota. Kyle Larson was seventh in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. Jimmie Johnson was eighth in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was ninth in his No. 88 HMS Chevrolet. Ryan Newman rounded out the top-10 in his No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

    Johnson posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 195.394 mph. Kevin Harvick, whose fastest single lap was 13th fastest overall, was second at an average speed of 195.256 mph.

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  • Elliott Fastest in First Practice at Michigan

    Elliott Fastest in First Practice at Michigan

    Chase Elliott posted the fastest time in first Sprint Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.

    The driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 35.709 and a speed of 201.630 mph. Martin Truex Jr. was second in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota with a time of 35.765 and a speed of 201.314 mph. Carl Edwards was third in his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with a time of 35.782 and a speed of 201.218 mph. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was fourth in his No. 88 HMS Chevrolet with a time of 35.783 and a speed of 201.213 mph. Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing with a time of 35.838 and a speed of 200.904 mph.

    Denny Hamlin was sixth in his No. 11 JGR Toyota. Austin Dillon was seventh in his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Brad Keselowski was eighth in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford. Jimmie Johnson was ninth in his No. 48 HMS Chevrolet. Kurt Busch rounded out the top-10 in his No. 41 SHR Chevrolet.

    Kyle Busch, whose fastest single lap time was 13th fastest, posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 194.145 mph. Ty Dillon, whose fastest single lap time was 33rd fastest, was second at an average speed of 190.122 mph.

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  • Sauter Claims Texas Pole, Quiroga Starts Second

    Sauter Claims Texas Pole, Quiroga Starts Second

    Johnny Sauter claimed the pole for Friday night’s Rattlesnake 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, his 12th career pole and first of 2016. This is Sauter’s third career pole at Texas. Sauter took his No. 21 Smokey Mountain Snuff Chevy to the top of the charts ahead of the No. 11 of German Quiroga, who will be making his first start in the series since 2014 driving for Red Horse Racing, a team he previously raced for in 2013 and 2014.

    Sauter’s GMS Racing entry took the 1.5-mile speedway in 29.996 seconds, topping Quiroga’s 30.018 elapsed time. Rounding out the top-five is the No. 19 of Daniel Hemric, who took the track in 30.022 seconds, while two-time champion Matt Crafton took the fourth spot with a 30.025 and the No. 29 of Tyler Reddick took the track in 30.050 seconds.

    Sauter looks to claim his second win of 2016 following his victory at Daytona and also looks to claim his third win at Texas in the Truck Series, while Crafton looks to claim his third-straight win of 2016 and his third win at Texas overall, previously winning at the 1.5-mile speedway in June of 2014 and 2015.

    Positions sixth through 10th were claimed by rookie William Byron, John Wes Townley, Timothy Peters, rookie Christopher Bell, and Spencer Gallagher.

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  • Joey Logano Scores the Pole at Michigan

    Joey Logano Scores the Pole at Michigan

    Joey Logano will lead the field to the green flag on Sunday in the Irish Hills of Michigan.

    The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford scored the pole for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway after posting a time of 36.080 and a speed of 199.557 mph.

    “It feels good,” Logano said. “Finally, we were able to break through. The last two weeks have stunk for me and my team. We have won the first two rounds the last few weeks and qualified second. Now we figured out how to be second in the first round and first in the last two. That is a good move. I couldn’t be more proud of the team and the effort they put into this new package. This is such an unknown showing up here so it is cool to show what all the engineers and simulation department were able to do to put together a good package off the truck. I am very happy to be driving this car.”

    It’s his 16th career pole in 270 Sprint Cup Series starts, second in 15 at Michigan, second of the 2016 season and 11th top-10 start in 2016.

    Martin Truex Jr. will start second in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota after posting a time of 36.178 and a speed of 199.016 mph.

    “It was definitely an exciting run that third round – we freed the car up quite a bit and it was pretty ‘slideways’ going into turn three so it was a lot of fun out there,” Truex said. “Sunday is going to be a blast – get the tape off and get the race setups in the race cars and get that sun on the track all day. It’s going to get slick and it’s going to be a lot of fun so looking forward to that. All in all, it was a good day for us. We had to work hard on it today and had trouble getting through tech. Our first run was pretty bad, our second run was better and our third run was pretty good so really proud of the guys on the Denver Mattress Furniture Row Toyota. We came out with a good result so it was good. We just keep digging and never give up – front row starting spot is pretty decent.”

    He was late getting to the grid in the first round after his car didn’t pass tech inspection the first time through.

    “I think the biggest thing was just the track conditions changing so much,” Truex said of getting his car through tech. “It got so much hotter, the pace slowed down quite a bit and anytime that happens it changes these cars considerably. That was the biggest factor. I was fine, I figured I knew we would get through eventually and we would get a lap in when it was ready. Just calm, cool, collected and wait my turn.”

    It will be his ninth top-10 start in 2016 and sixth in 21 races at Michigan.

    Tony Stewart will start third in his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet after posting a time of 36.190 and a speed of 198.950 mph.

    “I’m glad that was the last time I had to do that today,” Stewart said of his lap in the final round. “It felt really good. We were really loose in practice and Mike (Bugarewicz, crew chief) did a great job in the break there of making some big changes to get us caught up. It got my confidence back there and made me feel like I finally had the right-rear (tire) in the track there. Now we can hustle a little bit.”

    It will be his 10th top-10 start at Michigan and second in seven starts this season.

    Denny Hamlin will start fourth in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota after posting a time of 36.222 and a speed of 198.774 mph.

    “It’s slippery out there,” Hamlin said. “Even though the speeds are up there, averaging 199, a lot of it is straightaway speed. What we really wanted was slower corners and faster straightaways and that’s definitely been achieved so far.”

    Ryan Blaney will round out the top-five in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford as the highest starting rookie after posting a time of 36.256 and a speed of 198.588 mph.

    “We were really loose the first run, just really, really free and that hurt us a lot,” Blaney said. “They got it a lot better the second run out. They did a good job of getting us better throughout the day. Unfortunately, we had an extra lap on our tires. Who knows what would have happened with one less lap on the tires in the final round.”

    Ryan Newman will start sixth in his No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Kyle Larson will start seventh in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. Austin Dillon will start eighth in his No. 3 RCR Chevrolet. Kyle Busch will start ninth in his No. 18 JGR Toyota. Chase Elliott will round out the top-10 in his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

    Carl Edwards will start 11th in his No. 19 JGR Toyota. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will round out the 12 drivers that made the final round of qualifying in his No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.

    During the session in the first round, David Ragan got loose rounding turn 3, slid up the track and made contact with the wall with the right-rear corner of his car. The session was also red-flagged after a brake duct that came from the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray was found on the track in turn 3. Kevin Harvick was caught out on the track by both and was unable to make a lap that would place him higher than 29th.

    Twenty-two Chevrolet’s, 11 Ford’s and seven Toyota’s make up the 40-car field. No driver was sent home as 40 cars were entered.

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  • NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson Inducted into 2016 Superman Hall of Heroes

    NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson Inducted into 2016 Superman Hall of Heroes

    Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment Announce the 2016 Superman Hall of Heroes Inductees Including NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson

    Jimmie Johnson, Medal of Honor Recipient Edward Byers Jr., Early Childhood Educator Cynthia Knight and 2015 National Teacher of the Year Shanna Peeples Honored as This Year’s Heroes

    LOS ANGELES (June 8, 2016) ––Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and DC Entertainment today announced this year’s 2016 Superman Hall of Heroes inductees including a military hero, an early childhood education expert, a racing icon and a passionate educator. The new inductees join thousands of everyday heroes who have been nominated for the Superman Hall of Heroes, an online gift-giving portal that empowers consumers to honor their personal heroes – those who have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others.

    Each year, the Superman Hall of Heroes program inducts a new class of nationally recognized heroes from all walks of life.  This year’s honorees include:

    Jimmie Johnson – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Jimmie Johnson is a racing icon.  Throughout his career in motorsports, he has able to win at every level. At the highest level in NASCAR, Johnson has accumulated six championships and 77 wins, third and seventh respectably. While he is a fierce competitor, his accomplishments reach far beyond the track. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. To date, more than $8.8 million has been contributed to various organizations. The foundation currently focuses on K-12 public education.

    Shanna Peeples – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Shanna Peeples is the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, earning this honor for her work with students who are refugees at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas.  As the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, Peeples is shaping the conversation in this country about working with students in poverty and those who have already faced extreme challenges in their young lives. Through a variety of teaching methods, Peeples reaches her students and helps them achieve their full potential far beyond her classroom walls.

    Cynthia Knight – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Cynthia Knight has dedicated her life to developing the social, emotional, physical and intellectual of a child.  Knight has spent over 30 years developing her one of a kind approach to early childhood education and has the track record to prove it. Students that complete her preschool class have the ability to read, write and solve math problems three to four grade levels past their age. Cynthia is currently based in Charlotte, NC at Castles Day Care Academy.

    Edward Byers, Jr. – Superman Hall of Heroes inductee Edward Byers, Jr. is a true American Hero. His undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of near-certain death; Chief Petty Officer Byers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on  February 29, 2016, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Hostage Rescue Force Team Member in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 8 to 9 December 2012.

    Inspired by Superman and the character attributes that define the world’s first and most recognized Super Hero — an American icon who represents unwavering morals and an endless pursuit of truth and justice — the Superman Hall of Heroes is a gift–giving program that offers a fun and inspirational way for fans to pay tribute to their heroes by submitting their photo and story online to www.SupermanHallofHeroes.com where it will be showcased in perpetuity. As part of their tribute, consumers can choose from multiple gift–giving options and levels.

    In the two years since its launch, thousands of everyday heroes have been nominated for the Superman Hall of Heroes, sharing their stories of bravery, loyalty, philanthropy and selfless service.

    The Superman Hall of Heroes program continues to spread goodwill throughout the year with The Red Cape Crew, a community outreach initiative that performs random acts of kindness in markets across the country. The Red Cape Crew contributes to local community efforts and follows the examples set by heroes to make the world a better place, one good deed at a time. Fans can volunteer with and follow The Red Cape Crew at www.SupermanHallofHeroes.com/redcapecrew.

    Ranging in price from $4.99 to $59.95, Superman Hall of Heroes offers unique gift giving packages available at multiple options and levels, giving consumers the opportunity to pay tribute to those who have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others. Each package comes with an induction certificate and permanent listing in the Superman Hall of Heroes. Additional package options include apparel, accessories, and even a personalized Superman Hall of Heroes trophy. The Superman Hall of Heroes online gift-giving program is currently only available to residents in the United States.

    About Superman Hall of Heroes

    Superman Hall of Heroes is an online initiative that empowers fans to honor personal heroes that have made a positive impact on their lives or the lives of others. Inspired by Superman and designed to honor the values the iconic superhero champions, the Superman Hall of Heroes program offers a fun and inspirational way for fans to pay tribute to their heroes by submitting their photo and story online to www.SupermanHallofHeroes.com where it will be showcased in perpetuity.

    About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

    Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

    About DC Entertainment

    DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English–language publisher of comics in the world.

  • Kyle Busch Fastest in Final Practice

    Kyle Busch Fastest in Final Practice

    Kyle Busch topped the chart in the final Sprint Cup Series practice at Pocono Raceway.

    The driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was the fastest in the final practice session in preparation for this weekend’s Sprint Cup Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 with a time of 50.876 and a speed of 176.901 mph. Kurt Busch was second in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with a time of 50.905 and a speed of 176.800 mph. Jimmie Johnson was third in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 50.931 and a speed of 176.710 mph. Martin Truex Jr. was fourth in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota with a time of 51.052 and a speed of 176.291 mph. Kevin Harvick, who is currently the series points leader, rounded out the top-five in his No. 4 SHR Chevrolet with a time of 51.100 and a speed of 176.125 mph.

    Brad Keselowski, the pole-sitter for Sunday’s race, was sixth in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford. Joey Logano was seventh in his No. 22 Ford. Matt Kenseth was eighth in his No. 20 JGR Toyota  followed by Ryan Blaney in ninth driving his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top-10 in his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet.

    Kyle Busch posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 175.024 mph. Harvick was second at an average speed of 174.549 mph. Kurt Busch was third at an average speed of 174.375 mph.

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  • Edwards Fastest in First Sprint Cup Practice at Pocono

    Edwards Fastest in First Sprint Cup Practice at Pocono

    In case you missed it, Carl Edwards posted the fastest time in first Sprint Cup Series practice at Pocono Raceway.

    The driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 50.055 and a speed of 179.802 mph. Kevin Harvick was second in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with a time of 50.328 and a speed of 178.827 mph. Kurt Busch was third in his No. 41 SHR Chevrolet with a time of 50.378 and a speed of 178.649 mph. Paul Menard was fourth in his No. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with a time of 50.491 and a speed of 178.250 mph. Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five in his No. 18 JGR Toyota with a time of 50.507 and a speed of 178.193 mph.

    Jimmie Johnson was sixth in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Casey Mears was seventh in his No. 13 Germain Racing Chevrolet. Joey Logano was eighth in his No. 22 Team Penske Ford. Greg Biffle was ninth in his No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. Tony Stewart rounded out the top-10 in his No. 14 SHR Chevrolet.

    The session was red-flagged after 10 minutes because of weather and never resumed. Only 28 cars posted a lap and no one posted a 10 consecutive lap average.

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  • Keselowski Grabs the Pole at Pocono

    Keselowski Grabs the Pole at Pocono

    Brad Keselowski will lead the field to the green flag on Sunday at the Tricky Triangle.

    The driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford scored the pole for Sunday’s Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 at Pocono Raceway with a time of 49.525 and a speed of 181.726 mph.

    “Yeah, it was a really solid effort for Team Penske to get 1-2,” Keselowski said of his qualifying performance. “That is really hard to do, I can tell you that. We had great speed obviously today. I wasn’t really sure what to expect with the rain and all the other variables that were kind of thrown at us with low practice. We thought we would be okay and quite honestly we tested here and we weren’t very good and we were just kind of not really sure what to expect. We got that half a lap of practice in and we weren’t all that good there either but for some reason here in the qualifying session the team put things together and worked on it and found some speed and dialed on it each round and we got faster each round. That is why we are up here today. It was a team effort. I am really proud of the group with the Miller Lite Ford running up front and getting the pole is great but we want to be up there on Sunday as well. We will enjoy this moment and then get back to work and try to make it stay up there Sunday.”

    It’s the 12th career pole and first of the season for the 2012 Sprint Cup Series champion.

    He’ll be joined on the front row by teammate Joey Logano who posted a time of 49.614 and a speed of 181.400 mph in his No. 22 Ford.

    “It is interesting, I think the tires are actually getting better every run,” Logano said. “The will and the want to go faster I think rose as well. Congratulations to the 2 car. It kind of stings for us. The last two weeks we have won the first two rounds and come in second in the third round. It is a bummer for us but both Team Penske cars are fast and that is pretty cool when we start the race on Sunday. We have a good starting spot and it is a long race so we will be just fine.

    “Yeah, we were so close,” a disappointed Logano added. “The last two weeks we have been the fastest car in the first two rounds and given it up in the third. You want to get those poles. The pole means a lot and it is cool to rack up that stat but overall both Team Penske Fusions are up front and that says a lot about where our organization is right now. Man, I just wanted to get the pole. It stings but it’s cool we are up front.”

    Matt Kenseth will start third in his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota after posting a time of 49.637 and a speed of 181.316 mph.

    “It was good for us,” Kenseth said of his qualifying performance. “It was an interesting qualifying session because a lot of people didn’t get any practice, including us, so it’s kind of a little bit of a tricky place to get up to speed and get your momentum and get it to feel good. With all that being said, it went really well for us. We were able to have some pretty good speed the first round and adjust on it every time. Just got off a little bit the last run, but it was still obviously a good time. Think it was the best I’ve ever done here.”

    Kevin Harvick will start fourth in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet after posting a time of 49.671 and a speed of 181.192 mph.

    “It was good,” Harvick said of his qualifying performance. “The car was definitely better than the driver. But I think as you look at how fast the car is, I just made a lot of mistakes in really all three rounds. I was just trying to get too much out of it instead of just letting the car do the work as fast as it is. But all in all, those were still pretty good laps. We made one lap of practice this morning, that’s all. We’ve got some work to do tomorrow, but most of all, on the driver’s rhythm!”

    Carl Edwards will round out the top-five in his No. 19 JGR Toyota after posting a time of 49.790 and a speed of 180.759 mph.

    “I thought not shaving was going to do the trick, but it didn’t – wasn’t that good of luck, so I’m going to shave,” Edwards said. “Our Toyota was fast. We’ve got ARRIS SURFboard modems on there – they’ve got the fastest modems and I thought we were going to have the fastest car, but I think I gave up a little bit in the tunnel. It’s so easy to do that here, but I had fun though. Pretty fast – I didn’t know that we’d all be that fast.”

    Tony Stewart will start sixth in his No. 14 SHR Chevrolet. Jimmie Johnson will start seventh in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start eighth in his No. 88 HMS Chevrolet. Kurt Busch will start ninth in his No. 41 SHR Chevrolet. Denny Hamlin will round out the top-10 in his No. 11 JGR Toyota.

    Kasey Kahne will start 11th in his No. 5 HMS Chevrolet. Kyle Busch will round out the 12 drivers that made the final round of qualifying in his No. 18 JGR Toyota.

    Chase Elliott will be the highest starting rookie in 13th. Defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. will start 17th.

    Forty cars were entered, so none were sent home after qualifying.

    Twenty-two Chevrolet cars, 11 Ford cars and seven Toyota cars comprise the starting field for Sunday’s race.

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