The most historic day in Kentucky Speedway history, the culmination of 11 years of hard work and effort by the KYS administration, workers and fans, began under ideal weather conditions with sunny skies and an air temperature in the mid 80’s.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The fourth and final day of the first weekend of the 12th season of racing at the Kentucky Speedway featured just one event, the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400. The parking lots around the speedway opened at 8:00 a.m. and the gates opened at 2:00 p.m. allowing the crowd expected to be in excess of 110,000 – the largest sporting event in the tri-state history – to work their way onto the grounds and enjoy a beautiful afternoon of tailgating.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The inaugural Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 being held in Sparta, KY this week inspired STEVE BESHEAR, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to declare the period from July 4-10 as NASCAR Week in the Commonwealth. BESHEAR will serve as the Grand Marshal of the race this evening.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 43-car field for the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 was determined by the best lap speed during the Final Practice on Friday morning (July 8). The normal qualifying session saw 22 of the 48 cars post qualifying runs before rain engulfed the Greater Sparta area and forced the cancellation of the remainder of qualifying.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
With qualifying incomplete, the starting grid reverted to the results of the Final Practice with 18 KYLE BUSCH (M&M’s Toyota) earning the pole based on his practice-best 29.540 second lap (182.803 mph). 42 JUAN PABLO MONTOYA (Target Chevrolet) will start in second place following a 29.589 second lap (182.500 mph).
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH (M&M’s Toyota) will try to snap a string of 18 straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races where the pole-sitter did not post a win. 99 CARL EDWARDS (Aflac Ford) was the most recent driver to go from pole to Victory Lane at Phoenix International Raceway Nov. 14, 2010. No Cup season has ever been completed without at least one pole-sitter driving to victory, dating back to BOB FLOCK’S pole to checker win at Hillsboro, North Carolina's Occoneechee Speedway on Aug. 7, 1949.
Although this is the inaugural Sprint Cup Series event at the Kentucky Speedway, the Sprint Cup drivers have already put together an impressive resume at the track here in Sparta. Twelve different drivers in the 43-car field tonight have combined to win a total of 17 races in other series races held over the first 12 seasons. 18 KYLE BUSCH, who will start tonight on the pole, and 20 JOEY LOGANO are the most successful of the drivers with each owning three wins at the track. BUSCH won the ARCA race in 2003 and the Nationwide race in 2004 with his third win coming on Thursday night when he claimed the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 225. LOGANO’s wins have all come in the Nationwide Series, winning in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The only other previous multiple winner in tonight’s field is 99 CARL EDWARDS, who claimed the checker flag at the NCWTS event in 2003 and the NNS race in 2005.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
Pre-race festivities for Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 began on schedule at 7:00 p.m.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
NASCAR announced before the race that 11 DENNY HAMLIN (FedEx Ground Toyota) and 36 DAVE BLANEY (Big Red Chevrolet) will both move to the back of the pack for changes to the car after qualifying. HAMLIN, who was slated to start 26th, will start 42nd after changing the engine while BLANEY, who qualified 32nd, will move to 43rd after transmission changes.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
NASCAR also announced that the race will feature a competition yellow at the 30-lap mark this evening.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
Weather conditions at the start of the race were ideal for racing with mostly sunny skies (with the sun setting to the west) with an air temperature of 85, an on-track temperature of 111 and a relative humidity of 56-percent. The wind was out of the east at 5 mph.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race began on time at 7:49 p.m. with 43 cars on the track for the start. The race was being televised live nationally on ESPN. The 43 drivers were competing for a purse of $4,925,697 with a first place winner’s share set at a minimum of $146,175.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
22 KURT BUSCH (Shell/Pennzoil Dodge) passed pole-sitter 18 KYLE BUSCH (M&M’s Toyota) entering into Turn 4 and led KYLE BUSCH by 0.067 seconds after one Lap (of 267) of the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400. KYLE BUSCH was second, followed 4 KASEY KAHNE (Red Bull Toyota) in third, 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON (Lowe’s Chevrolet) in fourth, 42 JUAN PABLO MONTOYA (Target Chevrolet) in fifth, 6 DAVID RAGAN (UPS Ford) in sixth, 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI (Miller Lite Dodge) in seventh, 14 TONY STEWART (Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet) in eighth, 27 PAUL MENARD (Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet) in ninth and 78 REGAN SMITH (Furniture Row Chevrolet) in 10th. All 43 cars were on the track.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
22 KURT BUSCH held a 0.286 second lead over 18 KYLE BUSCH after 10 Laps (of 267). KYLE BUSCH was second, followed 4 KASEY KAHNE in third, 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in fourth and 42 JUAN PABLO MONTOYA in fifth. All 43 cars were on the track and on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The pits of 42 JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, who started second, reported after the start that the Target Chevrolet was too loose, costing him several track positions.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The extended Green Flag run to start the race allowed the leaders to reach lap traffic starting on Lap 18.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
60 MIKE SKINNER, the winner of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at the Kentucky Speedway in 2007, was the first car off the track, heading to the garage after completing 17 laps.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
22 KURT BUSCH opened up a 0.205 second lead over 18 KYLE BUSCH after 25 Laps (of 267). KYLE BUSCH was second, followed by 4 KASEY KAHNE in third, 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in fourth and 42 JUAN PABLO MONTOYA in fifth. 41 cars on the track with 39 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
As planned and announced earlier in the day, the race went to a first caution on Lap 30 for a competition yellow.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The caution allowed the field to stop for the first time with the pit stops beginning on Lap 32
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Lucky Dog for the caution was 66 MICHAEL McDOWELL.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The winner of the initial Yellow Flag stops was 4 KASEY KAHNE, who moved from third to first. 99 CARL EDWARDS also moved up five spots, from seventh to fifth, while 22 KURT BUSCH dropped the most spots, going from first to third.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
Multiple lead changes during the caution. 18 KYLE BUSCH was credited with leading Lap 31, 4 KASEY KAHNE led Lap 32, 38 TRAVIS KVAPIL led Lap 33 and 46 J.J. YELEY led Lap 35
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race restarted on Lap 36 with 4 KASEY KAHNE in the lead. 18 KYLE BUSCH was second followed by 22 KURT BUSCH in third, 22 DAVE BLANEY in fourth and 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in fifth. 42 cars were on the track with 38 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The sixth lead change of the race came on Lap 36 when 18 KYLE BUSCH passed 4 KASEY KAHNE at the end of Turn 2.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH opened up a 2.582 second ;lead over 22 KURT BUSCH after 50 Laps (of 267). KURT BUSCH was in second, followed by 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in third, 4 KASEY KAHNE in fourth and 99 CARL EDWARDS in fifth. 37 cars were on the track with 35 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The second extended Green Flag run reach 36 laps on Lap 71 with the leaders again reaching the back of the pack and began to lap cars. On Lap 71, 30 cars were on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
Cars began making Green Flag pit stops beginning on Lap 72.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH opened up a 3.198 second lead over 22 KURT BUSCH after 75 Laps (of 267). KURT BUSCH was second, followed by 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in third, 99 CARL EDWARDS was fourth and 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI was fifth. 37 cars were on the track with 27 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
83 BRIAN VICKERS was assessed a Black Flag penalty by NASCAR for speeding as he entered pit lane.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
36 DAVE BLANEY was flagged by NASCAR for having a loose lugnut and had to stop in the pits for a second time.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The eighth lead change of the night came on Lap 82 when 18 KYLE BUSCH pitted, turning the lead over to 51 LANDON CASSILL.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The ninth lead change came on Lap 84 when 51 LANDON CASSILL stopped, turning the lead back over to 18 KYLE BUSCH.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH hit the 1,000 mark for Laps led this season on Lap 101. BUSCH entered the race having led 935 laps this year and added to that list by leading 65 laps tonight (32, 36-81 & 84-101). BUSCH easily leads the most laps in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this year with 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON entering the race in second place with 473 laps led.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH opened up a 5.556 second lead over 22 KURT BUSCH after 100 Laps (of 267). KURT BUSCH was second, followed by 99 CARL EDWARDS in third, 4 KASEY KAHNE in fourth and 00 DAVID REUTIMANN in fifth. 36 cars were on the track with 24 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Green Flag run reached 70 laps after Lap 105 (it started on Lap 36). The only caution laps were from 30-35 for the mandated competition caution.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Green Flag run reached 80 laps after Lap 115. It left just 21 cars on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The pit of 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON reported that the Lowe’s Chevrolet had a less than perfect pit stop on Lap 78, costing him considerable track position. JOHNSON bounced back, moving up to fourth after Lap 116. “The car is snug now,” the pit reported.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The second sequence of Green Flag stops began on Lap 118.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Green Flag run reached 90 laps on Lap 125 (of 267) with 18 KYLE BUSCH owning a 6.463 second lead over 22 KURT BUSCH. KURT BUSCH was in second, followed by 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI in third, 17 MATT KENSETH in fourth and 11 DENNY HAMLIN in fifth. Because of the Green Flag stops, only seven cars were on the lead lap with 36 on the track.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH pitted on Lap 129 and was able to keep the lead coming out.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
32 MIKE BLISS was assessed a Black Flag penalty by NASCAR for going too fast entering the pits.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Green Flag stops finished on Lap 130 leaving 20 cars on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH opened up a 8.114 second lead over 99 CARL EDWARDS at the halfway point of the race (134 of 267 Laps). EDWARDS was second, followed by 22 KURT BUSCH in third, 4 KASEY KAHNE in fourth and 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in fifth. 36 cars were on the track with 20 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race went to a second caution on Lap 141, ending a streak of 107 consecutive Green Flag laps. The reason for the caution was debris on the track in the back stretch.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Lucky Dog for the caution was 5 MARK MARTIN.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The caution allowed the field to pit under the yellow for just the second time in the race (and first since Lap 31). The stops began on Lap 142
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 10th lead change of the night came on Lap 142 when 18 KYLE BUSCH pitted, turning the lead over to 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI. 18 KYLE BUSCH has now led 105 laps in the race.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race restarted on Lap 147 with 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI in the lead. KESELOWSKI was followed by 14 TONY STEWART in second, 18 KYLE BUSCH in third, 22 KURT BUSCH in fourth and 99 CARL EDWARDS in fifth. 36 cars were on the track with 25 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
2 BRAD KESELOWSKI opened up a 1.212 second lead over 18 KYLE BUSCH after 150 Laps (of 267). KYLE BUSCH was in second, followed by 22 KURT BUSCH in third, 14 TONY STEWART in fourth and 99 CARL EDWARDS in fifth. 36 cars were on the track with 25 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race went to a third caution on Lap 153 for oil on the track in Turns 3 & 4.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Lucky Dog for the caution was 47 BOBBY LABONTE.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race restarted on Lap 158 with 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI in the lead. KESELOWSKI was followed by 18 KYLE BUSCH in second, 14 TONY STEWART in third, 22 KURT BUSCH in fourth and 99 CARL EDWARDS in fifth. 36 cars were on the track with 26 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 11th lead change of the night came on Lap 158 when 18 KYLE BUSCH passed 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI at the end of the back stretch. The 12th and 13th changes quickly followed. 14 TONY STEWART passed 18 KYLE BUSCH in Turn 4 on Lap 159 and then 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI regained the lead on Lap 160 when he passed STEWART on the back stretch.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
2 BRAD KESELOWSKI opened up a 0.811 second lead over 14 TONY STEWART after 175 Laps (of 267). STEWART was in second, followed by 18 KYLE BUSCH in third, 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in fourth and 22 KURT BUSCH in fifth. 36 cars were on the track with 26 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
With another long Green Flag run (reaching 23 laps on Lap 180), the field began making a third set of Green Flag pit stops.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The extended Green Flag run had the leaders reaching the back of the pack and lapping cars beginning on Lap 185.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 14th lead change of the night came on Lap 186 when 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI pitted, turning the lead over to 18 KYLE BUSCH
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 15th lead change came on Lap 194 when 18 KYLE BUSCH pitted, turning the lead over to 11 DENNY HAMLIN.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 16th lead change followed on Lap 199 when 11 DENNY HAMLIN pitted, turning the lead over to 6 DAVID RAGAN.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race went to a fourth caution on Lap 201 when 1 JAMIE McMURRAY appeared to blow an engine heading into Turn 1. McMURRAY came to a stop in the middle of the track in Turn 2 with the engine area visibly on fire and needed assistance getting off the track.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Lucky Dog for the caution was 00 DAVID REUTIMANN.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 17th lead change of the night came on Lap 202 when 6 DAVID RAGAN pitted, turning the lead over to 56 MARTIN TRUEX, JR. The 18th lead change followed on the next lap when TRUEX, JR. pitted, putting 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI back into the lead.
The race restarted on Lap 210 with 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI in the lead. KESELOWSKI was followed by 18 KYLE BUSCH in second, 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in third, 14 TONY STEWART in fourth and 22 KURT BUSCH in fifth. 35 cars were on the track with 24 on the lead lap with the last 11 getting the wave around shortly before the restart.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
14 of the first 17 lead changes in the race came on pit road when the leader stopped, turning the lead over to a car still on the track.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
2 BRAD KESELOWSKI owned a 1.982 second lead over 18 KYLE BUSCH after 225 Laps (of 267). KYLE BUSCH was second, followed by 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in third, 17 MATT KENSETH in fifth and 14 TONY STEWART in fifth. 35 cars were on the track with 24 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
A fourth round of Green Flag runs began starting on Lap 233 with the stops being the last needed for fuel for each car.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
14 TONY STEWART, who was running fifth, pitted on Lap 233.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
48 JIMMIE JOHNSON, who was running third, pitted on Lap 235.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH, who was running second, made his last stop on Lap 239.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
By Lap 239, the Green Flag run reached 30 laps.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 18th lead change of the night came on Lap 240 when 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI pitted, turning the lead over to 22 KURT BUSCH.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 19th lead change came on Lap 250 when 22 KURT BUSCH pitted, turning the lead over to 00 DAVID REUTIMANN.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
00 DAVID REUTIMANN owned a 0.253 second lead over 6 DAVID RAGAN after 250 Laps (of 267). RAGAN was second, followed by 39 RYAN NEWMAN in third, 11 DENNY HAMLIN in fourth and 56 MARTIN TRUEX, JR. in fifth. 35 cars were on the track with six on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race went to a fifth caution on Lap 255 when 88 DALE EARNHARDT, JR. cut a tire going down the back stretch.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Lucky Dog for the caution was 42 JUAN PABLO MONTOYA.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The 20th lead change of the night came on Lap 256 when 00 DAVID REUTIMANN pitted, turning the lead over to 18 KYLE BUSCH.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race restarted on Lap 260 with 18 KYLE BUSCH in the lead. BUSCH was followed by 17 MAYY KENSETH in second, 00 DAVID REUTIMANN in third, 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in fourth and 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI in fifth. 35 cars were on the track with 19 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH got a great restart and opened up a 0.335 second lead over 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON after Lap 260 (7 to go).
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The race went to a sixth caution on Lap 261 when 33 CLINT BOWYER spun and made contact with the wall in Turn 4. BOWYER was able to get off the track under his own power.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The Lucky Dog for the caution as 51 LANDON CASSILL.
The race restarted on Lap 266 with 18 KYLE BUSCH in the lead. KYLE BUSCH was followed by 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON in second, 22 KURT BUSCH in third, 00 DAVID REUTIMANN in fourth and 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI in fifth. 35 cars were on the track with 22 on the lead lap.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH held off a challenge down low in Turns 1 & 2 and then again in Turns 3 & 4 from 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON and then pulled away in the final lap to take the checkered flag of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Inaugural Quaker State 400.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
The top 10 finishers of the race were:
- 18 KYLE BUSCH (M&M’s Toyota)
- 00 DAVID REUTIMANN (TUMS Toyota) -0.179 seconds behind
- 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON (Lowe’s Chevrolet) -0.233
- 39 RYAN NEWMAN (Tornados Chevrolet) -0.887
- 99 CARL EDWARDS (AFLAC Ford) -1.158
- 17 MATT KENSETH (Crown Royal Ford) -1.398
- 2 BRAD KESELOWSKI (Miller Lite Dodge) -1.506
- 6 DAVID RAGAN (UPS Ford) -1.544
- 22 KURT BUSCH (Shell/Pennzoil Dodge) -1.576
- 11 DENNY HAMLIN (FedEx Ground Toyota) -1.972
2011 Kentucky Speedway
There were six cautions totaling 32 laps during the race. The caution laps were 32-35 (competition yellow), 141-146 (debris), 153-157 (oil on track), 201-209 (McMURRAY mishap), 255-259 (Earnhardt, Jr. tire), 263-265 (BOWYER mishap)
2011 Kentucky Speedway
Twelve cars led laps during the race and there were 20 lead changes.
22 KURT BUSCH 41 Laps (1-31, 240-249)
4 KASEY KAHNE 1 Lap (35)
38 TRAVIS KVAPIL 1 Lap (33)
46 J.J. YELEY 1 Lap (34)
18 KYLE BUSCH 125 Laps (32, 36-81, 84-141, 158, 186-193, 257-67)
51 LANDON CASSILL 2 Laps (82-83)
2 BRAD KESELOWSKI 79 Laps (142-157, 160-185, 203-239)
14 TONY STEWART 1 Lap (159)
11 DENNY HAMLIN 5 Laps (194-198)
6 DAVID RAGAN 3 Laps (199-201)
56 MARTIN TRUEX, JR. 1 Lap (202)
00 DAVID REUTIMANN 7 Laps (250-256)
The average speed of the race was 137.319 mph (including cautions) with an elapsed time of 2:54.59.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
Nine (of the 43 starting) cars were unable to finish the race. They were:
60 MIKE SKINNER Start & Park (completed 17 laps)
81 SCOTT RIGGS Start & Park (completed 28 laps)
66 MICHAEL McDOWELL Start & Park (completed 32 laps)
46 J.J. YELEY Start & Park (completed 35 laps)
87 JOE NEMECHEK Start & Park (completed 37 laps)
37 TONY RAINES Start & Park (completed 38 laps)
7 SCOTT WIMMER Rear end (completed 90 laps)
1 JAMIE McMURRAY Blown engine (completed 198 laps)
33 CLINT BOWYER Mishap on Lap 263 (completed 259 laps)
2011 Kentucky Speedway
99 CARL EDWARDS (Aflac Ford), who finished fifth:
On the Race:
“We picked up one point on the points lead. It’s a big day. We had some fun. Obviously, we want to be out there in Victory Lane. The Aflac team was good enough, we just had one point in the race where we had a restart and it was terrible. My guys had a great day on pit road. That’s hard racing at the end. I didn’t want another restart. I couldn’t do any better than that if I had 10 tries. So it went well at the end.
On the last restart:
Lots of cars. Lots of steering involved. Not much grip. (It was a) wild couple of laps. I saw Ryan (NEWMAN) went under Brad (KESELOWSKI) and went three wide and I had to battle with MATT KENSETH the last lap and it was a game of chicken down in the corner with a couple of guys. (It was) very fun racing. I’m glad we closed one point on the points lead and had a good fun time at the end. That was fun.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
39 RYAN NEWMAN (Tornados Chevrolet), who finished fourth:
On the Restart at the end:
“It was a good restart. We struggle today. We got a lap down then finally got it back. We made the best of a good situation. We got lucky when the caution came out there. A lot of the position was due to that. We proved that we had a decent race car but it took forever to get there.
39 RYAN NEWMAN (Continued)
On the performance tonight:
I’m glad they paved that there down on the bottom because I had to use it. It was a good run. I should say a good finish. We had really a horrible day. I’m proud of the guys for fighting back. We got lucky there with the 1 car (JAMIE McMURRAY) blowing an engine and it got us back on the lead lap and in a good position. It was a hard fought race. I really didn’t know what to expect. A lot of guys were slip sliding around once the sun went down the track gripped up and got to racing a little harder.
Comments on Kentucky Speedway:
I like it, I’m not in love with it, but I like it. The track was interesting. It was really hard to get ahold of first but after the sun went down it got a little better. We were really off with our race car. We will keep working on it the next time we come back, we have some ideas now.
On the intensity of the ending of the race:
“Green, white, checkers are tough. They are cut throat, but luckily, we got a great restart and got underneath Brad (KESELOWSKI) and were able to fight through and hold on for the last couple. Congrats to Kyle (BUSCH). Wish it was a good points day for us was winning the race, but we will take a fourth.
2011 Kentucky Speedway
48 JIMMIE JOHNSON (Lowe’s Chevrolet), who finished third:
On Final Lap Confusion:
“I thought we had one more. The 00 (DAVID REUTIMANN) was coming and got by me. I thought kind of gone at that point, but I didn’t see the white and I came around when everybody let off and I was still on the gas and going and was like ‘wow, I guess it’s over.’ It was a great night for the Lowes Chevrolet. We had a very solid racecar and drove up through the field a few times and raced for the win. The #18 (KYLE BUSCH) was just a little bit better than us when we were on equal tires there at the end.”
On the 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet:
"We had a solid race car. I drove up through the field a few times. We thought that maybe we could make a run on the 18 (KYLE BUSCH) at the end there, but they were just too strong in the open air. And if there was another lap the double zero (DAVID REUTIMANN) was gonna go right by him cause he was coming fast."
On the Kentucky Speedway:
"I'm very impressed with the track. The grip of the track, considering how old the asphalt is, was really good. We drove 400 wide open qualifying laps tonight. I was really impressed with the tire wear and how we could keep the speeds up. I think the racetrack has plenty of character and really enjoyed the surface and the challenge that the track has."
00 DAVID REUTIMANN (TUMS Toyota), who finished second:
On his second place finish:
“We ended up having a decent car in the end and would have loved to have been able to get a little further with the car but that’s all she had. The way our season has gone, that (the car) was certainly better than it has been. I’m proud of my guys, a great team effort, just a little short. We needed to turn things around for the past month and one race doesn’t turn things around for us, but hopefully this will get us a little momentum.”
On the performance of the car and racing at the Kentucky Speedway:
"We were hit or miss the first part of the race. We'd make it a little bit better, and then make it a little bit worse. Our car was better on two tires as opposed to four tires. My guys did a good job and just kept adjusting on it. The track would change and tighten up or we weren't changing it enough. Tonight really worked out where we were fast at the end of the race for a change which is what you need to do. I'm really proud of my guys and this is a really good racecar that we brought here. It's different than we've ran all year and my guys in the fab shop really busted tail. "
2011 Kentucky Speedway
18 KYLE BUSCH (M&M’s Toyota), the winner of the Inaugural Quaker State 400:
Opening Statement:
“This is cool. This is right up there with the best of them. The way we ran tonight was awesome. It was a fun night, a tough night. Pit strategy can go either way, but Dave (Rogers – Crew Chief) made the right call and got us the tire we wanted and the fuel that we needed. That’s what won us the race.”
On Winning the Inaugural Quaker State 400:
“It’s pretty awesome. It’s a great night all around. It was a great weekend. We started really good off the truck here with our M&M’s Camry. It’s a pleasure to bring the Camry to Victory Lane here at Kentucky, since it’s built here in Kentucky. I’m proud of that accomplishment. I’m proud to be the Inaugural winner. It was a fun race. I enjoyed it. And there at the end, you know, we tried to figure out how to do them re-starts and what was going to happen. It wasn’t easy. We had Jimmie Johnson bearing on us, David Reutimann came on strong there. There were some key players throughout tonight’s race, but over all we were the dominant car to beat. It felt good to win like that at a mile-and-a-half.”
On the late restarts:
“You know it comes down to the end of the race and those restarts. I didn’t get a great one on the last one. I got a great run through one and two. I got clear of Jimmie down the back, luckily, then got in front of him through three and four. That was the winning save right there. To be able to stay in front of the 48 (JIMMIE JOHNSON), if he got along side of us, it was going to be a wild one.”
18 KYLE BUSCH (Continued):
On his Kentucky Speedway Success:
“I don’t know, it just feels good to be able to run here like that. There’s some tricky moments to this place and the bumps really throw a characteristic to it, that bring out the best in drivers and the best in crews to get the car set up well. We did that here this weekend. I can’t say enough about this team. It’s not all driver. It’s not all me being able to figure it out, but these guys communicating back and forth, being able to share things with Joe Gibbs Racing and to put us up front tonight to win at a mile and a half, it’s been a while.”
On winning all four series run at Kentucky Speedway (NSC, NNS, NCWTS, ARCA):
“Yeah, that’s cool. I don’t know if I’ve done that at any other place, you know. There’s not a place that everything goes to. That’s pretty special. I love being able to do that. The only other one I am missing out on is a truck win at Daytona so I’d have the grand slam win there too. It’s fun to be able to have it here at Kentucky. It’s fun”
JOE GIBBS, owner of the No. 18 M&M’s Chevrolet:
On everything working for the M&M team:
“I’m certainly proud of Kyle (BUSCH), great effort in the car. But also when you hear Dave make all the calls for the pit crew and all the decisions that have to be made. It truly is a team effort. Kyle will be the first to tell you that. I was just calling all the guys at M&M’s. We couldn’t do anything without those guys. They’re great sponsors and it’s great getting them into the winner’s circle. It’s a thrill for us of course to win the first race here. And I got to tell you this, to this crowd (he points two thumbs up and big smile), it was great! I was coming in before the race and they were 30 abreast and they were coming as hard as they could go.”
On The Race Tonight:
“I thought it was great and hopefully we get them all back. And hey, we’ll be back next time too. There might be some things that we didn’t like, and we’ll try to fix them.
2011 Kentucky Speedway