Each week, we’ll go through media reports, interviews, PR and all of our own stuff to find the best quotes from the Sprint Cup race, capturing the story of how the weekend unfolded. It’s the most original commentary you’ll ever find: the truth, coming straight out of the mouths of the drivers, crew members and car owners themselves. This week, here’s a sneak peek at what they all were thinking following the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway:
“It was a long time coming for me personally, 77 races, but to see Tony Stewart win so many races last year and be so close but not get that victory, this is really awesome for us and our team. I’m missing my mom and dad right now. They’re back home taking care of my grandfather. Man, I couldn’t believe it. I saw the white flag and I’m like, ‘I ain’t got that far to go!'” – race winner Ryan Newman
“It was pretty big. A lot of those guys were in tears [after the victory], because most of us have been together for nine years. We won with Dale [Earnhardt] Jr., [but] it had been a long stretch since we’d won a race. We’d come close, but didn’t make it happen. So it was pretty exciting for those guys.” – Tony Gibson, winning crew chief
“It’s been a long time since [Newman] won. And I know that meant a lot to him and that team. We have a relationship with Stewart-Haas Racing, so it’s good to see those guys win. I told him it was a great restart and he said, ‘Yeah, I finally got a good one.'” – Jeff Gordon, finished second
“I was excited to see the caution come out because it was an opportunity to win. I made the call for four tires. It’s the first time that I can remember in a long time that I actually said what I wanted for a pit stop, with the way Martinsville played out and Bristol and last night’s race.” – Jimmie Johnson, finished third
“We needed this; we really needed this. I think everybody knows we can do it. I like this. It’s very important. Going to the next couple of races, if we can get a couple more top fives, we’ll be looking pretty good for the Chase.” – Juan Pablo Montoya, finished fifth
“When the track got dark, it changed and we couldn’t keep up with adjustments and we couldn’t figure out what the car wanted. We weren’t as good at the end of the race as we needed to be. We got lucky because Todd made a great call to take two tires on the fly and got us a sixth-place finish out of it.” – Matt Kenseth, finished sixth
“I think [the extra laps] were good. It makes this more grueling and a tougher race for everyone. The track changes the whole time and the crew chiefs need to be on top of it all night. It’s not a win, but it is a good points night for us.” – Carl Edwards, finished seventh in his 200th career start
“It was a tough call. Everyone watched the Nationwide race yesterday and we decided before the race that if we’re going to hit pit road late like that, then you should take four [tires]. Two tires, the cars are just out of control and the drivers are doing all they can to hang onto them. You saw that out there, but unfortunately, enough took two that somebody else benefited from it. It was a tough call.” – Dave Rogers, crew chief for Kyle Busch, finished eighth
“Before that late-race caution, we were running seventh. And damned if you do, damned if you don’t with tires. We probably should’ve taken two. I would’ve been fine with that. We still got 10th out of it, but we were probably a seventh-place car. So, tonight was so-so.” – Joey Logano, finished 10th
“It was a tough day. We have to keep working on our racecars. It was pretty cool to be on the pole and get out there and lead some laps, but it is a tough racetrack with the way the conditions change out there. We fell behind a little bit, but the guys did a good job.” – AJ Allmendinger, finished 15th
“We had a lot more issues than my leg today. We had a subpar car and we just killed ourselves trying to change – we had electrical problems. Just fought all day and it was just a miserable experience. To be honest with you, I would have been too embarrassed to give Casey [Mears] the car I had today. It’s not what we’re accustomed to.” – Denny Hamlin, finished 30th
“We had a pretty tough night. When the race started, we were loose in and out of the corner and tight in the center. I give my Stanley Dodge team a lot of credit – they fought hard to get that Lucky Dog later in the race and we really gave it our all. I just wish we had a little more to show for our efforts.” – Elliott Sadler, finished 32nd in his 400th career start
“I didn’t see it, but from where I was I thought I gave [Kurt Busch] lots of room and I’m pretty sure he just got loose and came up. Basically, he hit me as he was spinning sideways. It is disappointing, that’s for sure.” – Kasey Kahne, finished 39th
About the author
The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.
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