Toyota: NASCAR Richmond Quotes

Clint Bowyer is looking for a win this weekend at Richmond.

LOCKED AND READY: This weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is the final race before this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup begins. Camry drivers Kyle Busch (California) and Denny Hamlin (Talladega) have each won races this season and locked up their place in the 16-driver Chase. Following his second-place finish at Atlanta, Camry driver Matt Kenseth (third) secured a spot in the Chase based on his points position. Camry driver Clint Bowyer, currently 12th in the point standings, is also eligible to earn one of the two remaining spots in the Chase along with the 14 other drivers locked in with one race remaining. A win by Bowyer or Brian Vickers (or any other driver in the top-30 in points yet to win this year) would also lock them into the Chase.

CAMRYS CLAIM CHECKERS: Camry drivers have captured 65 wins on 22 different tracks since joining NSCS competition in 2007, and Toyota drivers have most frequently visited victory lane at Richmond — where they have claimed seven first-place trophies. Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) drivers Busch and Hamlin have combined for six victories at Richmond from 2009 through the 2012 spring race, and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) driver Bowyer visited victory lane in Sept. 2012. Busch finished first in four consecutive spring NSCS races at Richmond (2009-2012) while his teammate and Chesterfield, Va.-native Hamlin won back-to-back fall events (2009 and 2010) between Busch’s victories.

THREE IN A ROW: Camry drivers claimed three consecutive NNS victories at Richmond in 2011 and 2012. Hamlin and Busch swept the 2011 NNS races at the 0.75-mile track for JGR. In the spring of 2012, Kurt Busch earned the first NNS victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) when he crossed the finish line first. Hamlin, who was also victorious in the May 2008 NNS race, won the spring 2011 event in dominant fashion by leading 199 laps (of 250), including the final 115 laps en route to the checkered flag. Busch’s fall victory in 2011 was his fourth NNS win in Richmond — he also won in a Camry in May 2009.

TOYOTA’S 10 YEARS IN NASCAR: Toyota is celebrating its 10th anniversary in NASCAR this year. Here is another highlight from Toyota’s first 10 years in the sport. Three Toyota drivers — Busch, Hamlin and Tony Stewart — qualify for the ‘Chase to the Sprint Cup’ 10-race championship playoff, marking the first time that Camry drivers compete for the series title since Toyota joined the series at the beginning of the 2007 season (Sept. 7, 2008).

NOTES, QUOTES & NUMBERS

Fans can talk fantasy football with Matt Kenseth throughout the NFL season.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS): Matt Kenseth is offering fans the chance to receive fantasy football advice this season through ‘Start ‘em or Park ‘em with Kenseth, presented by Toyota’… To learn more, please visit http://mattkenseth.com/news/?cid=61211…Brad Donaghy, the front tire carrier on the JGR No. 18 Camry, hails from Orange County, Va. … TRD President David Wilson is a graduate of Virginia Tech … Caleb Herd, gas man on the No. 11 Camry is also a graduate of Virginia Tech.

MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

What makes Richmond such a fun race track?

“I think it’s a shorter track and especially this year with the huge high downforce package, I think the shorter tracks have been a little bit better and a little easier to pass. The cars stay closer and all that stuff. I think being three-quarter mile where you have a little bit of speed, but yet the track is really wore out and slick from new tires and old tires I think it makes for a pretty good race."

Are you relieved to be in the Chase?

“That was the goal, to have all three JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) cars in the Chase and we were able to accomplish that. The ultimate goal is for one of us to be able to win the championship. I feel like we’re gaining on it. I’m not a huge believer in momentum, but yet I feel like everyone is really clicking together and working well together and the stops are good. I feel like we’re doing everything right now, we just need a little more speed to be able to start getting those wins."

What are your expectations for the Joe Gibbs Racing Camrys in the Chase?

“I feel like we have been on a steady climb improving our stuff the last few months really. So I think we can go back to, I don't know when exactly it started, I feel like we're always trying to get our stuff better. We all ran good in Kentucky and New Hampshire as a group, at Bristol we ran pretty good. So, I feel like we have been steadily gaining on it. We wish we were a little bit faster and were out there dominating races and winning more races for sure, but I feel like my team’s really operating at a high level. Denny (Hamlin) was real fast at Atlanta. I feel like we’re gaining on it and hopefully we’ll have a good run at Richmond and go try to race in those final 10."

Like Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers needs a win to make the Chase.

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing

How much more pressure will there be to win at Richmond for those drivers still looking to get into the Chase?

“I think it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be intense. That race, knowing that it’s not just about the guys on the cusp for points, it’s about anyone that can win. The intensity is going to kick in. To be honest with you, it’s been there all year. I think that every week you show up, your goal is to win and you do everything you can to try to get that win."

CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing

How much do you enjoy racing at Richmond?

“This is one of my best race tracks. Looking back over the years you always have a track that fits your driving style and you’re confidence level is more for some reason and this has always been the case for me. We’ve run well in the Nationwide Series, always run well in the Cup Series and I’m always excited to get there. This is a fun racing weekend. The fan base is awesome. Night races are always extra special. I’m looking forward to having another good run. Like I said, this is one of my favorite race tracks. People all across the country ask you where your favorite tracks are and this is first or second on my list."

NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS): Camry drivers Elliott Sadler (fourth) and James Buescher (10th) are currently in the top-10 in the NNS point standings following 24 of 33 races this season … Kevin Kidd, the crew chief for the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 20, is from Tazewell, Va., and graduated from Virginia Tech.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS): Tundra drivers Johnny Sauter (first), Matt Crafton (second), Darrell Wallace Jr. (fourth), German Quiroga (fifth), Timothy Peters (eighth) and Jeb Burton (10th) rank in the top-10 of the NCWTS point standings after 14 of 22 races this season … Points leader Sauter has 12 top-10 finishes this year … The NCWTS will enjoy a weekend off before returning to action at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday, Sept. 12.

TOYOTA DRIVER ROSTER – Richmond International Raceway (NSCS & NNS)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Camry

Clint Bowyer, No. 15 Camry

Kyle Busch, No. 18 Camry

Matt Kenseth, No. 20 Camry

Alex Bowman, No. 23 Camry

Cole Whitt, No. 26 Camry

Brian Vickers, No. 55 Camry

Joe Nemechek, No. 66 Camry

Ryan Truex, No. 83 Camry

NASCAR Nationwide Series

Mike Bliss, No. 10 Camry

Elliott Sadler, No. 11 Camry

Jeff Green, No. 14 Camry

Hermie Sadler, No. 19 Camry

Matt Kenseth, No. 20 Camry

Kelly Admiraal, No. 29 Camry

Will Kimmel, No. 44 Camry

Kyle Busch, No. 54 Camry

James Buescher, No. 99 Camry

Toyota PR