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Toyota NCWTS Texas Post-Race Notes & Quotes

Brian Carroccio

  • Kyle Busch

    Tundra driver Kyle Busch captured the checkered flag in Friday night's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Texas Motor Speedway.

  • Busch started on the outside of row one and led the field five times for 80 laps (of 150).
  • Tundra drivers Jeb Burton (second), Timothy Peters (third) and Matt Crafton (fifth) followed Busch to the finish line.
  • With tonight's results, Toyota earned this year's NCWTS manufacturer's championship — the seventh manufacturer's title for Toyota since joining the series in 2004.
  • Tonight's victory was the 16th of the season for Tundra drivers in NCWTS competition — surpassing the previous mark of 15 Tundra NCWTS wins in 2010.
  • It marks the 127th win for Tundra drivers since Toyota joined the series in 2004.
  • Busch now has seven wins this season.
  • Crafton continues to lead the unofficial NCWTS standings by 23 points over second-place Ryan Blaney with Tundra drivers Wallace (third), Sauter (fourth), and Peters (fifth), with two races remaining this season.

KYLE BUSCH, No. 51 Toyota Care Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
Finishing Position: 1st

How does it feel to be in victory lane again in Texas?

Darrell Wallace Jr. was leading when his engine let go.

"It's pretty awesome to be in victory lane. I feel really, really bad for Bubba Wallace. He was doing everything right tonight. He was really, really fast. Jerry (Baxter, crew chief) and those guys did a great job getting that thing fast like our Toyota Care Tundra was. It's a shame to see the motor let go. Can't say enough about everyone from Toyota, Toyota Care, TRD — this is a manufacturer's championship here tonight, winning it for Toyota. Everyone at KBM — all these guys, the pit crew guys, Eric Phillips (crew chief) and of course the body guys, they don't get enough love. The finish-fab guys as well and of course KBM chassis. That's chassis 21 and they keep rocking them out and they're fast every single week, so we appreciate that."

Were you worried about having enough time to get back to the front after the late pit stop?

"I was. I thought when I saw four trucks out there, I only counted four, and then all of sudden the 15 (Mason Mingus) popped up and that made it five. But, when I counted four — that was going to put us eighth on the outside, but then the 15 was there so that was ninth on the inside. I thought the 17 (Timothy Peters) was in the catbird seat there. I figured he had the perfect strategy — two tires and he was going to be on the outside, get through those guys and get out front. I wasn't sure if I was going to get to him. I got there and then that caution came out and got us side-by-side for the restart with the 77 (German Quiroga) and just sort of set sail there. Held it wide open for the last two laps and the truck was pretty fast."

What is it about you in the truck series that you come out here and just kill it at this track?

"I think the biggest thing I've been most successful with is the draft with the big hole that these trucks push. I'm just always searching for air. Even though the dirty air messes you up in traffic — and really makes your truck ill handling — you got to use that draft to your advantage as much as possible whether it's through the corners or down the straightaways. I've always worked that and feel like I've been good at it — but also you have to have good stuff. When I was at Billy Ballew's team we had some good stuff and we kept up with what times were changing at that point in the game — and same thing here (at KBM). I feel like Eric (Phillips, crew chief) and all the guys at KBM have really kept up with the times that have changed to make these trucks go fast. It wouldn't be possible without the support of Toyota and Toyota Care, everyone at TRD — they help us out a lot. If I was still with another manufacturer I don't know that KBM would be in business — so certainly Toyota is a huge influence on what we do."

Jeb Burton

JEB BURTON, No. 13 Estes/Carolina Nut Company Toyota Tundra, ThorSport Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd

How was your race?

"That was probably the best race truck we've had all year and it was cool to have a Toyota one-two finish. It's cool to see them get the manufacturer's championship too — so it was a good night for Toyota. We had a good race. I wish we could have had another restart once we got there in second and maybe we would have had something for Kyle (Busch)."

How much progress has your team made this season?

"Starting off last time we were here we've come a long way in a short period of time with our No. 13 team. It was really good to have a good run for Estes and all my guys. They have been working really hard all year. I wish we could have had one more restart. We were pretty good there with new tires and that thing that happened with my teammate that was a thing I didn't want to happen. He (Johnny Sauter) checked up a little bit and I had the run and I got into him a little bit. He was already sideways and slid through the grass."

When will you talk to Johnny Sauter?

"I'll probably let him cool down a little bit. Me and Johnny (Sauter) are good friends — so the last thing I want to do is do that. It was a mistake and an accident and we'll talk it over and move on."

Timothy Peters

TIMOTHY PETERS, No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing
Finishing Position: 3rd

How was your race?

"Best finish at Texas for me. Wish we could have got second, but you know it is what it is. Great effort by Marcus Richmond (crew chief) and everybody at Red Horse to work on this Tundra. It was my best finish and this feels good to get a top-five finally at Texas — so we'll take this momentum and go to Phoenix and Homestead. This place is so worn out you got people trying to get fresh air which is very critical. Kyle (Busch) on four (tires) and obviously four (tires) was the best at the end."

How good does it feel to get a top finish?

"It feels good to be sitting in here talking to you guys, a first for me. Everybody was on so many different tire strategies there at the end. Kyle (Busch) was on four (tires), German (Quiroga) was on older tires. We had new right sides so he (German Quiroga) spun them pretty bad on the restart. There was enough gap when I crossed the line I could move up high and German (Quiroga) had the little wiggle there and came on around. I hate it that he ended up backing it in the fence and I'm just glad it didn't take us with it. All in all a great day for our Red Horse Tundra. Man it feels good to keep this streak alive and keep it going into Phoenix and Homestead."

Did you have to go after Kyle Busch on the last restart?

"Oh yeah, everybody goes after everything on a restart and I wasn't going to stay on the bottom. There was enough hole to get up top and the outside had been moving really fast all night long. Chris Lambert (spotter) did a good job getting me clear to the high side and who knows — we might have finished second. I don't know if we had anything for Kyle (Busch), but we would have tried it for sure."

Matt Crafton

MATT CRAFTON, No. 88 Goof Off/Menards Toyota Tundra, ThorSport Racing
Finishing Position: 5th

How was your race?

"We had that second-to-last restart and got four-wide on the top side with one of the trucks right below me decided to drive me up into the fence and either wreck and lose a bunch of points and do something stupid. So, I just had to lift and that cost us a bunch of spots and then we just didn't have enough time there at the end. Kyle (Busch) could get out on me but I honestly thought my stuff was starting to come to me and I thought I might be able to run him down. I didn't know if I was going be able to pass him, but I definitely thought I could catch him if nothing else and maybe do something with him."

JERRY BAXTER, crew chief, No. 54 Toyota Care Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

What happened tonight?

"We don't know what happened to the truck. These motors run great every week. You know, the Gibbs people do a great job and obviously they don't make the parts – they just assemble them. And sometimes things like this happen. It's heartbreaking. We worked so hard on this mile-and-a-half deal. We had two more shots to win one. So, we have to do it a Homestead now. He (Darrell Wallace Jr.) showed a lot of maturity driving. Our truck was really right tonight. I was really proud of him. At least we were able to race Kyle (Busch) – instead of him running off — for once."

What difficult is it to handle?

"It wouldn't be so bad if the 29 (Ryan Blaney) and 88 (Mat Crafton) would have some problems. It's within 20 to 22 points — I thought we might have a shot at them. We work hard all year and things like this just end up happening, but you never know."

What will you say to Darrell?

"He's more in the moment, than he is the championship. We'll talk tonight. I'll just assure him of what kind of job he did and how good of a team he's got right now. He'll be fine."

Toyota Racing