Toyota Motorsports

Camry drivers Busch (151 laps), Denny Hamlin (89 ) and Kasey Kahne (one) led laps in today’s 500-lap race at the half-mile Virginia race track. Hamlin (12th), Joey Logano (13th), David Reutimann (15th) and Brian Vickers (17th) also earned top-20 finishes. Other Camry drivers in the field included Bobby Labonte (27th), Michael McDowell (32nd), Casey Mears (36th), Kahne (39th), Martin Truex Jr. (40th), Mike Skinner (42nd) and Joe Nemechek (43rd).

Busch gained three positions to the take the lead in the unofficial NSCS point standings with his third-place finish — his career-best result at Martinsville Speedway. Other Toyota drivers in the top-20 in the unofficial NSCS point standings after six of 36 races include Kahne (15th), Truex (17th) and Hamlin (19th).

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Pedigree Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Finishing Position: 3rd

How did your car handle today? “We just didn’t have a short run car today. Unfortunate because we had a great Camry — it was awesome. Really, really good on the long runs. Just wasn’t a long run race there at the end.”

Did you think you had a chance to pass Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the final laps? “They (Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr.) were getting after it and I gained on them and got there. Just not enough time. We had made the car better, just not better enough.”

How was your race today? “It was really good. We had one of the best runs here we’ve ever had. Probably had the best car here today and unfortunately just didn’t win with it. Came down to the last run of the race there and it was kind of a short run. We just didn’t have the car to do it on a short run. Every time we had the lead off pit road we lost it. It took about 28 laps to get going again. I think the last run was about 28 laps and that’s when I started catching those guys a little bit. They were racing, they were battling, but we did get back up to them. Probably would have had something to beat them with, just can’t find speed here at Martinsville when it matters most.”

Was Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pass fair at the end? “Yeah, I was holding him up. I sucked so it was good for him. He took the lead and no harm, no foul.”

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Finishing Position: 12th What do you need to do moving forward? “There’s a lot of things. I would agree with Mike (Ford, crew chief) — our fuel mileage was like our pit stops. Everybody knows how those were. It was a tough day in that sense. We had a good car. We didn’t have a great car. It seems like when the track did collect a little bit of rubber there, our car fell off just a little bit. It was all about track position today. Those guys who came out of the pits in the front had a big advantage.”

Do you need to make changes in your pit crew? “We need to work on who we’re going to have change tires for us I guess, I don’t know. Things like that, it’s pretty tough. Especially mid-season. You’ve got chemistry and stuff that you’ve got to deal with, but at this point you either work with what you’ve got or try to find someone that maybe can do a better job. You just don’t know right now and we don’t know what to do. As far as fuel mileage and that results and is the key to our bad finish so again, just go to TRD (Toyota Racing Development) and figure out why we’re getting such bad mileage. We had to stop a little bit before those guys and ultimately put us in a bad spot when the caution came out.”

Were you surprised that Kevin Harvick won the race? “I think the track went through a transition. Eventually the tires did put some rubber down on the track and that’s where you saw the transition of guys that were probably good at the beginning weren’t as good at the end. That’s why you saw the shift of cars towards the front I think.”

How disappointed are you with this finish? “It’s disappointing for sure. We’re going to another good track next week for us. We have to get rolling. We have to get some good, solid finishes. At this point, I’m just happy we finished the race being everything that’s going on. We’re making slow and steady progress I guess.”

Is the fuel mileage connected to your other engine issues? “No, our mileage just sucks real bad. It sucked at Phoenix and it sucks here. We just have to figure it out. All of the things we need to do to be a championship team — we don’t have all those parts together right now.”

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing Finishing Position: 13th

How was your race car today? “We ran top-15 all day and we got into the top-10. We were pretty fast there actually — probably top-six, seven , eight car. We got screwed again by a caution coming out there at the wrong time after we did our pit stop. We went down two laps – - got a wave around and got to the lucky dog spot and of course we couldn’t get a caution because that’s just the way it’s gone this year. We finished 13th and it could have been worse — it was worse there for a while after spinning out.”

DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Aaron’s Outdoors Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing Finishing Position: 15th

How was your race car today? “We had a great Aaron’s Outdoors Toyota and great pit stops all day. We just had a long green flag run at the end where the car got away from us and it hurt us pretty bad. We just couldn’t turn the center like we needed. We got a top-15 and we’ll take that for now. I’m looking forward to Texas and getting back on a mile-and-a-half track next week.”

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team Finishing Position: 17th

How was your race? “That was a bad weekend for us — our worst this season. We all made mistakes. But we will recover from it. If our worst day is a 17th place finish, then we will take it.”

BOBBY LABONTE, No. 47 Lance Toyota Camry, JTG-Daugherty Racing Finishing Position: 27th

KASEY KAHNE, No. 4 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team Finishing Position: 39th

Are you okay after the accident? “I’m fine. Our biggest problem is we got behind at the start. The tire started laying rubber and then we were fighting the car and got too far back. Once I got hit — usually you get hit here and spin out and somebody’s mad, but in that case I knew that the throttle had stuck or something on Martin’s (Truex Jr.) car. He drilled me through the wall and then he follows with his. Pretty good wreck. Just a bad day. I thought we were at least going to have a solid run.”

How hard of a hit was that for you? “From my hit, it was actually a lot harder than I thought it could hit at Martinsville so Martin’s (Truex) was probably even harder than that. I think you can hit pretty hard anywhere in a race car, it just depends on how it happens and what the circumstances are. Hung throttles are the worst. That’s where you usually hit about the hardest. Mine didn’t hang, but the other guys did.” – more -

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Finishing Position: 40th

Are you okay after the accident? “I’m fine. Just unfortunate. We had a throttle stuck wide open — not sure why. There’s a lot of big chunks of rubber flying around out there. I don’t know if one of those got up in the carburetor linkage or what, but just never had any warning. Went to let off to go into three and it was stuck to the floor. Not much you can do at that point here.”

How do you feel about the safety measures in place in NASCAR? “Thanks to NASCAR and everybody that builds the SAFER barriers and these race cars and everything — they’re unbelievable. 10 years ago I wouldn’t be standing here. Thankful for that and thankful for everybody working on my NAPA Toyota. It’s a rough day right there. We started off pretty bad and we were working on it and getting better. We were just trying to survive. We sure didn’t need that, but it is what it is. We’ll go into next week and fight hard.”

Was there anything you could do when the throttle hung open? “No, unfortunately there’s not. You lock the brakes up, but there’s nothing you can do. As unfortunate as it was that Kasey (Kahne) was involved, he really helped slow my car down when I hit him. It was probably a blessing. Hate that we took him out.”

Did you have any indication that was coming? “No, no indication at all. Everything was fine and I went to let off to go into three and it stuck to the floor and at that point there’s nothing you can do. It happens so fast, there’s no way you can hit the kill switch or shut the thing off. Just lock up the brakes and you are just a passenger at that point.”

MIKE SKINNER, No. 60 Big Red Toyota Camry, Germain Racing Finishing Position: 42nd

JOE NEMECHEK, No. 87 NEMCO Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports Finishing Position: 43rd

- Toyota Motorsports, Press Release

Toyota Motorsports Logo

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd

How were you able to conserve fuel and finish second?

“Mike (Ford, crew chief) said we were half a lap to good, even if I ran hard like I did the previous run. I got in the wall and just made a mistake. We struggled on pit road today and really got ourselves back in the pack. Mike (Ford) came through and had a great pit strategy. All those guys were short-pitting and he decided to put our FedEx Office Camry out there for a while. When we decided to pit, it was just in time.”

How badly did you need this second-place finish?

“We needed it — we definitely did. Hats off to Mike (Ford, crew chief) and this whole FedEx Office Camry team. We have a really good car, we just had to learn to stay in the pits. We just lost too many spots on pit road that we couldn’t overcome that track position. I was trying to make something happen and got in the wall which ended up killing our car. The good part about that is I was able to save fuel because there was no pressure from behind. I was able to save fuel and our Camry got the best fuel mileage it got all day.”

Did the race come to you today at Texas?

“(It) played out in our favor, for sure. Usually, these fuel mileage races don’t go our way. Obviously, we gained some spots today on the fuel mileage thing. Felt like we had a really, really good car. But, we just hurt ourselves real bad on pit road today. We lost a ton of spots. Track position meaning so much at this race track, it killed us. I was frustrated and we were behind, so I tried to make something happen, got into the wall, and hurt our car. As soon as that happened, we were just in fuel save mode. Luckily, it went green the rest of the way.”

Did Jimmie Johnson’s early wreck change your race or Chase strategy?

“Not mine. I’m so far back, it really didn’t matter. I got my three DNFs. It was kind of a moot point for myself. It just shows anything can happen. Just the beginning of the race, guys are antsy — anything can happen. You never know.”

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 11th

DAVE ROGERS, crew chief, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How would you describe today?

“We’re disappointed. This 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry deserved to be in victory lane. I thought we had one of the best cars throughout the entire race, but it just didn’t work out that way. We were a little short on fuel. We had Kyle (Busch) back down and we thought we’d save enough fuel – we missed the numbers somewhere or we didn’t get it full or we didn’t pick up all we could pick up. I can’t explain why we ran out. We’ll take it back to the shop and have a look at it.”

Did you and Kyle Busch find the right direction today?

“Yeah, definitely. Mike Ford (Denny Hamlin’s crew chief) and Greg Zipadelli (Joey Logano’s crew chief) helped us out a lot. They gave us a lot of pointers. We unloaded with the same set-up the 11 (Denny Hamlin) car did and worked on it from there. I think we learned a lot today. Right now it’s hard to think coherently because of the disappointment we felt, but we’re pleased.”

How concerned were you with fuel at the end of the race?

“Looking at our numbers there and the lap time that he’d (Kyle Busch) fallen off from what we had previously run – I thought for sure that we were going to make it until off turn four in the final lap. I don’t know if we didn’t get the car full or the fuel cell just didn’t pick up what we thought it could, but we had several green flag runs this race so we were pretty confident we knew what we had for fuel mileage. I’m not sure what happened. We’ll take it back and we’ll look at it, learn from it. We’ll try to focus on how well we ran and not where we finished today.”

What kind of conversations did you have with Kyle (Busch) during the last few laps?

“We were committed to staying out. Like I said before, we’re out of the Chase and we’re not points racing – we didn’t really have anything to lose. If we would have pitted, the 2 car (Kurt Busch) certainly would have beat us. Our only shot at winning it was to stay out. So, we gambled. Sometimes when you gamble you lose. We lost today, but we had a really fast car. I’m really proud of this M&M’s Toyota race team and pleased with our effort on the track.”

What was Kyle Busch like in the closing laps?

“He’s (Kyle Busch) frustrated. He didn’t say nothing. He said we were out of fuel and after the race, he took his helmet off and went to his motor home and calmed down. I think he handled it well — it’s tough. You lead all these laps and he could have gone for the clean sweep this weekend, win all three in a row. He deserved to win all three in a row and to get beat — it’s tough.”

Did you feel a lot of pressure on your first weekend as Kyle Busch’s crew chief?

“Welcome to the club, hah. You know, it’s part of the game. It’s what you sign up for. Someone’s got to do that job and I raised my hand and said I wanted to do it — and here I am.”

When did you start to save fuel?

“He (Kyle Busch) started saving fuel at the very beginning of the (last) run. We were looking at lap times and this was definitely our slowest run of the race. Everyone was saving fuel. When he backed up to the front bumper of the 2 (Kurt Busch) car, that’s all he could do. If he slowed down enough to let the 2 car go by then he might as well have pitted. Kyle (Busch) did everything he could do — just come up short.”

Did Kyle Busch want to take a chance and stay out or did he want to pit for fuel?

“We didn’t really talk about it. I told him (Kyle Busch) my plan was to stay out and he trusted me and it didn’t work. You’re going to have days like this. It’s discouraging for Kyle (Busch), it’s hard for myself. We have a lot of our VIPs from our sponsors here as well. There’s a lot on the line and today would have been a miracle if we could have won it. It just didn’t happen.”

MARCOS AMBROSE, No. 47 Little Debbie Toyota Camry, JTG-Daugherty Racing
Finishing Position: 15th

What was the end of the race like for you?

“Just really disappointing. I thought we were two laps short so I was trying to save two laps and I just didn’t save enough fuel. The guys were screaming on the radio. I guess I didn’t realize how close we were on fuel, so I feel pretty bad. We had a strong day. We ran in the top-10 all day and we had a chance to win. I ran out (of fuel).”

DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 16th

Can you talk about your race?

“It was a good race and it ran me out of gas. That’s it.”

Were you involved in the incident with Jimmie Johnson and Sam Hornish, Jr., on lap two?

“I got in there underneath the 77 (Sam Hornish, Jr) and he slid up a little bit in the middle and I started underneath there. I don’t — I might have gotten into him there and screwed things up. Didn’t have any damage, not that I know of.”

SCOTT SPEED, No. 82 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
Finishing Position: 18th

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 19th

Do you consider Texas a difficult track?

“This place sucks. Everyone did a good job and we worked hard all day. I got caught down a lap one time and never had an opportunity to get the ‘lucky dog’ back. The time we went down a lap we could have waved around and we had 20 laps on our tire already. When we chose to get the ‘lucky dog’ the air gun broke when we tried to do that. That put us way back there and then of course the caution came out two laps after that. If we would have waved around and the air gun didn’t break we probably could have got ‘lucky dog’ back and gotten on the lead lap. We missed out on that opportunity. As the track cooled off and got more grip we started getting more speed. By the end of the race, our speeds weren’t that bad, we were just farther behind from during the day. We have to figure out how to get around these less grip race tracks.”

MICHAEL WALTRIP, No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 23rd

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
Finishing Position: 26th

ROBBY GORDON, No. 7 MAPEI Toyota Camry, Robby Gordon Motorsports
Finishing Position: 27th

DAVID GILLILAND, No. 02 Farm Bureau Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 28th

MICHAEL McDOWELL, No. 36 WAVE Energy Drink Toyota Camry, Tommy Baldwin Racing
Finishing Position: 41st

JOE NEMECHEK, No. 87 NEMCO Motorsports Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports
Finishing Position: 42nd

- Toyota Motorsports, Press Release

Toyota Motorsports Logo

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 14th

How was your race car today?

“We started off really good. I thought we had something to work with and we were going to have a really good race car — a top- 10 for the first part of the race. We made one pit stop and it went to crap. I don’t know what happened. We went junk and couldn’t fix it. Eventually, we swung for the fence and it was too far, so we went to the other side of the fence and we started backing it back up from there. I don’t know why we went good to complete junk like a light switch.”

MICHAEL WALTRIP, No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 17th

How was your team able to improve your position throughout the race?

“The team did a good job on pit road — I’m real proud of them. They used the strategy and got us a couple laps back. Then there at the end there was a huge crash and I got through it — because we got caught up in our share this year — and I made a good move to get through it. We can run okay at times, but every time there’s a bumpy track the NAPA car is evil — it just bounces too much. I report it and we work on it but we we’re never really able to improve it. I’m disappointed in the way we preformed, but I’m equally as enthusiastic about our work ethic. We worked hard — we didn’t give up. We knew there were options and opportunities. We took advantage of those and I couldn’t be happier about that for my team.”

Can you talk about the Michael Waltrip Racing team going back to Charlotte after the organization’s first win there earlier this year?

“It’s been special all year long to have something like that to celebrate. Being able to know that all that we’ve done, and as hard as we’ve worked, and all we’ve struggled through, to get to a point where we are competitive now. Then, to be able to put an explanation point by that with the victory and know that was the end of a whole lot of hard, hard work. It was a time when a young group could put their arms around each other and say, ‘We have a long way to go but that was a step in the right direction.’”

DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
Finishing Position: 18th

SCOTT SPEED, No. 82 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
Finishing Position: 21st

MARCOS AMBROSE, No. 47 Little Debbie Toyota Camry, JTG-Daugherty Racing
Finishing Position: 23rd

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 24th (Busch was replaced by David Gilliland during a pit stop on lap 62)

Are you going to stick around and watch the rest of the race?

“I’m going to go lay down for a little bit and see if I can’t get some fluids or something in me at the infield care center. The car was decent, so I’m real proud of the effort by these guys. I appreciate them sticking behind me. I’m sorry I had to get out.”

How are you feeling?

“I’m not feeling well. I was coughing real bad out there. Maybe now I’ll go lay down and get some fluids or something and try to get better. We’ve been fighting it for several days.”

Did you pass any information along that will benefit your replacement driver David Gilliland?

“The car wasn’t bad. It was a little bit tight for me and we were trying to loosen it up and see if it could get where I like it. We started getting a little loose in. Hopefully, it’s not too loose for him.”

DAVID GILLILAND, relief driver, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How hard was it to get into Kyle Busch’s car today?

“It was a little bit different. It was an experience, for sure. Without practicing it and stuff, we just never could get it right today. We fought tight in the center and kind of struggled with that and were loose in. All in all, I’m thankful for the opportunity with M&M’s and Joe Gibbs Racing to come out and do this. It wasn’t a horrible day. It could have been a lot worse I guess, but we were obviously looking for a little bit better finish.”

What was different about this experience?

“Just getting in during the race, while the race is going under caution and all that. I’ve never been part of anything like that. I’m glad I could help out today and hopefully Kyle (Busch) feels better here soon.”

Does this give you a preview of your races you’ll have with JGR?

“Yeah, I think so. I think Charlotte as a whole and an organization, they (Joe Gibbs Racing) run a little bit better at Charlotte than they do here. We’ll be able to practice and do everything else and have a couple hours to tune the car to kind of what I need. I’m excited and looking forward to next week, especially.”

Who asked you to sub for Kyle Busch?

“Steve Addington, the crew chief, came over and talked to me. I’ve known Kyle (Busch) for a while and with everything coming up with JGR in the upcoming weeks, I think it was a fit.”

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
Finishing Position: 29th

How was your race?

“About halfway through the race it started to feel like something was wrong with the shocks. When we pitted on lap 160, the crew confirmed the right rear shock tower was broken. They put a bunch of rubbers in the right rear to compensate for no right rear shock. We received front end damage during the wreck at the end of the race and had to go to the garage. The guys did a great job repairing what they could and getting us back on track. We ended up picking up six spots by going back out. The Chase has been brutal for us so far. The last two races have probably been our two worst of the season. I’m looking forward to getting to Charlotte where we usually run well. Hopefully we can catch a break there.”

MAX PAPIS, No. 13 GEICO Toyota Camry, Germain Racing
Finishing Position: 35th

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 37th

What happened out there that forced you out of the race?

“Made contact with the nose of the 42 (Juan Pablo Montoya) and ended up taking ourselves out. It was just a dumb mistake. We’d just gotten the lead on pit road. Not a smart move.”

ROBBY GORDON, No. 7 RGM Toyota Camry, Robby Gordon Motorsports
Finishing Position: 38th

JOE NEMECHEK, No. 87 NEMCO Motorsports Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports
Finishing Position: 39th

MICHAEL McDOWELL, No. 36 WAVE Energy Drink Toyota Camry, Tommy Baldwin Racing
Finishing Position: 40th

DAVE BLANEY, No. 66 Prism Motorsports Toyota Camry, Prism Motorsports
Finishing Position: 41st

- Toyota Motorsports, Press Release

Starting in 2010, the car number on the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota will be the No. 56, a number that has been in the Truex racing family for three generations. MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip, the only full-time driver NAPA has had since joining the Sprint Cup division in 2001, will drive a limited schedule, to include the 2010 Daytona 500 driving the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota – an event in which Waltrip and NAPA have shared two memorable victories. Waltrip will retain the number 55. The owner points earned during the 2009 Sprint Cup campaign will be transferred to Truex’s full-time effort.

“NAPA AUTO PARTS and Michael Waltrip have grown synonymous and it means the world to me that we were able to extend our long-running relationship,” said Waltrip who drove NAPA into victory lane six times. “They have been an integral part of my driving career, and now, they will continue with me as I transition into my role as full-time owner.

“I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish as the driver for NAPA over the past nine seasons, and we still have more opportunities to win together. But I’m also proud of how Michael Waltrip Racing has matured over the past two and a half years and the momentum we have gained since starting from scratch. NAPA extending its support of MWR enables us to continue our assault on a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.”

“NAPA has been a great supporter of MWR’s and I’m looking forward to being a part of their family,” remarked Truex. “I’ve been going to the local NAPA store in New Jersey where I grew up since the age of 16 to buy auto parts for my first Jeep. I’m honored to carry their logo and look forward to helping them with their success in NASCAR.”

“Today is a significant day for NAPA Racing as we are proud to be a part of this new chapter at Michael Waltrip Racing,” said Bob Susor, NAPA President. “We have tremendous respect for Michael, his success and the world class race team he has built. Now begins a new chapter for NAPA Racing as we welcome Martin Truex, Jr. as the driver of the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. As Martin mentioned, he has been a NAPA customer since the age of 16 and we look forward to building on that relationship. He is one of the most exciting and competitive young drivers in the sport and we anticipate many successes both on and off the track.”

The 29-year-old NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver from Mayetta, N.J., joins MWR with an impressive résumé as he has won back-to-back NASCAR Nationwide Series championships in 2004 and 2005. And in just four full seasons competing in NASCAR’s premier division, he has produced two poles, one victory, 12 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes. He has not finished lower than 19th in the Sprint Cup championship points standings.

“I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota,” added Truex. “This team has grown tremendously in the past two years, and has proven they have the ability to be competitive week in and week out. I am excited to see what we can do together with NAPA as our sponsor.”

The No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry will make its debut next season during Daytona Speedweeks. Truex will team up with his new owner, Michael Waltrip, as they both will be running for NAPA AUTO PARTS in the 52nd Annual Daytona 500.

About NAPA

NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America’s growing need for a world-class auto parts distribution system. By providing excellent customer service for more than 80 years, NAPA has become the industry leader.

NAPA’s strength is unrivaled, with over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, 64 Distribution Centers, more than 13,000 NAPA AutoCare and AutoCare Collision repair facilities, over 380,000 parts in inventory every day and the convenience of 24-hour shopping with NAPAonline. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores provide friendly, personalized service. Our highly trained and experienced professionals are here to help you get the job done. With our huge in-stock inventory, NAPA provides the parts you need when you need them.

NAPA is currently participating its 14th season of primary sponsorship in NASCAR. NAPA AUTO PARTS has visited victory lane in all three major NASCAR series – Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup – amassing 30 wins, two Daytona 500 victories, and two Truck Series championships.

About Michael Waltrip Racing

Over a decade ago, Michael Waltrip established a modest family-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team in Sherrills Ford, N.C., called Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). In 2007 when TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) entered competition in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, Waltrip developed a strong partnership with Toyota to field three full-time Toyota Camrys at the pinnacle of the sport while maintaining the integrity of his championship caliber Nationwide team. In the midst of building three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams from the ground floor, Waltrip commenced the construction of a 140,000 sq. ft shop in which his two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and Nationwide Series team are housed today along with JTG-Daugherty’s No. 47 Toyota Camry.

- Michael Waltrip Racing, Press Release

2009 NSCS David Reutimann - (Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)

The No. 7 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet, driven by Casey Mears, and with a speed of 192.061mph, posted the second fast lap, while Kevin Harvick (192.029) was third fastest, Brian Vickers (191.980) fourth, Juan Pablo Montoya (191.591) fifth, Matt Kenseth (190.872) sixth, Kyle Busch (190.682) seventh, Kurt Busch (189.609) eighth, Jeff Gordon (189.314) ninth and Sam Hornish Jr. (189.306) rounding out the top-10 fastest in final practice.

Qualifying (two laps) for the Coke Zero 400, is scheduled for 4:10pm (EST) tomorrow afternoon., and then the cars will be impounded until Saturday night’s race.

2009 Coke Zero 400 NSCS Final Practice Speeds

What are your thoughts heading into this weekend’s race at Infineon Raceway?

“I am really excited about this opportunity and about being in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. I get to drive for NAPA in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Montreal as well. Now to drive in Sonoma, I feel like I am becoming a part of the NAPA family. For me to drive the car for Michael Waltrip, who is a legend in NASCAR, is amazing. I am extremely happy about all of this. I really couldn’t believe it when I got the call to drive for Michael. I am looking forward to it and will do my best to make the most of this experience.”

Now that you have been to Michael Waltrip Racing, what do you think about the equipment you have access to especially since you are no stranger to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series?

“For me, it is one of the most well organized race teams I have seen. From entering the entrance which is like a Hall of Fame … the theater … the sponsor presentations … and then walk past and enter the shop, it is the perfect shop to prepare world-class cars. It is truly impressive. I am excited. The guys asked me what I needed from setting up the pedals to the seat. They were willing to adjust based on what I wanted and what I thought. It is really great. I know the organization has really been coming on strong lately – especially with the finishes at Charlotte and Pocono. It’s impressive so far. I think I am coming in at the right time.”

You’ve had just a little time with crew chief Bootie Barker and the team to get acclimated. What is your goal for this weekend?

“I need to get as many points as possible. I want to run up front and battle with the leaders. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Once we get there, we’ll have to get to work since we did not have the time to test the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota. Fortunately, Marcos has been in the car and I’ll have a chance to exchange information with him so I think we’ll be fine. I’ve met with Bootie and he’s been pretty straight forward with me. We seem to see eye to eye so hopefully, we’ll run well. I would really like to run well for Bootie, Michael and NAPA. I feel like I have the most support I have ever had so I think it is going to fun. And then there’s Toyota. What more can you ask for?”

What are your impressions of the COT?

“The car is definitely different. Funny enough, on a road course, I have always liked driving this car. I remember the first year at Watkins Glen, I had the COT and I also drove a Nationwide car. Once I got into the COT, I thought it had a tremendous amount of power. I really enjoyed driving it. I know some people have called it a flying brick, but I look at it as more of a rental car on steroids. That’s what it is to me and the guys have told me to drive it like I stole it. That’s what I am going to do and just see what happens.”

Patrick Carpentier Fast Facts

• Patrick Carpentier will be driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota in the Toyota/Save Mart 350. He will be competing in his 28th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race when the 16th event of the 2009 Sprint Cup season, the Toyota/Save Mart 350, gets underway at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

• Carpentier has competed in one event at Infineon Raceway and it occurred last season. He started 37th and finished 23rd. He has completed 112 of 112 laps (100%) at the 1.99-mile track.

• In his NASCAR Sprint Cup career, Carpentier has a total of three road-course racing starts. Besides the 2008 Infineon event, he has participated in two Watkins Glen International races which equated to two top-25 results. Last year’s event, he finished 20th-place.

• Carpentier’s NASCAR Nationwide Series career statistics at road courses are impressive with five starts. He has earned one pole (2007 Montreal), three top-five (second – 2007 Montreal, fifth – 2008 Mexico City and second – 2008 Montreal) and five top-20 finishes (19th – 2007 Watkins Glen, 22nd – 2008 Watkins Glen).

• Entering this week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry is 30th in the driver and owner standings. The team is just 107 points out of the top 25 in the championship standings. The team is guaranteed a starting spot in Sunday’s race.

- Michael Waltrip Racing, Press Release