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Ford Racing: Weekly Team Work
Quotes of the Week
David Ragan (No. 6 AAA Insurance Ford Fusion)
Ragan on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“It’s really cool to be heading to Indy this weekend. Indy is a track with a lot of history and it’s a special place to be able to compete. It’s a really fast track and qualifying is very important. We didn’t qualify great last year, but still finished decent. I’ve been qualifying much more consistently, so if we can keep that up and get good track position to start with we should be in for a good race. Drafting is key down the long straightaway, so having a car that handles well and qualifying towards the front will lead to a solid run for us at the Brickyard.”
Crew chief Jimmy Fennig on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“Everyone should be well rested after our off weekend and ready to get back to the track. Last year was David’s first time at the Brickyard and he did well, but we can definitely improve and get a better finish this year. We are taking a good car and if we can get some good pit stops then we should have a solid run.”
Greg Biffle (No. 16 Dish Network Ford Fusion)
Biffle on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“Indy is a very unique track and since this is the first time for everyone to race the COT there, it should be an exciting weekend. It has not historically been my best track if you look at the stats but I’ve had a few good runs there, so I think we can realistically look for a solid top-10 finish. The team worked hard on the car last weekend and with some pit strategy, we were able to get a top-five finish. If we can keep that momentum going and just be consistent in the last seven races before the chase, we should be in good shape.”
Crew chief Greg Erwin on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“We’re taking a brand new car to Indy this weekend. Indy is a unique track which means we can’t really take what we’ve learned with the COT at other tracks and apply it this weekend. Track position will be crucial and historically taking care of the left-front tire has also been important. Goodyear is enforcing a minimum air pressure for the left-front tires this weekend though, so it may not be as much of an issue. We will have to adjust to the mandated tire pressure though, so that will be a minor obstacle. We had a good run at Chicago and now is the time for this team to establish consistency in performance. With only seven races left in the season, we can’t afford any mistakes.”
Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford Fusion)
Kenseth on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“Indy ranks right at the top, or close to the top, on races you’d like to win in your career. I think everyone wants to win the Daytona 500, that’s the biggest one you want to win. But, certainly the Brickyard is right there with it. We’ve been close a few times and we’ve been real competitive. Actually a couple of times we’ve been there we’ve had some problems, but we’ve always ran pretty good. I always feel like we’ll have a shot when we go there, and it’s certainly one we’d like to pull off.”
Crew chief Chip Bolin on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“Indy’s a special place for anyone in racing. It has a ton of history and when you think about all of the greats that have won there throughout the years it would mean a lot to be able to add our names to that list.
“We’re bringing a brand new car this weekend - built specifically with Indy in mind. Hopefully we aren’t too far off and can zero in on what we need for the race. If we can get it to turn like Matt wants it to turn, then I feel like we can be competitive on Sunday.”
Jamie McMurray (No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion)
McMurray on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“Indy is one of the best tracks that we visit each year. The last couple of years, I haven’t faired very well, but it is a track where I really like to race. Last year, our day ended early when we were caught in a wreck in turn one. There is so much history and tradition at Indy that it’s one of the most exciting races that we run, and certainly one on every driver’s list that they would like to win. We are taking a brand new car this weekend, and with everything the guys back at the shop and all the engineering support Ford has given us, we should have a pretty good Crown Royal Ford Fusion.
“Prior to running the race this weekend, we will once again be hosting Crown Royal’s ‘Safe Rides Home’ in downtown Indianapolis on Thursday evening. I’ve been a part of this for the last two years, and it’s always been a lot of fun. Crown Royal does so much to promote their ‘Be a Champion. Drink Responsibly.’ campaign, and this is just another effort they support. It should be fun driving Crown Royal branded Ford Fusion through downtown Indianapolis on Thursday evening.”
Crew chief Larry Carter on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
“After a much needed off-weekend, I know all the guys on the No. 26 Crown Royal team are ready to get back to the track. The last six or seven weeks, we’ve had some really fast cars, probably the fastest cars that we’ve had all season. With that said, it’s exciting to be going to Indy this weekend, a track that Jamie has had some success at the in the past. We are taking a brand new car this weekend to Indy, which in the past, you would typically have to test somewhere, or shake down somewhere, but with how far we have come with engineering, we put it through all the simulators and feel really confident with the car before it even leaves the shop. If we can avoid the trouble this weekend, it should be a great weekend for the No. 26 Crown Royal team.”
Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion)
Carl Edwards on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
"I'm really looking forward to racing at Indy. There's so much history at that track, it would certainly mean a lot to run well and win there.”
Crew chief Bob Osborne on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
"To race at the Brickyard is pretty incredible. There's so much history there and so many great ‘racers’ have been there. I think being able to say that you've won at Indy is a great accomplishment. I think the Aflac team has the potential to run really well there and I'm excited to go there this week and see what we can do."
David Ragan (No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion)
Ragan on racing in the Nationwide Series at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“We sat on the pole here two years ago in the truck race. It is a good track that reminds me of the short tracks where I grew up racing. We have more top-10 finishes right now than all of last year. I am proud of our Discount Tire team, but we are definitely not satisfied yet. We are not where we want to be in the points, nor do we have a win. It is important for us to constantly strive to get better. I think we are headed in the right direction but we have to come together as one collective unit and make it happen.”
Crew chief Mike Kelley on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“David has some really good experience at the short tracks. I think he is very comfortable in his ability to run up front this weekend. We are bringing the same car from Milwaukee that ran in the top five all night. The key for us is to ensure the Ford Fusion handles properly throughout the race. This weekend will be old-school Saturday night racing at its best with a lot of beating and banging. When all is said and done I expect us to secure a respectable finish.”
Colin Braun (No. 16 CitiFinancial Ford Fusion)
Braun on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“I’m excited to get back in the CitiFinancial Ford Fusion this weekend. I’ve had some decent runs in the Nationwide Series this year but we’ve had some bad luck so the finishes definitely aren’t what they should be. The track looks like a lot of fun. Short tracks are so different from the road courses that I grew up racing at, but I love the challenge of learning something completely new. This is my last race of the year with Eddie Pardue and these CitiFinancial guys so I’d love to go out on a high note with a solid top-10 finish.”
Crew chief Eddie Pardue on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“ORP is a tough track, especially your first time there, so I’m glad Colin will have the truck race on Friday to feel the track out. He’s adapted really well to all of the different tracks he’s seen this year both in our car and in his truck and I’m sure this weekend will be no different. Qualifying is really important at short tracks which should be to our favor since Colin hasn’t qualified out of the top 10 all year for us. If we start up toward the front hopefully Colin will be able to stay out of trouble, avoid the wrecks and bring home a good finish for CitiFinancial.”
Carl Edwards (No. 60 vitaminwater Ford Fusion)
Edwards on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“I love racing at O'Reilly Raceway Park. I always have a blast on the short oval. We've had some tough luck there, but we won a truck race there a few years ago. You can pass and race everywhere on the short track. All the race tracks on the NASCAR Nationwide circuit are fun, but this one is really special. This is our first race with vitaminwater as the primary and it would be great to get them into Victory Lane."
Crew chief Drew Blickensderfer on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“We are going into Indianapolis with a lot of momentum and an abundance of confidence. I believe we have come together as a team the last few weeks and we realize a championship is still very much a reachable goal. Carl is driving the wheels off of every racecar, so I know this weekend will be no different. It doesn’t get any better than short track racing under the lights. A third win is the only result we are looking for this weekend in Indianapolis.”
Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150) Crew Chief: Mike Beam “I’ve never raced at ORP before, but it looks like a cool track and I know a lot of drivers say it’s a fun place to race. I’ll have Bobby East as a teammate this weekend and he knows ORP as well as anyone from all his USAC experience, so I’ll probably be asking him for advice this weekend. We’re still working on putting all the elements together for a strong run. We had some trouble in the pits at Kentucky and the handling of the truck still wasn’t quite where it needs to be, and of course I’m still learning too. I’ll be running the Nationwide race as well on Saturday so it will be a full weekend of racing for me.” Crew chief Mike Beam on racing at ORP: “We’re taking the same truck Colin ran at Milwaukee. The front end got tore up there so we’ve done some work to it for ORP. My goal is to get the handling close enough on these trucks that we don’t have to do a lot of adjustments in the pits other than air pressure. We’ve lost some time in the pits lately so we’re working on that and I know this team will get better every week.”
Bobby East (No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford F-150)
Bobby East on racing at ORP:
“I consider ORP to be my home track and I’ve raced there a ton. I definitely have more experience at this track than any other track on the truck schedule. I’ve won five races there between running USAC midgets and Silver Crown cars, and I had one of my best career truck finishes there in 2006 until bettering it this year. Since Chad (Norris) and the guys have already given me trucks capable of two top-10 finishes this season, I think we can do even better than that at ORP. I’ve been looking forward to this race for a long time because I really believe we’re going to have our best finish yet.”
Crew chief Chad Norris on racing at ORP:
“Bobby is the man at ORP. He’s grown up racing there and he’s had a lot of success there. We’re taking the same truck he finished eighth with at Memphis a few weeks ago, and I expect him to put it in the top five this weekend. He’s got a lot of laps under his belt at this place and if anyone knows this track, it’s Bobby.”
Erik Darnell (No. 99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150)
Erik Darnell on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“We’ve had some pretty good success here the past couple of years. This No. 99 Northern Tool + Equipment team just came up short last year of a top-five finish. Being too aggressive at ORP will do you no good. You have to be patient and pick your spots. We are hoping to come out Friday afternoon with a good enough qualifying time so we don’t have to worry about fighting through the traffic. There is never a dull moment at this track. We’ve got a good setup for the Power Stroke Diesel 200 and expect to be firing on all cylinders when the green flag drops.”
Crew chief Matt Puccia on racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park:
“Erik’s short track racing this season has been outstanding. This will be the third time this season that chassis RK-50 hits the track. Out of our five top-five finishes this season, two have been with this truck. Just like the rest of the short tracks we race at this season, early track position will be the key if this No. 99 team wants to succeed Friday night. With passing at a minimum, whenever Erik sees an opening he has to take it. Making a split-second decision at this track can be the difference between a top-five finish and ending up 20th.”
Carl Edwards (No.99 Office Depot Ford Fusion)
David Ragan (No. 6 AAA Insurance Ford Fusion)
Greg Biffle (No.16 3M Ford Fusion)
Matt Kenseth (No.17 DEWALT NANO Technology Ford Fusion)
Jamie McMurray (No.26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion)
David Gilliland (No. 38 FreeCreditReport.com Ford Fusion)
Travis Kvapil (No. 28 Yates Racing Ford Fusion)
Craftsman Truck Series
Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-Way Freight Ford F-150)
Travis Kvapil (No.09 Zaxby's Ford F-150)
Erik Darnell (No.99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150)
NASCAR ROSTER
Carl Edwards (No.99 Office Depot Ford Fusion)
David Ragan (No. 6 AAA Insurance Ford Fusion)
Greg Biffle (No.16 Dish Network Ford Fusion)
Matt Kenseth (No.17 DEWALT NANO Technology Ford Fusion)
Jamie McMurray (No.26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion)
David Gilliland (No. 38 FreeCreditReport.com Ford Fusion)
Travis Kvapil (No. 28 Lumber Liquidators Ford Fusion)
Travis Kvapil (No.09 Zaxby's Ford F-150)
Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-Way Freight Ford F-150)
John Wes Townley (No.09 Zaxby's Ford F-150)
Erik Darnell (No.99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150)
Marcos Ambrose (No. 21 Honey Buns Ford Fusion)
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