Race Weekend Central

Running Their Mouth: 2008 Pocono 500 at Pocono

Each week, we’ll go through media reports, interviews, PR and all 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 the car owners themselves. This week, here’s a sneak peek at what a select few were thinking following the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway:

“It was a great afternoon. The Budweiser Dodge ran so well. There was nothing close when we were out front. Everybody has stepped up, and I feel like I have also. It seemed like the hottest race of the year.” – Kasey Kahne, race winner

See also
Bowles-Eye View: Kasey Kahne Leads Charge, But Chase Hopefuls Brian Vickers, Kurt Busch Steal Headlines

“It means a lot. I’m so proud of these guys today. They did it all last night and today, because we were a bucket yesterday in practice. I’m pleased but not satisfied [with the finish]. I’m real proud of everybody. I had a really good car there at the end and a good strategy – and a good finish.” – Brian Vickers, finished second

“We really didn’t have a whole lot for the No. 9 [Kasey Kahne] there at the end. The temperatures were hot, and we didn’t have that good of cooling inside of our racecar. The AC worked fine, but we don’t have any kind of driver fans or anything, which is something we need to probably look into in the future.” – Denny Hamlin, finished third

“Fun [wouldn’t describe my day]. We were pretty good at the start of the race; then I got a little bit loose, then a little bit tight there in the middle part and lost a lot of track position. But we gained it back with a little bit of strategy in the pits. It was pretty hot out there today, and it is only going to get hotter in the car the next couple of months.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished fourth

“At the start of the race we weren’t real good; we struggled a little bit. We made some changes about halfway. There were times when we were the fastest car on the track, and that is a good sign. We came here and experimented with some stuff and think we can move forward with it.” – Jeff Burton, finished fifth

“We were struggling early with a real loose racecar, and at the end we were very, very tight. I just don’t know what we’re missing. [Kasey] Kahne looked like he was struggling a few weeks back, but now he’s winning races. So maybe it’s just right around the corner for us. It’s been a long year without a top 10, so maybe it’s time.” – Kurt Busch, finished eighth

“These guys just never stop fighting. They just dig in and they never give up. The Steak-Umm Chevrolet was good all day. It really is a pleasure to drive this No. 8 team’s racecar each week.” – Mark Martin, finished 10th

“Oh man, it was a little difficult. I can’t say enough about our Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. The crew did a great job all race long. I can’t be any more proud of my team. It was a long, hot day and we battled and brought home an 11th-place finish.” – Bobby Labonte, finished 11th

“Everybody at Red Bull Racing, first off – great job to everybody at Red Bull, back at the shop, the Nos. 83 and 84 guys, and BV [Brian Vickers] did a great job. To have us 12th – and honestly that was a terrible finish for us, we got screwed by that yellow when Kyle [Busch] spun. We probably should have been sixth, seventh or eighth – right around there – with Kurt [Busch] and Matt [Kenseth].” – AJ Allmendinger, finished 12th

“I saw the No. 26 [Jamie McMurray] get high, get loose – and thought he faded back further than what he did. Didn’t know he was out there still. We broke the mirror trying to adjust it there before the race and couldn’t see anything out my right-rear quarterpanel. So, I couldn’t clear myself. The spotter didn’t say anything, so I apologize to McMurray for wrecking their day, but it [sucks].” – Kyle Busch, finished 43rd

“You can talk to me anytime, Wally. Some of the straightaways are long. I might need some company.” – Carl Edwards to broadcaster Wally Dallenbach during pre-race pace laps

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