Race Weekend Central

Running Their Mouth: 2009 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona

Each week, we’ll go through media reports, interviews, PR and all of 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 car owners themselves. This week, here’s a peek at what the drivers were thinking following the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway:

“We had a strong car, for sure. It was nice to be able to drive away in a line up front and get away from the crowd in the back. I don’t know that we did anything wrong. I mean, I’ve seen replays of it, and he’s (Kyle Busch) protecting his position, which he’s got to do. It’s nobody’s fault… it’s just racing. I mean, it’s a product of the environment. Even if it’s 100% his fault, I still won’t feel good about it. I think racers hold the integrity of the the sport in mind and it was a good race. It was a good race all night long.” – Tony Stewart

“We came in [to the pits] with the lead and came out with the lead every time, so I was really proud of our guys for that. That’s something I can promise you they’re going to take a lot of pride in, and I’m taking a lot of pride in [what] good stops they had.” – Stewart on his pit crew

“Tonight was great. I’ve got to thank Subway and all of the folks that supported us. That last sprint to the finish, I was really concerned about Kyle [Busch]. I saw the right side of his car lift off the ground and he hit the fence. Man, that’s a hard hit. But, I guess it’s exciting. The fans were all pumped up about it… but I was real nervous for him. I’m just glad we got through there and nobody hit him – I hope nobody hit him a second time. It was just a wild event.” – Carl Edwards, finished fourth

It was a good run for our Miller Lite Dodge tonight. We had a tire shred early in the race, and then we had a problem with David Ragan when guys tried to go four wide. It is cool to race on such a slippery surface. We’re all slipping and sliding. It’s not the old days, but these cars are sliding quite a bit and you have to be a man to wrestle these things. Tony Stewart did the best job tonight.” – Kurt Busch, finished fifth

“I was sick again this weekend and had to have an IV treatment, but this is one way to clear up a severe cold. This finish makes me feel 100% better. There was a lot of action on the track and it was intense. It was just another amazing night for us, and I want to thank Jodi and Tad [Geschickter], Brad Daugherty and my Kingsford Charcoal team for believing in me.” – Marcos Ambrose, finished sixth

See also
Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Rookies Run Well, But Only Marcos Ambrose Sealed the Deal in Daytona

“Man, what can I say? This team tonight had to overcome so much. We had radio problems at the beginning of the race, lost some spots on pit road under weird circumstances and just got stuck in the outside lane on the final restart. Honestly, some things just didn’t go our way. We were hoping for better, and if it had stayed green, we would have almost had a top five.” – Elliott Sadler, finished 10th

“We had a pretty good car; we just never really got our track position. We got quite a ways up there, like seventh or eighth, and had a flat tire and had to go to the back. But not a bad day.” – Jamie McMurray, finished 11th

“It was a good result, but we really wanted a top 10 and nearly did it. On the final run, I got boxed in and lost some track position. Tonight’s performance was a big morale boost for the entire Furniture Row Racing organization.” – Regan Smith, finished 12th

“It was a decent day for our Budweiser Dodge tonight. We just struggled a bit with speed on the straightaway, but were fast in the corners which made it tough to race all night. We finished the race, but it was an awful hard hit for a stock car that I took when I got caught up in that wreck [at the end]. [But] to get a 15th-place finish and gain in the driver points standings is pretty cool. It could have been a lot worse.” – Kasey Kahne

“We went for it right there at the end. This is a product of restrictor-plate racing with these racecars. We took care of our tires all night long to be there at the end because we needed to have a good points day. What are you going to say? I’m not pointing any fingers at Tony [Stewart]. He was trying to win the race, Kyle was trying to block him for the win and we got turned around. It’s a big disappointment.” – Steve Addington, crew chief for Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Toyota

About the author

Sign up for the Frontstretch Newsletter

A daily email update (Monday through Friday) providing racing news, commentary, features, and information from Frontstretch.com
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.

Share via