SPRINT Cup Series

How much did your test earlier this week at Thomson Speedway help you here today?
"We found some things and it was a really good test. We ran two completely different set-ups in two cars and Tommy Baldwin did a great job with that entire test session. We just needed laps in the Car of Tomorrow and we're probably behind in testing that car compared to other cars, but we did learn some things there and we were able to bring those over here. The car has really been flawless all day through practice and we were able to repeat that in qualifying. It was just a smooth day and I hope the rest of the weekend goes that smooth."

"We didn't get to test our COT any at the beginning of the season mainly because we were building completely new cars on both fronts. The bigger teams were able to test more early on and I think everyone knew they were going to excel. It shows with the Hendrick teams winning all of these COT races, but I think you'll see as the season goes on that the other teams will get closer."

When you went out for your lap today, did you think you had a chance at the pole?
"I watched everybody early and I saw that some of their speeds were falling off some from practice. I wasn't sure what we could run and I knew we didn't really change anything from practice. But in my situation I have to focus on getting into the race more than going for the pole. I can't make a mistake and risk not getting into the race. I was a little conservative on my first lap, but when I found out that it was fast enough to get into the show -- I gave that second lap a little more and I was able to put it on top of the board. It's a tough position to be in because you have to be cautious enough to get it, but aggressive enough to get in the race. But yeah -- I thought we could get the pole."

How much has the various Toyota engine configurations affected your program this season?
"I don't think power has had all that much to do with it and I think Toyota is in good shape power wise. In our case, I think we would have more power to throw at it if we could figure out some problems in braking and other areas, but that's normal when you're working on a new program. I don't think the power has made much of a difference one way or the other -- its just learning the cars and learning the COT."

Was there any incentive or team goal to be the first Toyota to win a pole or a race?
"I think if you ask any of the Toyota teams, they all wanted to be the first. But it's not like we set out to do it -- it is really cool to be the first, but to tell you the truth I would have been happy to see any of the teams win the pole here today. Hopefully the Caterpillar team can also be the first to win a race for Toyota."

DOUG RICHERT, Crew Chief, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Team Red Bull:
NOTE: The No. 83 Red Bull Camry had earned the 28th starting position for Sunday's race, but following post-qualifying inspection, the left-front of the car was deemed too low by NASCAR and therefore the qualifying time was disallowed.
Can you comment on having your qualifying time disallowed?
"All the non-top-35 cars roll back through inspection following qualifying and when we did, we didn't meet the heights on the sticks. We had several opportunities to roll back through, check air pressure and things like that. For the most part, they let us do just about everything other than put gas back in the car and we were still short on the left-front of the car. The problem being that I don't ever know when something might break in the car in reference to any small part. I don't have a marriage to any of the parts in the front of that car to know exactly when something might break in a freak situation. When we went through inspection and the car was presented, it was correct. We never raised the hood and then when we went back through we were too low and now we're being thrown out. So my team has to load up and head home and I really don't have a solid reason as to why."

What happened to the car that it was too low in post-qualifying inspection?
"Right now we just have to look at everything and figure out what happened. Did a spring collapse or really what happened? We just can't find any reason. We were off by an eighth of an inch and the sad thing is that would not make any difference in the solid lap that Brian (Vickers) ran today. It's unfortunate because this was a solid lap and we were solidly in the field with that lap. Now we have to go home and have no chance of gaining our way into the top-35 in points."

DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Burger King Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing:
Starting position: 17th
How was your qualifying lap?
"I just can't thank all the guys at Michael Waltrip Racing enough. Everyone has been working real hard and things have been coming together for our team lately. We turned good laps in practice and the guys kept making small adjustments and we were able to get better and better. I'm really happy with the effort and hopefully we can gain some ground on everybody on Sunday."

How do you feel about this track and racing the Car of Tomorrow on it?
"This is a tough race track because it is flat. But we are still learning with all of our Car of Tomorrow stuff, but everybody in our organization is working real hard. We haven't had a whole lot to cheer about lately, but I think we are making strides and maybe by the end of the season we will have a lot more to cheer about."

JEREMY MAYFIELD, No. 36 360 OTC Toyota Camry, Bill Davis Racing:
Starting position: 29th
How was your qualifying lap?
"It's really tough to be in the same situation every week where we have to worry about getting in the race up to the last car to take a qualifying lap. But we made it in the show even after fighting a loose race car all afternoon. I just can't seem to get through the corner without getting sideways and we need to work on that for the race tomorrow. But nobody on our team is giving up and I'm real happy for Dave (Blaney) and their team for winning the pole today. We would love to be able to share some information, but both cars seem to be responding differently to the same changes. But we'll keep working through practice tomorrow and hopefully get better for the race."

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Team Red Bull:
Starting position: DNQ

MICHAEL WALTRIP, No. 55 NAPA Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing:
Starting position: DNQ

AJ ALLMENDINGER, No. 84 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Team Red Bull:
Starting position: DNQ

DALE JARRETT, No. 44 UPS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing:
Starting position: DNQ