Carl Edwards starts on the pole and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Denny Hamlin, starts alongside him on the front row. “It’s cool to come to Bristol, and know that we can just go race for the trophy and be more aggressive”.
Advertisement
The national media bemoans the fact the racing isn’t very exciting and that attendance at IMS – like at all NASCAR tracks – is on the decline. Bristol has been a track where I’ve had some good runs.
The pressure remains on Joplin’s Jamie McMurray going into the four-race stretch as he looks for his second straight Chase appearance. Gordon retired after last season, but has been filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has been out since July 9 with a concussion. Jimmie Johnson will roll off 16th and Knoxville native Trevor Bayne 22nd. Rain at Pocono Raceway three weeks ago pushed that finish until Monday when rookie Chris Buescher won his first Sprint Cup title as continued bad weather shortened that race. Kahne, Ryan Newman, and Greg Biffle also have not won a race this year but they have won previously at MI, the next stop.
“I was just a little bit too lose”, said Biffle.
He said he thought the auto was strong and he was heading to a fast lap when he felt the vehicle get loose and slip away. A series of reconfigurations in 2007 and 2012 transformed the track into a multi-groove facility and then to a single groove up against the top. “We get to chase the track. That’s a fun way to race”. “Hopefully the fast groove moves around and we get to chase that all night”. “We’re continuing to do the things necessary every week to remain competitive”.
Advertisement
The race will resume on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, with gates opening for fans two hours prior at 11 a.m. ET. To purchase photos visit Allen Greene Photography.
