Matt Kenseth (second) was the top-finishing Camry driver in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at Dover International Speedway which was won by Chris Buescher.
Camry driver Erik Jones (ninth) celebrated his 19th birthday
The pair combined to lead 121 of 200 laps with Kenseth out front 51 circuits and Jones led the most laps at 70.
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Reser’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd
How did you keep it together in the closing laps of the race?
“Our Reser’s Fine Foods Camry was fast. We got behind early, but we were able to make that up by staying out one time because we only had one set of tires left and sort of get back on sequence. I really thought we were going to win. I didn’t think anybody had run that many laps. We ran as hard as we could to make up some spots. They’ve (Chris Buescher) been fast all year, so congratulations to him.”
How did your different pit sequence work out for you?
“We got fortunate. We had a loose wheel and got a lap down and did the waive around and was able to lead a lap. We were one set short of tires, so we had to stay out that one round, but we were able to lead that whole stint. It went green at the end and I thought we were going to win the race, I didn’t think anyone was going to be able to run that long on fuel. They (Chris Buescher) did so it was a good day for us.”
How much did your car change in handling from new to older tires?
“Honestly not much, it depended on what your car was driving like and what traffic was like. Really didn’t change a lot. I did the tire test and I think everybody was hoping for fall-off, but we certainly didn’t get that. We were able to stay upfront for a long time. I thought it was going to fall into our hands at the end, but they (Chris Buescher) had just enough fuel.”
How do you get past struggles experienced between teammates like those experienced today by Roush Fenway Racing?
“I can’t really comment on other drivers or organizations, I don’t really know what went on today if they got into one another. If they did, I wish they would have done it harder and taken both of them out – then we would have won. I really don’t know what happened there. I don’t know if they were both going to make it on fuel. I know they were running side-by-side when I caught them and got by them, of course we were a lap behind trying to get caught up. I don’t really know what went on the race track except they were both up front running good.”
ERIK JONES, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 9th
What happened coming to pit lane on the final pit stop?
“I just missed it. We were in position and that’s unfortunate. That’s what I did, I screwed up – was trying a little bit too hard to make sure we could get out ahead of everybody. Clean air was so big today, I thought that was what we needed. Just tough on pit road here, we should have practiced it but I didn’t think about it. It’s a shame. We had a good Monster Energy Camry. We fought hard all day and put us in a position to have a shot by leading a lot of laps, but we’ll keep digging. We’ll be back in Texas next weekend in the Truck and we’ll go and win one there.”
DAVID STARR, No. 44 Zachry Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 13th
JJ YELEY, No. 28 Big Barrel Country Music Festival Toyota Camry, JGL Racing
Finishing Position: 18th
DANIEL SUAREZ, No. 18 ARRIS Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 19th
CJ FAISON, No. 26 Deputy Builders Toyota Camry, JGL Racing
Finishing Position: 23rd
ERIC MCCLURE, No. 24 Hefty Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 24th
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BLAKE KOCH, No. 8 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 30th
CALE CONLEY, No. 14 IAVA Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 33rd
CARL LONG, No. 40 Braille Battery/Grafoid Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 33rd
JEFF GREEN, No. 19 Toyota Camry, TriStar Motorsports
Finishing Position: 40th
CONTACTS (on-site at Daytona International Speedway)
Catie Axup Stoneberg, 213.471.0316, cstoneberg@golin.com
