Nextel All-Star Challenge - Dodge Qualifying Quotes

KASEY KAHNE (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger) – pole winner

“It’s pretty cool to be on this team. We finished second the other night in the pit crew challenge, so it’s a huge week for us. It’s a huge week to be part of everything Nextel does and Lowe’s Motor Speedway to put on this great race weekend is definitely fun.

“I didn’t talk to them after the deal (pit crew challenge). I left and they left. I think they were all right with it. They want to win, but they gave it all they had. They went back-to-back-to-back compared to some of the other teams that didn’t from where I was watching. It was the luck of the draw. On the final run, they had done three runs pretty much right in a row compared to Truex’s guys that had a little bit more of a break. I think they did an awesome job for being worn out. To keep pushing that car is not easy. They stepped it up tonight. They did a great job tonight.

“We did a little bit at the start trying to figure out the tire and the racetrack. We had a couple of good days testing out here. I felt like coming back we’d be a little better. Kenny and Keith make some good adjustments to the car. We looked at all the information, and I think Scott Riggs is going to be good tomorrow night. Hopefully he races his way in. Mayfield obviously looking good this weekend compared to where he’s been, and I think we have a good shot, too. Our car was handling good all day.

“The track definitely has more grip at night. It was nice to get the draw we had. We ran quick around the racetrack. Jimmie went right before us, and Mark Martin right after and they had some good lap times, too. Definitely the late draw helped.

“There’s a lot of grip but at the same time the tires are hard. You can slide around. From what I watched today once you start sliding it looks like you keep sliding until you hit something. I didn’t see too many guys saving it once they started sliding. I’ve slid a dirt car around, but it wasn’t a stock car and it wasn’t at 180 or 190 mph, either. I don’t know how much that helps. I just think you’ve got to have your car handling well. Our Dodge Charger handled great tonight and we were able to put down a good lap.

“I was happy last week we got the pole and I think we led 50 laps or so and we ended up 21st. The other two races we were able to fight back and get the win. I would definitely love to win tomorrow night, but 20 other guys would like to win just as bad. Tires are going to be the big issue. Whoever has the best grip will win tomorrow night.”

BOBBY LABONTE (No. 43 Go Gurt Dodge Charger) – 11th

“The guys did a great job in the pits. I was too cautious on entry, but overall it was a good qualifying effort for us.

KURT BUSCH (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger) – 3rd

“We don’t have anything to be ashamed of. We’re very proud. There’s nothing to complain about. It was a real good team effort. Leaving pit road is a gas, trying not to spin the tires. It’s really a unique event one time a year and the crew really gets pumped up about it. I think we had a 12.7 on our stop, so we were pretty close all around. The track cooled down, and Kasey got a real good lap. Kasey is going to be a candidate for the pole next Thursday. We’re very happy to start third and race to the front.

“The motivation for my wedding I guess (is what it’s going to take to win). I’ve got to pay for that thing. It’s been a fun race. Are we still having the inverted field? I haven’t done my homework yet and it shows, but to be able to come out in front in that final segment that’s going to be the key ingredient. If you can be leading going into the final 20, you’re going to be hard to pass. I think that’s going to be the key. You’ll see how it shakes out in the first 40 and the next 30 is going to be a real challenge to race each other and see who is going to be the lead guy going into the last 20 laps.

“That was something that took up quite a bit of our time when we first showed up today as far as our practice was concerned. We spent a considerable amount of time checking our tires, making sure we’ve got the right amount of laps on ‘em. We’ve got all our sets rubbed in in case there is a spin. We’ve got four sets left. They’re going to make you changed ‘em during the 40-lap green flag run. rom what I noticed in testing with the test motor, we’re getting about 37 laps (on fuel). Thirty-five might be the window. I think it’s going to be an interesting race strategy wise to see who does what.”

JEREMY MAYFIELD (No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger) – 18th

“We got caught speeding coming into the pits. I don’t know why you can go as fast as you want out of the pits and have a limit coming in, but that’s the way it goes. The car is good. I feel good about the race.”

RYAN NEWMAN (No. 12 Alltel My Circle Dodge Charger) – 5th

“All in all that was a pretty good qualifying effort. I think there’s going to be more grip in the track tomorrow night when we race. It’s not like it used to be. It’s not as much fun, but there’s potential for it to get back to the way it was.”