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Dodge Avenger 500 - Toyota Qualifying Quotes

DAVID REUTIMANN, No. 00 Domino's Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing:
Starting position: 14th Qualifying lap: 30.137 seconds, 163.175 mph
Can you talk about your qualifying lap?
"It was a really good lap for everybody on the Domino's / Michael Waltrip Racing team. We were off a little bit from what we practiced because we were tight -- that cost us some speed. Other than that, it was pretty cool. I couldn't be happier with my guys, they brought another great car for me and getting in this race was real important to all of us. Our main goal is to race on Saturday, we've been able to qualify for these deals, but we haven't had the finishes we've needed. Once we can consistently get into these races, then hopefully we can start getting the finishes we need. This team just continues to work hard and even in the bad times, they haven't given up on me and I'm certainly not going to give up them."

Do you like Darlington Raceway?
"No, not really -- but I don't know that I can really say that because it's not a race track that I have all that much experience racing at. Race tracks that you don't have as much experience at are those tracks that you usually shy away from more than the others. Hopefully I will change my mind on that with a good run tomorrow night."

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Team Red Bull:
Starting position: 15th Qualifying lap: 30.141 seconds, 163.153 mph
How does the COT compare to the other car here at Darlington?
"These cars are a little more difficult to get around here than we've seen in the past -- the setups are tougher, too. You can't run what you really need to get around here, so I think that's why you've seen so many guys hit the wall. It's nice to see four Toyotas in the field, so now we'll just have to work on our race stuff and do the best we can."

How big is it for both Red Bull cars to make the race here in Darlington?
"AJ (Allmendinger) has been faster and faster as the weeks have gone on, and I'm glad to see that both of us made the race. I think it's the first time since Bristol we both made the show. Practice tonight is going to be very telling on where we are, and what kind of car we have. Hopefully, our race stuff is pretty good and we can come out of here with a good finish tomorrow."

AJ ALLMENDINGER, No. 84 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Team Red Bull:
Starting position: 20th Qualifying lap: 30.185 seconds, 162.915 mph
Can you talk about your qualifying lap?
"I can't even speak after that qualifying lap -- I'm still shaking and this place is just wicked. Who designed this place? How many laps do I have to do tomorrow night? I just have to thank everybody on this Red Bull team and all the guys back at the shop. It's a great group of guys back at the shop getting these cars prepared. We've all worked so hard to get to this point and we just keep improving - everyone involved is improving, from our whole team to Toyota. I'm just so happy to be in this race and so happy that lap is over."

How were you able to go that fast at Darlington your first time here?
"It helps when you close your eyes and hold your breath. I just don't know what to say about this track, I'm just so happy to be in the race. We still have a lot of work to do, but the only way we're going to get better is if we make races and run well."

How would you compare Darlington to anything else you've every done or could imagine?
"It's like jumping off a cliff. That's about what you feel like when you drive it off into turn one, it's sliding and they're telling you to get back into the throttle and I'm thinking there is no way I'm getting back into the throttle. Then I sat and watched everybody run into the wall while I was sitting in my car waiting to qualify - that probably wasn't helping me much either. This is crazy and such a crazy place to have to qualify like this, but we're in the show and that's all that matters."

DAVE BLANEY, No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota Camry, Bill Davis Racing:
Starting position: 27th Qualifying lap: 30.271 seconds, 162.453 mph
Can you talk about your qualifying lap?
"We picked up a couple tenths from our practice laps and the car was really good on our qualifying lap. I was afraid that I might have been a little too conservative on those laps because we're so concerned with just getting into these races. I was maybe a little too easy in turns three and four, but it was good enough to get in the race and that's what we're focused on right now. I don't think the heat really changed the track too much from where it was in practice, everybody was running laps close to where they were earlier. We just need to work on getting a good finish tomorrow night and hopefully work our way into the top-35 in points to get rid of some of this stress."



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