CHARLOTTE, N.C. - You just never know what may be asked at a NASCAR media day.
So, when the NASCAR Cup Series playoff version was held earlier this week at the Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, all 16 postseason qualifiers were subjected to a wide variety of inquiries, ranging from the humorous, to the serious, to the downright disgusting.
Hendrick Motorsports' four wheelmen weren't spared either as Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, William Byron and Chase Elliott, in that order, were put in front of the media for a 20-30-minute session.
Here are some of the day's best quotes as the four prepare to get the playoffs started on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race will air on USA Network starting at 3 p.m.
William Byron on having all four Hendrick Motorsports cars in the playoffs
“I think it’s just good notes. Obviously, everybody is out for themselves, that’s the way the format is and the way the racing is, but you have to share notes and learn from each other to have the best possible result for all of you. I feel like we do that really well. Nothing really changes in the playoffs but it’s nice to have everyone pulling the rope in the same direction.”
William Byron on the location of his Lego builds
“The Titanic is in my living room, which is a nice display piece. A lot of them are in my game room. I have the Batmobile, a couple of NASA space shuttles and then there’s a few cars like the James Bond 007 car, then a small Eiffel Tower. They’re kind of scattered.”
William Byron on choosing a seat in driver’s meetings
“I’m not super social with the other drivers, so, I try to be chill and sit wherever I feel comfortable. It’s literally try not to make it awkward.”
Alex Bowman on stress relievers during the NASCAR Cup Series season
“There isn’t one during the Cup season anymore, for sure. I think every week is so tough and the way races go, there’s no getting away from the stress of this deal, for me, at least. Just need to go execute. Winning relieves from stress.”
Alex Bowman on the urging of Linda Hendrick to bring home a championship
“She made it very clear that we better make it happen. I think she said she, ‘Really, really, really, really wants that.’ When she speaks, we listen.”
Alex Bowman on the heightened level of aggression in the NASCAR Cup Series
“Yeah, it’s gotten crazy over the last couple of years, for sure. I think if we raced 10 years ago how we do now we would get out of the car and get our ass kicked. It’s changed a lot. It’s changed for everybody and I feel like I’m not the overly aggressive, dirty race car driver and the races have played out to really benefit the overly aggressive, dirty race car driver. So, trying to get myself there for sure.”
Chase Elliott on favorites and underdogs in the playoff field
“There’s definitely been guys that have run better than others throughout the year, for sure, but what good does that do me? Truthfully, what does it matter? I’m going to have to go as fast as I can go this weekend, that’s going to give me the best chance of moving forward. So, I’m not going home and putting puzzles together as to who I think is good or not. I’m just trying to get my team and myself ready for whatever race is upcoming because that’s what affects me. The rest of it is just talk.”
Chase Elliott on wild-card tracks being in the playoffs
“I can’t do anything about it. It’s not my decision. I don’t really want it to be my decision and all you can do from a competitor standpoint is look at it in the eye and go to work. I don’t know what else you do. That’s not up to me and I’m OK with that. But it’s certainly one of those things where you just have to tackle it and face it for what it is and make the most of it. Listen, somebody is going to go win (at Atlanta) this weekend and be super happy. I hope it’s us.”
Chase Elliott on Linda Hendrick’s expectations of another championship
“She was pretty serious about it the other day. It was great. She’s awesome and just hearing that type of motivation from somebody else that’s not the boss, it was neat. Glad to have her invested. It’s a big year for (Hendrick Motorsports), being the 40th anniversary, and obviously, Linda has had a huge involvement in that. She’s been around and seen it all too. It’s been fun to get to know her over the years and we’d love to deliver.”
Kyle Larson on a second Cup Series championship vs. a DAYTONA 500 win
“For me, the next opportunity I have to add one of those to the resume would be a championship, so right now, I’d say a championship but I for sure want a DAYTONA 500. I think that’s the last crown jewel that’s left for me on my resume in NASCAR, so I would love to.”
Kyle Larson on the intensity of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team
“I won’t say that the intensity in our race team or the intensity in the shop doesn’t ramp up a little bit because I’m sure it does. But I do think Hendrick Motorsports and especially the five team operates at such a high level every single day that it doesn’t change much once we get to the playoffs.”
Kyle Larson on the potential dangers of vomiting in a racing helmet
“It depends on how projectile it might be. And you have a head sock, at least I do, so, I would probably keep it over my mouth and force it down than up. I don’t know, I think it would be easier to let it go out the other end than your mouth. Hopefully, I don’t run into that.”