Quotables: Hendrick Motorsports drivers talk Richmond

CONCORD, N.C. -- Saturday night marks the final race before the start of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

With all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers having already clinched a spot in NASCAR's postseason, how are they approaching Saturday at Richmond International Raceway?

Below is a look at what they had to say heading into the weekend.

KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 FARMERS INSURANCE CHEVROLET SS

ON MAKING THE CHASE AND CARRYING MOMENTUM TO RICHMOND: “It was just an unbelievable way to make the Chase and to win at Atlanta was very special. It's a tough track, but a track that I love coming to so it feels really good to get a victory there. It’s been a tough season, and we have had kind of a downer year at times and then we started running really well so I’m very happy to be in the Chase with my teammates. I have the best teammates and (Hendrick Motorsports Owner) Mr. (Rick) Hendrick gives us everything that we need. It’s awesome to work with those guys and to be part of Hendrick Motorsports with everything that Mr. H gives us. Glad we are in the Chase, and we can race our teammates now.

“Up until our Atlanta win, we weren't going to be in the Chase and that hurt. So as a team, we put it together on Sunday night. We never gave up, and we ended up getting the win. I feel really good about that. We can just build off of it. Hopefully, we can build some confidence, some momentum, and go into Richmond and even get better. We actually ran pretty well at Richmond earlier in the year, so that could be a good track for us this weekend.”

KENNY FRANCIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 FARMERS INSURANCE CHEVROLET SS

ON WINNING AT ATLANTA AND MAKING THE CHASE: “It's pretty cool to have the shot to win the race and get in the Chase. Winning the Atlanta race in such a dramatic fashion and then clinching a spot in the Chase, it’s just a huge relief. I think it's going to be a huge up lift for the whole team and for our whole shop. We share a shop with the No. 24 team, and (crew chief) Alan (Gustafson) and Jeff (Gordon) have been running great all year. They have won a lot of races recently, and we have shared a lot of information and used a lot of their stuff. It's kind of funny because when (crew chief) Chad (Knaus) and Jimmie (Johnson) were winning races earlier this year, they were using our stuff so it's kind of crazy how it all works out sometimes.”

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS

ON RACING AT RICHMOND WITH A CHASE SPOT ALREADY CLINCHED: “You always look forward to visiting a track when you ran well there the previous race. We had a great car there in April and led a lot of laps, but Richmond has always been ‘hit or miss’ for us.

“I’m just glad this weekend isn’t going to be as stressful as years past when we had to race our way into the Chase at Richmond.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS

ON RICHMOND: “This will be an interesting race for sure. There are a few guys trying to get in the Chase and a few guys trying to stay in it. It’s been a great regular season so far – exciting for the fans and everyone involved. I’m so happy for Kasey Kahne and the No. 5 team with their win in Atlanta – so proud Hendrick Motorsports will have all four drivers represented in the Chase for this year’s cup.”

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS

ON RICHMOND: “I enjoy racing at Richmond. You can be aggressive and the racing is fun. We run at night and get a great crowd for the event. Richmond has put on a good show for years."