“My first thought was, ‘It’s Bristol baby!' What a great feeling walking out of Thunder Valley with the W. I had always dreamed about winning a Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, and that night we did it. Bristol is one of those tracks you really feel like you need to win. It’s such a tough track. My first race here in 2002 was just something I couldn’t believe -- the way that you drove, as hard as you drove here, the way things happen so quickly. There are just so many things that are thrown at you. It’s a big confidence-builder to win at Bristol. When I got home I set the trophy on my coffee table and used it as a new centerpiece for a while.”
Kasey Kahne on what it's like to win at Bristol
“When you have high-banked, very fast short track in this stadium – in this 'colosseum' – surrounded by the most avid NASCAR fans, the energy in the stands and on the track is electrifying. It just makes for a great event.
“I have a lot of great memories with this rainbow paint scheme. What I love is this paint scheme is for the fans. The fans wanted us to run this scheme again during my final season, and this Axalta Chevy SS definitely stands out. You’re not going to miss it.”
Jeff Gordon on driving the rainbow Axalta paint scheme at Bristol
“Michigan was a tough race for us. We had a fast Lowe’s Chevy and just had some things go wrong and chased it all day. We were so, so loose. You have to put the bad races out of your mind and focus forward. Bristol should be a great race for us – we had a good one in the spring."
Jimmie Johnson on the Michigan race and looking ahead to Bristol
“I love racing at Bristol. I always look forward to racing there. This weekend’s race is the one of the best tickets on the schedule. There is just no other track like it.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on racing at Bristol