FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 16th, 2015

NOTES AND QUOTES FROM NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES RACE COVERAGE FROM PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ON NBCSN

“I know there are some guys in the field who would love to see this get going again to get an opportunity to try to race into the last round. But myself, if I had four or six inches at Talladega, I’d be going to Homestead racing for a Championship too.” – Race Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“This is the kind of thing you dream about since you were a little kid.” – Chase driver Martin Truex Jr.

“Our heads are still high. It’s been a great season. I don’t have much bad to say about anything.” – Eliminated Chase driver Joey Logano

Avondale, Ariz – Nov. 15, 2015 – NBCSN presented NASCAR Sprint Cup racing under the lights of Phoenix International Raceway tonight. After rain delayed and cut the penultimate race of the season short, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was named the winner after 219 laps. Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. join Jeff Gordon in the Championship four and will race for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship next Sunday in Miami.

Inside the NBCSN broadcast booth, race announcer Rick Allen and analysts Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte called the action. Working the pits were NBCSN reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, Mike Massaro and Dave Burns.

RACE RESULTS 

Position Driver Car #
1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 88
2 Kevin Harvick 4
3 Joey Logano 22
4 Kyle Busch 18
5 Jimmie Johnson 48

 

The following are highlights from this evening’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race coverage on NBCSN.

Letarte on crew chief strategy with rain approaching: “Aggression, not only is it behind the wheel, but it is on top of the pit box too. Tony Gibson is looking at every opportunity to get this No. 41 into Miami.”

Letarte on looming rain with just over 100 laps to go: “It is one thing to race the rain for a win but these crew chiefs are racing for their season.”

Chase driver Kevin Harvick to Snider: “You can’t control a lot of these things. Who would have thought you come to the desert and it’s going to rain. Bring NASCAR anywhere and you will catch up on your rain.”

Defending Champion Kevin Harvick to Snider on returning to Miami: “It is going to make it a lot easier knowing what to expect…you just throw it all out there and go for it.”

Race Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Burns: “I am happy. A win is a win. But it is a rain shorted race and I know there are some guys in the field who would love to see this get going again to get an opportunity to try to race into the last round. But myself, if I had four or six inches at Talladega, I’d be going to Homestead racing for a Championship too.”

Eliminated Chase driver Joey Logano to Massaro: “Overall, I couldn’t be more proud of what we have done this year. We still have one more race to win. Our heads are still high. It’s been a great season. I don’t have much bad to say about anything. I just wanted one more shot at it.”

Chase driver Martin Truex Jr. to Massaro: “This is the kind of thing you dream about since you were a little kid. Having a shot to win a Sprint Cup Series Championship is just awesome, and I am looking forward to the opportunity.”

Chase driver Jeff Gordon to Snider: “I’m excited about our chances and our opportunity. Our team is fired up. They have been working hard on the Homestead car ever since we won Martinsville. We know we have some tough competitors to go up against.”

Chase driver Kyle Busch to Stavast on overcoming his early season injury: “It was tough to be at home laying in bed and watch other guys race my race car…We did what we needed to do tonight, and I look forward to next week.”

– NBC SPORTS GROUP –