NASCAR Cup

Indianapolis: Toyota Thursday quotes, notes

TOYOTA TALK: Impressions of Indy Speed Speaks About Indianapolis Vickers Talks Tires NEWS, NOTES & NUMBERS: Toyota Camry drivers have combined for five wins (Kyle Busch -- Las Vegas, Bristol and Richmond; David Reutimann -- Charlotte; Joey Logano ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:38 PM

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TOYOTA TALK:
Impressions of Indy
Speed Speaks About Indianapolis
Vickers Talks Tires

NEWS, NOTES & NUMBERS: Toyota Camry drivers have combined for five wins (Kyle Busch -- Las Vegas, Bristol and Richmond; David Reutimann -- Charlotte; Joey Logano -- New Hampshire), 21 top-fives and 39 top-10 finishes through 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races this season ... Camry drivers Robby Gordon and Max Papis have both competed in the Indianapolis 500 and fellow Camry driver Scott Speed has competed in the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) ... Papis and Speed could become the 14th and 15th drivers, respectively, to participate in two major races at IMS upon taking the green flag in Sunday's Brickyard 400.

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Snickers Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Is it special to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? "I think it's neat that both big-time auto racing, whether in open-wheel racing or stock car racing -- the upper echelon of both of those series get to race at Indianapolis -- that's what makes it special. You have to make it to the big-time to make it there, to have the names that have raced there and to share their memories of it has been cool."

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

What was your first impression of Indianapolis Motor Speedway? "It's Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It's one of a kind. There's no other race track like it, and knowing the history, knowing all those guys have raced there, have won there, and just going there. I remember going out for the first time and you get off the access road onto the back straightaway, and you're like, 'Check this out.' You grab high gear and you're just going. Personally, I was just going off what I've seen on TV and a video game, going off into turn three for the first time, I drove it off in there hard just hoping for the best. It's cool how it's so different than every other race track."

MAX PAPIS, No. 13 GEICO Toyota Camry, Germain Racing

What will it mean for you to race in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? "The Indianapolis 500 has been there for years -- there is so much history. I have felt while I have been around NASCAR in general, that the respect toward the track and the anticipation about going there is actually heartfelt within the NASCAR group as much as it was when I raced in the Indy 500 in the open-wheel car. In my personal heart, being able to go out there and make it in the show would be equal or more than going out and making the Indy 500 because it's a new challenge for me and it's a challenge on a track that has so much history. I am looking forward to getting to race there in NASCAR."

SCOTT SPEED, No. 82 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team

How will racing in a NASCAR race be different than a Formula 1 event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? "Everything about Indianapolis was completely different. In Formula 1 we even ran in reverse down the straightway. Racing on the oval is going to be a completely new situation. As far as what's going to be the same for me at Indianapolis -- I do know where the good restaurants are, and I've played the Brickyard Crossing golf course, which I'll probably do again. Other than that, not much will be familiar for me."

BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team

How has the tire situation improved for this year's Brickyard 400? "Obviously, last year was an embarrassment for the sport at Indianapolis. It was not at all what anybody wanted, and I commend NASCAR and Goodyear -- they're going above and beyond to try to get this problem fixed. When you make these tires slower and harder, they just slide across the pavement and because of that grooving it just turns into a shredder and they just don't last. So, we're going to have to have a softer, faster tire that essentially will grip the track instead of sliding across it to make it last. If they can find a way around it, great, but if not I think we just accept the inevitable and have a fast tire and good race."

-credit: toyota motorsports

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