Notes from Richmond 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Richmond

JEFF GORDON, INTERIM DRIVER, NO. 88 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS – QUALIFIED 11TH

ON HIS QUALIFYING EFFORT:

“Yeah, I feel like we had a solid car all day. When the sun drops and the track temperature comes down like it did here I didn’t know what to expect, but the first round we made one lap and it wasn’t really a great lap by any means, but it was fast enough to move us to round two. At that point I knew a tiny adjustment and me hitting my marks we were going to have a good race car and we got all the way around (Turn) 3 and just got a little bit too tight each round and probably didn’t keep up with it that last round. That is why I fell back to 11th, but great experience with Greg (Ives, crew chief) and the No. 88 team getting to round three again. We did it at Bristol and now we did it again here at Richmond so short tracks are working out pretty well for us. I’m excited about the race tomorrow night I thought our car was really good.” 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Bristol

JEFF GORDON, INTERIM DRIVER, NO. 88 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS – 24TH IN STANDINGS

“I was just happy to do what is best for the team. We sat down and looked at the tracks and decided what would be best for everyone. These (Darlington, Richmond, Dover, Martinsville) are all tracks I feel very confident at.

“This (No. 88) team loves Dale Jr. and wants him back. They are in a really tough situation here, where not only are they missing Junior, but they have two different drivers filling in. But, they’ve handled it amazingly. Their demeanor and attitude about it has been phenomenal. It has really been a great experience for me. I’ve spent so much time with the No. 24 team that going into the shop with the 48/88 guys and spending time with Greg (Ives, crew chief) and their (No. 88) team has been great for my overall Hendrick knowledge and has allowed me to bond with those guys, as well as the bond I have with my (No. 24) guys, and see how the teams work separately and together.”

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