KURT BUSCH (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger)

ON THE RACE: “It was a good battle for us with the points situation. We were able to work our way up front (started 36th) – we just stalled around the 12th position. The competition was real tough – our No. 12 Miller Lite Dodge was fighting loose on exit. We were trying to make adjustments, but could never make it (the car) better – and then we were chasing track conditions – cool at night and rain. At the start of the race today – it started off really fast in the beginning – then it starts to warm up. So you’re trying to make adjustments and learn with the car, but then the car plays trick with you at the same time.”

HOW FAR INTO THE RUN DID IT TAKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TRACK LIKED? “It changed about 50 laps into the race today – about half-way through the 500 mile race. When the track settled in, we raced with a loose condition on exit and that’s what we were fighting.”

AS A DRIVER, HOW DIFFICULT WAS THE RAIN DELAY? “It was almost like a Daytona 24 Hour feel where you drive two hours – you’re out of the car for a little bit – then you dry two hours more. So that’s what the mentality was that I had.

“I just didn’t think that we could get the race in last night with the track weeping like it was. I hated it for the race fans that stuck around but it was great to see some of them come back today.”

HOW FINE OF A LINE IS THERE WITH THE IN-RACE ADJUSTMENTS MADE ON THESE NEW CARS? “That was our struggle today. We made small changes and the car would react the opposite way of what we were hoping. It would get looser or tighter – we weren’t making the proper adjustments – so I don’t know if we need to reverse our philosophy or what.”