On winning the ARCA RE/MAX Series pole - "A couple of weeks ago when we came and tested, we worked on qualifying runs. We concentrated today more on race runs. We weren't sure what we had going into it today. We felt like we had a really good car. We just got out there and laid down a good lap. I would like to take a lot of the credit for it but here at Talladega, it's a lot more about the time and effort the crew has put in. They did a good job bringing me a good car. I feel like we have a good car for the race tomorrow.

"We focused mainly on drafting today. We made four or five runs and tried to get in five and six-car packs and try to get the feel of it. We were able to learn a lot today and get around some good cars. We found some guys that we work really well with. So we're going to utilize some of that stuff in tomorrow's race."

On giving advice to Dario Franchitti - "Not at all. Dario is a really cool guy. I got to work with him a little bit today. To think having five ARCA RE/MAX Series starts under my belt I would be coming in as the veteran to teach somebody, especially somebody of his caliber. It was pretty comical almost. I think they have a really good car as well. We're planning on doing some drafting practice tomorrow. Hopefully we can hook up and race together all day."

Making drafting friends and strategy - "We’re having a bar-b-que out at the coach and everybody is invited. We really haven’t sat down and talked about it. Obviously, we’re going to try to stay out front and stay out of some of the stuff that’s going to happen. We’re using this as a learning tool to prepare us for Daytona and the (Nationwide Series) car next year. Obviously, if we got out and lead 94 laps, it really won’t do us much good. You’re going to see us moving around a little bit and try to fall back a little bit and work some of the draft and try to learn.

Frank Kimmel, driver of the No. 46 Pork-Fort Dodge Animal Health-Greenheck Ford
"We thought if we could get in the 52.20s, we'd be really happy. We ended up going 52.29, so that's good. I really expected about a 52.40. So I'm very happy with what we ran. The car has been very good. It drafts great, it was fast this morning. So we'll cover up and bring it to the race.

"Qualifying here is all about how your car runs by itself. Then once you get out there with a bunch of cars, that's a whole different deal. But they've done such a great job here at the race track, and the cars drive so well. So if you have a pretty fast race car during qualifying, you'll probably have a fast car during the race.

"They have a draft practice tomorrow, but I doubt we'll even go. I think we're ready to race. We'll just take what we have and go racing.

(on the open-wheel drivers who are in the race) "We have a great field of cars, probably the best by far that ARCA has ever had here. So it ought to be a great show. I just hope these new guys understand that we're in a points battle. And though it may not be the picture that they're looking at, it is our picture. Hopefully they'll treat all the guys out there with some respect. I'd love to see it stay green the whole day. It would be a great day for everybody."

Dario Franchitti, driver of the No. 42 Target-Fuji Film-Tums Dodge
"Today was a big learning day, just getting in the car for the first time. Seeing how the car handles, getting used to the seat position, the steering is different, what the switches do. All those things. Even finding my way from pit lane back to the truck.

"Tomorrow is going to be another big learning day. Getting in the draft for the first time (during the morning practice), and then racing in the afternoon. It's like being back at school.

"It's so different to sit in this car. It's going to be difficult. I have nothing to go on. I just have no idea what to even ask. I think all those years of learning to drive different cars is going to help, but it's a very, very different car than what I've ever driven before.

"Juan (Pablo Montoya) has been great. He called early this morning. He was there before practice, along with (car owner) Chip (Ganassi). He's been really helpful.

"This place is so smooth, I'm really not feeling the bumps. There aren't any bumps to feel. You feel it rolling, and then when you turn the wheel, it reacts a little bit slower. It's just a whole new sensation. Everything is new right now. Some weeks we'll learn quickly and other weeks we're going to struggle. It's all part of the learning process." "The last couple of years, I've thought about it (making the move to NASCAR). I didn't know if it would happen, but I felt at some point I'd like to try it. I watched it a lot and definitely got interested. It became more and more realisitc to do it. (what was the appeal) "Just watching the racing and talking to people who drive the car and the challenges of driving the car. Just making the car work. The racing looked fun. It looked bloody difficult, but it looked fun. "My initial impression of Talladega was from two years ago when we were flying to Nashville and we went off course because of the weather. We flew over the track, and it was just huge. Everthing about Talladega is big. The banking is big, the track is big. We flew in last night, and it was just getting dark and all the lights were on, and again it was, 'Oh my God, look at the size of that track.' It's an intimidating place."

Kerry Earnhardt, driver of the No. 37 Glock Chevrolet
"I thought we would be a little faster. The car has been struggling a little bit. They kept getting it faster. That was the fastest we have run all day. I wish we could have found a couple more tenths.

"That thing will be good at drafting. They told me the car doesn't qualify good. I was hoping they were lying but I think they were right. It drafts awesome and I'm just looking forward to getting into the race.

"It's really fun when you have a good car. We've been here with Richard Childress and drove the Cup 33 car and it ran real good and just got caught in incidents. We just never have any luck on our side, but it's always really fun at Talladega."

Scott Speed, driver of the No. 21 Red Bull Toyota Camry
"I learned a lot over the last (few) days on how to get most out of the car. To be fair, the guys did an awesome job. There's not really much you can do as a driver to get it around for one lap. Hats off to the team. They've done a fantastic job and gave me a really good race car.

"It's huge. It's enormous. For me, it's kind of cool. I've never gotten to drive a car flat out and really reach max velocity. It's a cool feeling."