NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
COKE ZERO 400
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
JULY 6, 2013
 
 
JIMMIE JOHNSON CAPTURES FIRST SWEEP AT DAYTONA IN 31 YEARS
Team Chevy Drivers Take Top-Three Finishing Spots and Seven of Top-10
 
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (July 6, 2013) – Jimmie Johnson is widely known for smashing records and earning milestones, and his performance at the 55th Annual Coke Zero 400 was no different.  Behind the wheel of the No. 48 Lowe’s Dover White Chevrolet SS, Johnson became the first driver to win both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in the same season, in 31 years.  The last driver to accomplish this feat was Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison, in 1982.
 
Johnson, the current series point leader, led 94 laps of the161-lap race and extended his lead to a 49-point advantage after 18 races.  This was his fourth victory of 2013 and 64th career NSCS win.
 
“Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the #48 Lowes Dover White Chevrolet SS team on winning the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway tonight,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The team’s focus on race set-up, strategy, terrific driving and execution in the pits made all the difference.
 
“It is extra special that Jimmie and the entire Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 team delivered not only the first points win for the new Chevrolet SS at the Daytona 500 in February, but also produced the victory tonight. It’s also very special because it’s the first sweep for a driver at Daytona in 31 years.”
 
Tony Stewart, No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Ducks Unlimited Chevrolet SS, who came close to scoring his fifth July win at DIS, posted a solid second place finish.  Stewart moved up six positions in the point standings to 10th with his run.   Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevrolet SS, retained his fourth place spot in the standings after finishing third overall. It was Harvick’s 11th top-10 finish in 25 races at Daytona International Speedway.
 
“It was great that Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick finished 1-2-3 in tonight’s race,” added Campbell.  “We are proud of the Team Chevy drivers and crews on their strong runs tonight at Daytona.
 
Other Team Chevy drivers in the top-10 included: Kurt Busch, No. 78 Furniture Row Racing/Sealy Chevrolet SS – sixth, Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Cessna Chevrolet SS – seventh, Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet SS – eighth, and Ryan Newman, No. 39 Outback Chevrolet SS was 10th.
 
Clint Bowyer (Toyota) was fourth, and Michael Waltrip (Toyota) was fifth to round out the top-five finishing order.
 
Next stop on the circuit will be Round 19 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 14th.  Green flag is set for 1:00 pm ET and will air live on TNT, Sirius/XM Channel 90, PRN Radio and