Charlotte: Dodge Motorsports preview

DODGE AT LOWE'S MOTOR SPEEDWAY

* Kasey Kahne set the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Bank of America 500 (since 1975). Kahne led four times for 207 of the 334 laps.

* Dodge has collected six Cup series wins at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 600 mile races. Buddy Baker, Richard Petty and Kasey Kahne have won two each.

DID YOU KNOW?

* In 2008, Kasey Kahne became one of only six drivers in NASCAR history to win both the Sprint All-Star and Coca-Cola 600 race in the same year (Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Davey Allison and Darrell Waltrip).

DODGE DRIVERS:

Sam Hornish Jr., No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger

"I'm so happy with the progress we are making as team. We've had some really good runs lately and it is due to everyone's hard work and dedication. I've been saying for a while that good things were coming, that all the pieces were falling into place. I'm excited to get back to Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend for the Coca-Cola 600. We all hope to have another strong run in the Mobil 1 Dodge. It's the longest race of the year at 400 laps, so patience will be key as well as just taking care of yourself physically so that we can be there in the end."

Elliott Sadler, No. 19 Best Buy Dodge Charger

"The reason we get to do what we do each and every weekend is what the men and women are doing both at home and abroad as far as protecting our country. My Dad was involved in the National Guard. I have a couple of cousins that have been over to Afghanistan and Iraq. My uncles all served in the Armed Forces. I was able to represent the U.S. Air Force years ago with the Wood Brothers when I raced the No. 21 car. We now have the U.S. Air Force on the No. 43 Dodge at Richard Petty Motorsports, so we understand what these people go through day in and day out to protect our country. I'm so glad that we get to give it back to them here on Memorial Day and race the Coca-Cola 600. I'm glad that each and every week we have the flyover and play the National Anthem for the fans. Lowe's Motor Speedway does such a great job of honoring the military and the people that protect us week in and week out."

Kurt Busch, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger

"It's a great feeling to have a good confidence level in our cars like we do now. We know that we have to continue to work to make our cars even stronger, though. The competition gets tougher every week out there and we have to keep our progress going in our effort to make the Chase this season."

AJ Allmendinger, No. 77 Hunt Brothers Pizza Dodge Charger

"I always keep an eye on Indy. I have a lot of friends who are racing there including my old teammate Justin Wilson. But, I love what I am doing now and have no plans to change. If there's ever a circumstance where I could do Indy and keep my Cup career then ...maybe. But I love where I am at right now. I have learned you never say never to anything in racing but NASCAR is my home. There's nothing more competitive in the world and that includes Formula One, IndyCar, you name it. You win here and you beat the best and that's my goal."

Reed Sorenson, No. 43 Air Force One Dodge Charger

"I think the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Allstate 400 at Indy plus the Chase races are the biggest races in our season. The 600 is one of those races that can make your season. We ran really well at Daytona and if we can do the same this weekend then we'll have had our best runs in the most important races and that's a good thing. We didn't get to show much of what we had in the Showdown Saturday night. We started so far back (27th) in just a 40 lap race that its just difficult to get up to where we wanted to be. You saw how im0x00adportant clean air is during the All-Star race. Sunday's race is 600 miles so you have plenty of time to get to the front.

David Stremme, N0. 12 Penske Racing Dodge Charger

Roy McCauley, Crew-Chief, No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge Charger

"Our goal this weekend is to stay out of trouble all day and bring our Dodge home in the top-15. David [Stremme] did a great job last weekend at the All-Star event and we learned quite a few things which will help us on Sunday. The middle groove seemed to be fast and our setup seemed to work really well there. It is such a long race and we just need to keep our nose clean and get to the finish."

Richard Petty, Co-owner, Richard Petty Motorsports

"We're going up to Indy to watch John (Andretti) race and take in all that up there. He did an amazing job on Sunday. They cut it awfully close but had to overcome a lot. If he runs well nobody will remember where he started. They never gave up. That was pretty dramatic. We'll stay up in Indy until the end of John's race then fly back for the 600. It's going to be a pretty fun day for us. I think we have planned about as full of a racing day as you can get. I don't know much about what goes on with those cars in Indy but I am a fan and enjoy it."

Travis Geisler, Crew-Chief, No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger

"After winning the Showdown last week, everyone on the Mobil 1 Dodge is excited to get back to Lowe's Motor Speedway. The most challenging part of the longest race of the season is the start time at 5:45 PM. It is important to build adjustability into the car with things like spring rubbers which can be added to handle the changing track conditions. Racing in Charlotte always brings out the best in our team and the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 makes the race that much more special."

-credit: dodge motorsports