SNAPSHOT: Texas

From NASCAR.com.

Race Day Info:

What: AAA Texas 500

Where: Texas Motor Speedway, 1.5-mile tri-oval in Fort Worth, Texas

Green Flag: 2:16 p.m. ET (NBC, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Forecast: Sunny, with a high near 63. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. (NOAA.gov)

National Anthem: Bárbara Padilla (America's Got Talent runner-up, Season 4)

Grand Marshal: John Krasinski, actor

Honorary Starter: John Daly, Technology Infrastructure, AAA Texas

Distance: 334 laps, 501 miles.

Pit Road Speed: 45 mph

Caution Car Speed: 55 mph

Competition Caution: Lap 25

 

On The Front Row:

1.) Brad Keselowski, Team Penske No. 2 Ford (196.929 mph)

2.) Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 Chevrolet (195.993 mph)

 

Failed To Qualify:

1.) Joey Gase, Go Green Racing No. 32 Ford

2.) Reed Sorenson, Premium Motorsports No. 62 Chevrolet

 

Fastest In Practice:

First Practice: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske No. 2 Ford (197.059 mph) | Results

Second Practice: Canceled (Wet Track)

Final Practice: Canceled (Wet Track)

 

Key Story Lines:

1.) Underdog? Truex Jr. OK with status.

2.) Logano moves past Martinsville, focused on Texas.

3.) Drivers digest Kenseth penalty impact.

4.) Jones an able option for JGR entry.

 

Former Winners In The Field:

Jimmie Johnson (5 wins); Carl Edwards (3 wins); Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart (2 wins); Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne (1 win).

 

He Said It:

"I think if you are not in the top five right now you are in a must-win situation. ... In reality, we know we will probably need to win two of the next three to win the championship. We have that opportunity and there is no reason to focus on what we don't have, which is the ability to finish consistent and make it to the next round." -- Brad Keselowski, Coors Light Pole Winner