Quaker State 400: Breaking Down the Twitter Buzz Surrounding Saturday's Race

Coming off one of the most drama-filled finishes in recent memory, NASCAR rolls into Kentucky for the Quaker State 400. Here’s a look at some of the storylines being talked about on Twitter leading into Saturday night’s race.

The field goes from restrictor-plate racing at Daytona to the new aerodynamics package this weekend. Drivers have been eager to test out the new package, but weather has put a huge wrench into those plans this week.

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"We talkin' bout testing..." Or, the lack thereof. .@KurtBusch & @DanicaPatrick stand atop the 41 hauler waiting... pic.twitter.com/GIgnHpMJTp

— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) July 8, 2015"

Following his death-defying wreck at Daytona, Austin Dillon managed to emerge the remnants of his car with only bruises. He’s been undergoing some very futuristic-looking Cryosport ice treatments in preparation for Saturday’s race.

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Ice, ice, baby. @austindillon3 preps for Kentucky: http://t.co/znjdDkIb7e pic.twitter.com/QnfHmhtTqB

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 8, 2015"

Fresh off Dillon’s catch-fence crash, the NASCAR Truck Series had a catch-fence crash of its own, when the front end of Ben Kennedy’s truck got airborne and landed on top of the wall, skidding down the fence like a baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle wheel.

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Scary crash for @BenKennedy11 at @KySpeedway! Driver climbs out A-OKAY! #NASCARonFS1 (5 laps to go) http://t.co/nJmJCjw8qk

— FOX SPORTS: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 10, 2015"

Following Dillon’s wreck, which NASCAR has vowed to investigate fully, Fox Sports NASCAR showed three of the worst catch-fence crashes at Daytona in this video. It’s amazing to think that the truck driver in the second video walked away.

Coming into action at Kentucky, 11 drivers have victories. Almost all are guaranteed a spot in the Chase, except for Kyle Busch, who also needs to make into the top 30 in the standings to be eligible.

Busch won the first ever Sprint Series race at Kentucky in 2011, but no driver has ever beaten the rain.

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Kicked back, waiting out the rain. pic.twitter.com/OPt5xajn82

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) July 10, 2015"

Busch also took some time to make a cringe-inducing parody of Days of Thunder with his “On the Crispy Edge” version.

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.@KyleBusch recreated Days of Thunder and it is magical: http://t.co/xjPk7mg8hC pic.twitter.com/MvYKtnxbtn

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 10, 2015"

Former driver and current Sirius NASCAR Radio host Buddy Baker announced earlier in the week that he’s stepping away to fight lung cancer. NASCAR teams and drivers responded via Twitter.

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Buddy Baker drove the Grey Ghost, my favorite ALL TIME paint scheme. I was so proud to have tied his record for 3 in a row @TalladegaSuperS.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 8, 2015"

"

I can't believe the news on #BuddyBaker. Everyone please add Buddy and his family to your prayers.

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) July 8, 2015"

"

Really hate hearing the news on Buddy Baker. A former team driver and great family friend. He's a tuff dude though and will fight hard.

— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) July 8, 2015"

Kyle Larson finished atop the standings of the final practice board, but almost spun as seen in the video below. Due to qualifying being rained out, Larson will start on the pole for Saturday’s race.

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no no no NO NO NO...Phew. #NASCARonNBCSN pic.twitter.com/rIgnmwIsJk

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 10, 2015"

As for the race itself, several favorites have emerged from the field ahead of the Quaker State 400. Sophomore Larson’s pole position for Saturday’s race could put him into contention to win his first career race. He’s also performed consistently well this week at Kentucky.

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About 10 minutes into practice, and a familiar name tops the board: Kyle Larson. He was also fastest in first practice, and will start P1.

— NASCAR Stats (@NASCARStats) July 10, 2015"

The winner of last year’s Kentucky race, Brad Keselowski, also won Friday night’s XFINITY Series Kentucky 300.

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🇺🇸 💨 pic.twitter.com/mnb536usQ6

— NASCAR XFINITY (@NASCAR_XFINITY) July 11, 2015"

The Blue Deuce should be the favorite for the Sprint Series race as well. Look for Keselowski to complete the weekend sweep and cross the Kentucky finish line first.