We need to beat that finishing result, ... Last year, I just wanted to finish the race with all of the fenders on the car. We did that. I want to do the same this weekend, but have a finishing position of at least 10 spots better.

Until this year, I only competed in three oval point races in the Cup series, ... Racing is all about experience and I am getting there. I have now raced in nine oval races in total -- that's not a lot, but I feel we have the resources to set a realistic goal of finishing in the top 20 this weekend.

Outside of Lowe's Motor Speedway (in Charlotte), we've qualified at all of the events, ... I am feeling more at ease on the ovals. Frankie (crew chief Frank Stoddard) has been a big help along with my teammates Joe Nemechek and Scott Riggs.

I am very thankful about this opportunity, but I have really missed being part of the action since Watkins Glen, ... I want to be in there, mixing it up with the best drivers in the world. That's why I am so excited about getting back with the guys and having some fun this weekend at California Speedway.

I wanted to send the car back to North Carolina intact and we did that, ... I finished 30th, which is where I finished here last year. I ran a lot of laps and really feel like I learned a lot this weekend.

I'm going to give myself a B-minus. In practice and qualifying I thought I made a lot of progress. But then in the race we got unlucky because we blew a left-front tire right off the bat. Later in the race I spun when I was trying to get by someone-- that was just a rookie mistake, but I managed to save the car and not hit the wall.