Special thanks to the following websites:
Auto Racing Chat Transcripts
|
Mike
Jordan: What is the biggest difference between Busch and
Winston Cup? Robert Pressley: I really enjoy the Busch Series. It's highly competitive. Qualifying is tough with the larger field. But Winston Cup is the ultimate. That's the 43 best stock car racers competing every Sunday. The qualifying is not any harder, but the racing is. Mike Jordan: What do you think about the recent sanctions concerning illegal fuel in NASCAR? Terry Labonte: I really haven't thought much about it. Running additives to me is different than trying to fudge on the other rules like trying to get your car to miss the templates to try and get a little advantage where you can. A fuel additive is deliberate. I don't know if the sanctions and fines were heavy enough. Mike Jordan: What has been the highlight of your racing career, so far? Jeff Green: I think the 2000 season. In 1997 I won my first Busch race in Vegas and I will never forget that. This season has been a dream for me. Mike Jordan: Chad, who were your racing influences when you were growing up? Chad Little: My father Chuck Little. He raced in NASCAR in the Northwest. Jenie Dolavey and the late Bobby Allison....all the drivers at different times. Mike Jordan: Do you ever find it difficult to maintain the speedlimit on the highway? Chad Little: No not really! It's probably easier for me than other people because I never have the temptation to go fast. I get all my aggression out on the race track. Mike Jordan: What is the biggest difference between Busch and Winston cup? Chad Little: If your talking about the car, it's motor horsepower and wheelbase. Then there is a lot of subtle rules. There are also a lot of differences in competition and money. Mike Jordan: Scott, I heard a lot of the drivers state that their car was "tight" at Indy. Why do you think that was? Scott Pruett: Very good question. If you watched the race...we started in hot temps and sunshine. We ran the first 45 min to an hour, the clouds started to cover, and the car began to get more grip in the rear, and that caused that. Because of our rookie stature, we could not make a big enough adjustment. The top three guys were more aggressive in their changes they made on pit stops. Mike Jordan: Scott, did you feel any pressure when you took over driving the TIDE car, after Ricky Rudd was so successful driving it? Scott Pruett: No. I am a realist. There is no way to replace Ricky. I was an Indy driver wanting to make his way into Winston Cup, and I was fortunate enough to do it. We knew it would be a struggle. I am a rookie in every sense of the word. It is going to take time. With the understanding of Cal [Wells] and Tide, and in the situation in my career, I saw this to be the perfect opportunity because of the sponsor. Tide wanted to try something different. Mike Jordan: Do you plan on making any appearances in the Mississippi area in the near future? There is a big NASCAR fan base here. Scott Pruett: I made one about two months ago outside of Tupelo. That was for Tide. At this time, I do not know. I have one in Alabama but I am not sure I have one in Mississippi. They would be with a Tide show car. For more info, I would drop a line at the PPI web site. Mike Jordan: Bobby, do you have any strategy to insure that you win the Winston Cup Championship? Bobby Labonte: Nothing special, and try to run hard, like we have. We want to be consistent and run up front as often as we can. Mike Jordan: Who do you think is the greatest driver of all time? Stacy Compton: You have to look at what Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Cale Yarborough. That is a tough call. I wouldn't say because there are so many from the past and current that could fit into that category. Mike Jordan: Elliott, what have you done personally to make yourself a more successful driver? Elliott Sadler: I try and stay in shape - lift weights and run. Mentally I try and pay attention to the veterans around me and use that advice to improve my racing. Mike Jordan: Which driver do you least like to see in your rearview mirror? Jimmie Johnson: Usuaully Mark Martin, because that means he is coming to lap you! (laughing) Mike Jordan: Do you find it difficult to maintain the speed limit on the highway after driving so fast on the track? Jimmie Johnson: Sometimes. But I am usually more scared of the drivers on the road then the race track. I just want to thank everyone for their support and I hope to have a good run in Busch next year and then move up to Cup cars. Thanks! Mike Jordan: Which driver do you least like to see in your rearview mirror? Dave Blaney: (Laughing) It doesn't really matter! There is nobody on the Winston Cup side that you would worry about doing something out of line. Mike Jordan: What is the strangest thing that you have seen occur on a race track? Dave Blaney: I saw a guy in Butler, Michigan who flipped his car at a Sprint race and got out and dusted himself off and walked to the pits. Great to be here and take care. Mike Jordan: What effect do you think the addition of Dodge will have on NASCAR as a whole? Blaise Alexander: They were in it before and they did real good. Ray Everham had an operation and he is one of the top guys in the business. They have a lot of catching up to do because they have been out of it for a while, but I don't think it will take them as long as some people think it will. Mike Jordan: Tim, what are the biggest differences between Chevy, Ford and Pontiac? Tim Fedewa: I think really it is mostly all aero packages. I think Chevy has a good package, but it is just about finding the right set-up. It all comes down to finding that comfort zone. I have been driving the chevy all year and I really like it. I think each car has it's sweet spot and it is the crew and driver job to find it. All three have done well this season! It is like anything else, you just have to find that edge. Mike Jordan: Steve, after driving 190-plus mph on the racetrack, do you find it difficult to maintain the speed limit on the highway? And how much of Dale's style of driving is in your style of driving? Good luck and thanks! Steve Park: Well, the first part -- I get all my speeding out of my system on the weekends. I feel that is a lot more dangerous to be out on the freeway than on the track. We have the helmets and everything on the tracks, so I am a lot more careful out on the freeways. As for Dale's driving, I think I have my own style. I have cautious/aggressive approach. One thing Dale taught me was that you have to get to the end of these races. So, I try to start out a little more cautious at the beginning and then I get more aggressive near the end, when you are going for the win. Mike Jordan: Jerry, what driver do you least like to see in your rear-view mirror? Jerry Nadeau: Until this year, Dale Earnhardt. Knowing he was behind you with five laps to go was terrifying. That happened at Atlanta last year and I'll never forget that experience. Mike Jordan: Did you agree with NASCAR's decision to let those, who wrecked on the first lap of the Winston, use their backup cars? Jerry Nadeau: I agree 100%. There were no points that day it was for the fans. It wasn't our fault with the rain and I was pleased with NASCAR's decision. Mike Jordan: Jerry, is the high point of your career so far, winning in Atlanta last year? Jerry Nadeau: Getting the job at Hendrick is still the high point. People don't realize how hard it is to win a race and I'm glad to put my name in the books. Mike Jordan: Jeff, a couple of years ago, Petty's win record seemed untouchable, however, it appears as though you have a shot. Is that a goal for you? Jeff Gordon: It really isn't because I don't think it is touchable. 200 victories is just out of control! If you look at what we would have to do, it is like win 10-12 races for the next 15 years. I love stats when it is all said and done, but when I am out there, I am just racing for the win or championship. I don't think about the stats or records until the year is over, the race is over, or my career is over.
Mike Jordan: Jeff, hi. After a race, do
you find it difficult to get your equilibrium back to normal
after you exit the car?
Mike Jordan: Jeff, do you think the new
NASCAR schedule has too many races and the season is too long?
Thanks!
Mike Jordan: Do you feel a great deal of responsibility,
with regards to other women drivers, since you are the only
female competing in the NASCAR circuit?
Mike Jordan: Hey Matt. What is your
opinion of Ricky Rudd's statements regarding the marketing of
NASCAR to a younger crowd and giving most of the publicity to
the young gun drivers like yourself? Thanks!!!
Mike Jordan: Do you forsee NASCAR going to
foreign makes of cars like Nissan and Toyota in the future?
Mike
Jordan: Elliot, what's you favorite part of going to Daytona
and racing in the biggest race of them all? Thanks, MJ
(2/6/03) Mike Jordan: Mr. Petty, it seems as though NASCAR wants to achieve parity throughout the season by making the cars almost identical in shape and style. Do you like that direction or does it take away something from the individual teams and drivers? Thanks, Mike J. (3/3/03) Richard Petty: For the sake of competition, it's the way to go. |