It would have been nice to finish second to Tony Stewart . He's the best right now. What he's doing is unbelievable. |
It's a long race. You don't race in the 24 hours of Daytona; you save everything. I'm just glad we're all tall! That will make it a lot more comfortable. |
Joe told me something after the first practice Friday and it was just a tiny little thing, but it made a big difference, ... I even got to pass him once today, but it didn't take him long to retake his position. It's great to have a teammate like Joe, he's a pro and I appreciate the help he has given me. I just want to learn and get better in each race. I think I did that today. I am starting to figure out this oval racing. |
Joe told me something after the first practice Friday and it was just a tiny little thing, but it made a big difference. I even got to pass him once today, but it didn't take him long to retake his position. It's great to have a teammate like Joe, he's a pro and I appreciate the help he has given me. I just want to learn and get better in each race. I think I did that today. I am starting to figure out this oval racing. |
Lap times are a little slower. But it seems a lot faster with the curbs cut down. You'll still be able to pass in the Inner Loop. |
Lowe's is my nemesis, ... I didn't qualify for the Memorial Day race there, but we have tested at the track since and hopefully it will be a different scenario this time around. After today, I just can't wait to get back on those ovals. |
Lowe's is my nemesis. I didn't qualify for the Memorial Day race there, but we have tested at the track since and hopefully it will be a different scenario this time around. After today, I just can't wait to get back on those ovals. |
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. |
Qualifying is first and foremost, ... Once we can achieve that initial goal, the next objective for California is to finish the race in the top 20. That won't be easy, but it's possible even though there are more than 20 world-class drivers competing in the Nextel Cup Series. I really feel the CENTRIX Financial team can do it. I am backed by a quality crew chief, a quality crew and have Hendrick horsepower under the hood of my CENTRIX Financial Chevy. |
Right, ... I've seen Jeremy in cars. He has all the talent in the world. I think he'd be a great car racer. A lot of motorcycle racers have successfully moved into cars and I think he'd be very competitive. |
That's pressure, but we have gone through at every race. |
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. |
We just got beat. Denny Hamlin's the real deal. |
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. |