S
smack500
Guest
August 28, 2002
2:20 PM EDT (1820 GMT)
Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jeff Gordon!
Credit: ASP
Jeff Gordon: Hey! Glad everyone is online today. I am looking forward to the chat. It was an awesome win so that gives us a great reason to be online today!
Question from: scshagging Congratulations on your long overdue win! What made the difference Saturday night -- the car, the team, the determination, or a little bit of everything?
Jeff Gordon: Certainly a little bit of everything! I have been saying that our qualifying efforts have been down a bit and that has been a cause of some problems. We sat on the pole the last time there, but I spun out. It is about starting up front and getting good track position. It was a total team effort. I drove my heart out, Robbie made some great calls and it was a great team effort.
Question from: Gordo24Rulez Hey Jeff, are there any more Pepsi or Frito commercials coming out? I enjoyed the changing billboard commercial!
Jeff Gordon: Yes, I shot another one for Pepsi at the same time we shot that one. I just saw it about a month or so ago. It will either be out at the end of this year or early next year. I don't have any plans for additional Fritos commercials right now.
Credit: Autostock
Question from: WardFan22 Jeff, after working through a victory drought and then scoring a win, does it make you realize you need to appreciate wins more now because they are so hard to come by, especially during your career when wins come in bunches?
Jeff Gordon: I guarantee you I am not taking these for granted! There is no doubt that going through this it makes you stronger as a team. It makes you work that much harder and it makes you appreciate each win and realize how hard they are to come by even more.
Question from: CRYS74 Just wondering if you could tell us some of the responsibilities you've assumed becoming co-owner of the No. 48 car and how you balance that with your own racing career?
Jeff Gordon: Most of my input in that was done last year when we were battling for the Championship, with me sitting in with sponsors and trying to make sure all the right people were in place. We had already hired Jimmie at that point. Now my role is just to be the best teammate I can be. The team is in place, the structure is there, they have done a great job gelling and now we just need to share as much information as possible between the drivers and teams.
Question from: HeatherT What is the biggest misconception that you feel some people assume about you?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: Probably that I expect to win! I don't know. I am not sure what people have for expectations of me. Maybe they think that I live this super, super glamorous life, but I feel like I am normal and down to earth. I appreciate life and just try to be realistic about things. I just try to take things as they come one day at time.
Question from: Judge01 Jeff, can you explain the difference between your pass on Rusty Saturday night to win the Sharpie 500 and Robby Gordon's pass on you to win at New Hampshire last year?
Jeff Gordon: Well, nobody wrecked. At New Hampshire, I was passing a car and Robby didn't even have a shot at it. It was a cheap shot without a chance at winning. With Rusty and I, he made a mistake and got loose. He put a block me on and I certainly pushed him out of the way.
You know, it doesn't matter what end you are on. When you on the receiving end, you are not going to like it, and if you are on the giving end, you look for a way to justify it. I know Robby was hungry to get that win and he was going to do anything to get it, and that was kind of the position I was in this weekend.
Question from: Fire n' Flames 24 Jeff, congratulations on the great win on Saturday night. I was wondering what you think of the kickout that they gave Chevy for Michigan and if you think that the 2003 Chevy will be an improvement aero-wise?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: I definitely think the 2003 Chevy will be a big improvement towards getting us more towards the Dodges and Fords. It was nice to get the kickout and if we work with it more, we will get more out of it. As for Michigan, we didn't get to maximize the front downforce that we needed, but we will have it again this weekend and try it out. Hopefully it will make a difference for us there.
Question from: shelbi Jeff, obviously Jimmie is a great find for you. What are your plans for him (in regards to a race team) in the future? Do you plan on working with him to help him improve as a driver and teach him, or is it merely a business decision to have him in a car of yours?
Jeff Gordon: I think Jimmie is going to be a major part of Hendrick Motorsports future. I always knew he was a good driver and a good person, but he has exceeded our expectations. We are looking to lengthen his contract, as well as Lowe's. He is only going to get better, and my plans are going to continue being a partner with Rick on the race teams. I don't want to be a car owner on my own. I want to be with Rick or not at all. Everything is going great and I want to continue with that.
Question from: Ders---#24/#48 fan We all know there has been a lot of talk about the "Young Guns vs. The Good 'Ol Boys." Now you don't really fall into either category, but your boy Jimmie does, what are your thoughts on this matter?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: I think there is a lot to be said about the young guys in our sport. They are aggressive and exciting and that is good for the sport. With the cars that we have today, that attitude is paying off. I am always looking to find ways to grow and get more experience and get better, and what happens is that you tend to get stuck in your old ways. It is nice to have a younger guy like Jimmie around that approaches things with a better attitude or aggressiveness. That has helped me to be a better driver in this hunt for the Championship.
Question from: openwheeler Jeff, there are some rumors going around that you have purchased the 11H car of Dave Helm in the World of Outlaws. Would like to know if this is true. If so, will you keep Stevie Smith as your driver?
Jeff Gordon: That is not true. I am a huge World of Outlaws fan and Stevie Smith fan. I haven't done anything like that. I think that series has a lot of potential, but with the economy the way it is, it is hard to get sponsorships. Tony Stewart has had a lot of fun with it and I would love to look at that in the future, but I don't have any immediate plans right now.
Question from: Dan Jeff, obviously things worked well for you at Bristol - you guys did a great job! What is the strategy this weekend?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: The strategy is the same. We qualified in the front row last time and we had a really strong car, but we had some problems. Hopefully we can qualify really strong and have a good car and things will work out for us. The confidence and attitude levels are up and we have some positive things working for us. It is funny how one day you are not even a threat for the Championship or win races, and then the next you are the guy that everyone needs to look out for! Haha
Question from: FiredUpFlames24 I saw your team wearing those "Refuse To Lose" t-shirts in Victory Lane and I was wondering, is that shirt available for fans to purchase, too? I know I would wear that shirt proudly.
Jeff Gordon: That is a good question! Action Performance would be the ones to talk to about that. I don't know if we sell those or not, or if it is just for the team to wear proudly in Victory Lane! I am sure there is a way to get some out there, either that the team has had or through Action Performance.
Question from: XXIV_Fan Hi Jeff and congratulations on your impressive win at Bristol. I was wondering if you have any regrets about your career or anything that you would do differently if you had the chance?
Jeff Gordon: No way! Thank you very much, first of all, but how could I have any regrets!? I have exceeded anything I thought I would accomplish. Who would have thought that I would win Championships and over 50 races? I cant imagine anything going any better than they have so far, so no, no way.
Question from: DAmerks25 Jeff, you were HILARIOUS on Regis and Kelly! Did you enjoy doing the show and do you plan on doing any more TV work?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: Yes, I love the show! It is a great show, a fun show and a live show. I liked working with Regis before. If they call me and it fits in my schedule, I would love to do it again. It is totally different from what I normally do and I don't get to do it very often. They make it easy on me to come in and do that and they are very prepared for me.
Question from: JEFFFAN Jeff, obviously you have attracted a lot of female fans to racing. How do you feel about women taking a more prevalent role in the future of NASCAR and their increased involvement in the sport?
Jeff Gordon: I think it has been great! That is where the sport is really growing, the female fans and the younger fans. It is changing so much in who is watching us out there racing. I hope to see more and more of it. I think you will see the sport get steered towards the new fans coming in. You will see a change in the apparel styles and a change in the way it is marketed so that the sponsors can get more products out there geared towards the female fans.
Question from: walkerclark Jeff, CONGRATS!! Just wondering Have you ever had a job outside of racing??? Like a "normal" 9-5 M-F job?? If so, what was it?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: Racing has been in my life since I was 5-years-old, but there were summers that I worked for my family business. I never worked at McDonalds or anything like that, but I did sweep floors in the machine shop my family owned. That was just to make money to play around with my friends.
Question from: deb4jeff Before the start of the race a crewman was holding something up to the grill. Was there something wrong with the car and was there a chance it might not have made it onto the track?
Jeff Gordon: If I had to guess, it was a rag or towel over the grill to stop any airflow in there to warm the water and oil temperature. You don't want to go out there and not have things come up to the proper temperature.
Question from: walkerclark Jeff, I know that you LOVE scuba diving. I was just wondering if you had got to go lately?
Jeff Gordon: I went in July right after the Daytona race and I got a chance down in the Bahamas. I did a wreck dive down there. That was a lot of fun and I enjoy going every chance I get, but that was the last time.
Question from: Go_24_Go I was wondering what you think about the dramatic displays of frustration that are becoming more commonplace at the track?
Jeff Gordon: I think it just shows the intensity level of racing these days and how much is on the line. There is so much on the line. You are talking about jobs, sponsorships, Championships and everyone is just putting so much in to it.
Credit: Autostock
It is just so hard to win these days and if it doesn't go the way you want it to, it is easy to go from intensity to frustration. I think in a lot of ways it is good for the sport for the fans to be able to see the raw emotions. We need to make sure we control those emotions to a certain level, but we shouldn't at any time be open and not show our frustrations and the emotional levels we are going through out there.
Question from: pookie210 I was wondering how you feel about the new 13-gallon gas tank rule. Do you think more pit stops are the answer to preventing "the big one?"
Jeff Gordon: It is going to be very interesting. I am more afraid that it will turn it into a fuel mileage race instead of preventing the wrecks. It has some pluses. If you have green flag stops, it will break up the packs. I really don't want to comment too much on it until we get through one of the races. For the teams with good fuel mileage, it will be a big plus for them. If we go green, some teams might be able to go without one whole stop compared to the other teams.
Question from: CA*girl Tony Stewart has a book out, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has a book out. Is this something you'd be interested in doing, and if so, when?
Jeff Gordon: I had some offers on some book deals but they aren't the kind of book I want to put out. I am more of a private person and those guys shared a lot of stuff about their personal lives. There are just some things I want to keep to myself. I am afraid that if I did a book, people would find it boring and not want to buy it because I didn't put in all the personal and gossip stuff, so right now I don't have any plans.
Question from: snoopy24 My question to you is what do you consider the to be the most difficult aspect of being a Winston Cup driver?
Jeff Gordon: I would say it is between the pressure and the schedule. Those two things are very difficult. We are traveling all the time, and testing, and doing things for our sponsors. It takes a lot to do that, and it is hard on the crews. They have to be in the shop and travel and that is extremely hard for them.
Credit: Autostock
The pressure gets greater and greater to win and perform. That just adds to what it takes to go out there and do your job every week. When you travel, you spend too much time away from home. If I could change anything, it would be the schedule, but it is what it is and I don't think it will change any time soon.
Question from: Dialn24 I read your post race comments about Rusty putting you into the wall at Richmond a while back. Is there some bad blood still there, and are you worried about him wrecking you again?
Jeff Gordon: You know, there is. Rusty and I get along very well, but we are both intense competitors, like me and Tony Stewart. We may disagree at the track once in a while, but we put that behind us and keep racing. I don't think anything intentional will happen from this. If there is contact or something in the future, it could happen, but I don't see anything intentional coming out of this at all.
Question from: Loaks Jeff, what would be the advantages and disadvantages of the bigger greenhouse cars? How would they handle on super speedways?
Jeff Gordon: I don't think they would handle very well, but the whole concept of that is to take the downforce away from the car, get down the aero and bring back softer tires and grip we have these days. I think it needs to have a lot more work done, a lot more research done. It sounds great in theory but until I get behind the wheel and drive it, I don't know. I think it is great for safety to get the drivers out quicker and faster, especially with everything we have put in the cars now. It will take a lot of work and I don't think it will happen any time soon.
Question from: Gordon-Nadeau-Johnson Fan Congrats Jeff! It seemed as though you and Jerry Nadeau had a pretty good relationship. When Hendrick Motorsports replaced him, did it affect you? How does a driver deal with something like that?
Jeff Gordon: Yeah, you've got to sometimes just put business and friendships aside. I still am good friends with Jerry and think the world of him. It wasn't working out for him or for Hendrick Motorsports. I support Hendrick Motorsports on the decision, but I think Jerry is a great driver and he has a lot to offer to a team out there and I certainly wish him all the best.
Question from: rcizzy Is there one track out there that frustrates you more than any other?
Jeff Gordon: I think New Hampshire and Homestead. They are big sized, flat tracks, and New Hampshire last time had the pavement coming apart. When you are at this level and go to these facilities, it should be ready 100%. It was uncalled for this last time there, and they are great owners, but I hope that next time we go back things get worked out.
Question from: mike4dupont24 Jeff, have you given any thought to taking a shot at some open wheel racing (CART, Indy, F1) during your career?
Jeff Gordon: I had a chance a few weeks ago to drive Juan Montoya's car and I hate that that didn't work out. I was excited about it, but that is the only interest I have. I just want to try it out for fun, but my career will be with stock cars and Winston Cup. We were going to swap cars. He was going to drive mine and I was going to drive his at Indy. We are still not going to count it out and keep looking at the schedule to try and make that happen. I think it would be a lot of fun!
Question from: JGFANGO24 Jeff, do you think that with only 12 races left that you can pull it off and win your 5th Winston Cup title? Or are you just focused on finishing in the top 5 in points?
Jeff Gordon: Heck no! We have a shot at this thing! We are on top of the world right now! We are a major threat for the Championship. There are some tracks left that we can capitalize on. We are going to go forward with that goal and we have momentum now coming from Bristol. It just created a spark we haven't had all year and I want to keep it going.
With the year we have had and only being 111 points out, that is great. Like I said, we went from the media saying we couldn't win a race and now we are the guys to watch for the Championship, and we kind of feel the same way.
Thank you Jeff! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
Jeff Gordon: Thanks and I enjoyed this! You had great questions and hopefully we will be back again next week after winning Darlington. We want to be a 5-time Champion! That would be an awesome accomplishment for us!
Chat Transcript: Dale Jarrett
August 26, 2002
6:00 PM EDT (2200 GMT)
[NASCAR_Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Dale Jarrett!
Dale Jarrett Credit: Autostock
[Dale_Jarrett] Hello to all the NASCAR fans out there today! Thank you for stopping by and I am looking forward to your questions.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Tuffy88] Hi Dale. Congratulations on your win at Michigan. With all the places you race throughout the year, is there one track that you can't wait to get back to?
[Dale_Jarrett] It would have to be Michigan! I always tell people that when I get asked the question about my favorite track, Michigan is it. I have had success there and even if I don't win the race, it still seems to be fun racing there. It offers a little bit of everything, like you have speeds at 200 mph, you have to have a good car with downforce, and the crew has to do a good job. It is a team effort and that makes it fun for me.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [WardFan22] Dale, how would you like to fix the aero-push problem the media loves to talk about?
[Dale_Jarrett] That is the $1 million question -- how do we do that? I don't think there is a quick fix, and we have worked our cars to be so aero-dependent. It will be hard to take away enough to see what will happen. We should raise the air dam up in the front 4-5 inches, and then cut a good portion of the spoilers off, like 4-5 inches. NASCAR is working towards getting the greenhouse area larger, and I think that would be a good place to start. I just don't know if that will be the total fix.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [John] It seemed after the win in Michigan that Todd hinted at some problems. Is everything OK with him?
[Dale_Jarrett] Everything is OK with Todd. It seemed by his comments that there were problems, but he is an emotional young man. He has put a lot of time and effort into our race team and he took it upon himself to put in a lot of effort. When you put that kind in, something will suffer, and that meant that he would be away from his family a lot. He missed being with his kids a majority of the summer and in Michigan it really just hit him at one time.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [NASCAR-Light] Hey Dale, congratulations! What are your views on how Elliott will help RYR next year? Will you miss having Ricky as a teammate?
[Dale_Jarrett] Certainly it will be different. You have someone like Ricky that I enjoyed racing with and being teammates with, and he was there for the same reasons I was. We shared information and talked to each other out of our racecars and I put a lot of trust in him when he talked about changing his car for better or worse. I want to wish him the best, but things do change.
I think the world of Elliott since he got in the Busch Series. He has always come to me and asked questions. I think we will have a really good relationship. He has a lot of talent as a driver and I will look forward to racing with him. He is also a very entertaining young man to be around away from the track, too.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [cterrian] Dale, you obviously had the most horsepower on the track at Indy, and yet with all the rules in place teams that didn't work as hard as yours came out ahead. I think that if a team can put out that kind of performance, they are deserving of a win without the input of a rule from NASCAR. What are your feelings on this?
[Dale_Jarrett] It is always difficult with rules changes throughout the season, but NASCAR is just doing its best to make the playing field as level as possible and have the teams make the difference. This should come down to the drivers, teams and crews making the difference.
If it works for you, great, and if not, you have to look at it differently. They do have to step up and make changes when necessary. If it wasn't for a slight miscommunication at Indy, we could have run with Bill Elliott, but we made a mistake and had to come back. We passed a lot of cars that day and you hate to let it slip away, but it was fun to have a car like that and it was great to have that kind of effort.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jeffgordonrules24] Hey dale, I was just wondering what you thought about Gordon doing the bump and run on Rusty Saturday night.
[Dale_Jarrett] I really haven't seen it, only what I have been told and read in the paper. I think that on a short track like Bristol, when you get to the end, you see guys looking to get back in Victory Lane. Rusty was leading this time and he felt like he was done wrong, but Jeff thought it was good, hard racing. It just depends on which end you are on! You have to expect it right down on at the end with two guys who are great competitors, both looking for a victory.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [ryr88fan] Hi Dale, great race at Michigan. What exactly happened at Bristol with the tap you received?
[Dale_Jarrett] On the restart, we tried to make a quick pit stop and just do what we could do under a normal stop and get in the inside line. The No. 19 car that was 3 laps down for some reason and wouldn't let me in front of him. I had a good run but I got in the back of him and as he moved up the track, I went down and he spun and caught me. It wasn't anything intentional. I was just ready to go and had 4 fresh tires. With short track racing, things are going to happen, and I hate that it happened to us.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [The Citgo Warrior] Do you feel your team has finally made the progression you need to win the Championship or is there still a lot of obstacles to overcome?
[Dale_Jarrett] We have improved in a lot of areas, but we could improve in a lot of other areas, like Bristol on Saturday. We haven't performed well there and we really need to go test there and find that time in our schedule at the beginning of next year.
We are going to Richmond this week if the weather will hold up for us. We need to make some changes to our setup. For the most part, I am excited about this weekend at Darlington.
We have made a lot of gains, but we do have to improve our program. Bristol, Loudon, Richmond and the road courses need some improvements for a Championship run next year. We are looking to try and get it this year, but a lot would need to happen for that, but anything can happen in this business.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [gear shifter] Congratulations Dale on your victory at Michigan. After the incident with the kill switch in Kevin's car this weekend at Bristol during the BGN race, do you think an impact type device be initiated, so as not to prematurely activate the switch?
[Dale_Jarrett] I have always been concerned about that switch and some people have had problems with. I understand what NASCAR is trying to do with its position, but it does seem like a bad spot, especially at Bristol where you have to move around a lot.
I don't know what the best situation would be, but I still question in the case that if the throttle does hang, if you can get to the switch quick enough. It may be that we should look at another direction to help our cause, if indeed that should happen.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [AhapFan] I was wondering when you were at Chicagoland this summer did you get a chance to help your father with the International Truck Racing program they had on Saturday morning? Is your team involved with the program?
[Dale_Jarrett] As far our team being involved, our truck driver does compete. My part as far as the Truck Challenge themselves is I get there before the end of it and present the trophy and check at the end. Our team will be switching over to International Trucks next year, as well as a lot of the other Ford teams. I look forward to continuing to work with them, as well as my brother Glen and my father being involved.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jimm13] Dale, how is your Dad? I read different things about his health. I hope all is well with him.
[Dale_Jarrett] Thanks for asking. I just spoke with him last night and he is doing much better. He has had some complications, but he is enjoying the extra time off playing golf and spending time at home with my mother.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Shemeralt] How much access do you feel the media and fans should be allowed in the garage area and pits?
[Dale_Jarrett] That is always a difficult question because that is what our sport is built on. I think the media should have access to the majority of the drivers during any time they want. During practice times, I don't do any interviews around practice or qualifying. I am doing my job and there are other times to do that.
You are probably talking about right after the race, like sticking a mic in there. I think it makes our sport unique and entertaining. Sometimes you get the downside of a driver at that time, but you have to see those as well as the good times. I hope everyone will, within reason, watch what they say or do.
As far as fan access, I don't have a problem with them in the garage area as long as they respect what we are doing. We are at work, but they are looking for autographs and if you can get one, great, but if you go away disappointed, that is really our office and that is where we are working. We try and accommodate as many as we can, but you shouldn't be totally disappointed if you didn't get it.
Our focus has to be on the racecar because that is why you are really there, to see your favorite driver perform. We are there to make our race team and our car do the best we can.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Alliegirl] I saw in an interview you did where you said you would like to get into the "broadcasting arena" sometime in the future. Can we expect to see you doing any commentating for any Busch races anytime this year or next year?
[Dale_Jarrett] Probably not. I find it hard to take away from my time around the track. Todd and I have a relationship where we debrief a lot of times right after the qualifying or practice. I will wait until after my career is most likely over, but circumstances could change. For the most part at the track it is mostly about our cars and getting prepared for the race.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jarrettrules88] I was wondering what you thought about the side mirrors. Do you think they are a help or a hindrance and a safety issue?
[Dale_Jarrett] I have run a side mirror for probably the last 3-4 years. I think I was one of the first to try it and keep it. I don't use it as much as a blocking tool but more as an information deal. I think it is better to have it than not to have it. I think if other drivers took the time to use it, and use it properly, it would probably be beneficial.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [ryr88] With the new tires are you focusing more on tire pressures to adjust the car than the traditional methods?
[Dale_Jarrett] I think the tire pressures make a lot more difference now than they did in the past. I think we have learned more about them in what they do. We still make other adjustments, but it doesn't seem like the other adjustments make as much of a change as the tire pressures in terms of what we need to make the car do.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Carolinagirl488] Dale, when you return to Darlington this weekend for the Southern 500 will the No. 88 car be a new machine or one that has been in a previous race?
[Dale_Jarrett] The car we will race at Darlington is the same car that we have won both races with this year. We have run it at a couple of other places and we decided it would be a good place to take this car. I haven't won the Southern 500 and I would love to put it on my resume. This car seems to be good at downforce in the right places and that is very critical to have at Darlington. We look forward to a good weekend there with a chance at winning.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [DJ4DJ88] Last year you had Zack join you in victory lane at Martinsville. How do you feel about your children being in the media spotlight and do you have any plans for Natalee and Karsyn to have an active role in the "family" business or perhaps they have a desire to drive cup someday?
Credit: ASP
[Dale_Jarrett] They haven't expressed any interest in driving yet! They like basketball, soccer and their schoolwork. I don't think they will be driving a racecar. Zack, I don't know about yet.
As far as them in the spotlight, it is nice that they can be there but we don't want them IN the spotlight. We want them to enjoy it a bit when I do have success. We can pay them back for me being gone as much as I am. They do like the spoils of victory but it will be interesting to see what direction they want to go as they grow up. If it is NASCAR Winston Cup racing, that would be fine. We don't want the girls to drive, not that we would be against that, but if they want to get involved in other areas, we would be appreciative of that.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [DJFanForLife] When was the last time you played golf and what score did you shoot?
[Dale_Jarrett] I played golf last Thursday on the way to Bristol at a nice course in the mountains there. I think I got really lucky and shot 72 that day!
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [SamiA] Hey DJ! Great win at Michigan. Out of all the UPS commercials, which one is your favorite?
[Dale_Jarrett] It is hard to pick a favorite for me. I enjoyed each of them for different reasons. I like the first ones, like the UPS executive commercial. He was just an actor from New Jersey that didn't know anything about our sport. It was fun to watch him use our terms in a funny way. The one with my dad is also very special to me.
The one with the kid in the mall seems to be a fan favorite. He was a fun kid to work with. The ones this year, unfortunately, I didn't get to work with the bands as they put them together. They were fun to do, but I had to envision what they would look like put together. It has made a good finished product. I think everyone at UPS is having fun with what is taking place and it is a good marketing tool.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [99beejy88] I was just wondering how you feel about including road courses in the Winston Cup Schedule? Is two enough or too many? Also when a team brings in a specialist for these races, is the driver he is replacing involved in the decision?
Credit: Autostock
[Dale_Jarrett] As far as having more or none, we should either add 2 more (because we have 4 cars for 2 races and it would help the drivers a bit more to run a few more), or maybe we look at none if we aren't going to do more than that. It is hard to get yourself in position to learn a lot just twice a year.
If this is what we have to do, we just do it. I don't know how they make that choice. I spoke up and said it wasn't my business but the way Jimmy Spencer was handled at Watkins Glen wasn't the way to do someone when it relates to the team and replace him for one race. It is not my business, but they should treat the regular guys a bit better. Everyone cant be good everywhere. If you don't get the chance to go there and perform in the first car, you cant improve yourselves for later times as you get to that point.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [BRIT88fan] My question is, as a big fan of yours from the United Kingdom, what are your views on NON US drivers racing or Toyota in NASCAR's top two series?
[Dale_Jarrett] As far as the drivers and where they are from, that doesn't bother me at all as long as they are professional and understand how much we love our sport and respect its history. I don't care where they are from. As far as Toyota being involved, I think that is interesting to listen to and hear that they are interested in our sport. I think NASCAR is exploring that opportunity and I really don't see why we can't make that happen.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Shorty3212] Hi DJ, I just wanted to know what the drivers think of the TV race coverage, specifically NBC/TNT?
[Dale_Jarrett] I don't personally go back and go watch the races. I may catch portions of it so it would be unfair for me to critique what they do. TNT, FOX and NBC are all very professional and very good at what they do. I know that different styles don't suite everybody and it doesn't make everyone happy.
I think they are informative and I think they do a good job telling people what is going on. Darrell, Benny and Wally do a great job at that. I am sure there is a lot I am not seeing and there are ways that it could be improved, but again, they are very professional and they will just continue to get better, as our racing continues to get better.
[NASCAR_Host3] Thank you Dale! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
[Dale_Jarrett] Thanks to everyone for joining us. Thanks for the support, both during the victories and the weeks we are not so good, too. It is nice to hear from the fans and that is what makes Winston Cup racing what it is. I know the tracks and NASCAR do what they can do to make the sport what it is, but the fans make it what it is and I am appreciative for your support.
2:20 PM EDT (1820 GMT)
Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jeff Gordon!
Credit: ASP
Jeff Gordon: Hey! Glad everyone is online today. I am looking forward to the chat. It was an awesome win so that gives us a great reason to be online today!
Question from: scshagging Congratulations on your long overdue win! What made the difference Saturday night -- the car, the team, the determination, or a little bit of everything?
Jeff Gordon: Certainly a little bit of everything! I have been saying that our qualifying efforts have been down a bit and that has been a cause of some problems. We sat on the pole the last time there, but I spun out. It is about starting up front and getting good track position. It was a total team effort. I drove my heart out, Robbie made some great calls and it was a great team effort.
Question from: Gordo24Rulez Hey Jeff, are there any more Pepsi or Frito commercials coming out? I enjoyed the changing billboard commercial!
Jeff Gordon: Yes, I shot another one for Pepsi at the same time we shot that one. I just saw it about a month or so ago. It will either be out at the end of this year or early next year. I don't have any plans for additional Fritos commercials right now.
Credit: Autostock
Question from: WardFan22 Jeff, after working through a victory drought and then scoring a win, does it make you realize you need to appreciate wins more now because they are so hard to come by, especially during your career when wins come in bunches?
Jeff Gordon: I guarantee you I am not taking these for granted! There is no doubt that going through this it makes you stronger as a team. It makes you work that much harder and it makes you appreciate each win and realize how hard they are to come by even more.
Question from: CRYS74 Just wondering if you could tell us some of the responsibilities you've assumed becoming co-owner of the No. 48 car and how you balance that with your own racing career?
Jeff Gordon: Most of my input in that was done last year when we were battling for the Championship, with me sitting in with sponsors and trying to make sure all the right people were in place. We had already hired Jimmie at that point. Now my role is just to be the best teammate I can be. The team is in place, the structure is there, they have done a great job gelling and now we just need to share as much information as possible between the drivers and teams.
Question from: HeatherT What is the biggest misconception that you feel some people assume about you?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: Probably that I expect to win! I don't know. I am not sure what people have for expectations of me. Maybe they think that I live this super, super glamorous life, but I feel like I am normal and down to earth. I appreciate life and just try to be realistic about things. I just try to take things as they come one day at time.
Question from: Judge01 Jeff, can you explain the difference between your pass on Rusty Saturday night to win the Sharpie 500 and Robby Gordon's pass on you to win at New Hampshire last year?
Jeff Gordon: Well, nobody wrecked. At New Hampshire, I was passing a car and Robby didn't even have a shot at it. It was a cheap shot without a chance at winning. With Rusty and I, he made a mistake and got loose. He put a block me on and I certainly pushed him out of the way.
You know, it doesn't matter what end you are on. When you on the receiving end, you are not going to like it, and if you are on the giving end, you look for a way to justify it. I know Robby was hungry to get that win and he was going to do anything to get it, and that was kind of the position I was in this weekend.
Question from: Fire n' Flames 24 Jeff, congratulations on the great win on Saturday night. I was wondering what you think of the kickout that they gave Chevy for Michigan and if you think that the 2003 Chevy will be an improvement aero-wise?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: I definitely think the 2003 Chevy will be a big improvement towards getting us more towards the Dodges and Fords. It was nice to get the kickout and if we work with it more, we will get more out of it. As for Michigan, we didn't get to maximize the front downforce that we needed, but we will have it again this weekend and try it out. Hopefully it will make a difference for us there.
Question from: shelbi Jeff, obviously Jimmie is a great find for you. What are your plans for him (in regards to a race team) in the future? Do you plan on working with him to help him improve as a driver and teach him, or is it merely a business decision to have him in a car of yours?
Jeff Gordon: I think Jimmie is going to be a major part of Hendrick Motorsports future. I always knew he was a good driver and a good person, but he has exceeded our expectations. We are looking to lengthen his contract, as well as Lowe's. He is only going to get better, and my plans are going to continue being a partner with Rick on the race teams. I don't want to be a car owner on my own. I want to be with Rick or not at all. Everything is going great and I want to continue with that.
Question from: Ders---#24/#48 fan We all know there has been a lot of talk about the "Young Guns vs. The Good 'Ol Boys." Now you don't really fall into either category, but your boy Jimmie does, what are your thoughts on this matter?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: I think there is a lot to be said about the young guys in our sport. They are aggressive and exciting and that is good for the sport. With the cars that we have today, that attitude is paying off. I am always looking to find ways to grow and get more experience and get better, and what happens is that you tend to get stuck in your old ways. It is nice to have a younger guy like Jimmie around that approaches things with a better attitude or aggressiveness. That has helped me to be a better driver in this hunt for the Championship.
Question from: openwheeler Jeff, there are some rumors going around that you have purchased the 11H car of Dave Helm in the World of Outlaws. Would like to know if this is true. If so, will you keep Stevie Smith as your driver?
Jeff Gordon: That is not true. I am a huge World of Outlaws fan and Stevie Smith fan. I haven't done anything like that. I think that series has a lot of potential, but with the economy the way it is, it is hard to get sponsorships. Tony Stewart has had a lot of fun with it and I would love to look at that in the future, but I don't have any immediate plans right now.
Question from: Dan Jeff, obviously things worked well for you at Bristol - you guys did a great job! What is the strategy this weekend?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: The strategy is the same. We qualified in the front row last time and we had a really strong car, but we had some problems. Hopefully we can qualify really strong and have a good car and things will work out for us. The confidence and attitude levels are up and we have some positive things working for us. It is funny how one day you are not even a threat for the Championship or win races, and then the next you are the guy that everyone needs to look out for! Haha
Question from: FiredUpFlames24 I saw your team wearing those "Refuse To Lose" t-shirts in Victory Lane and I was wondering, is that shirt available for fans to purchase, too? I know I would wear that shirt proudly.
Jeff Gordon: That is a good question! Action Performance would be the ones to talk to about that. I don't know if we sell those or not, or if it is just for the team to wear proudly in Victory Lane! I am sure there is a way to get some out there, either that the team has had or through Action Performance.
Question from: XXIV_Fan Hi Jeff and congratulations on your impressive win at Bristol. I was wondering if you have any regrets about your career or anything that you would do differently if you had the chance?
Jeff Gordon: No way! Thank you very much, first of all, but how could I have any regrets!? I have exceeded anything I thought I would accomplish. Who would have thought that I would win Championships and over 50 races? I cant imagine anything going any better than they have so far, so no, no way.
Question from: DAmerks25 Jeff, you were HILARIOUS on Regis and Kelly! Did you enjoy doing the show and do you plan on doing any more TV work?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: Yes, I love the show! It is a great show, a fun show and a live show. I liked working with Regis before. If they call me and it fits in my schedule, I would love to do it again. It is totally different from what I normally do and I don't get to do it very often. They make it easy on me to come in and do that and they are very prepared for me.
Question from: JEFFFAN Jeff, obviously you have attracted a lot of female fans to racing. How do you feel about women taking a more prevalent role in the future of NASCAR and their increased involvement in the sport?
Jeff Gordon: I think it has been great! That is where the sport is really growing, the female fans and the younger fans. It is changing so much in who is watching us out there racing. I hope to see more and more of it. I think you will see the sport get steered towards the new fans coming in. You will see a change in the apparel styles and a change in the way it is marketed so that the sponsors can get more products out there geared towards the female fans.
Question from: walkerclark Jeff, CONGRATS!! Just wondering Have you ever had a job outside of racing??? Like a "normal" 9-5 M-F job?? If so, what was it?
Credit: Autostock
Jeff Gordon: Racing has been in my life since I was 5-years-old, but there were summers that I worked for my family business. I never worked at McDonalds or anything like that, but I did sweep floors in the machine shop my family owned. That was just to make money to play around with my friends.
Question from: deb4jeff Before the start of the race a crewman was holding something up to the grill. Was there something wrong with the car and was there a chance it might not have made it onto the track?
Jeff Gordon: If I had to guess, it was a rag or towel over the grill to stop any airflow in there to warm the water and oil temperature. You don't want to go out there and not have things come up to the proper temperature.
Question from: walkerclark Jeff, I know that you LOVE scuba diving. I was just wondering if you had got to go lately?
Jeff Gordon: I went in July right after the Daytona race and I got a chance down in the Bahamas. I did a wreck dive down there. That was a lot of fun and I enjoy going every chance I get, but that was the last time.
Question from: Go_24_Go I was wondering what you think about the dramatic displays of frustration that are becoming more commonplace at the track?
Jeff Gordon: I think it just shows the intensity level of racing these days and how much is on the line. There is so much on the line. You are talking about jobs, sponsorships, Championships and everyone is just putting so much in to it.
Credit: Autostock
It is just so hard to win these days and if it doesn't go the way you want it to, it is easy to go from intensity to frustration. I think in a lot of ways it is good for the sport for the fans to be able to see the raw emotions. We need to make sure we control those emotions to a certain level, but we shouldn't at any time be open and not show our frustrations and the emotional levels we are going through out there.
Question from: pookie210 I was wondering how you feel about the new 13-gallon gas tank rule. Do you think more pit stops are the answer to preventing "the big one?"
Jeff Gordon: It is going to be very interesting. I am more afraid that it will turn it into a fuel mileage race instead of preventing the wrecks. It has some pluses. If you have green flag stops, it will break up the packs. I really don't want to comment too much on it until we get through one of the races. For the teams with good fuel mileage, it will be a big plus for them. If we go green, some teams might be able to go without one whole stop compared to the other teams.
Question from: CA*girl Tony Stewart has a book out, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has a book out. Is this something you'd be interested in doing, and if so, when?
Jeff Gordon: I had some offers on some book deals but they aren't the kind of book I want to put out. I am more of a private person and those guys shared a lot of stuff about their personal lives. There are just some things I want to keep to myself. I am afraid that if I did a book, people would find it boring and not want to buy it because I didn't put in all the personal and gossip stuff, so right now I don't have any plans.
Question from: snoopy24 My question to you is what do you consider the to be the most difficult aspect of being a Winston Cup driver?
Jeff Gordon: I would say it is between the pressure and the schedule. Those two things are very difficult. We are traveling all the time, and testing, and doing things for our sponsors. It takes a lot to do that, and it is hard on the crews. They have to be in the shop and travel and that is extremely hard for them.
Credit: Autostock
The pressure gets greater and greater to win and perform. That just adds to what it takes to go out there and do your job every week. When you travel, you spend too much time away from home. If I could change anything, it would be the schedule, but it is what it is and I don't think it will change any time soon.
Question from: Dialn24 I read your post race comments about Rusty putting you into the wall at Richmond a while back. Is there some bad blood still there, and are you worried about him wrecking you again?
Jeff Gordon: You know, there is. Rusty and I get along very well, but we are both intense competitors, like me and Tony Stewart. We may disagree at the track once in a while, but we put that behind us and keep racing. I don't think anything intentional will happen from this. If there is contact or something in the future, it could happen, but I don't see anything intentional coming out of this at all.
Question from: Loaks Jeff, what would be the advantages and disadvantages of the bigger greenhouse cars? How would they handle on super speedways?
Jeff Gordon: I don't think they would handle very well, but the whole concept of that is to take the downforce away from the car, get down the aero and bring back softer tires and grip we have these days. I think it needs to have a lot more work done, a lot more research done. It sounds great in theory but until I get behind the wheel and drive it, I don't know. I think it is great for safety to get the drivers out quicker and faster, especially with everything we have put in the cars now. It will take a lot of work and I don't think it will happen any time soon.
Question from: Gordon-Nadeau-Johnson Fan Congrats Jeff! It seemed as though you and Jerry Nadeau had a pretty good relationship. When Hendrick Motorsports replaced him, did it affect you? How does a driver deal with something like that?
Jeff Gordon: Yeah, you've got to sometimes just put business and friendships aside. I still am good friends with Jerry and think the world of him. It wasn't working out for him or for Hendrick Motorsports. I support Hendrick Motorsports on the decision, but I think Jerry is a great driver and he has a lot to offer to a team out there and I certainly wish him all the best.
Question from: rcizzy Is there one track out there that frustrates you more than any other?
Jeff Gordon: I think New Hampshire and Homestead. They are big sized, flat tracks, and New Hampshire last time had the pavement coming apart. When you are at this level and go to these facilities, it should be ready 100%. It was uncalled for this last time there, and they are great owners, but I hope that next time we go back things get worked out.
Question from: mike4dupont24 Jeff, have you given any thought to taking a shot at some open wheel racing (CART, Indy, F1) during your career?
Jeff Gordon: I had a chance a few weeks ago to drive Juan Montoya's car and I hate that that didn't work out. I was excited about it, but that is the only interest I have. I just want to try it out for fun, but my career will be with stock cars and Winston Cup. We were going to swap cars. He was going to drive mine and I was going to drive his at Indy. We are still not going to count it out and keep looking at the schedule to try and make that happen. I think it would be a lot of fun!
Question from: JGFANGO24 Jeff, do you think that with only 12 races left that you can pull it off and win your 5th Winston Cup title? Or are you just focused on finishing in the top 5 in points?
Jeff Gordon: Heck no! We have a shot at this thing! We are on top of the world right now! We are a major threat for the Championship. There are some tracks left that we can capitalize on. We are going to go forward with that goal and we have momentum now coming from Bristol. It just created a spark we haven't had all year and I want to keep it going.
With the year we have had and only being 111 points out, that is great. Like I said, we went from the media saying we couldn't win a race and now we are the guys to watch for the Championship, and we kind of feel the same way.
Thank you Jeff! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
Jeff Gordon: Thanks and I enjoyed this! You had great questions and hopefully we will be back again next week after winning Darlington. We want to be a 5-time Champion! That would be an awesome accomplishment for us!
Chat Transcript: Dale Jarrett
August 26, 2002
6:00 PM EDT (2200 GMT)
[NASCAR_Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Dale Jarrett!
Dale Jarrett Credit: Autostock
[Dale_Jarrett] Hello to all the NASCAR fans out there today! Thank you for stopping by and I am looking forward to your questions.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Tuffy88] Hi Dale. Congratulations on your win at Michigan. With all the places you race throughout the year, is there one track that you can't wait to get back to?
[Dale_Jarrett] It would have to be Michigan! I always tell people that when I get asked the question about my favorite track, Michigan is it. I have had success there and even if I don't win the race, it still seems to be fun racing there. It offers a little bit of everything, like you have speeds at 200 mph, you have to have a good car with downforce, and the crew has to do a good job. It is a team effort and that makes it fun for me.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [WardFan22] Dale, how would you like to fix the aero-push problem the media loves to talk about?
[Dale_Jarrett] That is the $1 million question -- how do we do that? I don't think there is a quick fix, and we have worked our cars to be so aero-dependent. It will be hard to take away enough to see what will happen. We should raise the air dam up in the front 4-5 inches, and then cut a good portion of the spoilers off, like 4-5 inches. NASCAR is working towards getting the greenhouse area larger, and I think that would be a good place to start. I just don't know if that will be the total fix.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [John] It seemed after the win in Michigan that Todd hinted at some problems. Is everything OK with him?
[Dale_Jarrett] Everything is OK with Todd. It seemed by his comments that there were problems, but he is an emotional young man. He has put a lot of time and effort into our race team and he took it upon himself to put in a lot of effort. When you put that kind in, something will suffer, and that meant that he would be away from his family a lot. He missed being with his kids a majority of the summer and in Michigan it really just hit him at one time.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [NASCAR-Light] Hey Dale, congratulations! What are your views on how Elliott will help RYR next year? Will you miss having Ricky as a teammate?
[Dale_Jarrett] Certainly it will be different. You have someone like Ricky that I enjoyed racing with and being teammates with, and he was there for the same reasons I was. We shared information and talked to each other out of our racecars and I put a lot of trust in him when he talked about changing his car for better or worse. I want to wish him the best, but things do change.
I think the world of Elliott since he got in the Busch Series. He has always come to me and asked questions. I think we will have a really good relationship. He has a lot of talent as a driver and I will look forward to racing with him. He is also a very entertaining young man to be around away from the track, too.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [cterrian] Dale, you obviously had the most horsepower on the track at Indy, and yet with all the rules in place teams that didn't work as hard as yours came out ahead. I think that if a team can put out that kind of performance, they are deserving of a win without the input of a rule from NASCAR. What are your feelings on this?
[Dale_Jarrett] It is always difficult with rules changes throughout the season, but NASCAR is just doing its best to make the playing field as level as possible and have the teams make the difference. This should come down to the drivers, teams and crews making the difference.
If it works for you, great, and if not, you have to look at it differently. They do have to step up and make changes when necessary. If it wasn't for a slight miscommunication at Indy, we could have run with Bill Elliott, but we made a mistake and had to come back. We passed a lot of cars that day and you hate to let it slip away, but it was fun to have a car like that and it was great to have that kind of effort.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jeffgordonrules24] Hey dale, I was just wondering what you thought about Gordon doing the bump and run on Rusty Saturday night.
[Dale_Jarrett] I really haven't seen it, only what I have been told and read in the paper. I think that on a short track like Bristol, when you get to the end, you see guys looking to get back in Victory Lane. Rusty was leading this time and he felt like he was done wrong, but Jeff thought it was good, hard racing. It just depends on which end you are on! You have to expect it right down on at the end with two guys who are great competitors, both looking for a victory.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [ryr88fan] Hi Dale, great race at Michigan. What exactly happened at Bristol with the tap you received?
[Dale_Jarrett] On the restart, we tried to make a quick pit stop and just do what we could do under a normal stop and get in the inside line. The No. 19 car that was 3 laps down for some reason and wouldn't let me in front of him. I had a good run but I got in the back of him and as he moved up the track, I went down and he spun and caught me. It wasn't anything intentional. I was just ready to go and had 4 fresh tires. With short track racing, things are going to happen, and I hate that it happened to us.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [The Citgo Warrior] Do you feel your team has finally made the progression you need to win the Championship or is there still a lot of obstacles to overcome?
[Dale_Jarrett] We have improved in a lot of areas, but we could improve in a lot of other areas, like Bristol on Saturday. We haven't performed well there and we really need to go test there and find that time in our schedule at the beginning of next year.
We are going to Richmond this week if the weather will hold up for us. We need to make some changes to our setup. For the most part, I am excited about this weekend at Darlington.
We have made a lot of gains, but we do have to improve our program. Bristol, Loudon, Richmond and the road courses need some improvements for a Championship run next year. We are looking to try and get it this year, but a lot would need to happen for that, but anything can happen in this business.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [gear shifter] Congratulations Dale on your victory at Michigan. After the incident with the kill switch in Kevin's car this weekend at Bristol during the BGN race, do you think an impact type device be initiated, so as not to prematurely activate the switch?
[Dale_Jarrett] I have always been concerned about that switch and some people have had problems with. I understand what NASCAR is trying to do with its position, but it does seem like a bad spot, especially at Bristol where you have to move around a lot.
I don't know what the best situation would be, but I still question in the case that if the throttle does hang, if you can get to the switch quick enough. It may be that we should look at another direction to help our cause, if indeed that should happen.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [AhapFan] I was wondering when you were at Chicagoland this summer did you get a chance to help your father with the International Truck Racing program they had on Saturday morning? Is your team involved with the program?
[Dale_Jarrett] As far our team being involved, our truck driver does compete. My part as far as the Truck Challenge themselves is I get there before the end of it and present the trophy and check at the end. Our team will be switching over to International Trucks next year, as well as a lot of the other Ford teams. I look forward to continuing to work with them, as well as my brother Glen and my father being involved.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jimm13] Dale, how is your Dad? I read different things about his health. I hope all is well with him.
[Dale_Jarrett] Thanks for asking. I just spoke with him last night and he is doing much better. He has had some complications, but he is enjoying the extra time off playing golf and spending time at home with my mother.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Shemeralt] How much access do you feel the media and fans should be allowed in the garage area and pits?
[Dale_Jarrett] That is always a difficult question because that is what our sport is built on. I think the media should have access to the majority of the drivers during any time they want. During practice times, I don't do any interviews around practice or qualifying. I am doing my job and there are other times to do that.
You are probably talking about right after the race, like sticking a mic in there. I think it makes our sport unique and entertaining. Sometimes you get the downside of a driver at that time, but you have to see those as well as the good times. I hope everyone will, within reason, watch what they say or do.
As far as fan access, I don't have a problem with them in the garage area as long as they respect what we are doing. We are at work, but they are looking for autographs and if you can get one, great, but if you go away disappointed, that is really our office and that is where we are working. We try and accommodate as many as we can, but you shouldn't be totally disappointed if you didn't get it.
Our focus has to be on the racecar because that is why you are really there, to see your favorite driver perform. We are there to make our race team and our car do the best we can.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Alliegirl] I saw in an interview you did where you said you would like to get into the "broadcasting arena" sometime in the future. Can we expect to see you doing any commentating for any Busch races anytime this year or next year?
[Dale_Jarrett] Probably not. I find it hard to take away from my time around the track. Todd and I have a relationship where we debrief a lot of times right after the qualifying or practice. I will wait until after my career is most likely over, but circumstances could change. For the most part at the track it is mostly about our cars and getting prepared for the race.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jarrettrules88] I was wondering what you thought about the side mirrors. Do you think they are a help or a hindrance and a safety issue?
[Dale_Jarrett] I have run a side mirror for probably the last 3-4 years. I think I was one of the first to try it and keep it. I don't use it as much as a blocking tool but more as an information deal. I think it is better to have it than not to have it. I think if other drivers took the time to use it, and use it properly, it would probably be beneficial.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [ryr88] With the new tires are you focusing more on tire pressures to adjust the car than the traditional methods?
[Dale_Jarrett] I think the tire pressures make a lot more difference now than they did in the past. I think we have learned more about them in what they do. We still make other adjustments, but it doesn't seem like the other adjustments make as much of a change as the tire pressures in terms of what we need to make the car do.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Carolinagirl488] Dale, when you return to Darlington this weekend for the Southern 500 will the No. 88 car be a new machine or one that has been in a previous race?
[Dale_Jarrett] The car we will race at Darlington is the same car that we have won both races with this year. We have run it at a couple of other places and we decided it would be a good place to take this car. I haven't won the Southern 500 and I would love to put it on my resume. This car seems to be good at downforce in the right places and that is very critical to have at Darlington. We look forward to a good weekend there with a chance at winning.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [DJ4DJ88] Last year you had Zack join you in victory lane at Martinsville. How do you feel about your children being in the media spotlight and do you have any plans for Natalee and Karsyn to have an active role in the "family" business or perhaps they have a desire to drive cup someday?
Credit: ASP
[Dale_Jarrett] They haven't expressed any interest in driving yet! They like basketball, soccer and their schoolwork. I don't think they will be driving a racecar. Zack, I don't know about yet.
As far as them in the spotlight, it is nice that they can be there but we don't want them IN the spotlight. We want them to enjoy it a bit when I do have success. We can pay them back for me being gone as much as I am. They do like the spoils of victory but it will be interesting to see what direction they want to go as they grow up. If it is NASCAR Winston Cup racing, that would be fine. We don't want the girls to drive, not that we would be against that, but if they want to get involved in other areas, we would be appreciative of that.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [DJFanForLife] When was the last time you played golf and what score did you shoot?
[Dale_Jarrett] I played golf last Thursday on the way to Bristol at a nice course in the mountains there. I think I got really lucky and shot 72 that day!
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [SamiA] Hey DJ! Great win at Michigan. Out of all the UPS commercials, which one is your favorite?
[Dale_Jarrett] It is hard to pick a favorite for me. I enjoyed each of them for different reasons. I like the first ones, like the UPS executive commercial. He was just an actor from New Jersey that didn't know anything about our sport. It was fun to watch him use our terms in a funny way. The one with my dad is also very special to me.
The one with the kid in the mall seems to be a fan favorite. He was a fun kid to work with. The ones this year, unfortunately, I didn't get to work with the bands as they put them together. They were fun to do, but I had to envision what they would look like put together. It has made a good finished product. I think everyone at UPS is having fun with what is taking place and it is a good marketing tool.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [99beejy88] I was just wondering how you feel about including road courses in the Winston Cup Schedule? Is two enough or too many? Also when a team brings in a specialist for these races, is the driver he is replacing involved in the decision?
Credit: Autostock
[Dale_Jarrett] As far as having more or none, we should either add 2 more (because we have 4 cars for 2 races and it would help the drivers a bit more to run a few more), or maybe we look at none if we aren't going to do more than that. It is hard to get yourself in position to learn a lot just twice a year.
If this is what we have to do, we just do it. I don't know how they make that choice. I spoke up and said it wasn't my business but the way Jimmy Spencer was handled at Watkins Glen wasn't the way to do someone when it relates to the team and replace him for one race. It is not my business, but they should treat the regular guys a bit better. Everyone cant be good everywhere. If you don't get the chance to go there and perform in the first car, you cant improve yourselves for later times as you get to that point.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [BRIT88fan] My question is, as a big fan of yours from the United Kingdom, what are your views on NON US drivers racing or Toyota in NASCAR's top two series?
[Dale_Jarrett] As far as the drivers and where they are from, that doesn't bother me at all as long as they are professional and understand how much we love our sport and respect its history. I don't care where they are from. As far as Toyota being involved, I think that is interesting to listen to and hear that they are interested in our sport. I think NASCAR is exploring that opportunity and I really don't see why we can't make that happen.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Shorty3212] Hi DJ, I just wanted to know what the drivers think of the TV race coverage, specifically NBC/TNT?
[Dale_Jarrett] I don't personally go back and go watch the races. I may catch portions of it so it would be unfair for me to critique what they do. TNT, FOX and NBC are all very professional and very good at what they do. I know that different styles don't suite everybody and it doesn't make everyone happy.
I think they are informative and I think they do a good job telling people what is going on. Darrell, Benny and Wally do a great job at that. I am sure there is a lot I am not seeing and there are ways that it could be improved, but again, they are very professional and they will just continue to get better, as our racing continues to get better.
[NASCAR_Host3] Thank you Dale! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
[Dale_Jarrett] Thanks to everyone for joining us. Thanks for the support, both during the victories and the weeks we are not so good, too. It is nice to hear from the fans and that is what makes Winston Cup racing what it is. I know the tracks and NASCAR do what they can do to make the sport what it is, but the fans make it what it is and I am appreciative for your support.