T
TonyB
Guest
Nextel Cup Series Drivers Comment On Indianapolis Motor Speedway
#49 - Ken Schrader
“This has definitely become a ‘major’ in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The Sunday walk onto the starting grid at Indy is kind of like what golfers describe Sunday’s walk out to the first tee at Augusta to be, or going on the field for the first game of the World Series. With all of those fans right there on top of you, from both sides, it’s a pretty cool deal. As a racer, you want to win or be the fastest every time you strap yourself into a race car. But, Indy has become one of the handful of tracks on the Cup circuit that every driver dreams about winning. They’ll likely be more cars at Indy trying to make Sunday’s race than at any track we’ve been to or will go to the rest of the year. It’s a huge race for the competitors and owners."
#45 - Kyle Petty
“Plus, there are just some races where you know everybody comes loaded for bear. Everybody brings their best stuff to Indy. If you run well at Indy, you have beaten everybody’s best. Maybe not everybody is the best flat-track racer in the world but you know the equipment is top notch. We’re looking forward to it. The whole Georgia-Pacific/Brawny crew is fired up over the chance to do well at Indianapolis. There may be a lot of reasons it’s a big race but it’s still a big race.”
#43 - Jeff Green
“The Brickyard 400, however, is a race that solidifies NASCAR as America’s most popular sport. Having our series race on this famed oval and sell out the track each season just proves how large of a sport we have become. Indianapolis wasn’t built for the purpose of the Nextel Cup Series just as Daytona wasn’t built for Indy cars. But each time we come to Indy it’s like the atmosphere of a Daytona. Everyone wants to go to the Brickyard 400, and you know you’re missing something special if you’re not there. It’s that big of a deal."
#13 - Greg Sacks
“We’re building this team from the ground up, so we don’t have any make-or-break races. Every race is important but no race is crucial for us at this point. When you build one race at a time, what you learn and can use for down the road is more important than anything else. It’s like moving up a step ladder; if you slip on the bottom rungs, you don’t have an easy time getting to the top rungs. You have to build that foundation. Everything we are doing now is pointed towards the full schedule with two cars in 2005. The way we build our cars, the way we set them up, the things we try . . . everything is to give us the best run we can for the weekend but mainly to establish our race teams for 2005."
#25 - Brian Vickers
"I thought the test went really well. The GMAC Chevy crew did a really good job and we're obviously looking forward to going back. I enjoy the track personally and it's a lot of fun and it's Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There's a lot to that place and a lot of history there."
#9 - Kasey Kahne
"It's real difficult, four different corners. You can lose a lot of speed off any one of the corners. It's a tough track. It's a track that we've got to really work on getting the car balanced and make it really balanced. There's going to be some spots where you're going to have to have the car a certain way that you're not going to like but it will work really good in other spots and that's just part of that track."
#77 - Brendan Guaghan
"We've got ourselves pretty busy with Jasper's home track and Jasper is going to be the primary sponsor. The nice thing is that's our first brand new Penske chassis and ironically enough, it's chassis number 77. Just by accident it happened that way. We tested there and had Rusty at the test. He actually jumped in the Jasper Dodge and got us up to speed. It's so nice to have teammates that can do that and Rusty is a big help. The test went well and we're very happy about that, but it's still Indy. It's definitely the biggest, the meanest; it's definitely a tough place but I'm looking forward to it. I like places like that normally and well see how we do as a Raybestos Rookie there."
#12 - Ryan Newman
"The Brickyard 400 is such an important race to me. I have dreamed of racing at IMS since I was a kid. I have such a high level of respect for this track and the history that goes along with it. A win here would definitely be the biggest and best of my career at this point. I grew up racing in the area, and would love to give my family and friends a win at the brickyard."
#42 - Jamie McMurray
“I’m really looking forward to Indy this weekend. We had an awesome test there a few weeks back, and we’re bringing the same car that we finished third with in the Brickyard 400 last year. Do I feel like Indy owes us one after last year? There’s probably a little part of me that feels that way. I mean, there at the end of last year’s race, the Texaco/Havoline Dodge had pulled out to a comfortable lead and then the caution flag waved. I got held up on the outside line on the restart, and we ended up finishing third. That was definitely hard to take. But I really feel like we’re heading back to Indy this year with a stronger car and a really good shot at the victory.”
#16 - Greg Biffle
"Last weekend showed what the No. 16 National Guard team is capable of and I foresee a lot more of that in the future... I’m really looking forward to heading to Indianapolis this weekend. We’ve got momentum on our side and I think we’ll be strong. We had a good test there last month and I’d really like to get a top five at the Brickyard."
#60 - Jason Leffler
"I'm really excited about this weekend. It's going to be busy for my Haas Automation Racing team and me but I think that we are ready for it. I can't say enough about this team. We have matured together and it's showing in the finishes that we are having and in the point standings. This weekend we hope that we will go run the Brickyard and learn a lot of things that will help us on both the Cup and Busch side. "
#88 - Dale Jarrett
“I think that every kid that grew up with any aspiration to race at all always dreamed about what it would be like to race at Indianapolis. It’s disappointing if you come here and don’t give yourself a chance to win because it is such a special place. But it’s special any time you get to come here and race. And now as long as we’ve been coming here, it still means just as much to me if I could get back to that Victory Lane for a third time. From the first time I went to Indianapolis and not really expecting the size of Indianapolis – I don't think that I was prepared for how massive that place really is - and then when the people filled that place up, it is just incredible.
#6 - Mark Martin
"We need to go and win the Brickyard. Now I don't usually say things like that, but with all the heartbreak that we've had this year and with everything we've gone through, winning the Brickyard is all that matters to me and my race team right now. If we do that, then we can talk about this points thing, but with all we've been through this year winning the Brickyard is the type of thing that could make our season. It's hard to single out one race and go after it, but you know after we had a really big heartbreak at Charlotte, the guys said 'hey, lets just go win Dover, and we did it. So after what happened at Chicago, we just kind of looked to the Brickyard and we are going to go for it this weekend. Chicago was a huge heartbreak, but we are over it and all geared up to go get them at Indy."
#19 - Jeremy Mayfield
"We’ve got to capitalize on what we’ve learned. I test well at Indy. I’ve qualified well in the past. I’ve always run well in practice. I’ve shown a lot of spurts in the race where I’ve run well. I’ve just had things go wrong in the race that’s kept me from having the kind of finish I was capable of. I’ve cut tires down. I’ve had all kinds of bad luck in the past. I love the place and feel like it owes me one.”
#29 - Kevin Harvick
"As far as we're concerned, what happened last weekend is well behind us. All we can do now is try and win at Indy for the second time in a row and start a new streak. We've always run really well at the Brickyard. I think the worst we've finished has been 11th in the three years that we've been there. It's a good race for us, especially at this stage in the point's race, and it's exciting for us to go back knowing that we've won there before."
#18 - Bobby Labonte
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Indy because of all the history there. I was born in Texas, where A.J. Foyt was from, and he won there four times in the Indy 500. My win there in 2000 is really special and, obviously, one of the biggest wins of my career. We need a win this year, and Indy would be a great place to get it for sure. We’ve had a bad couple of races recently and need to put together a good couple of runs so we’re in the chase at the end."
#97 - Kurt Busch
"Everyone wants to win at Indy, no matter what form of motorsports you’re competing in. We’ve had some good finishes here, but we’d love to be able to cross that yard of bricks first when the checkers come out on Sunday afternoon. It would certainly help us out from a points’ perspective as well.”
#38 - Elliott Sadler
"It’s really important for Robert Yates that his teams run well at the Brickyard and both he and Doug (Yates) are going that extra mile in the motor department to make sure we have a good shot at winning this race. Todd has won this race twice with Dale Jarrett so I know I am in good hands when it comes to experience and knowledge of winning at the Brickyard. I have seen what the two Brickyard trophies mean to DJ and his family. They (the trophies) have their special place in his trophy room and symbolize two special moments in his career. I can only hope for the same. If you win at Indy you know you have beaten the best."
#17 - Matt Kenseth
“This is always such a prestigious race for the Nextel Cup Series. Everybody would like a chance to say they’ve won at Indianapolis at some point in their career. I’m really no different, though I really didn’t grow up following the traditional Indy 500 or anything. It’s a very special event and a lot of teams circle this one on the calendar at the beginning of the year. We had an awesome race a year ago, finishing second to Harvick. I think we’re bringing a pretty good car with us this weekend and we’ll give it everything we’ve got. Maybe we’ll finish one spot better than last year.”
#24 - Jeff Gordon
"I always enjoy this time of year. Another birthday for me can only mean the Brickyard 400 is right around the corner, and I look forward to this event every year. I guess this track means so much to me because I remember coming here as a kid, visiting the museum and touring the track in a bus. This track was where all my heroes raced when I was growing up. When I made the move from open-wheeled cars to stock cars, I thought I had lost my chance to race here. To finally get that chance was a dream-come true."
#48 - Jimmie Johnson
“Growing up, I thought I was going to race Indy cars. That was my dream growing up until I got into my teens. I watched Rick Mears and Robby Gordon come from the off road ranks. Robby was going into the Indy cars and that seemed like a natural step for the off-road racers. In fact that was the only step an off-road racer had taken at the time. Until Chevrolet took me under its wing and guided my career I had thought as a kid that Indy Cars are what I would race. There were races close to my house and I could catch them on television especially the Indy 500. That was the biggest race we would watch all year long. So, I always wanted to go to the Brickyard. Now to be there in a stock car in the best form of racing is great. As a kid that was one of the few races I could sit and watch the whole thing on television with my Dad. I remember the fiery crashes with some of the starts in the 1970s and 80s. I was always drawn to the race track just like everybody else. It’s the Brickyard. I’m excited to go back and hope we can have some success there.”
#41 - Casey Mears
“Indy is a place that will always be an important race to me. There is a family history there and Chip (Ganassi) has a history there. But, whether you are in an open-wheel car or a stock car, it’s still Indianapolis. The Brickyard 400 doesn’t get the publicity and the notoriety of the Indy 500, but is still one of the biggest races we run all year. There isn’t a driver on the circuit that wouldn’t want a win at Indy. It has been a dream of mine to run at the Brickyard since I was a kid, I just never imagined it would be in a stock car.
#2 - Rusty Wallace
"I've been saying for a few years now that before I hang it up, I'd love to have trophies from the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 - they' re the last two on my 'hit list. We'll get another shot at Daytona next February and right now, we're fully focused on finally getting us an Indy win. I've said all along that those are the biggest races and carry the most prestige. Man, it'd be great to finally close the deal at Indy."
#31 - Robby Gordon
“Last year, the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet was a strong car at Indianapolis. We had great pit strategy and timely cautions helped us gain a lap back we lost earlier in the race. Indy is all about speed and we had it last year. I believe we were at the top of the charts during Happy Hour. I have had pretty decent runs at Indy since I started driving for RCR. I was happy for Kevin’s 2003 win and we brought home another top-10. Maybe the torch will be passed to Team Cingular this year. I want to win so bad there I can taste it."
#99 - Jeff Burton
“It's an honor to be able to run at Indianapolis. It's a racetrack rich in heritage and rich in history there's no doubt about that. For the No. 99 team to be able to race there is a privilege. It's truly a great facility, and a lot of cool stuff has happened there. We are certainly looking to bounce back from Pocono and I think this is a place we could do that."
#21 - Ricky Rudd
"At the time, it was a big, big win, obviously, but I think as time goes by, what it probably means a little different to me that I didn't take into perspective at the time is that it'll probably be the last time an owner/driver will win that race. I think it was the one and only time. But the way the sport is headed at this point and time in history, it'll probably be the last time that somebody wins it as an owner/driver and I think that carries, to me, more weight than it did when I originally won it. I didn't really think of that aspect of it, just wining it was an awfully big deal, but to have that in the record book, not only as a driver but as an owner will carry more weight. It was just a big day."
#32- Ricky Craven
"Having the grandstands on the inside is kind of like a throwback to the old days, like the old Darlington. It helps establish how old and how significant the speedway is. As old as it is, it also has the appearance of a brand new facility, which makes it unique. When you are at Darlington, you know you are at Darlington. There are several examples of why Darlington was one of the first speedways built. You don’t necessarily get that impression from Indy. It has a presence that no other race track has, but it is hard to explain. You know you are somewhere special.”
#10 - Scott Riggs
"It will be a pretty neat feeling. The track carries so much history and tradition. I remember when I was little and watching the winner drink milk in Victory Lane. I never thought I'd be in a position to compete there one day. I always hear other drivers talk about having fans on both sides as you shoot down the frontstretch. I've already had so many new experiences as a Raybestos rookie this year, but this weekend is sure to bring about even more."
#01 - Joe Nemechek
"If we keep running like we have been, we're going to get one, and winning the Brickyard 400 is one of those races that can override almost everything else and make a season a success, no matter where you finish in the final standings. This race carries bragging rights and prestige."
#0 - Ward Burton
”Everybody looks forward to getting to Indianapolis. The history and tradition associated with this track is unbelievable. You want to go out and be able to win every week, but every team and every driver puts a little bit more emphasis on this race. Getting your name in the record books at this track is quite an accomplishment. NASCAR doesn’t necessarily have its roots here like the open wheel cars do and a lot of our best drivers never had the chance to race there, but when people think of great racing, they think of Daytona and Indy. The masses of people that show up here to be a part of the excitement of the weekend are just amazing."
#20 - Tony Stewart
"You're lifting and braking into one and into three. In the short chutes you're back on the gas wide-open. All you do when you're going into (turns) two and four is just lift a little bit. You let the car roll - you really don't have to use the brakes there. It's not a big, demanding track on brakes, but it is a momentum race track and a rhythm race track. You have to get into a rhythm early, and once you get into that rhythm it seems to make things a lot easier for you."
#30 - Dave Blaney
“We tested at Indy a few weeks ago and were pretty happy with the results. We had two cars there, 114 and 109. Car number 114 was quicker the first day and I wasn’t as happy with the feel of 109. RCR brought along some of their fabricators, so they decided to cut the nose of the car off and reshape the front end of 109 to make it better. The second day of testing we ran both cars again, and 109 was much more comfortable to me and was faster on the longer runs than 114. It ended up being a strong test for the AOL team, so we are really excited about racing at the Brickyard.”
#22 - Scott Wimmer
“I’m looking forward to going to Indy. There is so much history and prestige at that track, it’s exciting to be racing there. It will be my first race there so I’m excited to get there and run well. I think we have a good shot at running decent, especially after a good test and then having run well in Pocono. It’s a track that has those long straight-aways and tight turns, a lot like Pocono so we’ll see what happens.”
Busch Series Drivers Comment On Indianapolis Raceway Park
#00 - Jason Leffler
"I'm really excited about this weekend. It's going to be busy for my Haas Automation Racing team and me but I think that we are ready for it. I can't say enough about this team. We have matured together and it's showing in the finishes that we are having and in the point standings. This weekend we hope that we will go run the Brickyard and learn a lot of things that will help us on both the Cup and Busch side. With the way that we have been running lately in the Busch Series I think that we have a great chance on leaving with the Kroger 200 win. I'm just ready to get out there and give them all that I've got. I'm bringing it!"
#1 - Bobby Hamilton Sr.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity. The Yellow team has a great track record and I am looking forward to getting back into a Busch car. The one-day event at Indianapolis doesn't give us a lot of time to get comfortable on the track. Hopefully Friday's truck race with give me a better feel for the track going into the Busch race on Saturday."
#2 - Ron Hornaday Jr
"I can't wait. I have really been looking forward to this race all year. It has been literally circled on my schedule. I love IRP. This is racing to me. The track has a top groove that is very fast, but we showed last year that the low groove can work as well. You can race side-by-side here and if there is contact, it's just racing. That's my style. I like to lean on people. I like the contact. This is my kind of race track."
#4 - Mike Walalce
"It is just a very challenging place. The way you have to run that place. You are running right at the top of the race track, not around the bottom like most places. It is just a tough place to get around -- and pass. You need to be pretty decent right from the start. If you are just a little off, you can get a lap down pretty easy. But based on how this GEICO team has run on the last two flat tracks – Milwaukee and Loudon, I think we can have a pretty good day. We are taking the same car that we ran at Loudon."
#5 - Kyle Busch
"IRP reminds me of the way the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was before they repaved it. You're in the turns for quite awhile. If the straightaways were a little longer, I think the track would better suit my driving style. It can be tough to pass here, which you saw in last year's race between Brian and Shane Hmiel. I thought that was some of the best racing I've seen in quite awhile. Those guys were going door to door for a long time, and neither guy was giving an inch. It was pretty awesome."
#11 - Paul Menard
"I feel very comfortable at IRP. It's a great racetrack with lots of grooves, which is something every driver looks for. But, best yet, we're racing under the lights in Indianapolis, the racing capitol of the world. That's always special. With all that we've learned at IRP the last two weeks, I believe we have as good of a shot as anyone else at the top spot. I can't wait to get there."
#12 - Tim Fedewa
"Three hundred races is quite a few, and I am happy that I've been able to run that many. But right now, we've got a chance to really solidify our place in the Top 10 from here to the end of the season. It's great to be here now, but the main thing we want is to be there at the end. If we can start to put together of few of this good finishes in a row, I think we've got a good shot at that. I've had some success there (IRP), and it's another track where we may have more in our favor than at some bigger tracks, so hopefully we can take advantage of that."
#14 - Casey Atwood
"These one-day shows really test how you communicate with your crew chief. We had a good car at Gateway and Milwaukee and just got into some bad luck. Jay [Guy] has done a pretty good job of leaving some adjustability in our cars for these races and we've been able to get them to race well at night after running them during practice and qualifying in the heat of the day."
#21 - Clint Bowyer
"It's a tough ol' short track, but that's what I've grown up around all my life in racing. The test went well for me, and I'm glad that I had [Ron] Hornaday there to teach me the ropes. That guy knows a lot about these short tracks, and he can get it done behind the wheel. I'm really pretty optimistic for this weekend."
#22 - Jason Keller
"This track always brings back good memories; this is where I won with my own team back in 1995. This is the only track that I've won twice; so there's always that nervous feeling when I go back here, knowing that I can perform well here."
#23 - Kenny Wallace
"I am really excited about racing at IRP. It brings all of us drivers back to our roots of racing under the lights on Saturday nights at our local short tracks. I think it is neat that NASCAR still lets the Busch Series race at IRP. It shows that they still remember what got us where we are today. I am really excited about our chances this weekend at IRP. I won the pole there in 2001 and know that Chris Rice is bringing a great car for me to drive."
#24 - Steve Grissom
"The one day shows make for long days, and you've got to get your car set up right before it's impounded. You don't want it too loose in qualifying to get a decent run, but it's also got be free enough during the day so it doesn't get too tight at night when the track cools down... The track is pretty tough to pass, so it's really important to get a good handling car early in the race."
#25 - Bobby Hamilton Jr
"I want to thank everyone with Team Rensi Motorsports for the last three years, we both grew together and had a lot of great times. It has been an honor to race for the United States Marine Corps. I also want to thank all of our associate sponsors like Timberland PRO Series, Pioneer Financial Services and ABC Auto Parts. We still have a lot of races left and I want us all to go out with a few more wins."
#27 - Johnny Sauter
"IRP is one of the coolest tracks that we go to. It's an 'old school' track, the kind of place where most drivers learned the ropes. It's got character, attitude – everything that's right about racing. It's a short track, so there's close competition all night long, a lot of bumping and banging going on. I'd be surprised if the winner's car is in one piece at the end of the race. It should be a fun race for the fans and the drivers too."
#32 - David Stremme
"IRP is definitely a big deal for Braun Racing. Not only do we have homes and family back there, but Todd (Braun) still has his two car dealerships there, and his father's business, Braun Corp, is also in Winamac.I am really looking forward to some good short track racing this weekend," said Stremme. "IRP is a track I am very comfortable driving because I have had a lot of laps there."
#35 - Shelby Howard
"I am really excited about racing for Team Rensi, especially so close to my hometown of Greenwood. have been watching Team Rensi closely over the last two years and they clearly have one of the best teams in the Busch Series. It's really an honor to drive for Sam and Ed Rensi and Gary Weisbaum, hopefully I can have a strong run Saturday night."
#37 - David Green
"IRP is without a doubt the toughest short track we run on. I've had several good runs there over the years but just keep coming up short. It's a demanding track in that you have to continually adjust your car throughout the evening. We practice in the heat and impound after qualifying… making it a true test of driver / crew chief communication. The key to winning is being able to find the speed you need during the day, but not sacrificing anything once the green flag drops. Winning at IRP is a huge deal in the Busch Series, even though we share the weekend with the Cup guys at the Brickyard… it makes a statement that your team is the #1 short track team in the Busch Series."
#38 - Shane Hmiel
" I'm really looking forward to IRP this weekend. I've had success there, and I can't wait to get back. I'm hoping that I can at least lead as many laps as I did last year and also get the pole again. This year, though, I want to finish first! There are only a couple of other drivers competing in the Craftsman Truck race on Friday as well as the Busch race on Saturday, so maybe I'll have an advantage over most of the others since I'll be racing both nights. IRP is always a fun race. There's a lot of bumping and rubbing under the lights, so it should be an exciting race for the fans. I had a great time racing the No. 38 Great Clips Dodge at Milwaukee, and I look forward to bringing home another top-five finish for them this weekend. I can't thank Great Clips and Akins Motorsports enough for giving me this opportunity. Hopefully we can end the evening in Victory Lane."
#39 - Tina Gordon
“While the speedway is different from most everything else, there is a lot about it that is the same too. I’ve run flat tracks in Alabama, and of course on the Truck Series, so I have some knowledge there. It’s not like I am coming in completely blind to things.But every speedway has its nuances and differences, and finding those is part of what separates the winning teams from the rest of the pack. The other part is knowing how to take advantage of what you have found. People can tell you what they know but being able to apply that knowledge is the key."
#40 - Brian Tyler
"I'm excited. Calvin Humphries did a great job setting up the car for our test. I think this could be my best chance in a Busch car, and I'm hoping this leads into more races with Rich (Woodland) and RWR."
#41 - Reed Sorenson
"I ran at IRP last weekend in the ASA Series and learned things that I think will really help me this weekend. About halfway through the race I began trying different lines and ways to pass on the track because most of the time you are running nose-to-tail with the other cars. Some of the things I tried during the ASA race seemed to work great, and that kind of racing information I can utilize in the Busch car as well."
#46 - Ashton Lewis
"Our race each year at IRP is always special. With the trucks also running IRP and the NEXTEL Cup at the Brickyard, it's a race fan's dream weekend."
#47 - Robert Pressley
"Saturday night's race comes at a great time for this race team. I love short tracks and Indianapolis Raceway Park is one of the great ones on our schedule. You have to miss all the wrecks, make sure you're part of the fuel mileage game and find a way to create track position. The car has to be good; the race team has to be perfect; the driver has to be on his game just to survive 200 laps of racing. I believe our car, team and driver are up for the challenge."
#49 - Derrike Cope
“Where I grew up racing in Washington, flat tracks were just the norm. Every track out there was a flat track. The most banking you saw anywhere was very slight, at least, compared to what you see through a lot of the southeast. When I first started running flatter tracks, it was no big deal. That’s what I knew. Look at where a lot of the younger drivers are coming from today, the Midwest and the West Coast. Those short tracks and weekly tracks are almost all flat tracks. They have a familiarity with them, and these types of tracks are intimidating to them. The young drivers have a great chance at doing well at IRP this weekend, and I feel they’ll do well at the big speedway too for the same reason.”
#55 - Robby Gordon
"After a couple of weeks off, I am excited about getting back in The Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet. Our cars have been really strong and we are really pleased with the program. Despite the fact that we have been competitive virtually every week, we haven't recorded out first victory of the season but Fruit of the Loom is kicking off a back to school promotion this weekend and winning at IRP would be a great way to get the program started."
#59 - Stacy Compton
"It's important to have a fast car and flawless strategy for a short track like Indianapolis, but a bigger secret for success is confidence and momentum. This team has finished eighth and second in our last two races, and we're headed to a track where I finished third last year. As soon as last week's race was done at Pike's Peak, everyone on team started looking forward to short-track racing at Indianapolis."
#60 - Greg Biffle
"IRP has been a good track for us over the years and we're taking the same car we won with in 2002. I'm sure it will be equally as good and hopefully we can get back to back wins in the Charter Ford."
#74 - Tyler Walker
"To climb behind the wheel of The Outdoor Channel Chevrolet at IRP is a big deal for me. The coolest thing is to be tabbed to represent The World of Outlaws in a prominent NASCAR event. The success I enjoyed in The Outlaws Series has been invaluable to me in continuing to advance my racing career. This sport is a lot of who you know in addition to your ability on the track and I was able to make some great connections while competing regularly in the Outlaws Series."
Craftsman Truck Series Drivers Comment On Indianapolis Raceway Park
#38 - Brandon Whitt
“I’m just looking forward to getting back on a short track. Our short track program seems to be our strongest suit this year. Although we’ve done a lot of testing on mile-and-a-half tracks lately, our short track program has been strong since the beginning of the year. So, I’m really looking forward to getting back on a short track. We’re looking for a little redemption on short tracks as well. We’ve had some great, promising runs on short tracks this year but for whatever reason haven’t closed the door. Personally, I feel as if we’ve had at least a top-15 truck on about every short track this year, but we haven’t brought home top-10 finishes on all of them. IRP is going to be a great atmosphere. That place will be filled to the brim with race fans, at night, under the lights… it really seems that Indianapolis embraces racing like few cities do.
#46 - Dennis Setzer
"IRP is a very flat track that requires a lot of finess. You must run your truck right up along the wall to get the most speed out of it. That is why this is a very difficult track to pass on. Track position is going to be very important so we expect tires and fuel mileage to play a big factor in the outcome."
#16 - Jack Sprague
"I love IRP. It has always been a really good track for me. It is a technical track with unique characteristics. There isn't another track on the circuit that comes close to IRP. The fans are always treated to an action packed race. The same goes for the drivers. There have been some incredible last lap finishes there and I have been fortunate to come out the winner a couple of times. Our Chevy Trucks Silverado should be good for Friday's show. With it being a one-day event, you have to be strong right off the trailer. Our IWX Racing team has had good runs there in the past so I am pretty optimistic about our chances for a strong finish."
#03 - Denny Hamlin
“I am so excited about this opportunity to make my NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Team EJP Racing at one of the biggest events on the series schedule. There are always a lot of people in the stands at IRP, and with all that is going on at the Speedway (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), it just adds to the level of excitement for everyone. It’s important for the team because E.J. Prescott has a lot of customers in the Indianapolis area. And we’ll have a lot of people from Joe Gibbs Racing there to see how things are going, too.”
#15 - Shane Hmiel
“There is a great group of drivers coming in this weekend for the truck race and I’m looking forward to racing with them. I’m not worried; our Silverado’s been fast all year. I’ve raced with some of these guys before plus I really like the track. I’ve run well there in the Busch Series the past two years. Last year I started on the pole and finished fourth after leading a good portion of the race.”
#6 - Matt Crafton
"I really like IRP. I led a few laps there in my rookie year. You can run down on the bottom of the racetrack really well. You will see some pretty good slide-jobs in the corners. I really look forward to short-track racing because the driver has a lot more input."
#62 - Steve Park
“I had my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Indianapolis Raceway Park. I drove one race in Walker Evans’ Dodge in 1996. I think we started and finished 11th. I like the track because it reminds me of grassroots racing. I have been racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway the past several years. I’ve always watched the races at IRP, but it is great to have the opportunity to participate in the race. I enjoy the short tracks and the one-day shows."
#99 - Carl Edwards
“My dad and I used to sit in our living room at home and watch the USAC races on ESPN from IRP years ago. I always dreamed about racing it. IRP was the first place I ever saw Silver Crown cars run. It was spectacular. I will never forget walking into the grandstands and watching those cars going around there so fast. So, to get to drive one is just awesome. Last year, we had an incredible weekend running third in the Silver Crown race and winning the truck race. I love this place!”
#14 - Rick Crawford
"The Circle Bar Ford had a real strong chance of winning last year's event. Carl had a great truck, but the last 20 laps, I was really cutting into his lead. I knew he could see me coming in the mirror, but we ran out of fuel before we got to him. That was heartbreaking to be that close to a chance at victory lane and have to pit for fuel. Things like that happen though and I'm positive about our chances this weekend. We've had some success this year on the circuit's short tracks winning in Martinsville and getting a top-ten in Mansfield. I'm excited to get back to a track like IRP, we've had some hard luck the last couple of weeks."
#10 - Terry Cook
"Indianapolis Raceway Park promotes great side-by-side racing with the top groove being the fastest way around. When you pack in 25,000 people there on a Friday night, as a driver I get excited especially since I’ve run exceptionally well at IRP. A lot of people don’t like it when the pressure is on but I like it and I perform better when the pressure is on. I’m looking forward to returning to IRP and continuing our winning ways from 2002.”
#30 - Sean Murphy
“As a new driver, I have no provisional points, all I can say is please pray for no rain so that we can have qualifying, We tried to qualify for the Mansfield Ohio race in May, but it was cancelled due to weather."
#4 - Bobby Hamilton
“This team doesn’t worry about finishing races. I’m driving as an owner this year. I’m an owner who’s got to sign a sponsorship for next year, and I need TV time to keep that sponsorship. To get TV time we’ve got to win races. We’re not just riding around and being so spooked that we don’t try several things in risk of losing points. I’m just not going to do it. We’re a few races out from looking at points. The closer we get to the end of this year, about six or seven races out; we’re going to look at the points. Then I might be conservative behind the wheel, but then again I think not.”
#07 - Shane Sieg
“The groove is right up next to the wall at IRP,” he said. “I don’t have a lot of experience running places like that, but I am sure we’ll get used to it in a hurry. I love short track racing. I really puts all of us back on a level playing field. We really think we can come and run with some of these big teams on a short track.”
#47 - Kyle Busch
“This should be a lot of fun. I want to thank Chevrolet and Morgan Dollar Motorsports for giving me the opportunity to get back into a truck. My very first race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was at IRP back in 2001, so it’s pretty cool that I get to make my return to the series at the track where I made my first NASCAR start. What makes it even more special is that this time I get to do it in a Chevrolet.”
#2 - Andy Houston
"I guess you could say that Indianapolis Raceway Park was the track that gave me my start. I ran my very first NASCAR Busch Series race at IRP in 1996. It was special for a couple of reasons. It was my first NASCAR Touring Series start, and it was in one of my dad's Busch cars. That was one of only a few times that I got to race against my dad, Tommy Houston, before he retired. I also made my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at IRP in 1997, so I have some very fond memories of IRP and hopefully we will create another fond memory this weekend."
#50 - Jon Wood
"I really like racing at IRP. I've had a few good runs there and I think this will be a place that we can make a comeback this weekend. We've had some bad luck lately with two 30th-place finishes in a row, but I haven't finished outside the top 10 at IRP since 2001 so I expect good things this weekend."
#17 - David Reutimann
"I'm excited to be racing with DW again. It's always nice to have him there. We are looking forward to having a good time and may the best man win. It's good in the respect that I can have Michael and DW there to talk with and get advice from because I've never raced at IRP before. It's going to be unique having both of those guys there. Our short track deal hasn't been what we've liked it to be. We are looking to be on top of our short track program at IRP."
#11 - Darrell Waltrip
"My expectations and goals are always the same. I want to run in the Top-10, be competitive, be in a position to win and not finish outside the Top-10. After tiptoeing out of the TV booth, I only do this three times a year so I have to keep my goals realistic. But, oh by the way, and there's always an oh by the way, I plan on winning. Nothing and I mean nothing would make me happier than to do a little bump drafting with my baby brother Michael at IRP. I dream about Toyota versus Chevrolet for the win. Somebody better let Michael know that he has his work cut out for him this Friday."
#75 - David Starr
"IRP is one of the most exciting, challenging tracks on the circuit. Setup is all-important. You have to have a truck that cuts good in the center and has good forward bite. Our No. 75 Spears Chevy should be up to the job and I am looking forward to being able to rebound from last weekend."
#8 - Chase Montgomery
"This will be my first time racing at IRP. I have gone the last few years to watch the races and the track looks like it is a lot of fun. I have had some pretty good runs at similar tracks to IRP and I expect the same on Friday night. It is always a big show here for the whole week in Indy and you sure do want to make a good showing. The race always has some great racing and is a fan favorite on our schedule. The guys on this team have been giving me great trucks all year and if we get the chassis under us and stay out of trouble then we will have a really good run."
#97 - Scotty Sands
"I’m very excited about this weekend. We have a great group of sponsors, and we want to do everything in our power to assure they get the publicity they want and deserve. We would not be here this weekend if it wasn’t for them, and we won’t ever forget it."
#18 - Chad Chaffin
“You never know what to expect out of a short track. They are so competitive. The difference between the fastest and a 10th place truck may be one-tenth-of-a-second. It is tougher to run well on short tracks than it is on the 1.5-mile tracks where your equipment can get you up front. The racing at IRP reminds me a lot of Saturday night racing at Nashville Speedway – a place where so many of us cut our teeth. It’s a flat track so bumping and banging is bound to happen. I am confident about our chances at IRP."
#63 - Chris Wimmer
"We haven't had a lot of luck at short tracks this year, but we have a good feeling about IRP. We've gotten the bugs out of the system, the team is closer than ever, and we've been putting together some good finishes. We're not where we need to be yet, but we're making positive progress."
#24 - Travis Kvapil
"I am excited to get to IRP because of the type of track that it is. I think every driver has raced on that type of short track when we all got started in this industry. IRP has real tight racing, but if you have a good handling truck, you can really have a lot of success there. I finished second there last year and I feel that I should be able to be in contention for a win again this year."
#42 - Mike Skinner
"The first two years at IRP, we sat on the pole and led every lap so I have been very competitive there and I have enjoyed a lot of success. Then a couple of years later, we went there with an independent truck. We were real competitive again and got up into the top-five but broke a transmission. Since I’ve been competitive there, I am excited about going back. It’s one of my favorite tracks to go to on the circuit."
#48 - Nicholas Tucker
"I’m really excited about this opportunity. I’m pretty ecstatic that James and the guys are willing to give me a chance to drive and grab some experience. It’s really great to go to a place like IRP where there is so much history. It’s even more incredible going there to start your first race. We’re just hoping for a decent finish and get some experience."
#88 - Tracy Hines
“ IRP is one of my favorite tracks. I have probably been more successful there than anywhere else in my career. We've won something like 12 open wheel races there. And it's a place that we go back to that I have actually had some experience in the Truck before. We ran that race last year and we were moving up through the field before we got involved in a crash not of our making. And I think this is actually a little better truck than I had last year. I can't wait to get to IRP.
#13 - Paul White
“We're looking forward to it. We gained a lot of momentum with how we ran at Gateway a couple of weeks ago. We're ready to go to Indianapolis and build on that. From what I've seen watching the truck races there, the trucks run a whole different line than the Silver Crown cars do. I'm anxious to get there and get back to racing the Sta-Max Silverado this week."
#29 - Deborah Renshaw
"I think IRP is going to be an interesting race for me. Because I do have quite a bit of short track experience and our team has a great truck in 'Droopy' for this race. I think there will be a lot of learning and hopefully I can get the hang of rubbing on the short track in the truck. But I think the key to a respectable finish at IRP will be trying to keep the fenders on the truck when the checkers fall."
#12 - Robert Huffman
“I’ve raced at IRP once before, back in ’97. IRP is a tough track to pass on. You have to have a truck that will run on the bottom and on the top line. This will definitely be a test to see where our short track program stands, and what we might need to improve on. I think we’ll be good, Rick Gay and Gere were there last year in the Busch Series, and their car took the pole and led most of the race. They know the right set-ups, and I’m confident I’ll have another good truck.”
#21 - Hank Parker Jr
“I’m looking forward to racing IRP again. It’s a track that has little room to pass, but the racing is always fun.” He continued, “I’m glad to have zMAX back on board with us this week, and I’m hoping to get them a lot of exposure by having a good run.”
#49 - Ken Schrader
“This has definitely become a ‘major’ in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The Sunday walk onto the starting grid at Indy is kind of like what golfers describe Sunday’s walk out to the first tee at Augusta to be, or going on the field for the first game of the World Series. With all of those fans right there on top of you, from both sides, it’s a pretty cool deal. As a racer, you want to win or be the fastest every time you strap yourself into a race car. But, Indy has become one of the handful of tracks on the Cup circuit that every driver dreams about winning. They’ll likely be more cars at Indy trying to make Sunday’s race than at any track we’ve been to or will go to the rest of the year. It’s a huge race for the competitors and owners."
#45 - Kyle Petty
“Plus, there are just some races where you know everybody comes loaded for bear. Everybody brings their best stuff to Indy. If you run well at Indy, you have beaten everybody’s best. Maybe not everybody is the best flat-track racer in the world but you know the equipment is top notch. We’re looking forward to it. The whole Georgia-Pacific/Brawny crew is fired up over the chance to do well at Indianapolis. There may be a lot of reasons it’s a big race but it’s still a big race.”
#43 - Jeff Green
“The Brickyard 400, however, is a race that solidifies NASCAR as America’s most popular sport. Having our series race on this famed oval and sell out the track each season just proves how large of a sport we have become. Indianapolis wasn’t built for the purpose of the Nextel Cup Series just as Daytona wasn’t built for Indy cars. But each time we come to Indy it’s like the atmosphere of a Daytona. Everyone wants to go to the Brickyard 400, and you know you’re missing something special if you’re not there. It’s that big of a deal."
#13 - Greg Sacks
“We’re building this team from the ground up, so we don’t have any make-or-break races. Every race is important but no race is crucial for us at this point. When you build one race at a time, what you learn and can use for down the road is more important than anything else. It’s like moving up a step ladder; if you slip on the bottom rungs, you don’t have an easy time getting to the top rungs. You have to build that foundation. Everything we are doing now is pointed towards the full schedule with two cars in 2005. The way we build our cars, the way we set them up, the things we try . . . everything is to give us the best run we can for the weekend but mainly to establish our race teams for 2005."
#25 - Brian Vickers
"I thought the test went really well. The GMAC Chevy crew did a really good job and we're obviously looking forward to going back. I enjoy the track personally and it's a lot of fun and it's Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There's a lot to that place and a lot of history there."
#9 - Kasey Kahne
"It's real difficult, four different corners. You can lose a lot of speed off any one of the corners. It's a tough track. It's a track that we've got to really work on getting the car balanced and make it really balanced. There's going to be some spots where you're going to have to have the car a certain way that you're not going to like but it will work really good in other spots and that's just part of that track."
#77 - Brendan Guaghan
"We've got ourselves pretty busy with Jasper's home track and Jasper is going to be the primary sponsor. The nice thing is that's our first brand new Penske chassis and ironically enough, it's chassis number 77. Just by accident it happened that way. We tested there and had Rusty at the test. He actually jumped in the Jasper Dodge and got us up to speed. It's so nice to have teammates that can do that and Rusty is a big help. The test went well and we're very happy about that, but it's still Indy. It's definitely the biggest, the meanest; it's definitely a tough place but I'm looking forward to it. I like places like that normally and well see how we do as a Raybestos Rookie there."
#12 - Ryan Newman
"The Brickyard 400 is such an important race to me. I have dreamed of racing at IMS since I was a kid. I have such a high level of respect for this track and the history that goes along with it. A win here would definitely be the biggest and best of my career at this point. I grew up racing in the area, and would love to give my family and friends a win at the brickyard."
#42 - Jamie McMurray
“I’m really looking forward to Indy this weekend. We had an awesome test there a few weeks back, and we’re bringing the same car that we finished third with in the Brickyard 400 last year. Do I feel like Indy owes us one after last year? There’s probably a little part of me that feels that way. I mean, there at the end of last year’s race, the Texaco/Havoline Dodge had pulled out to a comfortable lead and then the caution flag waved. I got held up on the outside line on the restart, and we ended up finishing third. That was definitely hard to take. But I really feel like we’re heading back to Indy this year with a stronger car and a really good shot at the victory.”
#16 - Greg Biffle
"Last weekend showed what the No. 16 National Guard team is capable of and I foresee a lot more of that in the future... I’m really looking forward to heading to Indianapolis this weekend. We’ve got momentum on our side and I think we’ll be strong. We had a good test there last month and I’d really like to get a top five at the Brickyard."
#60 - Jason Leffler
"I'm really excited about this weekend. It's going to be busy for my Haas Automation Racing team and me but I think that we are ready for it. I can't say enough about this team. We have matured together and it's showing in the finishes that we are having and in the point standings. This weekend we hope that we will go run the Brickyard and learn a lot of things that will help us on both the Cup and Busch side. "
#88 - Dale Jarrett
“I think that every kid that grew up with any aspiration to race at all always dreamed about what it would be like to race at Indianapolis. It’s disappointing if you come here and don’t give yourself a chance to win because it is such a special place. But it’s special any time you get to come here and race. And now as long as we’ve been coming here, it still means just as much to me if I could get back to that Victory Lane for a third time. From the first time I went to Indianapolis and not really expecting the size of Indianapolis – I don't think that I was prepared for how massive that place really is - and then when the people filled that place up, it is just incredible.
#6 - Mark Martin
"We need to go and win the Brickyard. Now I don't usually say things like that, but with all the heartbreak that we've had this year and with everything we've gone through, winning the Brickyard is all that matters to me and my race team right now. If we do that, then we can talk about this points thing, but with all we've been through this year winning the Brickyard is the type of thing that could make our season. It's hard to single out one race and go after it, but you know after we had a really big heartbreak at Charlotte, the guys said 'hey, lets just go win Dover, and we did it. So after what happened at Chicago, we just kind of looked to the Brickyard and we are going to go for it this weekend. Chicago was a huge heartbreak, but we are over it and all geared up to go get them at Indy."
#19 - Jeremy Mayfield
"We’ve got to capitalize on what we’ve learned. I test well at Indy. I’ve qualified well in the past. I’ve always run well in practice. I’ve shown a lot of spurts in the race where I’ve run well. I’ve just had things go wrong in the race that’s kept me from having the kind of finish I was capable of. I’ve cut tires down. I’ve had all kinds of bad luck in the past. I love the place and feel like it owes me one.”
#29 - Kevin Harvick
"As far as we're concerned, what happened last weekend is well behind us. All we can do now is try and win at Indy for the second time in a row and start a new streak. We've always run really well at the Brickyard. I think the worst we've finished has been 11th in the three years that we've been there. It's a good race for us, especially at this stage in the point's race, and it's exciting for us to go back knowing that we've won there before."
#18 - Bobby Labonte
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Indy because of all the history there. I was born in Texas, where A.J. Foyt was from, and he won there four times in the Indy 500. My win there in 2000 is really special and, obviously, one of the biggest wins of my career. We need a win this year, and Indy would be a great place to get it for sure. We’ve had a bad couple of races recently and need to put together a good couple of runs so we’re in the chase at the end."
#97 - Kurt Busch
"Everyone wants to win at Indy, no matter what form of motorsports you’re competing in. We’ve had some good finishes here, but we’d love to be able to cross that yard of bricks first when the checkers come out on Sunday afternoon. It would certainly help us out from a points’ perspective as well.”
#38 - Elliott Sadler
"It’s really important for Robert Yates that his teams run well at the Brickyard and both he and Doug (Yates) are going that extra mile in the motor department to make sure we have a good shot at winning this race. Todd has won this race twice with Dale Jarrett so I know I am in good hands when it comes to experience and knowledge of winning at the Brickyard. I have seen what the two Brickyard trophies mean to DJ and his family. They (the trophies) have their special place in his trophy room and symbolize two special moments in his career. I can only hope for the same. If you win at Indy you know you have beaten the best."
#17 - Matt Kenseth
“This is always such a prestigious race for the Nextel Cup Series. Everybody would like a chance to say they’ve won at Indianapolis at some point in their career. I’m really no different, though I really didn’t grow up following the traditional Indy 500 or anything. It’s a very special event and a lot of teams circle this one on the calendar at the beginning of the year. We had an awesome race a year ago, finishing second to Harvick. I think we’re bringing a pretty good car with us this weekend and we’ll give it everything we’ve got. Maybe we’ll finish one spot better than last year.”
#24 - Jeff Gordon
"I always enjoy this time of year. Another birthday for me can only mean the Brickyard 400 is right around the corner, and I look forward to this event every year. I guess this track means so much to me because I remember coming here as a kid, visiting the museum and touring the track in a bus. This track was where all my heroes raced when I was growing up. When I made the move from open-wheeled cars to stock cars, I thought I had lost my chance to race here. To finally get that chance was a dream-come true."
#48 - Jimmie Johnson
“Growing up, I thought I was going to race Indy cars. That was my dream growing up until I got into my teens. I watched Rick Mears and Robby Gordon come from the off road ranks. Robby was going into the Indy cars and that seemed like a natural step for the off-road racers. In fact that was the only step an off-road racer had taken at the time. Until Chevrolet took me under its wing and guided my career I had thought as a kid that Indy Cars are what I would race. There were races close to my house and I could catch them on television especially the Indy 500. That was the biggest race we would watch all year long. So, I always wanted to go to the Brickyard. Now to be there in a stock car in the best form of racing is great. As a kid that was one of the few races I could sit and watch the whole thing on television with my Dad. I remember the fiery crashes with some of the starts in the 1970s and 80s. I was always drawn to the race track just like everybody else. It’s the Brickyard. I’m excited to go back and hope we can have some success there.”
#41 - Casey Mears
“Indy is a place that will always be an important race to me. There is a family history there and Chip (Ganassi) has a history there. But, whether you are in an open-wheel car or a stock car, it’s still Indianapolis. The Brickyard 400 doesn’t get the publicity and the notoriety of the Indy 500, but is still one of the biggest races we run all year. There isn’t a driver on the circuit that wouldn’t want a win at Indy. It has been a dream of mine to run at the Brickyard since I was a kid, I just never imagined it would be in a stock car.
#2 - Rusty Wallace
"I've been saying for a few years now that before I hang it up, I'd love to have trophies from the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 - they' re the last two on my 'hit list. We'll get another shot at Daytona next February and right now, we're fully focused on finally getting us an Indy win. I've said all along that those are the biggest races and carry the most prestige. Man, it'd be great to finally close the deal at Indy."
#31 - Robby Gordon
“Last year, the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet was a strong car at Indianapolis. We had great pit strategy and timely cautions helped us gain a lap back we lost earlier in the race. Indy is all about speed and we had it last year. I believe we were at the top of the charts during Happy Hour. I have had pretty decent runs at Indy since I started driving for RCR. I was happy for Kevin’s 2003 win and we brought home another top-10. Maybe the torch will be passed to Team Cingular this year. I want to win so bad there I can taste it."
#99 - Jeff Burton
“It's an honor to be able to run at Indianapolis. It's a racetrack rich in heritage and rich in history there's no doubt about that. For the No. 99 team to be able to race there is a privilege. It's truly a great facility, and a lot of cool stuff has happened there. We are certainly looking to bounce back from Pocono and I think this is a place we could do that."
#21 - Ricky Rudd
"At the time, it was a big, big win, obviously, but I think as time goes by, what it probably means a little different to me that I didn't take into perspective at the time is that it'll probably be the last time an owner/driver will win that race. I think it was the one and only time. But the way the sport is headed at this point and time in history, it'll probably be the last time that somebody wins it as an owner/driver and I think that carries, to me, more weight than it did when I originally won it. I didn't really think of that aspect of it, just wining it was an awfully big deal, but to have that in the record book, not only as a driver but as an owner will carry more weight. It was just a big day."
#32- Ricky Craven
"Having the grandstands on the inside is kind of like a throwback to the old days, like the old Darlington. It helps establish how old and how significant the speedway is. As old as it is, it also has the appearance of a brand new facility, which makes it unique. When you are at Darlington, you know you are at Darlington. There are several examples of why Darlington was one of the first speedways built. You don’t necessarily get that impression from Indy. It has a presence that no other race track has, but it is hard to explain. You know you are somewhere special.”
#10 - Scott Riggs
"It will be a pretty neat feeling. The track carries so much history and tradition. I remember when I was little and watching the winner drink milk in Victory Lane. I never thought I'd be in a position to compete there one day. I always hear other drivers talk about having fans on both sides as you shoot down the frontstretch. I've already had so many new experiences as a Raybestos rookie this year, but this weekend is sure to bring about even more."
#01 - Joe Nemechek
"If we keep running like we have been, we're going to get one, and winning the Brickyard 400 is one of those races that can override almost everything else and make a season a success, no matter where you finish in the final standings. This race carries bragging rights and prestige."
#0 - Ward Burton
”Everybody looks forward to getting to Indianapolis. The history and tradition associated with this track is unbelievable. You want to go out and be able to win every week, but every team and every driver puts a little bit more emphasis on this race. Getting your name in the record books at this track is quite an accomplishment. NASCAR doesn’t necessarily have its roots here like the open wheel cars do and a lot of our best drivers never had the chance to race there, but when people think of great racing, they think of Daytona and Indy. The masses of people that show up here to be a part of the excitement of the weekend are just amazing."
#20 - Tony Stewart
"You're lifting and braking into one and into three. In the short chutes you're back on the gas wide-open. All you do when you're going into (turns) two and four is just lift a little bit. You let the car roll - you really don't have to use the brakes there. It's not a big, demanding track on brakes, but it is a momentum race track and a rhythm race track. You have to get into a rhythm early, and once you get into that rhythm it seems to make things a lot easier for you."
#30 - Dave Blaney
“We tested at Indy a few weeks ago and were pretty happy with the results. We had two cars there, 114 and 109. Car number 114 was quicker the first day and I wasn’t as happy with the feel of 109. RCR brought along some of their fabricators, so they decided to cut the nose of the car off and reshape the front end of 109 to make it better. The second day of testing we ran both cars again, and 109 was much more comfortable to me and was faster on the longer runs than 114. It ended up being a strong test for the AOL team, so we are really excited about racing at the Brickyard.”
#22 - Scott Wimmer
“I’m looking forward to going to Indy. There is so much history and prestige at that track, it’s exciting to be racing there. It will be my first race there so I’m excited to get there and run well. I think we have a good shot at running decent, especially after a good test and then having run well in Pocono. It’s a track that has those long straight-aways and tight turns, a lot like Pocono so we’ll see what happens.”
Busch Series Drivers Comment On Indianapolis Raceway Park
#00 - Jason Leffler
"I'm really excited about this weekend. It's going to be busy for my Haas Automation Racing team and me but I think that we are ready for it. I can't say enough about this team. We have matured together and it's showing in the finishes that we are having and in the point standings. This weekend we hope that we will go run the Brickyard and learn a lot of things that will help us on both the Cup and Busch side. With the way that we have been running lately in the Busch Series I think that we have a great chance on leaving with the Kroger 200 win. I'm just ready to get out there and give them all that I've got. I'm bringing it!"
#1 - Bobby Hamilton Sr.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity. The Yellow team has a great track record and I am looking forward to getting back into a Busch car. The one-day event at Indianapolis doesn't give us a lot of time to get comfortable on the track. Hopefully Friday's truck race with give me a better feel for the track going into the Busch race on Saturday."
#2 - Ron Hornaday Jr
"I can't wait. I have really been looking forward to this race all year. It has been literally circled on my schedule. I love IRP. This is racing to me. The track has a top groove that is very fast, but we showed last year that the low groove can work as well. You can race side-by-side here and if there is contact, it's just racing. That's my style. I like to lean on people. I like the contact. This is my kind of race track."
#4 - Mike Walalce
"It is just a very challenging place. The way you have to run that place. You are running right at the top of the race track, not around the bottom like most places. It is just a tough place to get around -- and pass. You need to be pretty decent right from the start. If you are just a little off, you can get a lap down pretty easy. But based on how this GEICO team has run on the last two flat tracks – Milwaukee and Loudon, I think we can have a pretty good day. We are taking the same car that we ran at Loudon."
#5 - Kyle Busch
"IRP reminds me of the way the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was before they repaved it. You're in the turns for quite awhile. If the straightaways were a little longer, I think the track would better suit my driving style. It can be tough to pass here, which you saw in last year's race between Brian and Shane Hmiel. I thought that was some of the best racing I've seen in quite awhile. Those guys were going door to door for a long time, and neither guy was giving an inch. It was pretty awesome."
#11 - Paul Menard
"I feel very comfortable at IRP. It's a great racetrack with lots of grooves, which is something every driver looks for. But, best yet, we're racing under the lights in Indianapolis, the racing capitol of the world. That's always special. With all that we've learned at IRP the last two weeks, I believe we have as good of a shot as anyone else at the top spot. I can't wait to get there."
#12 - Tim Fedewa
"Three hundred races is quite a few, and I am happy that I've been able to run that many. But right now, we've got a chance to really solidify our place in the Top 10 from here to the end of the season. It's great to be here now, but the main thing we want is to be there at the end. If we can start to put together of few of this good finishes in a row, I think we've got a good shot at that. I've had some success there (IRP), and it's another track where we may have more in our favor than at some bigger tracks, so hopefully we can take advantage of that."
#14 - Casey Atwood
"These one-day shows really test how you communicate with your crew chief. We had a good car at Gateway and Milwaukee and just got into some bad luck. Jay [Guy] has done a pretty good job of leaving some adjustability in our cars for these races and we've been able to get them to race well at night after running them during practice and qualifying in the heat of the day."
#21 - Clint Bowyer
"It's a tough ol' short track, but that's what I've grown up around all my life in racing. The test went well for me, and I'm glad that I had [Ron] Hornaday there to teach me the ropes. That guy knows a lot about these short tracks, and he can get it done behind the wheel. I'm really pretty optimistic for this weekend."
#22 - Jason Keller
"This track always brings back good memories; this is where I won with my own team back in 1995. This is the only track that I've won twice; so there's always that nervous feeling when I go back here, knowing that I can perform well here."
#23 - Kenny Wallace
"I am really excited about racing at IRP. It brings all of us drivers back to our roots of racing under the lights on Saturday nights at our local short tracks. I think it is neat that NASCAR still lets the Busch Series race at IRP. It shows that they still remember what got us where we are today. I am really excited about our chances this weekend at IRP. I won the pole there in 2001 and know that Chris Rice is bringing a great car for me to drive."
#24 - Steve Grissom
"The one day shows make for long days, and you've got to get your car set up right before it's impounded. You don't want it too loose in qualifying to get a decent run, but it's also got be free enough during the day so it doesn't get too tight at night when the track cools down... The track is pretty tough to pass, so it's really important to get a good handling car early in the race."
#25 - Bobby Hamilton Jr
"I want to thank everyone with Team Rensi Motorsports for the last three years, we both grew together and had a lot of great times. It has been an honor to race for the United States Marine Corps. I also want to thank all of our associate sponsors like Timberland PRO Series, Pioneer Financial Services and ABC Auto Parts. We still have a lot of races left and I want us all to go out with a few more wins."
#27 - Johnny Sauter
"IRP is one of the coolest tracks that we go to. It's an 'old school' track, the kind of place where most drivers learned the ropes. It's got character, attitude – everything that's right about racing. It's a short track, so there's close competition all night long, a lot of bumping and banging going on. I'd be surprised if the winner's car is in one piece at the end of the race. It should be a fun race for the fans and the drivers too."
#32 - David Stremme
"IRP is definitely a big deal for Braun Racing. Not only do we have homes and family back there, but Todd (Braun) still has his two car dealerships there, and his father's business, Braun Corp, is also in Winamac.I am really looking forward to some good short track racing this weekend," said Stremme. "IRP is a track I am very comfortable driving because I have had a lot of laps there."
#35 - Shelby Howard
"I am really excited about racing for Team Rensi, especially so close to my hometown of Greenwood. have been watching Team Rensi closely over the last two years and they clearly have one of the best teams in the Busch Series. It's really an honor to drive for Sam and Ed Rensi and Gary Weisbaum, hopefully I can have a strong run Saturday night."
#37 - David Green
"IRP is without a doubt the toughest short track we run on. I've had several good runs there over the years but just keep coming up short. It's a demanding track in that you have to continually adjust your car throughout the evening. We practice in the heat and impound after qualifying… making it a true test of driver / crew chief communication. The key to winning is being able to find the speed you need during the day, but not sacrificing anything once the green flag drops. Winning at IRP is a huge deal in the Busch Series, even though we share the weekend with the Cup guys at the Brickyard… it makes a statement that your team is the #1 short track team in the Busch Series."
#38 - Shane Hmiel
" I'm really looking forward to IRP this weekend. I've had success there, and I can't wait to get back. I'm hoping that I can at least lead as many laps as I did last year and also get the pole again. This year, though, I want to finish first! There are only a couple of other drivers competing in the Craftsman Truck race on Friday as well as the Busch race on Saturday, so maybe I'll have an advantage over most of the others since I'll be racing both nights. IRP is always a fun race. There's a lot of bumping and rubbing under the lights, so it should be an exciting race for the fans. I had a great time racing the No. 38 Great Clips Dodge at Milwaukee, and I look forward to bringing home another top-five finish for them this weekend. I can't thank Great Clips and Akins Motorsports enough for giving me this opportunity. Hopefully we can end the evening in Victory Lane."
#39 - Tina Gordon
“While the speedway is different from most everything else, there is a lot about it that is the same too. I’ve run flat tracks in Alabama, and of course on the Truck Series, so I have some knowledge there. It’s not like I am coming in completely blind to things.But every speedway has its nuances and differences, and finding those is part of what separates the winning teams from the rest of the pack. The other part is knowing how to take advantage of what you have found. People can tell you what they know but being able to apply that knowledge is the key."
#40 - Brian Tyler
"I'm excited. Calvin Humphries did a great job setting up the car for our test. I think this could be my best chance in a Busch car, and I'm hoping this leads into more races with Rich (Woodland) and RWR."
#41 - Reed Sorenson
"I ran at IRP last weekend in the ASA Series and learned things that I think will really help me this weekend. About halfway through the race I began trying different lines and ways to pass on the track because most of the time you are running nose-to-tail with the other cars. Some of the things I tried during the ASA race seemed to work great, and that kind of racing information I can utilize in the Busch car as well."
#46 - Ashton Lewis
"Our race each year at IRP is always special. With the trucks also running IRP and the NEXTEL Cup at the Brickyard, it's a race fan's dream weekend."
#47 - Robert Pressley
"Saturday night's race comes at a great time for this race team. I love short tracks and Indianapolis Raceway Park is one of the great ones on our schedule. You have to miss all the wrecks, make sure you're part of the fuel mileage game and find a way to create track position. The car has to be good; the race team has to be perfect; the driver has to be on his game just to survive 200 laps of racing. I believe our car, team and driver are up for the challenge."
#49 - Derrike Cope
“Where I grew up racing in Washington, flat tracks were just the norm. Every track out there was a flat track. The most banking you saw anywhere was very slight, at least, compared to what you see through a lot of the southeast. When I first started running flatter tracks, it was no big deal. That’s what I knew. Look at where a lot of the younger drivers are coming from today, the Midwest and the West Coast. Those short tracks and weekly tracks are almost all flat tracks. They have a familiarity with them, and these types of tracks are intimidating to them. The young drivers have a great chance at doing well at IRP this weekend, and I feel they’ll do well at the big speedway too for the same reason.”
#55 - Robby Gordon
"After a couple of weeks off, I am excited about getting back in The Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet. Our cars have been really strong and we are really pleased with the program. Despite the fact that we have been competitive virtually every week, we haven't recorded out first victory of the season but Fruit of the Loom is kicking off a back to school promotion this weekend and winning at IRP would be a great way to get the program started."
#59 - Stacy Compton
"It's important to have a fast car and flawless strategy for a short track like Indianapolis, but a bigger secret for success is confidence and momentum. This team has finished eighth and second in our last two races, and we're headed to a track where I finished third last year. As soon as last week's race was done at Pike's Peak, everyone on team started looking forward to short-track racing at Indianapolis."
#60 - Greg Biffle
"IRP has been a good track for us over the years and we're taking the same car we won with in 2002. I'm sure it will be equally as good and hopefully we can get back to back wins in the Charter Ford."
#74 - Tyler Walker
"To climb behind the wheel of The Outdoor Channel Chevrolet at IRP is a big deal for me. The coolest thing is to be tabbed to represent The World of Outlaws in a prominent NASCAR event. The success I enjoyed in The Outlaws Series has been invaluable to me in continuing to advance my racing career. This sport is a lot of who you know in addition to your ability on the track and I was able to make some great connections while competing regularly in the Outlaws Series."
Craftsman Truck Series Drivers Comment On Indianapolis Raceway Park
#38 - Brandon Whitt
“I’m just looking forward to getting back on a short track. Our short track program seems to be our strongest suit this year. Although we’ve done a lot of testing on mile-and-a-half tracks lately, our short track program has been strong since the beginning of the year. So, I’m really looking forward to getting back on a short track. We’re looking for a little redemption on short tracks as well. We’ve had some great, promising runs on short tracks this year but for whatever reason haven’t closed the door. Personally, I feel as if we’ve had at least a top-15 truck on about every short track this year, but we haven’t brought home top-10 finishes on all of them. IRP is going to be a great atmosphere. That place will be filled to the brim with race fans, at night, under the lights… it really seems that Indianapolis embraces racing like few cities do.
#46 - Dennis Setzer
"IRP is a very flat track that requires a lot of finess. You must run your truck right up along the wall to get the most speed out of it. That is why this is a very difficult track to pass on. Track position is going to be very important so we expect tires and fuel mileage to play a big factor in the outcome."
#16 - Jack Sprague
"I love IRP. It has always been a really good track for me. It is a technical track with unique characteristics. There isn't another track on the circuit that comes close to IRP. The fans are always treated to an action packed race. The same goes for the drivers. There have been some incredible last lap finishes there and I have been fortunate to come out the winner a couple of times. Our Chevy Trucks Silverado should be good for Friday's show. With it being a one-day event, you have to be strong right off the trailer. Our IWX Racing team has had good runs there in the past so I am pretty optimistic about our chances for a strong finish."
#03 - Denny Hamlin
“I am so excited about this opportunity to make my NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Team EJP Racing at one of the biggest events on the series schedule. There are always a lot of people in the stands at IRP, and with all that is going on at the Speedway (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), it just adds to the level of excitement for everyone. It’s important for the team because E.J. Prescott has a lot of customers in the Indianapolis area. And we’ll have a lot of people from Joe Gibbs Racing there to see how things are going, too.”
#15 - Shane Hmiel
“There is a great group of drivers coming in this weekend for the truck race and I’m looking forward to racing with them. I’m not worried; our Silverado’s been fast all year. I’ve raced with some of these guys before plus I really like the track. I’ve run well there in the Busch Series the past two years. Last year I started on the pole and finished fourth after leading a good portion of the race.”
#6 - Matt Crafton
"I really like IRP. I led a few laps there in my rookie year. You can run down on the bottom of the racetrack really well. You will see some pretty good slide-jobs in the corners. I really look forward to short-track racing because the driver has a lot more input."
#62 - Steve Park
“I had my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Indianapolis Raceway Park. I drove one race in Walker Evans’ Dodge in 1996. I think we started and finished 11th. I like the track because it reminds me of grassroots racing. I have been racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway the past several years. I’ve always watched the races at IRP, but it is great to have the opportunity to participate in the race. I enjoy the short tracks and the one-day shows."
#99 - Carl Edwards
“My dad and I used to sit in our living room at home and watch the USAC races on ESPN from IRP years ago. I always dreamed about racing it. IRP was the first place I ever saw Silver Crown cars run. It was spectacular. I will never forget walking into the grandstands and watching those cars going around there so fast. So, to get to drive one is just awesome. Last year, we had an incredible weekend running third in the Silver Crown race and winning the truck race. I love this place!”
#14 - Rick Crawford
"The Circle Bar Ford had a real strong chance of winning last year's event. Carl had a great truck, but the last 20 laps, I was really cutting into his lead. I knew he could see me coming in the mirror, but we ran out of fuel before we got to him. That was heartbreaking to be that close to a chance at victory lane and have to pit for fuel. Things like that happen though and I'm positive about our chances this weekend. We've had some success this year on the circuit's short tracks winning in Martinsville and getting a top-ten in Mansfield. I'm excited to get back to a track like IRP, we've had some hard luck the last couple of weeks."
#10 - Terry Cook
"Indianapolis Raceway Park promotes great side-by-side racing with the top groove being the fastest way around. When you pack in 25,000 people there on a Friday night, as a driver I get excited especially since I’ve run exceptionally well at IRP. A lot of people don’t like it when the pressure is on but I like it and I perform better when the pressure is on. I’m looking forward to returning to IRP and continuing our winning ways from 2002.”
#30 - Sean Murphy
“As a new driver, I have no provisional points, all I can say is please pray for no rain so that we can have qualifying, We tried to qualify for the Mansfield Ohio race in May, but it was cancelled due to weather."
#4 - Bobby Hamilton
“This team doesn’t worry about finishing races. I’m driving as an owner this year. I’m an owner who’s got to sign a sponsorship for next year, and I need TV time to keep that sponsorship. To get TV time we’ve got to win races. We’re not just riding around and being so spooked that we don’t try several things in risk of losing points. I’m just not going to do it. We’re a few races out from looking at points. The closer we get to the end of this year, about six or seven races out; we’re going to look at the points. Then I might be conservative behind the wheel, but then again I think not.”
#07 - Shane Sieg
“The groove is right up next to the wall at IRP,” he said. “I don’t have a lot of experience running places like that, but I am sure we’ll get used to it in a hurry. I love short track racing. I really puts all of us back on a level playing field. We really think we can come and run with some of these big teams on a short track.”
#47 - Kyle Busch
“This should be a lot of fun. I want to thank Chevrolet and Morgan Dollar Motorsports for giving me the opportunity to get back into a truck. My very first race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was at IRP back in 2001, so it’s pretty cool that I get to make my return to the series at the track where I made my first NASCAR start. What makes it even more special is that this time I get to do it in a Chevrolet.”
#2 - Andy Houston
"I guess you could say that Indianapolis Raceway Park was the track that gave me my start. I ran my very first NASCAR Busch Series race at IRP in 1996. It was special for a couple of reasons. It was my first NASCAR Touring Series start, and it was in one of my dad's Busch cars. That was one of only a few times that I got to race against my dad, Tommy Houston, before he retired. I also made my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at IRP in 1997, so I have some very fond memories of IRP and hopefully we will create another fond memory this weekend."
#50 - Jon Wood
"I really like racing at IRP. I've had a few good runs there and I think this will be a place that we can make a comeback this weekend. We've had some bad luck lately with two 30th-place finishes in a row, but I haven't finished outside the top 10 at IRP since 2001 so I expect good things this weekend."
#17 - David Reutimann
"I'm excited to be racing with DW again. It's always nice to have him there. We are looking forward to having a good time and may the best man win. It's good in the respect that I can have Michael and DW there to talk with and get advice from because I've never raced at IRP before. It's going to be unique having both of those guys there. Our short track deal hasn't been what we've liked it to be. We are looking to be on top of our short track program at IRP."
#11 - Darrell Waltrip
"My expectations and goals are always the same. I want to run in the Top-10, be competitive, be in a position to win and not finish outside the Top-10. After tiptoeing out of the TV booth, I only do this three times a year so I have to keep my goals realistic. But, oh by the way, and there's always an oh by the way, I plan on winning. Nothing and I mean nothing would make me happier than to do a little bump drafting with my baby brother Michael at IRP. I dream about Toyota versus Chevrolet for the win. Somebody better let Michael know that he has his work cut out for him this Friday."
#75 - David Starr
"IRP is one of the most exciting, challenging tracks on the circuit. Setup is all-important. You have to have a truck that cuts good in the center and has good forward bite. Our No. 75 Spears Chevy should be up to the job and I am looking forward to being able to rebound from last weekend."
#8 - Chase Montgomery
"This will be my first time racing at IRP. I have gone the last few years to watch the races and the track looks like it is a lot of fun. I have had some pretty good runs at similar tracks to IRP and I expect the same on Friday night. It is always a big show here for the whole week in Indy and you sure do want to make a good showing. The race always has some great racing and is a fan favorite on our schedule. The guys on this team have been giving me great trucks all year and if we get the chassis under us and stay out of trouble then we will have a really good run."
#97 - Scotty Sands
"I’m very excited about this weekend. We have a great group of sponsors, and we want to do everything in our power to assure they get the publicity they want and deserve. We would not be here this weekend if it wasn’t for them, and we won’t ever forget it."
#18 - Chad Chaffin
“You never know what to expect out of a short track. They are so competitive. The difference between the fastest and a 10th place truck may be one-tenth-of-a-second. It is tougher to run well on short tracks than it is on the 1.5-mile tracks where your equipment can get you up front. The racing at IRP reminds me a lot of Saturday night racing at Nashville Speedway – a place where so many of us cut our teeth. It’s a flat track so bumping and banging is bound to happen. I am confident about our chances at IRP."
#63 - Chris Wimmer
"We haven't had a lot of luck at short tracks this year, but we have a good feeling about IRP. We've gotten the bugs out of the system, the team is closer than ever, and we've been putting together some good finishes. We're not where we need to be yet, but we're making positive progress."
#24 - Travis Kvapil
"I am excited to get to IRP because of the type of track that it is. I think every driver has raced on that type of short track when we all got started in this industry. IRP has real tight racing, but if you have a good handling truck, you can really have a lot of success there. I finished second there last year and I feel that I should be able to be in contention for a win again this year."
#42 - Mike Skinner
"The first two years at IRP, we sat on the pole and led every lap so I have been very competitive there and I have enjoyed a lot of success. Then a couple of years later, we went there with an independent truck. We were real competitive again and got up into the top-five but broke a transmission. Since I’ve been competitive there, I am excited about going back. It’s one of my favorite tracks to go to on the circuit."
#48 - Nicholas Tucker
"I’m really excited about this opportunity. I’m pretty ecstatic that James and the guys are willing to give me a chance to drive and grab some experience. It’s really great to go to a place like IRP where there is so much history. It’s even more incredible going there to start your first race. We’re just hoping for a decent finish and get some experience."
#88 - Tracy Hines
“ IRP is one of my favorite tracks. I have probably been more successful there than anywhere else in my career. We've won something like 12 open wheel races there. And it's a place that we go back to that I have actually had some experience in the Truck before. We ran that race last year and we were moving up through the field before we got involved in a crash not of our making. And I think this is actually a little better truck than I had last year. I can't wait to get to IRP.
#13 - Paul White
“We're looking forward to it. We gained a lot of momentum with how we ran at Gateway a couple of weeks ago. We're ready to go to Indianapolis and build on that. From what I've seen watching the truck races there, the trucks run a whole different line than the Silver Crown cars do. I'm anxious to get there and get back to racing the Sta-Max Silverado this week."
#29 - Deborah Renshaw
"I think IRP is going to be an interesting race for me. Because I do have quite a bit of short track experience and our team has a great truck in 'Droopy' for this race. I think there will be a lot of learning and hopefully I can get the hang of rubbing on the short track in the truck. But I think the key to a respectable finish at IRP will be trying to keep the fenders on the truck when the checkers fall."
#12 - Robert Huffman
“I’ve raced at IRP once before, back in ’97. IRP is a tough track to pass on. You have to have a truck that will run on the bottom and on the top line. This will definitely be a test to see where our short track program stands, and what we might need to improve on. I think we’ll be good, Rick Gay and Gere were there last year in the Busch Series, and their car took the pole and led most of the race. They know the right set-ups, and I’m confident I’ll have another good truck.”
#21 - Hank Parker Jr
“I’m looking forward to racing IRP again. It’s a track that has little room to pass, but the racing is always fun.” He continued, “I’m glad to have zMAX back on board with us this week, and I’m hoping to get them a lot of exposure by having a good run.”