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Chat Transcript: Jeff Gordon
October 2, 2002
2:38 PM EDT (1838 GMT)
[NASCAR-Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jeff Gordon!
[Jeff_Gordon] Welcome to all the NASCAR fans online this afternoon. I appreciate you coming by and am looking forward to your questions!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [WardFan22] Jeff, out of your 60+ wins, and putting egos aside, have you ever sat in a car on race morning and just know you had the best car out there and then went on to win the race? If so, can you name the race?
[Jeff_Gordon] That is a really good question! Let me think... I will be honest, this year at Bristol, the night race that we won, I knew we had a great opportunity with the car and it was capable of winning. I don't go into any race thinking we have it in the bag, even if we had a good car in practice. That will come back and bite you and really give you an ego check!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Clauson] Seeing how successful Jimmie has been, does you have your eye on any other young talent?
Credit: Autostock
[Jeff_Gordon] No. We are pretty much taken care of right now! Rick Hendrick always has his feelers out there. My step-dad, John, is always telling me about young guys out there that are really talented. There is a kid named Boston Reid from Indiana, and now he is in Sprint cars. There are thousands of people out there that are capable of racing in Winston Cup, and you need to find them at the right time and place and give them the right equipment.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [BellMoose] Jeff, congratulations on your Kansas City win! How do you feel about NASCAR limiting the fans access to the pits?
[Jeff_Gordon] I don't think that NASCAR has really made any decisions on what they want to do. They just need to get more control over the garage area. It is a common respect from the drivers and crews that you get continued access, but we also need to do our jobs and focus on the cars. There is a way to get a good balance, and it will take time, which is what NASCAR is looking into in order to make everyone happy that is in there.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [why] Hello Jeff, awesome race on Sunday! As a co-owner of your own team, I was wondering what are some of the advantages and disadvantages that you have run into?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have seen a lot more advantages. Our thought process was to bring two cars under one roof and gather as much information as possible and communicate at a high level. That has been proven, based on three races each of us has won. A disadvantage is when a young guy on a new team is doing better than I am, being a previous Winston Cup Champion. There are some outside pressures that come with that you don't want to let affect you.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Fla4_24] Do you expect the new "Uniform Aero Body" to add a new chapter to the NASCAR history books and put an end to the seven-time champion quest?
[Jeff_Gordon] You mean common templates? I think that is just going to make the team, the driver, communication, and horsepower that much more important. I would rather be on a level playing field aerodynamically than knowing that one year I will have an advantage and the next year not. With the resources we have at Hendrick, that will help us rise to the top and still be a threat for championships.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [SamiA] Hey Jeff! When you were in that golf cart race, did someone put something on your seat? Or did you just turn the corner to sharp?
[Jeff_Gordon] I just wasn't holding on tight enough!! Haha!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [CRYS74] On jeffgordon.com there is a list of the names of some of the cars you've won with. All of them either started with "B" or had a significant "B" in the name (Grand Master B, Aunt Bea). Why is that and who actually names the cars?
[Jeff_Gordon] You know, we haven't done that for a long time. For whatever reason, when we started building the team with Ray Evernham as the Crew Chief, they bought that from other teams that named cars. We just started with the Killer Bees. It was Ray's way to get the guys motivated, but after a while you run out of names! Now we use the serial numbers, but if something happens with the car, we might come up with a name, but it doesn't have to have a "B."
Credit: Autostock
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [iluv24] Jeff, what would be the one thing in your racing career that would make you feel complete enough to say you've done everything you ever wanted to do?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have already done it! It already exists. From here on out, it is just icing on the cake. I have done more than I have ever dreamed I would do in my career. I want to keep pushing this team and myself to limits to be competitive, and that is my only goal now. I want to continue the level of high competition and compete for championships on a year-by-year basis, and that will keep it fun for a really long time.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [wcupfan2448] I would like to know your thoughts on the whole Dale Jr. concussion thing. Do you think his hiding his condition was wrong and do you think NASCAR is responding appropriately?
[Jeff_Gordon] Well, I certainly think he shouldn't have hidden that from the team or NASCAR. I think that if you have an injury that is severe like that, you should take time off, especially for a guy like him where his job isn't in jeopardy. They should have put someone in the car until he was 100% ready to come back. NASCAR has a responsibility, but so does the team and driver. It takes everyone together, with the doctors, to evaluate the situation and make sure someone is ready to come back.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [bradC] Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and yourself came up through the USAC ranks. What did you learn in open-wheel racing that you were able to apply in Winston Cup?
[Jeff_Gordon] I think just experience on all types of tracks and types of racecars is valuable and allows you to get to this level. That was the biggest thing. It wasn't just USAC, it was all different kinds of cars that we raced all over the country. We adapted to different conditions to get as much as experience as possible, which was key for me, and both those guys as well.
Credit: Autostock
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [24_48fan4life] Of all the people capable of winning the 2002 Championship as of now, which ONE driver do you believe will be the toughest to overtake for your fifth title?
[Jeff_Gordon] I would say Jimmie Johnson! He has been strong, won races, and has been consistent, and I know the kind of equipment he has! It hasn't been one person that is a clear-cut pick. I think Tony Stewart, if you look at his talents and how close he has been the last few years, would certainly be someone you want to pick. It just doesn't seem like anyone has been consistent. Mark has contended in the past, but right now, no one is getting the consistency to beat anyone else. It is just anybody's racetrack right now.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Kim from NJ] Jeff, when the caution came at lap 18, you and Robbie Loomis were thinking about coming in for two tires and then decided to stay out. Who made that decision?
Credit: Autostock
[Jeff_Gordon] I think what happened was Robbie said to come in, and then I saw in the mirror that most people weren't coming in, and then he told me to make the call. It was a cat and mouse game to see what they would do, and when they stayed out, we had to also. It is always a joint decision amongst the team. The guy on the box has to make a decision, but when we are sitting in the car in the closing laps, I need to step up and make a call. The ultimate decision needs to be on my shoulders when it comes down to the wire like that.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [dweaver] Hi Jeff, I wanted to ask you if you think the smaller fuel tanks at Talladega this week will break up the packs and space out the pit stops?
[Jeff_Gordon] Yeah, as long as there aren't cautions, it should do it. In the past, one thing that has really worked is long, green-flag runs and make green-flag pit stops. That broke up the packs. I think we are still going to see good side-by-side racing, especially at the beginning. I am sure there will be a few cautions, but knowing that we will have to pit every 25-30 laps, that will certainly break things up a lot. That will make the pit strategy very interesting and something we will have to think a lot about.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [latino24fan] Congratulations on the win Jeff! I've been reading a lot about how NASCAR wants to involve minorities more in the sport. How is Hendrick Motorsports addressing the issue?
[Jeff_Gordon] I think we are certainly an equal opportunity organization and we want to hire the best people for the job, not matter their skin color, or if they are male or female. We are open to people that have the credentials to get the job done. Hendrick is working with a minority team owner coming into the sport to help get them started and succeed in Winston Cup racing.
Credit: Autostock
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [ldyhawk24] Now that the media is more focused on you since your reclaimed run to the championship, was it disappointing or a relief to be out of the media frenzy for a while when things were not going so well?
[Jeff_Gordon] Sometimes it is nice to kind of out of the limelight and just do your job and live your life and not be under tight criticism. It is nice to get those breaks, but we want to race for a championship and win races. We know more media and focus comes with that, and we are used to it and deal with it and know how it works. We know how to do our jobs around that at the same time.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Commish24] With all the calls on your time and generosity, how do you decide which causes to take up and which cases to be personally involved with?
[Jeff_Gordon] That is why I found the Jeff Gordon Foundation, to really just pick 4 or 5 organizations that we have supported over the years. We focus our attention on those. We support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Riley Hospital for Children and the Marrow Foundation. At the end of the year, we will do grants to other organizations, but we mainly work with children and families in need.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [jeff_24rulz] I was wondering what car you will the team be taking to Talladega this Sunday. Is it a new car or the same car you drove in this year's Daytona 500 and the July 4th Pepsi 400 at Daytona?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have Robbie sitting right in front of me and he is going to tell me! Robbie says the 2464, the car we took to Daytona.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [I'marealist] Now after winning 3 of the last 6 races and REALLY in contention to win another Championship, who or what do you credit the change to: the car, team, engineering, etc.? And what do you truly think your chances are to win it this year also?
[Jeff_Gordon] I really don't think we have changed a whole lot. We are just trying to learn from the first half of the season. We are always just trying to grow and get better. Communication has been good and solid all year long, but this part of the season things have just started to go our way.
I think our chances are extremely good. We are winning races, and if we can get some consistency where we can get back-to-back good finishes, I know we have a shot. I know we can't go win two races and then finish 37 and 40 the next two weeks. We aren't focused on anyone else. We just want to do what we need to do for the tracks coming up and just fight for every position and point we can get.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [crl] This has been a trying year for you in so many ways. How has it changed you spiritually?
[Jeff_Gordon] It has been an interesting year, a great year, and a trying year, too. I think that that is what tests your faith, when you go through times like that. When you are challenged, they say, "something that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." That has strengthened my faith in God and helps me to continue to go on and be happy, focused, and be the best person and racecar driver I can be.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Brandy2] Jeff, people want to assume there is a major conflict between you and Tony Stewart. I have seen you two speak to each other in a positive manner. Has the rumors of this been blown way out of proportion?
[Jeff_Gordon] Rivalries are always much stronger between the fans than the drivers. Tony and I are fierce drivers on the track, but he is extremely talented and we have to beat him for the championship. We get along fine and we have had several times this year just spending time together, like hanging out or going go-karting. He is a really good guy and fun to be around.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [FanofJeffGordon] Jeff, can you give us a little bit more of a insider on what your cameo appearance in the Looney Tunes movie is going to be about. Also, are you considering any other acting roles?
[Jeff_Gordon] My part is a small role. I want to be a racecar driver, not an actor! Every once in a while opportunities come along, and this is one of them. I am basically in uniform going to the valet of the Yosemite Sam Casino and asking to bring my car around. It is my racecar and some of the characters come in there and steal my car and chase someone else. It was just fun and something I thought that would be good to do.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [CDP24] You seemed a little more aggressive driving the car last year than you do this year. Do you feel this is true? If so why, and if not, why not?
[Jeff_Gordon] No, that is not true. There are opportunities and times in races to be more aggressive than others. Each year my experience level goes up and I find the best times to be aggressive, and at other times I need to save equipment. When I want to win the race or make up positions, you have to be aggressive. You have young guys out there being aggressive every single lap, but I have experience and I know you cant be like that every single lap. I don't feel like we are doing anything different this year, or last year, or the year before that.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [igofor24] How do you feel about your new 2003 cars and do you think that there will a big difference from the cars now as far as getting them set up and using notes from previous races?
[Jeff_Gordon] I haven't even see the 2003 car! I have heard some things about the car and I think because times are changing all the time with testing and with time in the wind tunnel, even with the cars we have today, our notes for next year might not be any good. You have to be open-minded, change and adapt all the time to compete. Just because we won Kansas City with X setup doesn't mean we can go there next year knowing we can run with the same setup. We will test a lot in the offseason to see where the car will be and how we will start the season out.
[NASCAR-Host3] Thank you Jeff! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
[Jeff_Gordon] Thanks for coming today! I appreciate it. We can't wait to get to Talladega and work towards that fifth Winston Cup championship. Thanks for all your support!
____________________________________________________
Chat Transcript: K. Wallace & Carrot Top
October 2, 2002
2:35 PM EDT (1835 GMT)
[NASCAR-Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Kenny Wallace & Carrot Top!
[Kenny_Wallace] Hello race fans! Give me one second. I am at Steak & Shake ordering lunch!!
[Carrot_Top] Hey NASCAR fans! How are you doing? Sorry I am on the hood!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [racerlady88] Hey Kenny! Hey Carrot Top! Carrot, who is your favorite Winston Cup driver (besides Kenny)? Kenny, who is your favorite comedian (besides Carrot)?
[Kenny_Wallace] I will have to tell you that I was lucky to see Carrot Top on a Jay Leno show and he made me laugh!! My favorite all-time comedian is probably George Carlin. I don't know how he is for real, but he is funny in his skits.
[Carrot_Top] That is a good one. My other Wallace brother, Rusty Wallace. I met him once and he is probably one of the nicest guys. He is getting so close and is doing great! I just want to say I got Kenny, too. How are you doing! I guess we are on to the next Wallace brother. Mike didn't work out as well in Daytona, so we move on to Kenny. What brother it next? It is kind of like working with the Baldwin brothers -- you never run out of them!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [txcowboy] Kenny, are you having as much fun with the Stacker deal as it appears on the tube?
[Kenny_Wallace] It is a pleasant surprise going in to this sponsorship that it would have turned out like this. I always say you can't plan success -- it just happens. It has been a lot of fun!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [txcowboy] Carrot, bro, you got all kinds of great looking chickadees around you. Any long distance calls going on? LOL
[Carrot_Top] I don't get to keep any of the girls like I do the wardrobe. Don't think I am not trying! I try to dial down the center as much as possible if you know what I mean...
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [lish8fan] Hey Kenny, I have seen you compete in a variety of race series. Which do you like the best? All-Pro, Busch, or Winston?
[Kenny_Wallace] By far I like Winston Cup the best because it knots your heart up and rips your heart out. If it gives you that much of a gut check, it must be the best, therefore I would say Winston Cup. I will have to say, for sure, the most fun is something that you do without consequences, so that would be the All-Pro Series. Or running a dirt track with Kenny Schrader, or something you just don't have to pay for!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [triplett216] Carrot Top, when will you be performing in the Indianapolis area? I love your antics, but always seem to miss your appearances on TV.
[Carrot_Top] Nice try Kenny! Isn't it about the money? Be honest with me bro!
[Carrot_Top] I will be outside of Indy in the next two weeks, in Evansville and Merrillville. I can't remember the exact dates, but check out carrottop.com for details.
[Kenny_Wallace] I have these three kids that eat all my money.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [db88] Hey Kenny and Carrot Top! Y'all are two of the funniest guys I know. Any chance there will be a commercial with the two of you soon?
[Carrot_Top] I am all for it! I tried doing that with AT&T. Kenny is very funny and I would love to do one with him soon.
[Kenny_Wallace] I hope so. I could hide behind his hair and you could never see me! It could be like the "Find Kenny commercial!"
[Carrot_Top] Where's Waldo? Or maybe we can do a Hooters ad, but then we would need Brett Bodine and three is a crowd!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [My Junior Rox 8] Kenny, I think you are the funniest driver out there! What is the funniest and biggest prank you have ever pulled on your brothers??
[Kenny_Wallace] Hey Carrot Top, I want to know if someone has taken off your spoiler lately?
[Carrot_Top] Very nice.
[Kenny_Wallace] Don't forget, God, Goodyear and Gatorade!
[Kenny_Wallace] I am really not a prankster. I just react to the situation. I can make fun of things that people take serious, so I am not as talented as say Carrot Top. I can't come up with funny stuff. I use things that people take serious and make funny. Life is just a journey!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Indyandrettifan] How did Carrot Top get involved with NASCAR?
[Carrot_Top] I would say through AT&T. Those people put the car together for the sponsorship. I can't be more excited! This is probably the most exciting thing in my career. For me it is exciting, but for the NASCAR fans it is the first sign of the end of the world, with my face on the hood of a car.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [NASCAR-dearjoan] Heya, Kenny! You had awesome runs at Talladega earlier in the season, with ninth in Busch and FIFTH in WC!!! How's the car looking for this weekend?
[Carrot_Top] I think it is has the best hairodyanmics out there!
[Kenny_Wallace] I feel kinda bad that I am driving a completely different car for a different team this week. I am not driving for my team, BDR, because of a prior commitment, but Andy Petree has a great speedway organization there. I am going there for some unfinished business. I haven't finished out of the top-10 there in a long time. The new, smaller fuel cell will make things interesting, especially the pit stops.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [badnil] Hi Kenny! Who do you think is funnier-you or Carrot Top? Carrot Top, who do you think is funnier?
[Kenny_Wallace] Obviously me because I laugh at all my own sh*t all the time!
[Carrot_Top] Naturally I think Kenny is funnier, and not only is he better looking than me, but he is a better dancer (but a sloppy kisser, so I have heard!)
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Carrottopfan] Carrot Top, I think you are SO funny! I read that you are a marketing major. How involved are you in marketing your career? And what has been your biggest challenge so far?
[Carrot_Top] Watch your language Kenny! Do you think you are Ozzy?
[Carrot_Top] It is always a challenge to keep your face out there, marketing yourself. It is always a challenge to reinvent yourself and keep it fresh. For instance, this NASCAR promotion is tremendous in that regard. I was lucky to just stumble across it. It was a blessing for me to be with AT&T and NASCAR, which is marketing at its best.
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[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [SamiA] Hey Kenny! I love the Stacker 2 commercials. What was it like working with the WWE Superstars? Did they really rough you up? It looked like you were in pain. LOL
[Kenny_Wallace] Those people are totally serious about what they do! You know, when you see it on TV, you say OK, this stuff is scripted, but when I made commercials, they were really serious and true actors. I tried to joke with them, but they were pretty serious, and I guess if they don't do it right, Vince whips them into shape!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [CarrotDude] What do you think would be your biggest challenge, driving at 200 mph around the speedway or trying to get your hair under a helmet. LOL
[Carrot_Top] Nice try! I would say I have the utmost respect for the drivers like Kenny. I don't even know what that would be like, although it has seemed like women drive that fast away from me!
[Kenny_Wallace] I admire Carrot Top because I don't know how hard it would be to get in front of all those people and try and make them laugh! That is the ultimate pressure.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Loaks] Kenny, what is one thing that your fans might not know about you that you would like to share with us?
[Kenny_Wallace] The one thing the fans probably don't know about me that I would like to share is that I pay all my own bills, and my wife thinks I am a weirdo. I have this fear of Darryl Strawberry-type stories and athletes losing their money because accountants screw them I write all my own bills!
[Carrot_Top] One thing they don't know about me is I am a short, black, Chinese woman with braces.
[Kenny_Wallace] HAHAHA! I like that!
[Carrot_Top] I don't even know what that means. Sorry, I think I need a nap.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Booger79] What do you think about Cup drivers participating in Busch events? In no other sport do varsity players (no matter how bad) participate in junior varsity events?
[Kenny_Wallace] I think that is a great question and you have a valid one, but because of the economy right now, be thankful for Winston Cup drivers driving in Busch. Because of them it means we are able to have full fields now. Those Busch guys will also learn the types of cars and drivers they will need to outrun.
[NASCAR-Host3] Thank you Guys! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
[Carrot_Top] I have to go call Dr. Phil now. I have some serious problems to take care of. But thank you and good luck on Sunday, Kenny!
[Kenny_Wallace] I would like to thank everyone for logging on to NASCAR.com. Carrot Top is truly a standup guy. I really like him and he is a great guy. I look forward to seeing everyone at Talladega. It will be a big week for the 1-800-CALL-ATT car with Andy.
[NASCAR-Host3] Everyone, thank you for coming
___________________________________________________-
October 2, 2002
2:38 PM EDT (1838 GMT)
[NASCAR-Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jeff Gordon!
[Jeff_Gordon] Welcome to all the NASCAR fans online this afternoon. I appreciate you coming by and am looking forward to your questions!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [WardFan22] Jeff, out of your 60+ wins, and putting egos aside, have you ever sat in a car on race morning and just know you had the best car out there and then went on to win the race? If so, can you name the race?
[Jeff_Gordon] That is a really good question! Let me think... I will be honest, this year at Bristol, the night race that we won, I knew we had a great opportunity with the car and it was capable of winning. I don't go into any race thinking we have it in the bag, even if we had a good car in practice. That will come back and bite you and really give you an ego check!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Clauson] Seeing how successful Jimmie has been, does you have your eye on any other young talent?
Credit: Autostock
[Jeff_Gordon] No. We are pretty much taken care of right now! Rick Hendrick always has his feelers out there. My step-dad, John, is always telling me about young guys out there that are really talented. There is a kid named Boston Reid from Indiana, and now he is in Sprint cars. There are thousands of people out there that are capable of racing in Winston Cup, and you need to find them at the right time and place and give them the right equipment.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [BellMoose] Jeff, congratulations on your Kansas City win! How do you feel about NASCAR limiting the fans access to the pits?
[Jeff_Gordon] I don't think that NASCAR has really made any decisions on what they want to do. They just need to get more control over the garage area. It is a common respect from the drivers and crews that you get continued access, but we also need to do our jobs and focus on the cars. There is a way to get a good balance, and it will take time, which is what NASCAR is looking into in order to make everyone happy that is in there.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [why] Hello Jeff, awesome race on Sunday! As a co-owner of your own team, I was wondering what are some of the advantages and disadvantages that you have run into?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have seen a lot more advantages. Our thought process was to bring two cars under one roof and gather as much information as possible and communicate at a high level. That has been proven, based on three races each of us has won. A disadvantage is when a young guy on a new team is doing better than I am, being a previous Winston Cup Champion. There are some outside pressures that come with that you don't want to let affect you.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Fla4_24] Do you expect the new "Uniform Aero Body" to add a new chapter to the NASCAR history books and put an end to the seven-time champion quest?
[Jeff_Gordon] You mean common templates? I think that is just going to make the team, the driver, communication, and horsepower that much more important. I would rather be on a level playing field aerodynamically than knowing that one year I will have an advantage and the next year not. With the resources we have at Hendrick, that will help us rise to the top and still be a threat for championships.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [SamiA] Hey Jeff! When you were in that golf cart race, did someone put something on your seat? Or did you just turn the corner to sharp?
[Jeff_Gordon] I just wasn't holding on tight enough!! Haha!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [CRYS74] On jeffgordon.com there is a list of the names of some of the cars you've won with. All of them either started with "B" or had a significant "B" in the name (Grand Master B, Aunt Bea). Why is that and who actually names the cars?
[Jeff_Gordon] You know, we haven't done that for a long time. For whatever reason, when we started building the team with Ray Evernham as the Crew Chief, they bought that from other teams that named cars. We just started with the Killer Bees. It was Ray's way to get the guys motivated, but after a while you run out of names! Now we use the serial numbers, but if something happens with the car, we might come up with a name, but it doesn't have to have a "B."
Credit: Autostock
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [iluv24] Jeff, what would be the one thing in your racing career that would make you feel complete enough to say you've done everything you ever wanted to do?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have already done it! It already exists. From here on out, it is just icing on the cake. I have done more than I have ever dreamed I would do in my career. I want to keep pushing this team and myself to limits to be competitive, and that is my only goal now. I want to continue the level of high competition and compete for championships on a year-by-year basis, and that will keep it fun for a really long time.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [wcupfan2448] I would like to know your thoughts on the whole Dale Jr. concussion thing. Do you think his hiding his condition was wrong and do you think NASCAR is responding appropriately?
[Jeff_Gordon] Well, I certainly think he shouldn't have hidden that from the team or NASCAR. I think that if you have an injury that is severe like that, you should take time off, especially for a guy like him where his job isn't in jeopardy. They should have put someone in the car until he was 100% ready to come back. NASCAR has a responsibility, but so does the team and driver. It takes everyone together, with the doctors, to evaluate the situation and make sure someone is ready to come back.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [bradC] Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and yourself came up through the USAC ranks. What did you learn in open-wheel racing that you were able to apply in Winston Cup?
[Jeff_Gordon] I think just experience on all types of tracks and types of racecars is valuable and allows you to get to this level. That was the biggest thing. It wasn't just USAC, it was all different kinds of cars that we raced all over the country. We adapted to different conditions to get as much as experience as possible, which was key for me, and both those guys as well.
Credit: Autostock
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [24_48fan4life] Of all the people capable of winning the 2002 Championship as of now, which ONE driver do you believe will be the toughest to overtake for your fifth title?
[Jeff_Gordon] I would say Jimmie Johnson! He has been strong, won races, and has been consistent, and I know the kind of equipment he has! It hasn't been one person that is a clear-cut pick. I think Tony Stewart, if you look at his talents and how close he has been the last few years, would certainly be someone you want to pick. It just doesn't seem like anyone has been consistent. Mark has contended in the past, but right now, no one is getting the consistency to beat anyone else. It is just anybody's racetrack right now.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Kim from NJ] Jeff, when the caution came at lap 18, you and Robbie Loomis were thinking about coming in for two tires and then decided to stay out. Who made that decision?
Credit: Autostock
[Jeff_Gordon] I think what happened was Robbie said to come in, and then I saw in the mirror that most people weren't coming in, and then he told me to make the call. It was a cat and mouse game to see what they would do, and when they stayed out, we had to also. It is always a joint decision amongst the team. The guy on the box has to make a decision, but when we are sitting in the car in the closing laps, I need to step up and make a call. The ultimate decision needs to be on my shoulders when it comes down to the wire like that.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [dweaver] Hi Jeff, I wanted to ask you if you think the smaller fuel tanks at Talladega this week will break up the packs and space out the pit stops?
[Jeff_Gordon] Yeah, as long as there aren't cautions, it should do it. In the past, one thing that has really worked is long, green-flag runs and make green-flag pit stops. That broke up the packs. I think we are still going to see good side-by-side racing, especially at the beginning. I am sure there will be a few cautions, but knowing that we will have to pit every 25-30 laps, that will certainly break things up a lot. That will make the pit strategy very interesting and something we will have to think a lot about.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [latino24fan] Congratulations on the win Jeff! I've been reading a lot about how NASCAR wants to involve minorities more in the sport. How is Hendrick Motorsports addressing the issue?
[Jeff_Gordon] I think we are certainly an equal opportunity organization and we want to hire the best people for the job, not matter their skin color, or if they are male or female. We are open to people that have the credentials to get the job done. Hendrick is working with a minority team owner coming into the sport to help get them started and succeed in Winston Cup racing.
Credit: Autostock
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [ldyhawk24] Now that the media is more focused on you since your reclaimed run to the championship, was it disappointing or a relief to be out of the media frenzy for a while when things were not going so well?
[Jeff_Gordon] Sometimes it is nice to kind of out of the limelight and just do your job and live your life and not be under tight criticism. It is nice to get those breaks, but we want to race for a championship and win races. We know more media and focus comes with that, and we are used to it and deal with it and know how it works. We know how to do our jobs around that at the same time.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Commish24] With all the calls on your time and generosity, how do you decide which causes to take up and which cases to be personally involved with?
[Jeff_Gordon] That is why I found the Jeff Gordon Foundation, to really just pick 4 or 5 organizations that we have supported over the years. We focus our attention on those. We support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Riley Hospital for Children and the Marrow Foundation. At the end of the year, we will do grants to other organizations, but we mainly work with children and families in need.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [jeff_24rulz] I was wondering what car you will the team be taking to Talladega this Sunday. Is it a new car or the same car you drove in this year's Daytona 500 and the July 4th Pepsi 400 at Daytona?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have Robbie sitting right in front of me and he is going to tell me! Robbie says the 2464, the car we took to Daytona.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [I'marealist] Now after winning 3 of the last 6 races and REALLY in contention to win another Championship, who or what do you credit the change to: the car, team, engineering, etc.? And what do you truly think your chances are to win it this year also?
[Jeff_Gordon] I really don't think we have changed a whole lot. We are just trying to learn from the first half of the season. We are always just trying to grow and get better. Communication has been good and solid all year long, but this part of the season things have just started to go our way.
I think our chances are extremely good. We are winning races, and if we can get some consistency where we can get back-to-back good finishes, I know we have a shot. I know we can't go win two races and then finish 37 and 40 the next two weeks. We aren't focused on anyone else. We just want to do what we need to do for the tracks coming up and just fight for every position and point we can get.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [crl] This has been a trying year for you in so many ways. How has it changed you spiritually?
[Jeff_Gordon] It has been an interesting year, a great year, and a trying year, too. I think that that is what tests your faith, when you go through times like that. When you are challenged, they say, "something that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." That has strengthened my faith in God and helps me to continue to go on and be happy, focused, and be the best person and racecar driver I can be.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Brandy2] Jeff, people want to assume there is a major conflict between you and Tony Stewart. I have seen you two speak to each other in a positive manner. Has the rumors of this been blown way out of proportion?
[Jeff_Gordon] Rivalries are always much stronger between the fans than the drivers. Tony and I are fierce drivers on the track, but he is extremely talented and we have to beat him for the championship. We get along fine and we have had several times this year just spending time together, like hanging out or going go-karting. He is a really good guy and fun to be around.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [FanofJeffGordon] Jeff, can you give us a little bit more of a insider on what your cameo appearance in the Looney Tunes movie is going to be about. Also, are you considering any other acting roles?
[Jeff_Gordon] My part is a small role. I want to be a racecar driver, not an actor! Every once in a while opportunities come along, and this is one of them. I am basically in uniform going to the valet of the Yosemite Sam Casino and asking to bring my car around. It is my racecar and some of the characters come in there and steal my car and chase someone else. It was just fun and something I thought that would be good to do.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [CDP24] You seemed a little more aggressive driving the car last year than you do this year. Do you feel this is true? If so why, and if not, why not?
[Jeff_Gordon] No, that is not true. There are opportunities and times in races to be more aggressive than others. Each year my experience level goes up and I find the best times to be aggressive, and at other times I need to save equipment. When I want to win the race or make up positions, you have to be aggressive. You have young guys out there being aggressive every single lap, but I have experience and I know you cant be like that every single lap. I don't feel like we are doing anything different this year, or last year, or the year before that.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [igofor24] How do you feel about your new 2003 cars and do you think that there will a big difference from the cars now as far as getting them set up and using notes from previous races?
[Jeff_Gordon] I haven't even see the 2003 car! I have heard some things about the car and I think because times are changing all the time with testing and with time in the wind tunnel, even with the cars we have today, our notes for next year might not be any good. You have to be open-minded, change and adapt all the time to compete. Just because we won Kansas City with X setup doesn't mean we can go there next year knowing we can run with the same setup. We will test a lot in the offseason to see where the car will be and how we will start the season out.
[NASCAR-Host3] Thank you Jeff! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
[Jeff_Gordon] Thanks for coming today! I appreciate it. We can't wait to get to Talladega and work towards that fifth Winston Cup championship. Thanks for all your support!
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Chat Transcript: K. Wallace & Carrot Top
October 2, 2002
2:35 PM EDT (1835 GMT)
[NASCAR-Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Kenny Wallace & Carrot Top!
[Kenny_Wallace] Hello race fans! Give me one second. I am at Steak & Shake ordering lunch!!
[Carrot_Top] Hey NASCAR fans! How are you doing? Sorry I am on the hood!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [racerlady88] Hey Kenny! Hey Carrot Top! Carrot, who is your favorite Winston Cup driver (besides Kenny)? Kenny, who is your favorite comedian (besides Carrot)?
[Kenny_Wallace] I will have to tell you that I was lucky to see Carrot Top on a Jay Leno show and he made me laugh!! My favorite all-time comedian is probably George Carlin. I don't know how he is for real, but he is funny in his skits.
[Carrot_Top] That is a good one. My other Wallace brother, Rusty Wallace. I met him once and he is probably one of the nicest guys. He is getting so close and is doing great! I just want to say I got Kenny, too. How are you doing! I guess we are on to the next Wallace brother. Mike didn't work out as well in Daytona, so we move on to Kenny. What brother it next? It is kind of like working with the Baldwin brothers -- you never run out of them!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [txcowboy] Kenny, are you having as much fun with the Stacker deal as it appears on the tube?
[Kenny_Wallace] It is a pleasant surprise going in to this sponsorship that it would have turned out like this. I always say you can't plan success -- it just happens. It has been a lot of fun!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [txcowboy] Carrot, bro, you got all kinds of great looking chickadees around you. Any long distance calls going on? LOL
[Carrot_Top] I don't get to keep any of the girls like I do the wardrobe. Don't think I am not trying! I try to dial down the center as much as possible if you know what I mean...
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [lish8fan] Hey Kenny, I have seen you compete in a variety of race series. Which do you like the best? All-Pro, Busch, or Winston?
[Kenny_Wallace] By far I like Winston Cup the best because it knots your heart up and rips your heart out. If it gives you that much of a gut check, it must be the best, therefore I would say Winston Cup. I will have to say, for sure, the most fun is something that you do without consequences, so that would be the All-Pro Series. Or running a dirt track with Kenny Schrader, or something you just don't have to pay for!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [triplett216] Carrot Top, when will you be performing in the Indianapolis area? I love your antics, but always seem to miss your appearances on TV.
[Carrot_Top] Nice try Kenny! Isn't it about the money? Be honest with me bro!
[Carrot_Top] I will be outside of Indy in the next two weeks, in Evansville and Merrillville. I can't remember the exact dates, but check out carrottop.com for details.
[Kenny_Wallace] I have these three kids that eat all my money.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [db88] Hey Kenny and Carrot Top! Y'all are two of the funniest guys I know. Any chance there will be a commercial with the two of you soon?
[Carrot_Top] I am all for it! I tried doing that with AT&T. Kenny is very funny and I would love to do one with him soon.
[Kenny_Wallace] I hope so. I could hide behind his hair and you could never see me! It could be like the "Find Kenny commercial!"
[Carrot_Top] Where's Waldo? Or maybe we can do a Hooters ad, but then we would need Brett Bodine and three is a crowd!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [My Junior Rox 8] Kenny, I think you are the funniest driver out there! What is the funniest and biggest prank you have ever pulled on your brothers??
[Kenny_Wallace] Hey Carrot Top, I want to know if someone has taken off your spoiler lately?
[Carrot_Top] Very nice.
[Kenny_Wallace] Don't forget, God, Goodyear and Gatorade!
[Kenny_Wallace] I am really not a prankster. I just react to the situation. I can make fun of things that people take serious, so I am not as talented as say Carrot Top. I can't come up with funny stuff. I use things that people take serious and make funny. Life is just a journey!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Indyandrettifan] How did Carrot Top get involved with NASCAR?
[Carrot_Top] I would say through AT&T. Those people put the car together for the sponsorship. I can't be more excited! This is probably the most exciting thing in my career. For me it is exciting, but for the NASCAR fans it is the first sign of the end of the world, with my face on the hood of a car.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [NASCAR-dearjoan] Heya, Kenny! You had awesome runs at Talladega earlier in the season, with ninth in Busch and FIFTH in WC!!! How's the car looking for this weekend?
[Carrot_Top] I think it is has the best hairodyanmics out there!
[Kenny_Wallace] I feel kinda bad that I am driving a completely different car for a different team this week. I am not driving for my team, BDR, because of a prior commitment, but Andy Petree has a great speedway organization there. I am going there for some unfinished business. I haven't finished out of the top-10 there in a long time. The new, smaller fuel cell will make things interesting, especially the pit stops.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [badnil] Hi Kenny! Who do you think is funnier-you or Carrot Top? Carrot Top, who do you think is funnier?
[Kenny_Wallace] Obviously me because I laugh at all my own sh*t all the time!
[Carrot_Top] Naturally I think Kenny is funnier, and not only is he better looking than me, but he is a better dancer (but a sloppy kisser, so I have heard!)
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Carrottopfan] Carrot Top, I think you are SO funny! I read that you are a marketing major. How involved are you in marketing your career? And what has been your biggest challenge so far?
[Carrot_Top] Watch your language Kenny! Do you think you are Ozzy?
[Carrot_Top] It is always a challenge to keep your face out there, marketing yourself. It is always a challenge to reinvent yourself and keep it fresh. For instance, this NASCAR promotion is tremendous in that regard. I was lucky to just stumble across it. It was a blessing for me to be with AT&T and NASCAR, which is marketing at its best.
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[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [SamiA] Hey Kenny! I love the Stacker 2 commercials. What was it like working with the WWE Superstars? Did they really rough you up? It looked like you were in pain. LOL
[Kenny_Wallace] Those people are totally serious about what they do! You know, when you see it on TV, you say OK, this stuff is scripted, but when I made commercials, they were really serious and true actors. I tried to joke with them, but they were pretty serious, and I guess if they don't do it right, Vince whips them into shape!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [CarrotDude] What do you think would be your biggest challenge, driving at 200 mph around the speedway or trying to get your hair under a helmet. LOL
[Carrot_Top] Nice try! I would say I have the utmost respect for the drivers like Kenny. I don't even know what that would be like, although it has seemed like women drive that fast away from me!
[Kenny_Wallace] I admire Carrot Top because I don't know how hard it would be to get in front of all those people and try and make them laugh! That is the ultimate pressure.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Loaks] Kenny, what is one thing that your fans might not know about you that you would like to share with us?
[Kenny_Wallace] The one thing the fans probably don't know about me that I would like to share is that I pay all my own bills, and my wife thinks I am a weirdo. I have this fear of Darryl Strawberry-type stories and athletes losing their money because accountants screw them I write all my own bills!
[Carrot_Top] One thing they don't know about me is I am a short, black, Chinese woman with braces.
[Kenny_Wallace] HAHAHA! I like that!
[Carrot_Top] I don't even know what that means. Sorry, I think I need a nap.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Booger79] What do you think about Cup drivers participating in Busch events? In no other sport do varsity players (no matter how bad) participate in junior varsity events?
[Kenny_Wallace] I think that is a great question and you have a valid one, but because of the economy right now, be thankful for Winston Cup drivers driving in Busch. Because of them it means we are able to have full fields now. Those Busch guys will also learn the types of cars and drivers they will need to outrun.
[NASCAR-Host3] Thank you Guys! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?
[Carrot_Top] I have to go call Dr. Phil now. I have some serious problems to take care of. But thank you and good luck on Sunday, Kenny!
[Kenny_Wallace] I would like to thank everyone for logging on to NASCAR.com. Carrot Top is truly a standup guy. I really like him and he is a great guy. I look forward to seeing everyone at Talladega. It will be a big week for the 1-800-CALL-ATT car with Andy.
[NASCAR-Host3] Everyone, thank you for coming
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