You had two really strong races at Bristol in 2008, but then last year, you struggled by finishing 30th and 38th. How tough was that to take, considering it has been one of your best tracks?
“The first race, we didn’t practice much at all. We kind of went with the trick of the week, and tricked ourselves. And then, the second race we crashed, and that was just kind of the story of the year. So, it was definitely not a typical Bristol for us to say the least. It has generally been a money track for us, and I look for that to continue this weekend.”
The way RCR ran the last part of the season a year ago, you guys were really strong. Did you think that was a good indication that you would start off the year so strongly?
“I believe so. For me, it’s all about consistency. It’s not to be consistently 30th, but it’s taking a 30th-place car and finishing 10th to 15th with it. You have to capitalize on every opportunity and just be solid. You don’t have to win every race, but you just have to be consistent week in and week out, and we are doing that.”
What was the biggest emphasis with the team during the offseason?
”They worked on a lot of structural changes, and a lot of small, little detailed changes that they already had in motion from the end of last year. Then, Scott (Miller) was just getting his feet underneath him, as far as what his role was going to consist of, and then making it work on a daily basis. That has been a real positive move. And now, our cars are close enough to where we can really go to work on the details, and that’s when things start going in the right direction.”
Tell us what your thoughts are regarding the change to the spoiler? Will that be a good thing?
”Yes, I think the spoiler is going to be a good thing. It’s something that we all thought should have been on there from the start, or at least a lot of us thought that. The spoiler is what it’s all about, compared to the wing, because that’s what NASCAR racing is all about.”
