Other than the mechanical problems you had in 2007, Homestead has been a very strong track for you.
"It’s a fun race track. I like the track a lot, and I look forward to going there every year. The past couple of years we’ve looked forward to finishing in the top five in points, so it’s a little different this year. Being outside the Chase, we’re there to win and to finish out the season strong."
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Because of not being in the point battle, do you head to Homestead not wanting the season to end because you want to continue building, or do you just want 2009 to be over?
"You need a clean slate. It gets everyone rejuvenated, gives us all a chance to recharge the batteries, get the pep back in our step. It’s been a long year. When you struggle like we have this year, it’s tough. When you’re struggling, you’re working three times as hard and not getting the result, and that’s frustrating."
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There are a couple of guys that enter Homestead still mathematically eligible for the championship. Do you race them a little differently knowing what they have on the line?
"You’re there to win. You’re there to win for your sponsors and for your team. But, you give respect to those guys. You’re not going to put them four-wide and hang them out on the outside, you’re going to give them the respect that they have coming to them. But, you’ll go out there and race your race, that’s the bottom line. Ultimately, they are the ones that have something to lose. If it’s coming down door-to-door for the win, they’d better back off or they might wind up wishing they had later."
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LAST YEAR FINISHED:
5
"It was a good run for our Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet. We are still a little bit off here, but it is a huge step in the right direction. We just have to keep plugging away. We are getting there. All in all it was a good day for the 33 team."
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