NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
GOODY’S FAST RELIEF 500
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 1, 2011
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET, met with media and discussed what it takes to be successful at Martinsville, the new point system, qualifying on Saturday, racing at Texas at night, and more. Full Transcript:
YOU SMELLED VICTORY LAST WEEK AND YOU’RE COMING TO A PLACE WHERE YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IT MANY TIMES, TALK ABOUT YOUR OUTLOOK FOR MARTINSVILLE:
“I’m just excited to come back to the track where we run so well at. When I look at the last two weeks and the fact that we were in the hunt for both wins says a lot about the team and the progress we’re making. I’m excited about where we’re at. I wish we had two wins under our belt right now and we’re talking about a hopeful third this weekend but we’ve climbed up a lot in the points. That’s really one of our first goals after Daytona and then we had some troubles there at Vegas and it just looks so daunting there in the points when you drop a lot; with the new points system, it’s tough to make it up. I’ve very happy to be up in the top five and hopefully we can get some distance between us and 10th as time goes on here. So all in all, I’m excited. We’ve been decent here the last couple of times. We need to be a little bit better to have a shot at winning and we’re looking forward to doing that.”
ONE OF THE FASCINATING ASPECTS OF SHORT TRACK RACING IS THERE SEEM TO BE ONE OR TWO DRIVERS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME SEEM TO MASTER THE TRACK. CAN YOU GIVE ANY INSIGHT AS TO WHY WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE OPPOSITE OF THE LOGICAL IS THE TRUTH?
“Yeah, that’s a good question. I think that it really boils down to the mental status of the driver. When you come to a track where you have a lot of success and you have a good car and a good baseline, it’s easier to control emotions that you can work your way forward, you can pass people, and it’s the set-up you’re looking for. And I think that works into a driver’s favor during a race. I know when I come here, and if we don’t qualify well, don’t be in a big hurry. It’s a long race. I know that I’ll work my way into the top five. I know I can come down pit road and pick up some spots. So you’re just a little bit more relaxed. At tracks where you struggle at, once you get track position or if you have track position at the start of the race, you’re just defending and maybe in a different place mentally and chopping people, rubbing on people, and creating some issues that then lead to some DNF’s. So I think a lot of it has to do with the mental status of it. Guys that like certain tracks typically can find a way by without making enemies; and then you’re usually not in a position to defend and to make enemies then, as well.”
IN YOUR CAREER, YOU’VE NEVER BEEN LONGER THAN 19 RACES WITHOUT A WIN. YOU’RE AT 13 NOW. GIVEN THE FACT THAT YOU’RE SO USED TO WINNING, DO YOU GET ANTSY WHEN YOU GET UP TO 10 OR 12 RACES WITHOUT GOING TO VICTORY LANE?
“No, I don’t think about it much to be honest with you. Wins are all so special, even though we have 53 of them; every one of them is very special to me. So I don’t really think of stretches. I do know that you get to a certain point where the questions start coming up and I think it’s kind of funny that when it’s 13, people have some concern that it’s a long stretch. We’ve done a great job to put ourselves in that position, so I’ve got to look at the positive. But I feel like we’re knocking on the door, so regardless of what the outcome is on Sunday, the last two weeks we’ve been a threat for the win. And if you’re in that position consistently enough, you’ll get your victories. And I’ve always believed by that and still do today.”
HOW TOUGH IS THIS PLACE ON ROOKIES? AND IN YOUR MIND, WHAT WOULD BE A REALISTIC GOOD FINISH FOR A CUP DRIVER AT MARTINSVILLE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME?
“It is tough. And I truthfully believe it’s very tough to be a rookie today, period, without testing. I had the luxury to come up here and test; I think we tested twice in my rookie year. First race I was terrible; second race I did a better job. The testing helped speed up that curve. In today’s world, if it’s a track that doesn’t fit a team or a driver, it takes a long time. I mean, it really does. So I think staying on the lead lap is a good goal for a rookie coming here and staying out of trouble. And also it kind of fits into that same thing; and I try not to rule out any rookies because when we see Trevor (Bayne) winning the Daytona 500, no one would have bet on that. So just because certain tracks and trends don’t show that they’re good for rookies, it doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. But when I came here, my goal was to stay on the lead lap, and I didn’t meet my goal the first time, or the second time. Well, I guess the second time I did but once I was lapped by (Tony) Stewart, I kind of figured out how to drive the place.”
GOING BACK TO 2005 ENTERING THE SPRING RACE AT MARTINSVILLE, WHOMEVER WAS LEADING THE STANDINGS HAS NEVER GONE ON TO WIN THE TITLE. IS THERE ANY ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE TO LEADING THIS EARLY? HISTORY SHOWS IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE TOP (NOW) TO FINISH THE SEASON STRONG.
“I don’t think there is any disadvantage, especially in today’s world with bonus points carrying over into the Chase. I think the one point that lies within that is that there is a lot of racing over the course of the summer and we’re (only) five or six (races) in and there is still a lot of racing to go. A lot can happen. So, I think there is more in that, than anything. But winning races and leading the points early, there’s no downfall in that.”
DENNY HAMLIN COMES INTO MARTINSVILLE IN A SIMILAR POSITION TO LAST YEAR WHERE HE’S 22ND IN POINTS; LAST YEAR HE WAS 19TH. HE WON HERE AND THAT KICKED OFF HIS STRETCH OF TEXAS AND DARLINGTON AND HE SUDDENLY BECAME A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER. IF HE WINS SUNDAY, DO YOU LOOK AT HIM THE SAME WAY? ARE YOU A BELIEVER IN THAT ONE WIN SOMETIMES IS ALL A TEAM NEEDS TO GET THINGS TURNED AROUND AND RIGHT THE SHIP?
“A win never hurts, for sure. We race on so many different types of tracks that it’s hard to say if a short track win will help you go to Texas and run well and so forth and so on. We are talking about great tracks for Denny, so we could see this happen again like it did last year because of the team and the tracks that are on schedule that are really good for those guys. But a win doesn’t necessarily guarantee you that. In my mind, I know he’s not high in points, I didn’t know where he was, but you have to think he’s going to be there at Martinsville. And you really don’t start worrying about a championship threat until the Chase starts. And really, everybody is a threat at that point. You have 12 guys who are very, very close in points and you race from there. But in my mind, I just really can’t see the No. 11 car not being in the championship battle.”
YOU’VE BEEN COMPARED TO SUPERMAN BEFORE; BEFORE DENNY HAMLIN GOT ON HIS ROLL OF THREE WINS IN A ROW. DID YOU FEEL LIKE SUPERMAN WHEN YOU CAME TO THIS TRACK AND THAT YOU WERE UNBEATABLE? SECOND QUESTION, YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO RUN TWO LAPS TOMORROW (QUALIFYING). IS THAT ALMOST A WASTED DAY FOR YOU?
“Yeah, it’s wild to only run two laps tomorrow. I don’t know why we’re experimenting with this type of schedule because the guys are still here. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter, in my opinion, what the drivers are really after. I guess the fans are first and foremost. But the next one in line I would say would be the mechanics and crews working on these cars. And they have a bear of a day on Fridays with this type of schedule and then an okay day tomorrow, a pretty light day, for just two laps. So it’s just weird. You’d rather spread that workload out over the two days and take care of your crew guys. I don’t know why or how, but if it does help on that side (the fans), then we’ll take it.
“There was one race when I was young, racing off-road buggies that I went to a local track and thought if I race with the big guys, this is a slam-dunk. The first obstacle on the track I hit too fast (and) flipped end-over-end and was unconscious and in the ambulance. So from that point on, I’m like never entering a situation thinking you’ve got it covered. And it’s just stuck with me ever since. So, there’s that. And then too, at the Cup level, you just can assume things. So no, I’ve never felt like I was guaranteed a win here, but I just felt like I would be in the hunt and that’s all I was really after. And we’ve had some races come our way and we’ve had other races that we just wore them out. So, you just ask for that chance to be in the hunt.”
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK YOU JUST BEAT AND BANG AROUND THIS TRACK AND THEN IT’S OVER, BUT IT’S MORE OF A MENTAL GAME. DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE SO GOOD HERE? IS IT A SECRET? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RACE HERE AT MARTINSVILLE AND BE GOOD AT IT?
“Quirky tracks have always worked for me. And this track certainly is that. When I first came here, the first year or year and a half, there was no way I thought this track would be one that I liked. But in time, and in learning how to drive it, there is just one way to really get around here. And a lot of tracks have a lot of other options but there’s one very specific line you have to run and when a guy finds it, and he can set his car up to it, you go and go and go for years. And that’s what Denny (Hamlin) has been able to do and what we’ve been able to do and Jeff (Gordon) has done. So I really think it falls into that category. You go to a big track and there are three or four lanes to run on, you can move around and find somewhere that works for your set-up if you missed it (and) for your own driving style. That’s not the case here. There’s one way to drive this place and that’s it.”
WHAT QUALITIES DOES DENNY HAMLIN HAVE THAT MAKE HIM GOOD HERE? MAYBE YOU SHARE SIMILAR ONES. LOOKING AT KEVIN HARVICK AND THAT TEAM AS A COMPETITOR, DO YOU SEE THEM AS HAVING MORE OF A MATURITY WITHIN THAT GROUP?
“Denny, here, I would say he has a very good decision-making process in the car. And that’s not just here, but on all tracks. I think that’s why he is a threat for the championship last year and the year before and for years to come. There are just some guys that can process all of the inputs and stress and excitement and pressure and car sensations and all that and make god decisions. Denny does that. Kevin, those guys when I think back over the course of last year’s championship chase, they as a group at RCR has come so far. Kevin has always been a championship contender. I mean he’s raced for championships in all the stuff he’s grown up in. So it’s not like it’s a new thing. But, they are in a position where he can show the prowess he has to be a champion. And he did that last year in the Chase and put up a great fight and those guys certainly have some momentum on their side right now.”
LOOKING AHEAD AT THE TEXAS NIGHT RACE NEXT WEEK, THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT THAT. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
“My first thought is what the hell are we doing with this weird schedule at Texas? We practice on Thursday night and all the other stuff that’s going on. So I’m still trying to get my head around that (laughs). But we’re excited to go back to Texas; obviously is a great spot for our circuit with a lot of great fans. Night races are always good. I hope it’s warm. We have a chance where it can be awfully cold there. But I’m looking forward to going back. The Dallas/Ft. Worth area has been very supportive of NASCAR and it’ll be good.”
DOESN’T IT BASICALLY COME DOWN TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A RHYTHM TRACK? YOU TALK ABOUT FINDING THAT LINE, BUT ONCE YOU GET THE LINE ISN’T IT ALL ABOUT GETTING INTO THAT RHYTHM? IT’S APRIL FOOL’S DAY, WHAT YOUR BEST PRANK EVER, OR WHAT’S THE BEST SOMEBODY HAS PULLED ON YOU?
“I didn’t realize it is April Fool’s day! I don’t even know what day it is; I just know its Friday and we’re at Martinsville (laughter). I lost track of what day is what a long time ago. It’s okay, where are we going this week? That’s the way it’s been for years now, except for my wedding anniversary, of course (laughs). The rhythm here? Yes. It is very important and required to have that rhythm. And that’s what makes this qualifying format for tomorrow so tough. I mean it’s hard enough to go a couple of hours between your last lap and qualifying and now we’re going to sleep on it overnight. So, tomorrow I think it’s going to be exciting to watch. It’s going to be very unpredictable to know who’s going to back-up their times. So I’m excited to see it and excited to be a part of it, although I’m very much of a rhythm guy and I think it might hurt me going into qualifying tomorrow.
“And then April’s Fool joke, well I didn’t even know it was April Fool’s day so I don’t even have one close in my mind. I’m sorry (laughs).”
YOU SAID LOOKING AT THE NEW POINT SYSTEM LOOKS ‘DAUNTING.’ ARE THERE PARTICULAR PEOPLE YOU’RE PICKING OUT AND SAYING MAN, HOW ARE THOSE GUYS GOING TO GET BACK INTO THE TOP 10? CAN YOU ELABORATE ON HOW IT’S DIFFERENT?
“Sure. When you’re 20 (points) out or something, you’re first reaction is that’s not bad; 20 out is the way I’ve always known it. A few spots, lead a lap, you’re golden. Now you look at it and say wait a second. One point to lead a lap, one point for a position, that’s 20 points and real tough to make it up in a week. So it’s just trying to come to grips with how it works out. If you’re 20 down, you’re really a couple hundred out or something. So, it’s just getting used to that format. So, I guess the reaction between the two thoughts is whoa, I’m in trouble.”
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PHYSICALLY FIT FOR THIS SPORT AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL STAMINA IN THE CAR COMPARED WITH MENTAL TOUGHNESS DURING A RACE:
“The physical side is important and especially as these teams make the cars more durable; the tracks are faster, the speeds are higher, tires produce more grip and last longer, and it just puts more of a demand on drivers. We have a long schedule. It requires you’re being fit year-round. You have to stay on top of things. To me, the physical toughness comes hand-in-hand with mental toughness. If you really are pushing yourself physically, you learn a lot about your mental toughness and how to push through pain and different situations. So that helps. Those two kind of go hand-in-hand. And then your own mental toughness and how you deal with pressure is a separate aspect, I believe. And you don’t know what you’re made of until you’re really challenged. That’s something about myself that I’ve been surprised with, that through the challenges I’ve able to respond and do what I need to, which I didn’t know I had until a few years back. It’s just something that you work your way through.”
SINCE THE CAR BROKE THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU WERE AT MARTINSVILLE IN 2002, YOU’VE NEVER FINISHED OUT OF THE TOP 10. HOW REMARKABLE IS THAT? DID YOU JUST FEEL THAT RHYTHM AND GET ALL THAT INSTANTLY HERE, OR WHAT?
“No, I would say the first five or six races here, I was very insecure about my line and technique and what was all going on. But we still managed to pull off some good finishes. I really put credit into Robbie Loomis’ hands and Jeff Gordon’s hands, set-up wise, in giving us some great starting spots. Jeff would be on top of the board and qualifying up front and leading laps and being a contender. And when we got started, our deal was until we outrun the No.24 (Gordon), let’s run their set-up. And let me figure out how to drive differently and run up to speed with Jeff. So I had that great tool and was very fortunate to have that. And (crew chief) Chad (Knaus) and I both knew that we had something pretty unique there to pull off of and that we’d better use it to our advantage. So, I’d have to say those early years it was Jeff and Robbie and then we kind of developed our own set-ups and things from there and carried on. So, I’m shocked to hear. I would think those first two or three years that I would have been outside the top 10. I heard that stat before I came up here this week and was pretty shocked to hear that myself.”
About Chevrolet: Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com ce5&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.chevrolet.com%2f> .
