Ford Performance NSCS Notes & Quotes:
2015 Daytona 500 Media Day
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Cole Whitt, driver of the No. 35 Speed Stick Ford Fusion, will be entering his first season with Front Row Motorsports. Following is a transcript of his media day session at Daytona International Speedway.
COLE WHITT – No. 35 Speed Stick Ford Fusion – HOW MANY DRIVERS CAN WIN THE DAYTONA 500? “I think all 43 can win down here, for sure. I think it’s restrictor plate racing and Daytona just produces that kind of race for us. The restrictor plates, the big track, just everything about it kind of gives us that opportunity to make the most out of these tracks. As a smaller team, we highlight these races because we know this is our chance to step up and try to capitalize on an opportunity like that.”
WHAT MADE FOR THE JUMP FROM BK RACING TO FRONT ROW? “That’s kind of a tough situation. Anthony and BK, even Toyota, did a lot for me, but I just have a great opportunity over here at Front Row Motorsport to run a full season and that’s what I’m excited about, stepping into a new program. A team that’s won a race before and teams that have been more established a little bit with more veteran drivers that I’ll finally be able to lean on, which I haven’t had that opportunity before. I get along with Ragan and Gilliland very well, so I’m looking forward to working with them. That’s kind of a new opportunity and something I’m excited about and to be able to bring Speed Stick over and continue that relationship, I think we’ll be able to build on something really good here and hopefully plan for a lengthy future with them.”
HOW DO YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT WENT DOWN? WAS IT JUST BUSINESS? “I just kind of focus on my own opportunity. I got an opportunity to display what we can do at Front Row Motorsports and if they want to fuel the fire, then go for it. That’s all them. To me, it doesn’t bother me. I’m very thankful for what they gave me the opportunity to do and I’m moving forward with the new opportunity that I have. I hope they have great runs as much as we do. If we can win, we want them to finish second. That’s cool. I like him as a guy still and still have a lot of respect for people who have given me opportunities. I always am very grateful for everything I’ve gotten and I’m just looking forward to the new opportunity and bringing Speed Stick along to progress that relationship with them.”
DO YOU ENVISION WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO WIN THIS RACE? “I try to envision winning every race. You always dream about it, but the opportunity, if it’s there, we’ll present it. But the biggest thing here is knowing how to play the race and being there at the end, trying to avoid the wrecks, being in the right place and just trying to put yourself in that situation to capitalize on that if that’s the opportunity.”
WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO THE YOUNGER GUYS COMING INTO THE SPORT? “Yeah, it’s pretty funny. I feel like a lot of people are like, ‘Well, you’re still only 23 years old,’ but it’s like 23 years old is almost going over the hill now in the Cup Series now, so it’s kind of crazy. There’s just always going to be that talent coming up. It’s great to see that because I feel like the Cup Series might have gotten a little stale there for a couple years and last year with seven rookies was huge. People loved it to see some new faces coming in and I feel like we kind of opened the door a little bit, not necessarily me myself, but all the rookies. Having good runs for all those teams opened the door for more young kids to come up, so hopefully, they can capitalize on their opportunities as well and it’s more or less just enjoy it.”
DID THE OFF-SEASON HELP WITH THE TRANSITION? “Not so much. It is what it is. With smaller teams like us we don’t really get our things rolling until the New Year anyway.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO JEB BURTON? “For Jeb I’d just say get the most out of it and have some fun. Sometimes I let this sport eat me up a little bit and for Jeb I think if he just sits back and enjoys the ride and makes the most of his opportunity, then that’s all you can do and I think he’ll have a good year.”
