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FIRST CAREER WINSTON CUP RACE UNDER
BELT FOR FOYT
 ROCKINGHAM,
NC - The finishing position may not look pretty, but we accomplished
what we set out to do today. We finished the race, kept the car in
one piece and learned what it takes to compete in this series.
When we started out today, we were off the pace and lost a lap. I'm
not quite used to these Cup cars, yet. The Busch Series cars have a
smaller wheelbase, so they turn better. Our lap times improved once
I figured out the braking going into the turns and we started to
make up some of the ground we lost earlier in the race.
At the beginning, the car was really tight. We made some adjustments
and it helped, but I didn't quite have the grip I needed in the
turns to keep the car at the bottom of the race track. As the race
went on, the track got a lot slicker. I got sideways a couple of
times coming off of turn four, but luckily I managed to save it.
The car was at its best at the end of the race. I finally got the
grip I needed to keep the car at the bottom of the track and our lap
times were about the same as the leaders.
I think that if practice wouldn't have been canceled due to rain on
Saturday then we would have been much better off today. In other
words, my learning curve would have occurred in practice rather than
the middle of the race.
This is also my first 400-mile event and I'm pretty worn out. I'm
sure I'll be sore tomorrow, but I know some adjustments that I can
make in the seat to make it more comfortable.
Overall, I'm real proud of this Harrah's team. I think everyone
learned a lot today, I know I did. I'm glad to have my first Winston
Cup race under my belt and I can't wait to get to Las Vegas next
weekend. |
