NASCAR WCUP: Pontiac Racing quotes - Post-pratice, Daytona

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

JOHNNY BENSON, NO. 10 VALVOLINE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX:

(ON HIS DAY OF PRACTICE) "We feel like we're right in the ballpark. The guys have done a fabulous job over the winter and gotten this Valvoline Pontiac pretty good. I think we'll be fairly stable, as far as the week goes. We're looking forward to it."

(HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TODAY TO FIND OUT THAT YOU'RE COMPETITIVE?) "It's an important day. We did come down here and test, and of course, you see all kinds of weird numbers. But we stayed pretty steady in the road. We didn't do anything that was off the wall, that we knew that we couldn't run. Coming back here, we were hoping that the numbers would change the way we thought they would, and they did. We were 30th quick leaving (the test), but as it's sitting right now we're in the top 15. We feel good about that, so today is important. It eases our mind a little bit, as far as knowing that we don't have to scratch our head. Other than that, we're confident that the car we brought was the right car and so far everything is fine."

(HOW ABOUT THE BIG NUMBERS PUT UP BY THE DODGES?) "Those are big numbers, but they're better in the wind tunnel than anybody. It's pretty hard to beat that - here. We'll just have to wait and see what happens as the week goes."

(CAN THE DODGES BACK THAT UP TOMORROW?) "We don't know. We don't know what they have for engines. In the past you could look down and know who was going to pick up what. But I think with the Dodge situation right now, you don't know what people have. You don't know if they've gotten all they have, or if they've got more for tomorrow."

RON HORNADAY, NO. 14 CONSECO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX:

(ON POSTING THE FASTEST AFTERNOON PRACTICE SPEED AMONG SEVEN PONTIACS) "It all counts tomorrow. I'd like to see that thing sit on the pole. I know there is a little bit more in it. The guys working on this Conseco Pontiac have been working hard. We came here and tested poorly. It didn't drive well. All those body guys fluffed and buffed on it, we went to Talladega and now to come down here and run like we did is pretty exciting. I'm just looking forward to it.

"Everything has been great. We didn't have to do too much to the car. If you go through tech too easy, then you left something at home. But we had to go through it twice. We did a little filing here and there, and that's Daytona. Everybody keeps you up on your toes. We're looking forward to tomorrow."

(ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TODAY) "Today is the most important. I went back to the motorhome (after practice) and called all the guys back at the shop and said, 'Hey guys, you've done a great job. We're in the hunt.' When you know that, it's gratifying. This is what our guys have worked their guts out to do.

"I'm really excited. My dream has been to come down to the Daytona 500. I'm 42 years old and I finally get to do it."

Text Provided By Al Larsen

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