NASCAR WCUP: Happy Hour Notes and Quotes, Atlanta

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Jerry Nadeau, No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet Monte Carlo: "We've really been basing everything off of the last time we were here. We won the race here, and we had just an awesome racecar. But these new tires have really thrown us a curveball. I think they're a safer tire, a better tire for everybody - most guys like them. Some guys may not like 'em. Really we're just trying to get a good set-up, the right set-up for the car to work right. Seems like we're inching away and getting a little bit better. If you get the handling right, you'll get more speed. And that's just what where we're lacking right now. We're just trying to get the handling a little bit better."

Terry Labonte, No. 5 Kellogg's Chevrolet Monte Carlo: "We used to always run good on the old track - the old Atlanta Speedway. Ever since they've redone it, we just haven't seemed to hit on the right combination yet. We've had a couple of decent runs, finished in the top five, but haven't really come close to winning since then. I don't know, I think we're as good this trip right now. We're definitely better than we were in both races last year. I think the tires are okay. I haven't had any problem. They seem to be pretty good. I like the tires. The track seemed to really slow down quite a bit today compared to yesterday. But the weather's a lot different too. It was overcast yesterday and that makes a difference. We could have been a little bit better in qualifying, but then it's the best qualifying effort we've had all year, so we can't complain. Where you start doesn't make all that much difference though. Our starting spot is okay."

Steve Park, No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet Monte Carlo: "I'm somewhat happy with the car. We're struggling a little bit with the tires. We can't get the grip we need. We've just worked real hard to try to increase the downforce in the car and to try to optimize the shocks to try to get as much grip as we can. Nobody's going to have the proper grip; it's going to be the guy that can minimize the slip that's going to be fast. The race pace is going to be real slow. We wore out a set of tires in less than a fuel stop. Typically, fuel mileage plays a big role and I think we're going to see that go away. I think it's going to be a completely different race than we've seen in the past."

Bobby Hamilton, No. 55 Square D Chevrolet Monte Carlo: "We've been pretty happy with the tires. We've been fighting a small loose condition, but we' ve fixed a lot of it. The longest run we made (in practice) was like 20 laps at one time. But you know, you hear a lot about the tire wear. And then after the Busch race and after the Cup guys start, they pack down so much rubber that the tire wear starts going away. So I think we're still messing with a green racetrack right now. It'll make a difference. There'll be a lot of short pitting probably because what's happening is that the tire 's so good when it's new and it's so fast you can make up a lot of time. So instead of staying out, a lot of guys will short pit I think."

(You've been testing the HANS device. Will you wear it in the race tomorrow?) "I can't get it to fit in my car good. So we're just going to get through this race and I'm going to the shop next week and work on the seat and all. I'm going to try to start wearing it in Darlington. I wanted to try it here, but I can't make it functional. We just don't have enough to work with to do that."

Text Provided By Nancy Wager

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