NASCAR WCUP: Jeff Gordon post qualifying notes, Martinsville

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 7, 2001

Jeff Gordon, No 24 Dupont Chevrolet Monte Carlo (pole-sitter): "You know we came here and tested with this Dupont Chevrolet and we had a great test. This car just seemed to feel real good. We only made one qualifying run when we tested here and it felt so good. We came back here today and worked a little bit on race runs and made maybe two or three qualifying runs. We weren't the fastest in practice, but the car just had the feel. I knew if I just didn't get over aggressive, with it on the tires, I felt we'd have a great shot at the pole. It was a great run for us.

"It was jut a real smooth, great lap. The car came in quicker than it had in practice. I think the temperature's coming up. We went out on stickers and I think that was the way to go. That first lap felt so good that I was like okay, all I have to do now on the second lap is not overdrive it. And I almost did going into (turn) three. I got a straight shot off of (turn) two and got into (turn) three a little bit hot. The car turned in the middle so good that even though I overshot it a little bit, it didn't slow my momentum down.

"To me, what wins races and championships is the preparation prior to the race, and week-to-week. These guys are unloading with great racecars and making my job a whole lot easier and a lot of fun right now. We're just fine-tuning on the little things and that's the only way you can do it these days. I'm just so proud of these guys. We came here and practiced and it paid off.

"I had no idea we were going to pull that one off today. There's no better place to start here at Martinsville than that number one spot because that number one place on pit road is very important."

(Have you acclimated yourself to the new tire a lot faster than other people?) "To me, it just take away a little bit of grip and allows us to do some different things to the car. I don't know if it's that my driving style works well with this tire or (if it's) our set-ups. It's one of the two. But we have hit on some great combinations that have been a lot of fun."

(Comment on the fact that some cars went out on scuffs): "Well, I knew the temperatures would keep going up. We tested here and we did it on stickers. In practice, we did it on stickers. I know it still wasn't great, but I thought it would just get better. When you've got three laps out there to do it, I feel like it was the good way to go."

Text Provided By Nancy Wager

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