NASCAR WCUP: Jeff Gordon likes outside starting spot at Charlotte

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 25, 2001

Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet Monte Carlo (qualified 2nd): "I wanted to sit on that outside front row. That's the place I'd like to be. That's a good lap for us. The guys did a great job. I can only hold my breath for one lap around this place. Really, we set up all day for one lap. Pressure's were set for one lap. The car stuck great the first lap. It was actually tight down in (turns) one and two. I knew it was only going to get tighter on the second lap. I gave it my best shot. I've just got to say a lot for my guys building these engines. We came out here with some big steam and it was definitely paying off today. It was a lot of fun driving that thing down the straightaways. Ryan Newman's got us beat and that's just the way it is. We'll take what we got tonight."

(What did Ryan Newman say to you out there?) "He says we're going to need to talk before the start. I don't know what that means. We gave it a heck of an effort. To have such an amazing weekend and back it up with a good strong effort here and that's why we brought this car. This car had a shot at the pole. It came up just a little bit short, but it was a good effort. The car felt great ever since the first lap today. It just felt awesome. It was real comfortable getting in and through the corner. I'm looking forward to getting it into race trim."

Text provided by Nancy Wager

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