NASCAR WCUP: Matt Kenseth enjoys the passing opportunities at Pocono
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 13, 2001Matt Kenseth's thoughts on racing at Pocono:
From a driver's point of view what is so unique about Pocono Raceway?
“All three turns are different and challenging. I like this track because you can pass and really drive into the turns. The banking is different all the way around. There are a few drivers who may not like racing at Pocono but I am certainly not one of them. It's one of the only tracks that are not like any other on the circuit.”
With last weeks positive performance is there any momentum on this DEWALT team?
“I think so. We headed straight to Chicago after Michigan for a two day test and that went pretty well. I think we can get back to where we need to be soon. We can hit the setup on the head on any given weekend, I just hope we hit it big soon.”
Will the problems this team has encountered so far this year follow you to Pocono?
"Pocono is one of those tracks where I just feel really comfortable. The way things have played out so far this year, we could go there and run really well and I would not be surprised or we could go there and run bad and it wouldn't shock me either. The whole season so far has just been frustrating that way. The tracks we ran good at last year are the tracks we have not run well at this year I hope for Pocono to be consistent with last year."
How is the team dealing with frustration?
"Believe it or not, there is actually a good and bad part to this season. The good part is we know we are capable of doing better at these tracks. For example, Martinsville is my absolute worst track. So far this year, it was the site of my best finish. The bad part about all of it is we know we can do better and we have done it before, but we are just not hitting it."
Crew Chief Robbie Reiser's thoughts on Pocono:
“Last year Pocono proved to be one of our strong tracks. Matt likes racing there and generally does well on the tracks he likes. We are taking car 5 and will rely on the horsepower and handling of the car to make us competitive. Last week we used some strategy and it worked out all right. This week we will keep in mind the same stuff because the Pocono 500 is a long race.”
Text provided by Amy Walsh
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