NASCAR WCUP: Matt Kenseth Interview: All the right turns at the Glen

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 8, 2001

You have already tested this year on the road course at Sears Point and finished well there. Will that help you out on the track at Watkins Glen?

"Watkins Glen is a lot different from Sears Point. You can compare Watkins Glen to a speedway. Sears Point you have a lot of slow, sharp corners where the pavement is wore out you can spin the tires real easy. Watkins Glen has some real fast parts to the track. You are real fast through the esses and have longer sweeping corners with concrete where you can get a lot of grip."

What helps you out on a track where you are required to turn left and right, when you are used to racing on ovals where you only turn left? "I have a lot more experience at Watkins Glen from the Busch Series and have run pretty well there. We ran well there last year finishing 10th and when I go back there, I don't look at it like its anything different from a normal racetrack. Experience on this track definitely helps out."

Do you ever think that you could win on a road course?

"I would never dream of winning at Sears Point, but the Glen is different. I think if we run good enough and are in the right place at the right time we could have a chance at it. I'm comfortable enough at the Glen to where if everything was perfect we could finish pretty decent."

Roush Racing usually does well at Watkins Glen. Last year Mark Martin finished 2nd, Jeff Burton finished 3rd and you were 10th. As a team do you compare notes?

"Actually, it's harder to compare notes on a road course than on an oval. Everyone brakes, shifts and drives different. Last year we all tested up there and helped each other out. Three of us in the top-10 was great and we are hoping to have a similar performance this year."

Crew Chief Robbie Reiser's thoughts on Watkins Glen:

"We are going to take car number 12 to Watkins Glen. This is the same car we ran at Sears Point. Last year we qualified 12th for this race and finished in the top-10. Matt runs well here and we are hoping to bounce back from last week's accident at Indy."

Mike Calinoff's thoughts on Spotting at Watkins Glen:

"At the Glen, we usually use three spotters. One in the esses, one in the inner-loop and the third one in turn nine."

Text provided by Amy Walsh

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