TACH Speed Channel - Dodge Notes, Quotes from Watkins Glen on Saturday.
Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002 Ray Cooper Watkins Glen International Golin/Harris International Dodge notes and quotes. 803-466-9085 SCOTT PRUETT (No. 41 Target Dodge Intrepid R/T) NOTE: Pruett was fourth fastest in the first morning practice session and second fastest in the final practice. "We have a great car. We just got greedy in qualifying. I told the guys on the Target team that we had to put this baby right on the edge for qualifying if we were going to get the pole. We tried to get the pole, and with the Hoosier rubber on the track and going out as early as we did, we were just loose. It's unfortunate that we're starting 19th, but the car is great. The Target Dodge boys are doing a tremendous job. We were quickest in practice yesterday and the car was very fast this morning on old tires. We've just got to play it smart, race these guys hard and see what we can come up with for the race. "We've got to pass a lot of cars. We'll make a move at the start, make moves coming off yellows and be real aggressive and try to make those bold moves. I don't have anything to lose. I'm here doing one race, and I'm in a position where I can gamble. I'm in the 41, and we're going all out and we're going to try to go to the front one way or the other. We've got the car that can do it. We've shown how fast we are. We've got to be a little smart not to get too carried away, but we've got the car and if we play it smart we should be around at the end. "We joke about it being conservatively aggressive. You know when to make the moves. You know that when doors open up you've got to drive through 'em and make your way through these guys. When you have a good car, you know what you can get away with and what you're capable of. You know where you can put your car and what you can do with it. Take Bill Elliott last weekend. He knew exactly what he could do with his car and he made some awesome moves to win that race. At the same time he was patient. He was patient when he needed to be and aggressive when he needed to be. That's something that comes with experience and having a good car. "I think I come in a little different (than other road-course specialists). The fact I did it a year and I wanted to be here. I miss it. I like TV. I love racing. I'm always talking to people. I'd love to be back in this sport and see what's happening and what's going on. Is there something right in front of me? No, but everybody talks the talk so we'll see what happens. "Beat 'em? No. These guys are awesome. All these guys are top-drawer, awesome, experienced. The other thing about it is the team. It's teamwork, pit stops, pit strategy, that relationship you get with the driver and crew chief you get after doing race after race after race. Coming in here to win the race? It's going to be tough. Coming in here to run strong won't be easy, but with a good team it's kind of a given. Realistically, a top 10 is a good place to finish. I come in with the mindset that I'm going to win. If I didn't, I shouldn't be in the car. As a realist, it's a different story, but as a driver, you've got one mindset and that's to win the race. "I think what Dodge has done has been tremendous. It's kind of like what Firestone did. They were out of racing for so many years and came back and showed dominance. Dodge has worked very hard. They've taken their time. They've been patient and diligent. They've done their homework. They've got great teams. I think what Dodge has done has been tremendous. It's been tremendous for the company and tremendous for the sport. "We're a couple of changes away from where we need to be for the race. I can't say what we're going to change. We were fourth fastest this morning, but we were on old tires, so we're real happy."