RACING BUSINESS (LAS VEGAS, NV.) - TOYOTA NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Test Notes & Quotes
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What do you think about joining the Red Bull Racing Team?
“It's obviously a great opportunity for me personally. The foundation to succeed is certainly here at Red Bull and the determination to succeed is here. As a competitor, that is really all you can ask for. We just have to capitalize on the resources that we have. We have two really good, exciting young race car drivers that have great careers ahead of them. I had high expectations coming in to the Red Bull Racing Team. About what was here and the great people that work here as well as the great opportunities that the team has laid out. I've been blown away and it's been more than I expected. The opportunity is here, we just need to capitalize on it. We want to compete, and to compete at a high level. We are very excited about 2008."
What do you think about NASCAR's change on qualifying procedures for teams outside of the top-35?
“We've tried to remove ourselves from the top-35 mindset. I understand that it’s very important. But, if you take care of business and you do ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’, the top-35 will take care of itself. It's a product of your success. I think the top-35 is a great rule. The team I was with before, we were involved with the creation of the rule and we missed a race in Atlanta and that's when NASCAR came out with the rule. I think lumping the cars for qualifying together that are outside the top-35 is the right thing to do. It became the luck of the draw -- literally -- last year depending on when your car went on-track.”
Who is your pick for the Super Bowl?
“I think the Giants are going to win. I think they are going to win straight up. I'd take them in the points right now.”
MICHAEL MCDOWELL, Michael Waltrip Racing
How's your first official NASCAR Sprint Cup testing going?
“It's going well -- I haven't done a lot of laps. This is my first time here and we have a brand new car -- so far, so good. I tested during the off season with Michael Waltrip. This will be my first time out there with all the cars at once. We started off conservative and I think we'll get better and better as we progress.”
Are you excited about taking over the No. 00 Camry in March?
“I'm just really anxious to get in and get going. It's a huge opportunity for me to run in the Sprint Cup Series. I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully we'll be able to get Dale (Jarrett) and David (Reutimann) in the top-35 and it will make my job easier when I get in.”
BRIAN VICKERS, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, Red Bull Racing Team
How has the Las Vegas test been going?
“The car is actually better than I expected it to be. I haven't been in much traffic yet. Working with Kevin (Hamlin, crew chief) has been really good. We've made gains already.”
Do you think the Vegas and California tests are a better measurement to how you will do this season?
“I think Daytona is a good representation of how the Camrys will handle at superspeedway races. It's pretty minimal representation of how we are going to do elsewhere. I guess when you have your stuff together, you have your stuff together and it doesn't matter where you're at. I think this test at Las Vegas and later this week at California will show how the teams will fair week to week. This is the first real full series tests with these cars at these types of tracks, where we run the most at .”
Who is your pick for the Super Bowl?
“I don't follow it that much, but I will definitely be watching the Super Bowl. Based on what I've seen you have to go with the team that is undefeated. I've gone to a Super Bowl, I'm glad I've gone once. I was there the year that Janet Jackson had her incident. It's a really big event. The parties and everything leading up to it are great, but once you got to the game, it's like any other game. I would rather go to five home games at Panther stadium or Giants stadium in New York and watch the Super Bowl on T.V.”