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NASCAR WCUP: Mike Bliss/A.J. Foyt/Conseco Racing Notes and Quotes, Daytona Session

11 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Mike Bliss

...impressions of his first test at Daytona:

"They always tell you the wicked rumors about plate testing, and how you're going to be stumped, and not able to get that last little bit out of the car. But, we're working pretty hard at it, and trying to pick up some speed. It's there, but this is our first test. From here, we're going to the wind tunnel and then we'll be back here next week. This was just a shakedown test to see where we were at. We've got some work to do, but we know where we need to improve."

...comparing himself to other rookie Winston Cup drivers:

"I don't do that. I'm hard on myself to start with, so there's enough pressure there as it is. I can't think about what they're doing. I just try to improve on what I need to improve on, and work around that. If I'm not getting it done, I'm going to tear myself up - not because of what someone else is doing. If I worry about what the other rookies are up to, then I'll be forgetting about 30 other guys on the racetrack."

...working with team owner A.J. Foyt:

"It's not intimidating at all having him there. If anything, he is helping me. He tells us what he sees, and what he thinks. And it works, too - the things that he is saying. He's helping me get around here. He is a positive role model for me. I've always looked up to him, so what he says, I believe."

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