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NASCAR WCUP: Pontiac Rookie Driver Notes and Quotes, Coca Cola 600

26 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

DAVE BLANEY, NO. 93 AMOCO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX:

(ON HIS ROOKIE SEASON) "We're struggling more than I had hoped we would or thought we would. We've got a real good situation at Bill Davis (Racing). The Caterpillar team is having a great year - right up front every week, and we've got all their stuff to look, to lean on. But we are a new team. We've got all new people and a new driver, inexperienced driver. But I really hope the second time around on some of these racetracks, where we can look back at what we did, I think that will pick us up. That was really the case my first year in the Busch Series the second half. We picked up a bunch. I hope that comes around again. We need some good days."

(WHO DOES HE LOOK TO FOR ADVICE IN THE GARAGE AREA?) "Obviously I just spend a lot of time with Ward Burton and Tom Baldwin. They are doing a great job with these Pontiacs. Any of them would help you out, but I try to stick with what we're doing and our team. He (Ward) can tell me a lot of things, but he can't get in there and drive it for me, so you've got to go through it yourself."

(ON THE GOAL OF WINNING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR) "Considering the group that's here I think winning rookie of the year would be a big accomplishment for me and for anybody here. But in all reality, we're looking at our team and just trying to get in on track and get it head

ed down the right path for the future. That's our main goal." MIKE BLISS, NO. 27 VIAGRA PONTIAC GRAND PRIX:

(ON HIS ROOKIE SEASON) "Man, did I pick the wrong year to go for rookie of the year! I think we all did. I guess I'm on my third dog now. Every time I go home I kick the dog and I'm on my third one. "It's a lot tougher than I thought. Coming from the trucks, you think you put your pants on just like everyone else does. I think I might get some of those pants - you know, that baggy look and that - and see if that works. He (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.) is the man.

"Starting off with A.J. (Foyt) and a new team, that didn't go good. Coming over with Barry (Dodson), it's getting better and better. Inside we see we're getting better, but it's just a big struggle to build a team these days and be competitive with the guys that have already been there for five or six or 10 years. And being a rookie coming to Charlotte for the first time, this track is different than Texas driving-wise. It just takes a longer time to adapt. It just seems these days people expect more out of rookies. They want you to jump right in there and be top 25 and finish top 10. It just takes a while. And the sponsors and the owners are a little bit more pushy than five years ago. But I understand. There is a lot of money in this sport. People want to see results quick. But I'm glad to be here. This is one of the toughest rookie fields, I think - at least the two guys that are running for it - but it's a great group of guys."

(WHO DOES HE LOOK TO FOR ADVICE?) "I've got a doctor in Charlotte that helps me in Charlotte a lot.

"You can pretty much go to anybody in the garage area and they'll help you, as long as you're not beating them. I don't think (Dale) Junior is going to go up to anybody and get any help right now. But, Ricky (Rudd) does the rookie meetings so I pretty much go to him on some of the things. But a lot of guys will help you out."

(HIS THOUGHTS ON THE GOAL OF WINNING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR) "Like everyone says, it would be a great accomplishment. Going into the year, you are thinking you've got a pretty good chance at it and you're trying to think high things. But this is probably one of the toughest rookie battles I think we've ever seen in Winston Cup. I'd like to be in the middle of it, but we're just not there. But you never know what will happen. The way the points work out on the rookie deal, it could change. But it's good to be involved with these guys. You can say you were involved in it. I wish them luck."

Text provided by Al Larsen

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