Transcript: Jerry Nadeau

February 15, 2001
10:41 AM EST (1541 GMT)

Jerry Nadeau, who collected his first career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win Monday at Atlanta, chatted with fans. Find out what was on his mind in this edited transcript.

Jerry Nadeau at 5:02pm ET Hey everybody, glad everyone could make it, let's get going!

sheila at 5:02pm ET I was at the race in Atlanta yesterday when you captured your first victory, and I could tell how excited you were. Can you describe or try to describe, what you were feeling when you crossed the finish line?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:03pm ET It was exciting, the last three laps were probably the most exciting laps of my life. My lips were trembling. I knew we had a fast car. When we were pulling away from Earnhardt, it was very exciting.

Dan Doughty from uslink.net at 5:03pm ET Congratulations on the win! I noticed on the cool down lap your teammate, Jeff Gordon, gave you a little bump. What was that all about?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:04pm ET That is called a victory bump. Me and Jeff have gotten along great. My car was clean all day until that victory lap. But it wasn't just him, others came up and did that as well.

Tasha Farley from tnt1.cambridge.oh.da.uu.net at 5:04pm ET Are you and your team making any changes at all next year? With the team, pit crew or even with your car?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:05pm ET Thank you, no we don't plan on changing anything. The plan is to stay the road.

chris from proxy.aol.com at 5:05pm ET First, what a great win for you yesterday. It shows a Northern guy can beat the Southern drivers. Did you ever expect to win at Atlanta, or any other oval, or did you think it would come on a road course?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:06pm ET I think a lot of people thought I would've won on a road course, but deep down in my heart -- this year we have led some races at the bigger tracks -- I knew we had a shot at Atlanta. The guys were flawless on pit stops and that is what won this for us.

Mike Sandberg@BowlerCity.com from proxy.aol.com at 5:06pm ET Who were some of your racing hero's growing up?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:07pm ET I never really had a hero. My dad was a hero, I used to watch him a lot and cheer him on. Richie Evans in the Modifieds, but I didn't really pick one guy. Anyone who was successful and carrying themselves well, I liked.

Tim Parry at 5:08pm ET Anyway, NASCAR has grown enormously as a mainstream sport in the last decade, and it seems people are travelling all around the country to follow the action. In the past, Donald Trump has proposed the building of a speedway in the New York/Tri-state area. With the popularity growing, do you think you will get that chance to drive in your backyard before in your lifetime?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:08pm ET It would be cool! That would be awesome to drive in New York, Connecticut or some new places that are close to me. NASCAR is continuing to grow and it is very exciting.

T Burgess from filenet.com at 5:09pm ET What are you going to do during your off-season time, and what will you be doing for your preparations for the start of the 2001 season?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:10pm ET Really, we are just going to take it easy. We may take a week vacation, go skiing or something. By then it will be January and then we are back at it again. We are always making sure that things are ready for the next year during the off-season.

Jackie at 5:10pm ET You had the best car all day and you have had some bad breaks this year. What did it feel like those last few laps, looking in your rearview mirror and seeing the No. 3 car? As quick as the No. 24 car was coming at you in a few more laps there could have been another photo finish.

Jerry Nadeau at 5:11pm ET I have had that question asked a lot! He is definitely one of the guys you wouldn't want to see in your rearview mirror. It didn't bother me that much because we had a good car, so I knew we could do it. That made everything sweet!

Allen Serrano@B2B from proxy.aol.com at 5:11pm ET How does it help you to have two past champions as teammates?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:11pm ET Tremendously! Between the two, they have won five championships. I have been to their trailers many times to talk about races, they are a big help.

William Downs from phl2.splitrock.net at 5:12pm ET What are your goals for next year and what do you think your chances are at winning the championship next year?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:12pm ET Well, we have acheived one thing -- we got the first victory. Now we need to work on being more consistent. We are not quite yet ready for a championship, but moving in the right direction.

ShaunBlessing@G&O.com from proxy.aol.com at 5:13pm ET What kind of hobbies do you have outside of racing?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:13pm ET I enjoy playing golf. I like being out on the lake. Playing video games, watching movies. Anything to keep me going.

Steve Davis at 5:13pm ET Way to go Jerry! Your car was very quick at Atlanta. Was your car set up as for any other race, or were you experimenting with any new ideas on your car that might give us a glimpse of what to expect next year?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:14pm ET If people have followed all year, we have had some good cars at the mile-and-a-half tracks. We have been pretty good all year, with just some bad luck at races. But yesterday it just all came together.

TJ at 5:14pm ET Congrats on your first win, you have really been knocking on that door for sometime now. The No. 25 car is back, you have a great team with more wins in your future. Can you put your finger on any one aspect that has brought you to contend more for the wins?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:15pm ET Thanks, I think just getting the opportunity to race for Hendrick Motorsports. That has pushed me closer to my goal. Plus, Tony is a great crew chief to have with a young driver.

Judy Chorniewy at 5:16pm ET What lap did you realize you were going to win the race? We were pulling for you and have your hat displayed on our mantle in honor of your victory.

Jerry Nadeau at 5:16pm ET Probably three laps before the end. My spotter's voice was squeaking pretty bad -- that is when I knew I had a good shot. It was amazing!

Brian Sandeen from proxy.aol.com at 5:16pm ET How do you feel about the package setup that you used in Talladega for the last race there, and how do you feel it will change how the car peforms at Daytona this February?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:17pm ET Well, I thought the Talladega was one of the most exciting superspeedway races we have had. I imagine it will be similar at Daytona, but the cars that handle real well will have an advantage.

Zach Miller from telenet.net at 5:17pm ET Are there any sponser changes on your can for next year?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:18pm ET UAW/Delphi will be on board with us for the next three years. They sponsor Scott Sharp and now me and it will be a great looking race car. Very exciting for us!

Casie from 49.192.162.troy.grid.net at 5:18pm ET What has been the most frustrating about this year for you?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:19pm ET Just the amount of bad luck we have had this year. The good thing about that bad luck was that we grew as a team and that helped us come together and we stuck it out and got that first win. It has been frustrating at times, but still a great year for us.

Brian Nederostek from haw.ptd.net at 5:19pm ET Besides Atlanta, what would you consider some of your favorite tracks?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:20pm ET Anytime you are racing on Sunday -- that is my favorite track. I enjoy them all!

Teri from Germany from dip.t-dialin.net at 5:20pm ET How does it feel to win the season finale, and what are your plans for the 2001 season?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:21pm ET Thank you, it felt great. It gives us time to celebrate. If this were three weeks ago, we wouldn't have time to take the win completely in. Now we will just keep working hard.

Brian Sandeen from proxy.aol.com at 5:21pm ET I predicted all season that you and Steve Park would win this year. How do you think the upcoming 2001 schedule is going to affect the teams with the season going to a 36-race season instead of 34?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:22pm ET It is just going to make the whole season feel a lot longer. But if you are real prepared over the winter time, I think it will make it easier to handle. The teams that are real prepared and have a good backing will be fine.

Tom from CA from proxy.aol.com at 5:23pm ET Which driver do you have the most respect for?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:24pm ET There can't be just one guy. There are a lot of guys that I respect. The ones who have won a lot of championships and races, who I respect. Mark Martin would have to be one guy that comes to mind because he is a good clean racer who will let you go by if you are faster. I enjoy racing him.

Ben from mrdnmstt.wan.networktel.net at 5:25pm ET How did you decide you were going to be a NASCAR driver?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:25pm ET Probably since the age of 16 or 17, I put forth all my effort to get to NASCAR. I made my move down South about 6 years ago and met some great people and that got things rolling for me.

Jim Martin at 5:25pm ET I know you were sorry that your family and wife couldn't be with you to celebrate. I noticed Rick Hendrick wasn't there. What did he have to say? And, how is his health?

Jerry Nadeau at 5:27pm ET His brother, John, was there. The first call (besides talking to my wife) was Rick Hendrick. That was very nice. When we arrived back there were over 100 Hendrick employees and that was great. We dedicated the win to Papa Joe Hendrick.

Jerry Nadeau at 5:27pm ET I want to thank everyone for being here. I can't wait to get Daytona and look for more wins in the future. Thanks!