Chat Transcript: Rusty Wallace

March 7, 2001
4:16 PM EST (2116 GMT)

[Nascar_Host1] Welcome everyone to NASCAR.com's chat with Rusty Wallace! Post your messages right here in the channel!

[Rusty_Wallace] First of all I would like to welcome everyone tonight to our chat session. Daytona Speedweeks has been good to us so far. The Budweiser Shootout was good to us as we finished 3rd. We put in a brand new engine combo this morning and it ran really well. We are real optimistic about the Daytona 500. We have come close -- real close -- the last few years, so we feel really good. With that, let's take the first question.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [gorace31] Are there any special paint schemes that you will be running this year?

[Rusty_Wallace] Yes there are. We will unveil the Harley-Davidson paint scheme at The Winston. We will run it at the Firecracker 400 at Daytona and at the second Michigan race. It is primarily black and silver. On March 1st we will show it on www.rustywallace.com and you will be able to download photos of it. We will also be at Bike week to show it. Harley-Davidson and Miller Brewing will both be there, too. It will be a cool deal.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [EarnhardtJr8] Rusty, were the fines unreasonable that were handed out this week?

[Rusty_Wallace] No, I don't think so. In fact I think they were very light. I was very surprised as to how light the fines actually were considering some of the things that got done.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Staffman] Rusty, what is the biggest challenge faced by the Penske teams for Sunday's race?

[Rusty_Wallace] I think the biggest challenge is just the race itself. We have a great car and it is handling good. The new rules have all the cars staying close. There is no one in the field that has the best chance to win. Last year I could say Dale Jarrett or me, but you can't tell with these new rules. It is hard for me to lead the draft for a long period of time. I did it in practice today, but it is a tough deal.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Phinnster] Rusty, you are still widely considered one of the more "outspoken" drivers on the circuit. What is your take on Kyle Petty's recent backlash against his fellow drivers concerning the newly available head restraints, and, also, do you plan on using it at any of the races this year?

[Rusty_Wallace] I really haven't heard what Kyle had to say but I know the situation has to be treated sensitively because of the loss of his son. There are a lot of different opinions on what to do and not to do. I feel uncomfortable using the HANS device because I have been through so many crashes and I know how to brace myself. That device makes me nervous, but I have added supports to my seat. I am sure Kyle said what he said because that is how he felt and people need to understand.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RacerDude] Rusty, why doesn't NASCAR just let the teams be creative with whatever brand they run and quit penalizing the teams that can come up with a legal advantage?

[Rusty_Wallace] There is a certain set of rules we have and we have to abide by the rules. If one team has an unfair advantage then that isn't really a cool thing either. These teams that get penalized are the same that keep pushing the limit. I hope I answered your question.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [kacee1955] Rusty, how excited are you that all the Wallace boys are in the Daytona 500?

[Rusty_Wallace] I am REAL excited all the brothers are there. My mom and dad are the most excited. They are out of control! We have our fingers crossed that things will keep going well for all of us in the Daytona 500.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wallacefanatic] Rusty, what do you think of the expanded schedule this year and what are you gonna do with only three weekends off?

[Rusty_Wallace] The expanded schedule is OK for the new racetracks. I just don't like 36 races. I wish we could cut back the schedule and spend more time with the family. That is racing and that is what we have to deal with. I am not a big fan of the expanded scheduled, but I like the new markets. NASCAR is working hard on this issue and we are going to start going to some tracks later in the week. For instance, instead of going to Rockingham on Thursday night, we are now going to cut everything back there to 2 days so I will come in on Friday night for a Saturday and Sunday show.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [B-Price] Rusty, what do you think of how the new Dodge teams have performed thus far in Speedweeks and do you give them a shot at the win?

[Rusty_Wallace] I absolutely give them a shot at the win. From what I see, the #22 car of Ward Burton and the #40 car of Sterling Marlin are both strong. Bill Elliott is on the pole and he has also has a strong car, but he didn't show his strength yet. Right now the #40 Dodge and the #22 Dodge are showing everything and they are quite fast.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JJ] Rusty, last year you were definitely the best in a lot of categories. What are you going to do this year to work on your consistency so you can win the Championship?

[Rusty_Wallace] I feel like this year is our best year ever to win the Championship. I was surprised how we ran with the 2000 Taurus last year. Our pit crew is super fast and I feel great about the engines, the cars, and the crew. By gosh, this might really be our year.

[Nascar_Host1] What do you think about the situation with FOX not showing the sponsors on their graphics?

[Rusty_Wallace] That was a huge surprise for all the sponsors, drivers and owners. We all voiced our opinion to NASCAR and FOX. There were about 6 cars in the 125s that didn't have graphics. FOX claimed they didn't have the graphics for their computers. They said to us that in the Daytona 500 it would all be fixed. That is just part of the growing pains to have everything out of the box right the first time, but on the other hand, if you don't like something you have to speak up, and we did that.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wallacefanatic] Rusty, will you be doing any television this year? You were great on FoxSportsNet last night and TBS last year.

[Rusty_Wallace] Yeah I am going to be doing a lot of work this year with FOX, NBC and Turner. They have been great to me and I have met all the main people from the TV organizations since I have been here in Daytona. They know they can count on me to help them. I can't tell you when but you will see a lot of specialty shows later in the year.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [sweetsioux2] How well prepared do you feel the rookies are for Sunday's race and are you going to play it safe around any team in particular?

[Rusty_Wallace] I feel right now a little comfortable with them. Some have been drafting behind me and have been darting around the racetrack. They have pressure and I don't like how some of them look, but I am not going to name any names. I am going to pay attention as to who to run with and who not to run with.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Roushfan] Do you see NASCAR making any rules changes to the Fords after the wind tunnel tests last week?

[Rusty_Wallace] No. We had some serious discussions down here in Daytona since that happened. There will be no changes now in Daytona. I expect them to meet and make some changes for Talladega. With that in mind and how the competition looked in the 125s, they decided not to make any changes. They want a little more look-and-see time.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalesrrules] Rusty, are you looking forward to racing on the two new racetracks this year?

[Rusty_Wallace] I am really looking forward to Kansas City and Chicago. I am from the St. Louis area so I hope a lot of fans show up. We are testing at both of those tracks, so I am looking forward to going there. The answer is bring it on! I am ready to go for it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [FordTech] What do you think of NASCAR's new aero package to slow the cars down and do you think it is more dangerous to bunch them all up?

[Rusty_Wallace] I understand the reasons behind the aero package but I think we overdid it a little bit, but we should have the most exciting Daytona 500 for the fans. We need to work on it a little bit because we are still too close. Ford is at a disadvantage, and NASCAR showed that with the wind tunnel results. NASCAR is very slow to react on things and they always like to take a look-and-see attitude. I personally think the roof strip on top of the roof doesn't need to be there.

[Nascar_Host1] What's the scariest moment you've had as a driver?

[Rusty_Wallace] I guess would be when I rolled the car 23 times in 1993 at Talladega. That was something I had to get out of my head real quick. That accident helped invent the roof flaps that have saved many drivers from that point on.

[Nascar_Host1] How would you design your perfect Winston Cup track?

[Rusty_Wallace] The track would be about 1 mile in length with a little less banking on entry, with more on the center and exit. That would enable side-by-side racing with 2 grooves. I have shared my views with new track owners and I think they are starting to listen. The tracks are either flat or banked now and it is hard to pass on the flat tracks with the way the aero rules are. The tracks with progressive banking as you enter the corner allow the front end to get tight, which makes the cars turn and handle a lot better. I really like the 400-mile events instead of the 500s, too. They become an all day grind sometimes. It is a race for survival, but Daytona and Talladega where you run so fast, you can do it in 3.5 hours. I hope you are comfortable with my take on it!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [ShadyMom] Rusty, after seeing all the cars so far this year, do you think any particular manufacturer is at a disadvantage?

[Rusty_Wallace] Right now the numbers say the Ford is, but that is only at Daytona and Talladega. Everywhere else I feel we are going to be strong.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Rustythemillerman] Rusty, how do you feel about the upcoming Ryan Newman?

[Rusty_Wallace] I think he is going to be really, really good. He is going to run the whole Winston Cup circuit in 2002. In the 6 races Ryan has run in ARCA, he has won 4. He is a good listener and he respects the past. Buddy Baker has also helped him. All in all, I think we have a winner in our hands and I look forward to him being a teammate.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyFan] What are your feelings on the restrictor plates? Do you enjoy them or would you rather race unrestricted?

[Rusty_Wallace] I don't think anyone likes them. We all say we want to race unrestricted, but we understand the reason we can't. The speeds over 195 make the roof flaps inactive, and that is the reason we need to keep the cars under 195. We have to have the plate because even with a 6-cylinder and no plate, it will still go 200. The talk about plates will go on for a long time, but I think the fans will enjoy the Daytona 500.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dino] Do you think that NASCAR should put more short tracks on the circuit?

[Rusty_Wallace] I really love the short tracks, but I think we have enough right now. Before we start adding more tracks, we need to take some off. Everybody in every community would love a Winston Cup event but we just can't do that much.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [MillerRacingFan] What changes would you like to see happened to the Fords?

[Rusty_Wallace] I think I would like to see the rear spoiler changed, which is now 58 inches wide, where the Chevy is 56. I would like to see it narrow up on each side like the Chevrolets. That would be fair.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Drewber32] Rusty, do you think there is anything NASCAR could do to give drivers and teams more time at home?

[Rusty_Wallace] Yeah, and they are working at that. That is why they are cutting events from 3 days to 2 days. I applaud them for that. They know that if they want to add races to the schedule, we need to have more time at home. I can't even imagine running more than 36, or even 36, but we are going to do it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Con4RW2] Rusty, are the plans still in motion to put you and Jeremy in cars with the same chassis and similar set-ups?

[Rusty_Wallace] Yes, they sure are. We are working on that for the Daytona 500. We are going to have the same set-ups at the Daytona 500. He built the car I am running, but he wrecked his in the 125s. He brought one of mine out as a backup and loved it, so that will be his primary for the Daytona 500.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dodge_Man] You've been with Miller Brewing and Penske a long time. What's the secret?

[Rusty_Wallace] I own part of the company, that is the main thing. I have a lifetime contract with Miller, so as long as I am driving, they are with me. I own 24% of the racing company, so I will be there for a long time, too.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dirt_Racer] Rusty, do you think the "younger" drivers should spend more time in the minor leagues of racing before moving up to Winston Cup?

[Rusty_Wallace] I don't know if I think they need to spend more time. My opinion for the younger drivers is to just show respect and learn from the current drivers. That is what I did and it worked for me. If a driver doesn't do that, he needs to stay in the minor leagues a little longer.

[Nascar_Host1] If there were any changes you would like to see NASCAR, make what would they be?

[Rusty_Wallace] I would like to see them continue to make the effort to knock the days from 3 to 2. I also like the early Happy Hour sessions at noon. That gives the crews more times to work on the cars. Most of the get there at 6AM, and with the schedule being just so hectic, I would like to see some more changes. NASCAR is working on it so you have to give them a hand for it.

[Nascar_Host1] Thanks Rusty! That's all we have time for today! Rusty, what are your final thoughts?

[Rusty_Wallace] I would like to say that this was fun. This was the first chat for Rusty Wallace on NASCAR.com. I know we had almost 1500 people on line tonight and I am sorry that we couldn't get to all your questions. I look forward to the Daytona 500. Please keep visiting the new NASCAR.com and the new www.rustywallace.com. The site is getting over 11,000 hits a day. I am going to stay all over it with daily updates, so I am looking forward to that. With that, tighten your seatbelts and get ready for the Daytona 500! Good night.