Chat Transcript: Dale Jarrett

March 22, 2001
12:28 PM EST (1728 GMT)

[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Dale Jarrett!

[Dale_Jarrett] Welcome tonight and it was certainly nice to visit victory lane at Darlington this weekend. It was nice to get our new sponsor, UPS, in victory lane this early in the season. With that, I am looking forward to answering your questions.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalejr_fan] Dale, you are the first Ford to win this year. How does that feel? How is the Ford different this year from last year?

[Dale_Jarrett] It feels great to be the first Ford to win. There really isn't that much difference between this year and last year. We basically have the same rules but we have just tried to improve our cars some and we are on a good pace of doing that.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [rrfan] Dale, how do you and Ricky Rudd work together?

[Dale_Jarrett] Ricky and I work together extremely well. Ricky is a very knowledgeable race driver and someone I respect tremendously. The relationship between the #28 and #88 has helped both teams run in the front more over the last year and a half.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Duffy88] Are you enjoying the TV spots and celebrity work with UPS this year as much as you did with Quality Care in the past?

[Dale_Jarrett] I really am enjoying what we are doing with UPS. The TV spots were really a blast to make. The actor who plays the UPS executive in the commercials was really a lot of fun to work with. So far everything that UPS has required of me has been a lot of fun.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [DaleFanFrom] How do you expect to do this weekend at Bristol?

[Dale_Jarrett] I am really looking forward to Bristol. It is always an exciting race. Any time you can put 150,000 fans around the track, all the drivers get excited. We rebuilt a car that we ran there in the past. I really think we will have the best car out there that we have ever had so I am really looking forward to Bristol.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Kristian_3] Dale, congratulations on your win. Do you think that Ford is still at a disadvantage to Chevy, and what would you like to see NASCAR do to remedy the situation?

[Dale_Jarrett] Thanks for the congratulations. It is hard for someone that just visited victory lane to talk about a rules change, but for the 4 teams to compete on a weekly basis, we feel like we need about an inch of kickout on the front nose for more downforce. From what we have seen from wind tunnel numbers, that would create an equal situation for all the teams. We feel that the Dodge has a lot of the same issues that we have, that they get beat in the center of the corner. If NASCAR feels that these are the rules we are going to race by, we will just keeping working hard on the set ups and hopefully keep visiting victory lane with the way the rules are now.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nuts4dj] Will you have any special paint schemes like the Airforce one from last year?

[Dale_Jarrett] Right now we don't have any plans. With UPS being a new sponsor, they want to pretty much keep the car the way it is for identity purposes. Special schemes have been discussed so sometime in the future something will be done on those regards.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalejr_fan] Dale, do you look forward to racing against your son, Jason, in the future?

[Dale_Jarrett] I think it will be neat to race against Jason when that opportunity comes. We had a chance at Charlotte in a Busch race a few years ago, but certainly when the time comes that he moves up to Winston Cup that will certainly be a special day.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Ford88Chick] DJ, I know that you and Brett Favre run a driving experience. Do you ever make any personal appearances there?

[Dale_Jarrett] I do sometimes get to the driving school. That is usually about twice a year. I was in Lakeland, Florida, two years ago, and in November 2000 I was in Atlanta. It is hard to make time to do it. The driving adventure has been good and I hope to make it bigger and better. You can keep checking with the driving school to see when I might be there.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Ford88Chick] What is your opinion on this year's race schedule? Are you pleased with the number of races on the schedule or would you be happier with more or less?

[Dale_Jarrett] It is a lot of races but racing is what I enjoy doing. Since we added some new tracks, I think it will be fun and exciting. We are looking forward to those new areas. It is very demanding but I am happy with what we have.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [KHarvickkicksbutt] DJ, how do you and your family handle the serious demands on your time with more races than ever and sponsor obligations?

[Dale_Jarrett] That is the most difficult part of this business -- making time and having time with my family. They go with me as much as they can, and the off weeks I spend entirely with my family. My daughters are heavily involved in basketball so they can't come to all the races, but we make time and I am fortunate to have sponsors that understand how important these things are to me and they help me.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [GO_24] DJ, do you follow any sports outside of racing other than family basketball?

[Dale_Jarrett] Yes, I follow almost all sports. In particular, I love college basketball, NBA, NFL, and the PGA tour. I am a sports junky and when I have time to watch these other sports, I really enjoy doing that.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Ford88Chick] DJ, I know that you are a spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society. Are you planning on making an appearance at charity events for that this year?

[Dale_Jarrett] I would like to. Kelley does a lot more of the charity events because so much happens over the weekend with me racing that it is hard, but there are some opportunities that we are looking at this time for me to do that. It really is a great organization.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nuts4dj] DJ, what goes through your mind when you have a bad pit stop that puts you back in the pack? Your crew did a great job to help you get back to the front. Todd Parrott is definitely a keeper, don't you think?

[Dale_Jarrett] There is no doubt that someone like Todd Parrott is invaluable to our race team. He is the heart and soul. When the lug nuts didn't get tightened, that wasn't a big thing to me. We had a great car and the team was going to be able to help me. We are all human and we are going to make mistakes. I just put that behind me and went on with our business.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Foofer] Mr. Jarrett, currently in the top-10 there are three Fords, three Chevys, two Dodges, and two Pontiacs. Do you anticipate this trend to continue, or do you anticipate one manufacturer pulling away from the pack?

[Dale_Jarrett] I don't think there is going to be one that will pull away. I believe that there are a number of good teams that are capable in each manufacturer to stay up front and stay within the top-10.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [DJisthebest] DJ, do you think you have a good shot at another Championship this year?

[Dale_Jarrett] I really believe that we do have a good chance. I like the way our team is performing. We are leading laps and there is a lot of excitement in this race team. Todd and I are communicating the best we ever have, and with the incredible engine power our guys are producing, I do believe we can win another Championship.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [NY_3_FAN] What did Dale Earnhardt mean to you?

[Dale_Jarrett] Dale Earnhardt meant a lot to me in a lot of ways. He was a really good friend, first and foremost. He was always there to answer questions or help in any way he could. There was no one better to race against either. You knew what you were going to get from him, which was always a battle. I always looked forward to that battle each weekend. He was truly the person that put our sport where it is today, and even though we will continue on, he will always be a huge part of what we are doing.

[Nascar_Host1] This is your 13th season in Winston Cup. What advice do you have for the guys just entering their first or second year in Cup?

[Dale_Jarrett] The biggest thing would be to be patient and don't try to do more than you or your equipment can do at the time. Everyone coming in wants to make a name, but it is easier to do that with laps and miles under your belt and gain the respect of your competitors.

[Nascar_Host1] How did you celebrate your win after Sunday's race?

[Dale_Jarrett] There wasn't much celebration to be honest. I got home at 7:45 and because of my daughters games, they didn't get home until about 10:00. They got home and had to get in bed, but it was still a lot of fun.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Lance88ryr] Which of the "Young Guns" in Winston Cup do you think has the most potential?

[Dale_Jarrett] I think there are a number of young guys that have the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Certainly Dale Jr. is on the top of that list, and Matt Kenseth does a great job. I think you will hear a lot more about Andy Houston. That team has had a lot of problems getting into races, but he does a good job in races of using his head and being competitive.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [fl4mikey] What do you take with you on the road that reminds you of home?

[Dale_Jarrett] I guess that is a good question, but photos of my kids and wife Kelley come with me when they are not able to be there. Each one of them has given me something special, whether it was a letter or something they made for me, and I keep those in the motorhome with me.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wudstock] Dale, out on the track who are you most afraid of to see in your rearview mirror?

[Dale_Jarrett] I don't know if I am afraid to see anyone but certainly guys that you know that are always competitive, like Jeff Gordon. He is a true competitor and I enjoy the challenge of keeping him behind me. I am not afraid of taking on anyone that I might see back there.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [CC10-25-93] Being such a seasoned veteran with many successes in your past, what thrills you the most these days?

[Dale_Jarrett] The competition still. The challenge that each racetrack presents and the different competitors. It is still about winning and making our team the best each and every week.

[Nascar_Host1] What was it like doing a commercial with John Madden?

[Dale_Jarrett] The Outback commercial that I did a year ago was a tremendous amount of fun. Being a NFL fan, spending a day with John talking and explaining about couching and being a commentator was great. He was a nice gentleman but very entertaining along the way also.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Susie2] Dale, how much of your racing strategy has come from your father?

[Dale_Jarrett] Probably quite a bit. I watched my dad when I was a kid growing up and saw how he did things. As I got older, we talked a lot about racing and when you talk about winning and what other people did with my father, you can understand why he has been a huge influence on my racing.

[Nascar_Host1] How do you keep fit during the racing season?

[Dale_Jarrett] I workout at least 4 days a week. I make sure I get in at least that many workouts during the season. I do both cardio and weights. I also sit in a sauna to acclimate myself to the extreme heat that we experience in the racecar for 4 hours. It has helped me quite a bit. I have gotten more into that in the last few years. I think that has made a difference and I hope it extends my racing career.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [KYDJFAN] Hey DJ, I was at Atlanta and man I sure thought you were gonna pull it out. Do you regret not pitting there in the last pit stop like the rest?

[Dale_Jarrett] That is certainly something that Todd and I have discussed. We thought it was right at the time, but you can always say we should have done this or that. We had a great opportunity, but then again the next set of tires might not have been good as the ones we already had on the car.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [taluebke] I think it would be fun to see you play a round of golf with Tiger Woods or another professional. Any chance you could convince them to hop in a Taurus and race around the track?

[Dale_Jarrett] I don't know if they want to get in the car and race, but I am sure they would like to beat me on the golf course. I would certainly think it would be great to play with Tiger, but I don't think I could convince him to get in a racecar.

[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Dale has for us today. Thanks Dale! What are you final thoughts?

[Dale_Jarrett] Thank you to everyone for checking in tonight. Hopefully this will be the first of a number of times we can chat after victories. I want to thank you all for your support of the sport. We appreciate how much you mean to us.