Chat Transcript: Dave Blaney

March 29, 2001
11:28 AM EST (1628 GMT)

[[Nascar_Host]: Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Dave Blaney!

[Dave_Blaney]: Hi! Thanks for being here everyone! I am ready to field some questions.

[Nascar_Host]: With your strong run at Atlanta until the incident on the backstretch....how do you feel your chances are at Texas this weekend with virtually the same track specifications?

[Dave_Blaney]: Well, we are doing all we can do. We are taking our Atlanta car and engine, same equipment, so hopefully we will have a shot at it Sunday afternoon.

[Nascar_Host]: Hey Dave, how do you like the Dodges versus the Pontiac?

[Dave_Blaney]: So far, I think overall we have a better car. I think it will keep improving as the year goes. We keep learning about it, and as we do, we will get more and more consistent.

[Nascar_Host]: Dave, how closely do you and Ward work together on race weekends?

[Dave_Blaney]: Well, it starts off in the shop. Both cars are at the same building, same people. They prepare both cars. Our crew chiefs work closely together to find the common ground. So we know what the other car will change. We will know what affects it.

[Nascar_Host]: Dave, What do you miss most about driving in the World of Outlaws?

[Dave_Blaney]: It got to the point where I had a good enough team and a good enough chance to win every night. I knew what was going on with the cars and how the cars will act. It was hard to give that up and start from scratch again.

[Nascar_Host]: What type of track is your favorite and what do you think of your chances on winning your first race this year?

[Dave_Blaney]: Well, first, we have to run up front consistently. We have to prove we can run up front every week. My first win can come anywhere. I do not think any particular track favors me. It can come anywhere.

[Nascar_Host]: Talk about your relationship with Bill Davis Racing.

[Dave_Blaney]: Well, I'll tell you, it's hard for me to compare. They are the only team I have never been with in NASCAR. I can't imagine a better group to be with. We have great people, from the engine dept to engineering. It's great people. They are behind the drivers and they want it to succeed, all the way to the top and Bill Davis.

[Nascar_Host]: Dave, any special paint schemes this season?

[Dave_Blaney]: Right now, there is a green and yellow BP car in the drawing board. I do not know when or where that will show up.

[Nascar_Host]: What is your feeling on the new tire in use this year?

[Dave_Blaney]: That is the major reason you are seeing some of the favorites not running well. That is why some teams have shot up. It's been a great equalizer in the cars. You have to work that much harder to find an advantage. Relying on what you did in the past won't get it this year.

[Nascar_Host]: Your younger brother Dale races in the World of Outlaws, do you think he'll follow in your footsteps to the Winston Cup?

[Dave_Blaney]: We have not really talked about it. We are trying to build a strong sprint car team. I would like to see him win. We will see what happens, but we really haven't talked about it.

[Nascar_Host]: What is your opinion on the Talladega rules changes?

[Dave_Blaney]: Personally, I do not think Dodge should have had anything taken away. We will see how it comes out down in Talladega. I thought the makes were pretty even down in Daytona.

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

[Dave_Blaney]: Anything with more than one groove is fine with me. The Atlanta track has three grooves at times, something like that - a little smaller, something that was not as fast as Atlanta -- that would be the best of both worlds.

[Nascar_Host]: Do the Dodge teams (all of them) really share all information?

[Dave_Blaney]: They shared a lot of info during the time when the cars were being built. Once we got to the first race, everyone went their way, which was expected. It's another car you have to beat on Sunday. We help a little bit.

[Nascar_Host]: Do you take anything on the road with you that reminds you of home?

[Dave_Blaney]: Just my wife *laughs* No, I am not at all superstitious or anything like that. I do not take any good-luck charms or anything like that. I just race.

[Nascar_Host]: What is your Busch Series situation this year?

[Dave_Blaney]: We are scheduled to run at least five races with Goewey. First race will be May in Charlotte. After that, it's kind of in the air as far as what races we will run. All I really know is that it is a No. 93 Chevrolet with Bill Davis engines in it.

[Nascar_Host]: Dave, since NASCAR races road courses, do you (Like Johnny Benson has said) wish the Winston Cup would visit a dirt track or two?

[Dave_Blaney]: I would say the other day coming home from Bristol that they should have left the dirt on that track. Those cup cars would not be suited to dirt. I am not too good on the road courses. My kids call them the 'squiggly' tracks.

[Nascar_Host]: What's your analysis of Scott Wimmer?

[Dave_Blaney]: I think Scott is very talented and has caught on to all these tracks without my effort. They have a good race team over there. I expect big things from Scott in a couple of years.

[Nascar_Host]: Six races into the season, who is your pick to win the Championship?

[Dave_Blaney]: Obviously you are looking at Gordon and Jarrett. Who knows after that? There are 6-8 guys who can get on a roll. It just depends. The obvious favorites are Gordon and Jarrett.

[Nascar_Host]: Do you believe you could have won Atlanta had it not been for bad luck?

[Dave_Blaney]: There was a point in the race where we had the best car. There was a lot of racing left. If things had continued, I think we could have taken it.

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

[Dave_Blaney]: Well, a lot of guys work out. Some do, some don't. I do not work out much to be honest. To get motivated....*laughs* I do not do a whole lot except watch what I eat and sweat a lot in that racecar.

[Nascar_Host]: Do you think your team is better due to your change to Dodge, or are people working together better

[Dave_Blaney]: My group of guys really came together last month of last year. We have the same group -- kept them through the winter. That is the major reason we are running well. Our new equipment is a little bit better than what we had also.

[Nascar_Host]: Dave, have you heard anything about a Dodge Busch Series program?

[Dave_Blaney]: No. That has not come up at all. I do not know what their plans are in that area whatsoever.

[Nascar_Host]: How much time a week (of any) do you spend at home away from the track?

[Dave_Blaney]: If there is no personal appearances or testing, it's just Monday, Tues, and Wed. We travel on Thursdays and get home Sunday night. A free week with no commitments is pretty nice *laughs*

[Nascar_Host]: Can you see any other teams switching to dodge in the upcoming seasons?

[Dave_Blaney]: That is a good question. I have not heard any rumors about that. My guess would be No. I say the people who are there are happy. I'd say the teams are going to stay put.

[Nascar_Host]: That's all the time Dave has us tonight. Thanks Dave! What are your final thoughts?

[Dave_Blaney]: I hope we can have another great run like we did at Atlanta. We need a top-10 finish! Thank you for being here! Good night!