Chat Transcript: Jerry Nadeau

April 25, 2001
10:42 AM EDT (1442 GMT)

[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jerry Nadeau!

[Jerry_Nadeau] Hey everybody. Hope you enjoyed the race on Sunday and I am looking forward to answering whatever your questions are, so welcome!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wardfan22] What are your thoughts going into California?

[Jerry_Nadeau] I am looking forward to California. We are taking the car that we won Atlanta with last year and finished third with this year. It is a good car and it always runs well when we take it out, so we are hoping to have a good weekend.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [S-Dog] Do you feel Talladega is a fan's track and not a driver's? As many drivers were saying, it never seems that the finishes reflect how anyone's driven all day.

[Jerry_Nadeau] California is an interesting racetrack also, and fuel mileage will play a part there on Sunday, as well as pit stops. If you have good pit stops, a two-tire change could be an issue.

I didn't like Talladega at all to be honest. It was ridiculous to drive the way we did for 500 miles. It is a matter of where you place yourself at the end. We had a good racecar and we had a chance to win that thing, but so did 40 other drivers. I am not really in favor of how we ran.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [phizerman] Talk about your relationship with Hendrick Motorsports.

[Jerry_Nadeau] I think it is a great relationship. I used to sneak in the shop years ago before I even got involved in stock cars and knew some people over there. I just think it is a good place and we have great people working there. We have great engines and chassis. We have a good race team and I got my first win with them, so I am hoping for a lot more wins in the future.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [cardman] Are you and your team planning on making any changes to the car for future restrictor plate races at Talladega and Daytona?

[Jerry_Nadeau] No, you can take a Volkswagen and run it in the back. The way the draft works it is incredible. NASCAR did the right thing to slow the cars down to keep them out of the grandstands but I don't know if it is racing any more, to be honest. When you go to Charlotte and Atlanta and work with the car, that is what I call racing. Drivers can make up some of it and changes can make up some of it, but there isn't much to do to the car at Daytona and Talladega. When we unloaded, we didn't turn one screw. When you see 20+ guys lead the race, it is kind of hard to pick and choose how to be better than anyone else.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LuvGordon24] How much do you and your teammate Jeff Gordon share notes?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Boy, a lot of people ask me that question! I am sure we try to help each other out as much as we can at the track. That is really about it. There are times he will come over and ask me what we are doing and vice versa.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Lucky] Jerry, are you going to have any special paint schemes this year? By the way, great web site ;)

[Jerry_Nadeau] Thank you! Eric does a good job on the web site. I am not sure about paint schemes yet. We would like to do something different at The Winston, maybe some different colors. I think we are going to keep the car pretty generic. We may add some fluorescent colors at The Winston so you can see the car a little better.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [harvick_fan] What did you think about that yellow line rule?

[Jerry_Nadeau] I think the last race we ran there at Talladega was probably a little more exciting because you saw more passes under the yellow line. This year there was a lot of passing but everyone had to be cautious. We didn't want to see any bad wrecks, that was the #1 priority. When someone tells you at a track that you have to stay away from the yellow line, that tells me that something else needs to change. I think they did that for safety.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wardfan22] What are your thoughts on Jimmie Johnson? Are you working with him at all?

[Jerry_Nadeau] No, I am not working with Jimmie. He is a great kid and he is doing well in the Busch Series. He is going to work closely with Jeff. I am sure we will all get together and work together as good as we can to get Jimmie up to speed in the Cup Series. They will be more of teammates, just working in different stables.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [budlover] Do you take anything on the road with you that reminds you of home?

[Jerry_Nadeau] We have this one little statue that is of our dog. Our dog stays at home a lot, so that is the only thing that really comes to mind.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [rustyfan2] How do you keep fit during the racing season?

[Jerry_Nadeau] I have a trainer that comes by just about 2-3 days a week. It depends on how busy the schedule is but he keeps me fit. We do a lot of cardio stuff, running, and I just try to eat all the good foods.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LuvGordon24] Jerry, do you ever wear the HANS device and did you wear it at Talladega?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Yes, I did wear the HANS device at Talladega. It is still not as comfortable as I would like but it is the safest thing out there. I am going to try the new Simpson piece this week and see if I can be a little more comfortable with that.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LuvGordon24] What's your favorite thing to do when you get that rare off week, like over Easter?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Nothing! Haha I just like to poop out at the house and maybe go on the boat or clean the yard and pool. I like to do a lot of home stuff. I like to clean the garage or take the guys out at the shop for lunch. I spend a lot of time with them and I think it means a lot to the guys when a driver does that.

[Nascar_Host1] I've heard that you like video games. Have you ever played racing video games against Dale Jr.?

[Jerry_Nadeau] I am sure I might have before, but I don't know if it was him or not. I have been online and they said he was online when I was. I am not sure if I bumped into him or not.

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

[Jerry_Nadeau] A track like Charlotte, but make the turns dirt. I think that would be pretty neat. We are supposed to be the best drivers in the world and I think if we can throw in some obstacles on the course, like pavement on the straight-aways and dirt in the corners, I think that would make it interesting for the crowd. It sounds pretty unrealistic, but that is just some of the things I imagine.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [GO_24] Do you follow any sports other than racing?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Yes! I enjoy watching some of the heavyweight boxing fights. I enjoy football, and maybe the World Series. That is really about it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LuvGordon24] Jerry, what race do you MOST look forward to and why?

[Jerry_Nadeau] I enjoy Atlanta, but probably the road courses because of my experience on them. When we go there I feel that we are a threat to win the race every time we go. I feel pretty comfortable out the road courses and they are a lot of fun.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Lucky] Jerry, what happened at your last DIRT race, and how do you think the rest of the DIRT year will go for you?

[Jerry_Nadeau] That was an interesting weekend! That was my first dirt-modified race I ever did. I tested and we were really good, but we got back and had some engine troubles in practice and qualifying. When we got it running well, it was just too late. We didn't get a handle on the car but the guys did a super job getting it ready for the race. Those guys are the best dirt-modified racers in the world and when you get in their world it is a different story. We may do some Northern races when I get up there but I am not sure on the schedule yet.

[Nascar_Host1] What do you like to do before the race to get ready?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Peace and quiet. I think enjoy having time to myself going over the race. I also like having a good, healthy meal a couple hours before the race and I go over some notes with my crew chief. Then go race!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LuvGordon24] Jerry, what was your thoughts on the post-race "tap" Tony Stewart gave to your teammate Jeff at Bristol?

[Jerry_Nadeau] I guess a lot of it was out of anger. When you run four hours in a race at Bristol (and I think he was running third or fourth, but he finished like 21st), he just took out some aggravation on Jeff. The fans need that. It didn't do any harm on pit road. It was a nice, easy little tap and both drivers got over it the week after.

[Nascar_Host1] What are your goals for the rest of the season?

[Jerry_Nadeau] To just try to be more consistent as a team. There are some races we can run a ball of fire at and some we cant. The new tires have been making us struggle here and there and we are working on that as a team. We need to be more consistent as a team week in and week out.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [sporty99] Jerry, what has been the biggest obstacle coming over to Hendrick Motorsports from your former #9 team?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Learning to slow down. Nothing against the teams I have been with, but it is tough to be a one-car team. I knew when I got here I would have the cars and the engines. I also caught myself overdriving when I came on board, so I worked on that and we have gotten a lot better. The communication with all the guys that work over at Hendrick can help you out as a driver, and when you have good stuff, it actually makes it easier for you.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [stewart] Have you tested at California? If so, how is your set-up for this weekend?

[Jerry_Nadeau] No, we haven't tested at California. We finished 12th last year so we will go back about the same. Maybe we can get in the top10 or top five this year. That would be a great finish.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [gordo244] Jerry, what have you learned the most about while teaming up with Labonte and Gordon?

[Jerry_Nadeau] The whole operation is run great. There is not much I can do as a driver to change anything. What we all try to do is work together as a team as best as we can and get good finishes. Terry and Jeff have great experience and between them they have 5 Championships. If I am ever stuck, I have guys that I can go get feedback from and try to make better strides.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LuvGordon24] Jerry, what are your thoughts on the "extended" race schedule this year?

[Jerry_Nadeau] To be honest, I don't mind it that much. I know a lot of people gripe about it a lot, but you know it is not going to keep a racer at home. It does get tiring for the teams and crews because they have the toughest job. For us, we just do some appearances, get on the plane, race and come home. This is the life we chose. To be honest, if they ran every weekend, I would be there.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [HendrickFan24] What racecar driver did you look up to as a kid?

[Jerry_Nadeau] Probably Richie Evans, besides my dad, who was my hero. He built his own cars, but I really idolized Richie Evans, a modified driver. I would have to say my dad and Richie.

[Nascar_Host1] What are your thoughts on Winston Cup drivers driving in the Busch series?

[Jerry_Nadeau] It draws the fans, that is the only thing. I know it makes it tougher for those guys when the Cup guys come over there. I think it makes them a better race car driver when you get guys like Jeff Burton and Mark Martin over there. Then you can see where you are lacking.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [blade] Did you ever think that Talladega would be caution-free, and did you find that there were not a lot of chances taken by the racers this year?

[Jerry_Nadeau] We really couldn't because of the boundary lines. The race was 3-wide pretty much all day long. There wasn't anywhere to go. You saw the guys in the back didn't really have a chance because when there is 3 to 4 wide all the way to the front, you can't get around it. Like I said before, it was pretty frustrating.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [drew] Are you happy with how infractions are handled when a team is "caught cheating?"

[Jerry_Nadeau] That is interesting. We got in a bit of trouble at the beginning of the year at Daytona and my crew chief sat out for 4 weeks, so that was tough. I have to give a hand to NASCAR. They kept by their word and they are pretty strong this season. They threw out a lot of fines and they are going after the guys over the rules. It keeps everybody on their toes and makes for better racing.

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

[Jerry_Nadeau] I want to thank everyone for asking the questions. Hopefully I answered them for you. I am doing an appearance tomorrow in St. Louis. There is an auto show up there. Keep cheering us on and hopefully we can get a win this weekend. Thanks!