Chat Transcript: Jason Keller
May 17, 2001
1:43 PM EDT (1743 GMT)
[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jason Keller!
[Jason_Keller] Welcome to everyone, and thanks for logging on to NASCAR.com tonight to chat with me.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [bridge] What are your thoughts going into Nazareth?
[Jason_Keller] They are very positive. We ran well there last year and we are taking the same car there that we won with this past week at Loudon.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Ford57] What was the biggest contributing factor to your win on Saturday?
[Jason_Keller] There were a lot of things, but I think the last pit stop where we got four tires was key. Harvick only got two, but we also had a really fast pit stop to go along with that and they got me out in second place.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [kellerfan] Congratulations on your win! What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
[Jason_Keller] They are the same as they have been since the start -- be competitive week-in and week-out. Of course, we also want to win more races.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalejr_fan] Jason, do you think the Busch Series should have a race like Winston Cup's "The Winston"?
[Jason_Keller] Definitely! That is their all-star event and I would love for us to see that in the Busch series. That would bring a lot of excitement to the series and do good things for it.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [KH29fan] Jason, you have had enormous success in the Busch Series. Are you planing on moving up into Winston Cup sometime soon?
[Jason_Keller] Not anytime soon, but who knows what the future holds. I am under contract with ppc racing and we are going to stay with the Busch Series right now and hopefully we can continue on with what we are doing.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [We_love_Michael15] Jason, is having Jeff Green as a partner a big advantage?
[Jason_Keller] I think so. He and I have similar driving styles and we like similar setups in our cars. He is a great guy and we get along well. He has a ton of experience, also.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalejr_fan] Jason, what safety devices, if any, do you wear?
[Jason_Keller] I started wearing the HANS at Atlanta this year and I haven't taken it off since. I also use the six-point belt harness in my car now. I am doing some different things with my helmet now also, so we are trying to be as safe as we can.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [hey] What are your thoughts on Winston Cup drivers driving in the Busch Series?
[Jason_Keller] I think the Busch Series is extremely strong now and with the Cup guys in it, it brings up our level of competition. It is not like it used to be. They don't come in and run over the competition. It doesn't bother me. We have strong teams.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Albertsons] How do you get yourself prepared before a race? Do you sit in a quiet area, listen to certain types of music, etc.?
[Jason_Keller] No as far as the music. I try to get my suit on early and find a quiet place on pit road to gather my thoughts. It gets busy around the transporters right around the start of the race, so I try to break away and get some quiet time.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Scott15DEIfan] Jason, have you found any disadvantages with running the Ford compared to the Chevy?
[Jason_Keller] None at all. I think the Ford is an extremely good racecar and it is only going to be better for us in the future.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dale] Jason, congrats! What do you think of the aero package in Busch?
[Jason_Keller] I think the balance of our cars are good. It is still a working process. NASCAR is looking at it week-in and week-out. I think it is pretty good right now.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Scott15DEIfan] Jason, does PPC plan on adding a third car to your team in 2002?
[Jason_Keller] If so, they haven't discussed that with me! We hope the Jeff Green-Nestle package will stay together, and I know that ours is staying together, so I hope everything stays the way we have it now.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [buschseries] Tell us about the annual charity golf tournament you host on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
[Jason_Keller] This year we haven't had a lot of time to organized, so it will probably be pushed back to early 2002. My niece has that disease, and we are going to do the tournament, but it will probably be pushed back a bit.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [that'sracin] Do you think the new rivalry in the Busch Series is Harvick vs. Biffle?
[Jason_Keller] I hope so! Yes, I think so, and I think both of their styles are a lot alike. That leads to competition on the racetrack. They have gotten together a couple of times. I don't think they are taking it personally, but I do think there is a rivalry starting there.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [quack_fu] Jason, did you set any goals at the beginning of the season, and if so, what were they?
[Jason_Keller] Definitely we set goals, and they are to contend for the championship. We wanted to continue with what we did from the second half of last year. We definitely want to win a few more races, too.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Tonysmine] Jason, I work for Albertson's and was so proud to see you win last week. How is it to be part of the Albertson's team?
[Jason_Keller] It is great! Everyone I have met with Albertson's has been wonderful. They are all very excited about the race program and that helps me and motivates me.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalejr_fan] Jason, what did you do for your mom and wife on Mother's Day?
[Jason_Keller] Well, my wife is doing some decorating, so we surprised her with some new pieces. My mom had hers on Saturday. That was her first Victory Lane with me, so she got to do that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dark_child24fan] Jason, what changes, if any, would you like to see in NASCAR racing today?
[Jason_Keller] I would like to see maybe a shorter schedule because of the time we have to spend away from the family. On the other hand, I like racing every week, so I don't know how a compromise can be made.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Move_Over] Jason, what kind of fun things do you have in your motorhome?
[Jason_Keller] Lots and lots of toys for the kids! That is a traveling toy box. That is one positive to having a motorhome. They can feel at home and enjoy themselves.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [NadeauGirl25] Do you follow any other sports besides racing?
[Jason_Keller] I enjoy watching golf. That is about the only one I pay attention to.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Move_Over] Jason, with all of the new tires from Goodyear, is it hard to get a good setup?
[Jason_Keller] I would not say it is hard to get one, but it is different than last year. They have done a very good job at helping us out without having all the compounds. Once we get the setups down, we can adapt to the other racetracks.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Zach] Will you ever come back and race the local track in Greenville, for old times sake?
[Jason_Keller] I would like to but there are so many strong local competitors now, I would hate to get beat by the local guys! There is a lot of tough competition around here and it would be tough to do on a one-time basis.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [jhill] Jason, when you said "this one was for Adam," just how close were you with Adam and the Petty family?
[Jason_Keller] I knew Adam from around the track a lot and anyone that ever met Adam automatically knew how nice he was. I wasn't best buddies with him but I would like my son to grow up and be like him. It was a huge loss to the racing community. It was really tough.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nascarules] How has the competition been this year? Do you feel like there is more competition since Greg Biffle has joined the series?
[Jason_Keller] I think that anyone in that No. 60 car would be tough. He has done well adapting to the series. There are two Gibbs cars that are also extremely strong. There is a lot of competition all the way through the field. The cars showing up these days are very good racecars, even if our car count is down from previous years.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Plummer57] Mr. Keller, when you passed Kevin, did you know you could hold him off?
[Jason_Keller] With the four tires, yes, I felt confident that I could hold him off. I was very confident all race long, and I know it looked like he dominated, but it was hard to pass. I was being patient. I knew I had a good enough racecar that if I could pass him, I could stay in front of him.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [TRAC] Jason, what do you think of the TRAC racing league that was just announced?
[Jason_Keller] I don't know much about it. I know there is a lot of influential people involved with it. Only time will tell and I know people are looking at it like the XFL. It is tough to say how it will do, really.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [NadeauGirl25] How does your wife feel about you driving, knowing all the risks involved?
[Jason_Keller] She is very nervous, but she also knows that this is what I do. This is how I support my family and we just try to be as safe as we can in the car and put our faith in God.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [NadeauGirl25] What do you think about women drivers like Shawna?
[Jason_Keller] I think there is room in the series for women drivers. She is a very qualified driver and only experience is going to help her out. I don't have any problem with women or minority drivers. I think the sport needs diversity and growth.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dee] We have heard a lot lately about drivers having to be physical fit to race. Do you have a workout program?
[Jason_Keller] I do. I don't stay on it as much as I need to, but during racing season you condition yourself as you go along. I am getting older now so I probably need to be stricter with my program. All drivers do.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [firedancer] Was ppc able to carry over any set up notes from last year, since you changed from Chevrolet to Ford?
[Jason_Keller] Not too many. The setups have been different, and not only because of the change, but the new engine package and the new tires. When we go back to these tracks again in the fall, hopefully we will be even better.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Aarow] Jason, if you were not racing, what will you do as a career?
[Jason_Keller] Probably working in the family business here with my dad. He owns a small textile chemical company. I am just glad I don't have to do that because I don't know anything about selling chemicals! (laughs)
[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Jason has for us tonight. Thanks Jason! What are your final thoughts?
[Jason_Keller] Thanks for joining me tonight. I hope to see you at the races soon. I will be at the souvenir trailer at Nazareth, so please come out and see me.
| 
