Chat Transcript: Dale Jarrett

August 2, 2001
11:11 AM EDT (1511 GMT)

Editor's Note: Dale Jarrett participated in a NASCAR.com chat on Wednesday, August 1. The following is a transcript of Jarrett's chat session.

Dale Jarrett

NASCAR_Host: Planters, the official snack of NASCAR, thanks you for joining NASCAR.com's online chat with Dale Jarrett. Go Nuts!

Dale Jarrett: Welcome everyone! It has been a while since we have been online. It is nice to talk to everyone again. We have had a good season to this point, excluding last weekend. We have had four wins and I am looking forward to answering your questions.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: ford88: Hey Dale, what did you think of the turn out of last weekend's race for your team? And what will you try to do this upcoming weekend? And how much are you concerned with the points race?

Dale Jarrett: Last weekend wasn't what we were looking for at Pocono. We started out with a bad qualifying effort, but we moved up to the top-10 during the race. The accident happened and we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. We are going to have those days and we need to keep those at a minimum. We are going to every race trying to win and if we can run good each weekend, the points will take care of themselves. We have plenty of time to get back up to the front.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Noelle_dalejrfan: Dale, are you looking forward to this week's race at Indy? How do you think you will qualify and finish the race?

Dale Jarrett: I am, as always, looking forward to Indy. It is a great racing facility. The wins we have had there were great for my career. It's a tough racetrack and it is tough to pass on, but I feel certain that we will qualify and run up front all weekend.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: 88&77fan: DJ, I saw where you tested at Watkins Glen this week. How did the test go? Please share your thoughts on whether you like or dislike road racing and where you would rank your road racing abilities.

Dale Jarrett: We did test there on Monday and Tuesday. We had a really good test and I feel like my skills as a road racer are better now than they were. I enjoy the challenge it presents. I am not the best one out there, and excluding the road racers that come in for those races, I think that I can hold my own in running in the top-5 or 6 with the regular Winston Cup guys. I honestly believe we can challenge for a win when we head to Watkins Glen.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: MartDawgIsHot: How are the ribs? Finally healed up?

Dale Jarrett: The ribs are doing well! I think that I was getting close to 90-95 percent before we blew the tire on Sunday. That was an extremely hard hit and I was sore on Monday and Tuesday, but I still feel like I am 85-95 percent.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: tfraley8: Dale, how do you feel about the rumor that they might add two more Cup races next year? Would that be tough?

Dale Jarrett: It would definitely be tough, but we are already at 36 now and with specialty events, it's 38 weekends. If they are just talking about adding and not taking away, the schedule will get tougher. It's difficult for a driver's schedule because of sponsor appearance schedules -- but on the other hand, racing is what I love to do and if they think that is best for our sport, then we will be there, ready to race.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: TonyFan20: Dale, do you realize that the last two winners of Indy went on to win the Championship, and how will that effect how you race this weekend?

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Dale Jarrett: Those facts are good to have, but if I go to Indy and happen not to win, I don't think that is the end of our chances to win. That is an important race for us because it pays well, and it's a prestigious race to win there. It also can be very valuable for the points race because a lot of cars finish on the lead lap, and if we can have a good day and finish in victory lane, and if Jeff or Ricky don't finish as well, we can gain a lot of points. But if we don't win, we don't feel that will damage our Championship hopes.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Cashewluver: What is the hardest aspect of a Winston Cup race?

Dale Jarrett: That is a really good question. I think probably, from a driver's perspective, the start is very difficult. Everyone is very anxious and ready to get going. Sometimes you have so much adrenaline going that you don't make very good decisions at the beginning. As the race goes on, what becomes difficult is adapting to different circumstances. You may have the race planned out and then a caution comes out and changes your fuel thoughts, for example. You might come in to pit and take 4 tires and everyone else takes 2 or none, so the changing scenarios becomes difficult for everyone involved.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Mr Peanuts If given all the parts and tools, could you, by yourself, build a working car engine?

Dale Jarrett: No! I will be the first to tell you that I am not an engine man. I can help put some engines together, but if all the pieces were made to fit, I could probably get it together, but I can't guarantee how long it would last!

NASCAR_Host: Question from: sillysally: What is your reaction to Bill Simpson's resignation?

Dale Jarrett: I find it unfortunate that Bill has found himself in a position that this is necessary. I have always used and feel comfortable using his equipment. I use his helmets and seatbelts and I have been fortunate with them. I am a friend of Bills and it is unfortunate that it has come to this point. I hope he will reconsider. He has done more for safety in our sport than anyone else. We owe him more than we could repay. If he stays retired from this, we will miss him, but he needs to know that he was an innovator and we have tremendous respect for him.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: fordfrenzy: What was your first car?

Dale Jarrett: My first passenger car was a Chevy Nova that my dad helped me purchase when I became old enough to drive, and my first race car was also a Nova. I guess that was the writing on the wall.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Kwkrafts1: DJ, how do you feel about the new qualifying rules and do you feel it hindered you at Pocono this past weekend?

Dale Jarrett: It didn't hinder me at Pocono. We were so loose that I would not have taken a second lap if it was available. I would have probably wrecked the car. The rule should be changed a little bit at one-mile tracks and under so you get two laps. That takes Phoenix and Loudon into account where you might run quicker on your 2nd lap. I think NASCAR is going in the right direction.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Noelle Dalejrfan: I heard that the two boys used in your commercials, one for The Outback Steakhouse and the other for UPS, are your nephews. Is that true? Do you enjoy making commercials?

Dale Jarrett: I enjoyed making those commercials. I am not a huge fan of the Outback commercial, but Ricky was fine with it. I don't think those were really a good representation of our personalities. The kids are of no relation to me. The one in the Outback commercial was from California and the other kid was from North Carolina. They are of no relation, but they were fun to work with.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Golikeabigdog88: What are your thoughts about NASCAR trying to help the Dodge's out a bit?

Dale Jarrett: I have said that I wouldn't get involved in the politics of this sport for the rules, but it is interesting to me that the Dodge's were made from the same template of the Taurus and all that changed was the nose and tailpiece.

I know the numbers from the wind tunnel and they had more downforce than we had after the race in Atlanta. I know they haven't won races, but I don't know if they are ready to win races. They are trying to become better race teams. Look at last year and you can see that they might not have been as sporty.

It is a bit baffling to me that they would get help and the Fords wouldn't. That is what the rules are and we will just continue to work as hard as we can. Ricky and I think this is hindering some of the Ford teams and it's keeping us from seeing some the changes we would like to see.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Nate88: Hi Dale, I was just wondering what it is like to have Jason follow in your foot steps, and do you think that you will be racing against him any time soon?

Dale Jarrett: It is nice to have Jason in this sport. He has a lot of talent, but he needs a lot of experience also. He is involved in something I am familiar with so I can help him out. Hopefully in the near future we will be racing against each other.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Sheri88: Dale, how hard will it be at the end of the season on you and Ricky if it is the two of you are fighting for the Championship?

Dale Jarrett: We have discussed this, and not that we are looking ahead too far, but our teams work well together. We want to continue that even down to the last race in Atlanta.

If we work together, that is our best chance to beat Jeff Gordon. Our teams have a lot of respect for each other, and more than anything it is fun to know that Robert Yates has built two teams that can battle for the Championship. We are going to keep it fun and enjoy it and hopefully come Atlanta, one of us will be the Champion.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: speedracer: How do you get yourself mentally prepared for a race?

Dale Jarrett: I think that each race brings something different and as a driver, I have to be thinking what that particular track and weekend is going to hold for us, as well as the car.

It's not hard for me to get ready to race. The entire week leading up to it is hard. Once that comes, I am more than ready to go. I think that when that edge I have goes away, or that desire to look forward to Sunday goes away, that will be my calling card to when I need to look for something new to do. I still get extremely excited each week looking forward to Sunday.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Diana88racing: Hi Dale, are you going to only drive the fire-painted UPS car in Kansas on September 30?

Dale Jarrett: Right now that is the only race we have scheduled for the new paint scheme. Kansas City is a new track for us and it's an important market for UPS. Hopefully it will be a winning paint scheme and become a collector's item.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: tx3step: Hi Dale, what advice can you give the new and upcoming "young guns" about handling adversity and tempers on as well as off the track?

Dale Jarrett: I could talk a lot about experiences that I have had and things I have been through. A lot of these young guys are in high-profile situations because of where the sport is now.

I had my moments early on with my temper and things I said, but I also think that it is very important that we let these young guys be themselves. I think there is a time and place to get upset and to express your feelings, and we don't ever want to take that away.

We don't want everyone to be the same. I have learned and changed a bit, but that doesn't mean that everyone should do that. We don't want everyone to be Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Ricky Rudd or Bobby Labonte.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Speedking88: DJ, it appears that you and Todd have a great driver/crew chief relationship. How do you keep that going during the less fortunate of times?

Dale Jarrett: I think because we are good friends and we have respect for each other, and that gets us through the tough times. We know we are each giving all we can give to change things. I give everything I can each weekend to help us try and win. I know he is giving all his effort as well. We have times that we don't totally agree with each others ideas, but we are friends and competitors (as far as we want to win), that gets us through those times. Things we do and say are for the good of the team and help us try to win.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: now-a-dodgeboy: Do you think NASCAR is missing the old rivalries?

Dale Jarrett: I have been around this sport a long time and people are saying things like the racing is not as good, but I watched that old racing and we have more competitive cars now. There is not as much made of rivalries now that we all understand that everything we say and do will be shown to everyone.

When my dad was racing back in the '70s, there weren't nearly as many eyes and ears as there are now. You don't want to offend people with your actions, and it is more dangerous now at the track because of the exposure.

We know Jeff Gordon is probably the best in the business, and he is my friend and I respect him, but that doesn't mean I don't want to outrun him every weekend.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: jlshiff: What do you think is going to be the ultimate determining factor between first and second place at the end of the year with the points battle being so close?

Dale Jarrett: I think it will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes, and mistakes aren't necessarily made by the team or driver -- more like who had the fewest problems. It won't be who wins the most races or who finishes in the top-five more times at the end. Minimizing problems on the track is going to show who will come out on top.

We had a good run on Sunday and then all the sudden in just a few short seconds that was all taken away. Whoever stays away from those problems and mechanical failures will be the team that ends up on top.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: Jimbob: Dale, are you going to use another car this weekend at the Brickyard or run the one that was wrecked at Pocono?

Dale Jarrett: We tested one car, which was a new one at Indy last week, and we weren't totally satisfied with it. We were going to take the Pocono car, but it had too much damage. We tested the car we are bringing to Indy and the guys are working around the clock to make the changes necessary. We have a brand new car and I think it will be great for this weekend.

NASCAR_Host: Question from: gibby: Dale, other than driving, what would you say is your greatest contribution the #88 team?

Dale Jarrett: I think the communication that I have and the respect that I have for our entire team, for the engine shop and the great job they do, and all the guys that work countless hours. They know how much I respect them and I go to the shop as much as I can to show how much I appreciate them. It is like being the driver and the cheerleader, too, showing them how much they are appreciated. My knowledge of the car, like the chassis, is also of benefit to our race team.

NASCAR_Host: That's all the time Dale for us this evening. Thanks Dale! What are you final thoughts?

Dale Jarrett: Thanks to everyone for joining us tonight. Thanks for the support of our race team. We get a lot of cards, letters and emails. That means a lot to us as we go through the race season. For the people that have sent things to me to get autographed, and I am looking at them in my office right now, we will get those out to you as soon as things slow down a bit. Whether you are here as a fan of the #88 team or just NASCAR, we appreciate your support.