Chat Transcript: Jason Leffler
September 18, 2001
2:12 PM EDT (1812 GMT)
[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jason Leffler!
[Jason_Leffler] Thanks for coming to my chat this afternoon. I appreciate it and look forward to your questions.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RacingKitten] Hey Jason, how does it feel being a rookie? Do you ever get intimidated by the veteran drivers?
[Jason_Leffler] No, not really. You can't let them intimidate you or you won't get any respect. When you are having a bad day, I try to stay out of their way, but you can't really let them intimidate you.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JoeC in SoCal] Have you been able to translate any of your open-wheel experiences to stock cars?
[Jason_Leffler] Yes, a lot of it. Racecars are all pretty much the same. You have 4 wheels and a steering wheel. Obviously the techniques are different, but I can bring a lot of experience with me.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Mooseknuckles] Have you noticed improvements since the rule change for Dodge?
[Jason_Leffler] Yes, I think it has helped us in traffic during race conditions. It is not a huge change, but it is a step in the right direction.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nscar4001] How has having Sterling Marlin as a teammate helped you during you this season?
[Jason_Leffler] It has helped a lot because of the amount of experience he has had, and because of how well he has been running. It keeps the whole team up. I have been in situations before when you are trying to find out what is wrong and then pick the right equipment, so we know we have the right pieces and we just need to fit them together.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [hollywood hayley] How has your experience been driving for Chip Ganassi? How is it different from your Busch Series experience driving for Joe Gibbs?
[Jason_Leffler] I don't know, but it is different in a lot of ways. You have 2 owners that want to win and they want you to give 110% all the time. They are also understanding when things don't go well and they are supportive. They both give you all the tools you need to win, so that is a good trait to find in a car owner.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Max20] What is the biggest lesson you've learned so far this season?
[Jason_Leffler] It is hard to say. One thing is to not race too hard at the start of the race. Try to drive a lot like Mark Martin does, when a guy is faster than you to let him go, and later in the run you can catch back up to him and perhaps that guy will let you go.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] Why did you decide to leave open-wheel racing and try stock cars?
[Jason_Leffler] Because I had a great opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing halfway through 1999. I wanted the best opportunity and look for the most security and try and do the best for my future.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [jkb8894] Hey Jason, what do you do to get ready for a race? Anything personal that you do?
[Jason_Leffler] No, not really. The morning of the race I am just thinking about the start and what adjustments we might have to make during the race. I also just eat a good meal so I have a lot of energy and drink lots of fluids.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] What has been your biggest challenge this year?
[Jason_Leffler] Trying to work with a new team again, new people, and different surroundings. I am just trying to learn the ropes and get experience.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nscar4001] I heard Cingular is leaving the team after this year. Are there any possible sponsors for your team next year?
[Jason_Leffler] Yes, we are working on a few and it looks pretty good. Some of them are pretty close so hopefully there will be an announcement in a couple of months.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [spec] Hey Jason! Happy Belated Birthday! How did you celebrate it yesterday?
[Jason_Leffler] We had a nice birthday party with everybody from the shop. They came over and it was a good time.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [17Tobyracing74] With your past open-wheel experience, is the IRL and Indy in your plans?
[Jason_Leffler] Yes, I would like to do the Indy 500 again, but right now we are concentrating on running competitively in Winston Cup, so until that comes, we are going to wait.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] Would you do the Indy-Charlotte double like Tony Stewart did this year if you got the chance?
[Jason_Leffler] Yes, that is for sure! I would certainly love to do that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JLefflerFan01] What are your hobbies, besides racing of course?
[Jason_Leffler] Just messing around with radio-controlled cars, play racing video games, and other than that, that is it! I follow and watch as much racing as I can. I play NASCAR 4 quite a bit and the Ratbags World of Outlaws game.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Noelle dalejrfan] Hey Jason, being a rookie this year in Winston Cup, did you set any goals for yourself or the team to meet this year? Have you accomplished them?
[Jason_Leffler] Our main goal was to get as much experience as we can, and we have done that. We have finished a lot of races, and when we have had problems, we have been able to fix the car and go back out for more experience.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JSMPainter] Who would you say is your closest friend on the track?
[Jason_Leffler] I don't have any friends on the track! Haha That is hard to say, but I am good friends with Tony Stewart off the track. He helped me get down here to NASCAR racing.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [AnnaH] What are your thoughts going into Dover this weekend?
[Jason_Leffler] Dover has been the track for our best run so far this year. We will have a car to run up front, and hopefully qualify up front, too.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [GoDaleJrand HankJr] Jason, what kind of music do you listen to? Any favorites?
[Jason_Leffler] I listen to all kinds of music. I really don't have any favorites. I listen to everything from Fleetwood Mac, to Jennifer Lopez, to rap. It really doesn't matter.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Lefflerfan01] I was wondering how much this long stretch on the road, with the exception of having last weekend off, is affecting your mental readiness on race day?
[Jason_Leffler] It doesn't effect me too much. Twenty weeks in a row is something that I am used to running. I am used to 60-70 races a year. It is tough for the crews because of the long hours and being away from their families, but for me, it really isn't that big of a deal.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Max20] Have you experienced any sort of "rookie initiation" pranks?
[Jason_Leffler] No, not really. Nothing that I can talk about! It hasn't been too bad.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [teamcingular] If you could design your own track what would it look like?
[Jason_Leffler] It would look exactly like Phoenix International Raceway, because that is my favorite track.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] Besides Sterling, is there any driver you go to a lot for advice?
[Jason_Leffler] Not really. Every now and then I will ask Tony Stewart for something. Sterling is always there and we drive the same equipment, and sometimes we are fighting the same problems or he is experiencing the same problems and he knows how to fix them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Max20] What is the best piece of advice you would give to a class of 2002 rookie?
[Jason_Leffler] I guess have patience!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Chevy_BBR] Jason, is NASCAR going to issue a rule that teams can only use 1 motor for race day and qualifying to make it easier on the teams?
[Jason_Leffler] They were talking about, but nothing officially has been made yet. I think it would be a good thing. It would cut the costs quite a bit and it would keep more emphasis on qualifying motors.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Mooseknuckles] Is Jeff Gordon running away with the points championship?
[Jason_Leffler] Yes, I guess you would have to say so. He has a big lead and he seems to run up front every weekend.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [CL] What is your greatest asset to the No. 01 team, besides driving?
[Jason_Leffler] That is a hard one! I just want to win really badly, you know. At times I can be really intense or demanding, but I think that is just part of the nature of wanting to win.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [jeffjabroni] How did it feel for you when Dodge got their 1st win?
[Jason_Leffler] I think it was great for the whole Dodge group of teams. It took a lot of pressure off the top motorsports executives. It took pressure off those guys, which helped us, too.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Chevy_BBR] Do the rest of the drivers in Winston Cup tend to bang doors with you a little more often than anyone else with you being a rookie?
[Jason_Leffler] No, not really. They probably tend to just stay away from us more than others! Until guys learn our style or what we are about, that is how it goes. There are some guys out there that are veterans that every time we are around them it seems like we are banging doors!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] How would you describe your driving style?
[Jason_Leffler] Probably aggressive. I have a tendency to get myself in trouble sometimes when I overdrive the car. You need a different style than what you do in a lightweight, open-wheel car.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [racer] Are you worried about ice at the New Hampshire race?
[Jason_Leffler] Yeah, I am! I think a lot of people had plans for Thanksgiving weekend, and mine was to race Midget at Irwindale in California with Tony Stewart, but now we have to race. Who knows what the weather will do up there, or if we will even be able to race.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] Between Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman, who do you think will be the better rookie next year?
[Jason_Leffler] I think they are both going to be pretty good. I have driven with Ryan quite a bit, so I know he is good. Jimmie has run really well in the Busch Series, so I think it is going to be really competitive between those two next year.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [duda73] I've heard Stewart uses an alias when he races open-wheel. Do you?
[Jason_Leffler] No, not right now! Right now I haven't been running that many, but to keep Chip from getting mad at me, maybe I better come up with one!
[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Jason has this evening. Thanks Jason! What are your final thoughts?
[Jason_Leffler] Thanks for coming today. Cheer me on this weekend! We are looking forward to a good race.
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