VENTURINI: The ‘Real Deal’ on Casey Mears
Written by:
Wendy Venturini
05/04/2008 - 01:30 AM
Richmond, Va.
Wendy Venturini on SPEED. (SPEED Photo) ยป More Photos
SPEED’s Wendy Venturini and NASCAR driver Casey Mears on this week’s edition of “Real Deal” from Richmond International Raceway.
Larry McReynolds "Let’s give a shout out to Casey Mears. Guys, we didn’t get to talk a lot about him today"
Wendy Venturini "First off Casey, a great run last week at Talladega, it’s your second top 10 of the season. What was going through your mind on those final laps and how do you approach those final laps at a race like Talladega, where anything can happen."
Casey Mears "You just got to clear your mind a little bit; it was a great finish for us. We didn't have the most fun race, we just kind of laid back, and with about 25 to go, we took off and started charging for the front. You put everything else out of your mind; you don’t worry about the crash. You don’t worry about what could happen; you just do what you have to, to get to the front."
Wendy Venturini "This time last year, you were sitting 35th in points, on the cusp of having to qualify for races. What do you attribute the performance difference this year?"
Casey Mears "This year, being able to start with the five team, with Alan, they have been together for so long there is a lot of continuity there. Cars were already built, a lot of stuff ready to go. The only thing that maybe made us slower for us this year is the communication. I feel a lot better
Darrell Waltrip "Casey is such a good kid, and you know he did a such great job second half of last year, but that team, they were dealing with constant change from one car to another, one crew chief to another they need to get him in a groove, and he will do fine."
Wendy Venturini "I think these last two years have been rough at Hendrick for two things, you had two style cars you had to work with last year, and then this year, a new team and crew chief, how has the transition been?"
Casey Mears "I think things have gone really well, I get along with all the guys really well, a great group of guys on the five team and Allan is a good guy, very talented as well, and we continue to get better the more we work together, we are slowly starting to chip away at it and we get better week in and week out."
Wendy Venturini "we have defending champ Jimmy Johnson; we have four time champ Jeff Gordon and NASCAR’s most popular driver Dale Jr. Where do you feel you fit into the mix?"
Casey Mears "You know, I mean, probably from a public standpoint, don’t fit in very well. But from the team standpoint, I think I fit in really well, it’s a good group of guys. We all communicate very well; everybody has something to contribute and something to offer."
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