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Daytona Pontiac Testing Quotes

PONTIAC RACING TESTING QUOTES DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY JAN. 11, 2000 MIKE BLISS, DRIVER, NO. 14 CONSECO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX ...impressions of his first test at Daytona: "They always tell you the wicked rumors about plate testing, and ...

PONTIAC RACING TESTING QUOTES DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY JAN. 11, 2000

MIKE BLISS, DRIVER, NO. 14 CONSECO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

...impressions of his first test at Daytona:

"They always tell you the wicked rumors about plate testing, and how you're going to be stumped, and not able to get that last little bit out of the car. But, we're working pretty hard at it, and trying to pick up some speed. It's there, but this is our first test. From here, we're going to the wind tunnel and then we'll be back here next week. This was just a shakedown test to see where we were at. We've got some work to do, but we know where we need to improve."

...comparing himself to other rookie Winston Cup drivers:

"I don't do that. I'm hard on myself to start with, so there's enough pressure there as it is. I can't think about what they're doing. I just try to improve on what I need to improve on, and work around that. If I'm not getting it done, I'm going to tear myself up - not because of what someone else is doing. If I worry about what the other rookies are up to, then I'll be forgetting about 30 other guys on the racetrack."

...working with team owner A.J. Foyt:

"It's not intimidating at all having him there. If anything, he is helping me. He tells us what he sees, and what he thinks. And it works, too - the things that he is saying. He's helping me get around here. He is a positive role model for me. I've always looked up to him, so what he says, I believe."

KEN SCHRADER, DRIVER, NO. 36 M&M'S PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

...his thoughts about this test:

"We're pretty thrilled with the way things went. We've run one new car and one of last year's cars, and we've run enough to know the new car is pretty good. We're right in the hunt and we know what we can pick up, so we're pretty happy with this test."

...the new shock rules at restrictor plate tracks:

"The car is just driving better and riding smoother. I read where Dale Earnhardt Jr., said 'it's like a restrictor plate for the chassis,' which it is. It doesn't make any difference. However the rule is set up, it's going to be the same for everybody, and that's fine. I think in the long run it's going to save us a lot of aggravation and time."

A.J. FOYT, OWNER, NO. 14 CONSECO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

...how the team is progressing:

"This is the really the first time we've been out doing any testing, and I think we are actually ahead of where we thought we'd be at this time. I think it's progressing along pretty good. Right now, we're just getting Mike Bliss some track time and some experience, so he can learn his way around here."

...sharing his experience with Mike Bliss:

"I try to give him all the input I possibly can, and say, 'This is what I would suggest.' This morning, we probably helped pick him up by a half-second. This is a tricky racetrack. You can run all over it, but with a plated motor, there are certain spots that you have to run to run fast. You want to be smooth and find the shortest way around without binding the car up. That's mainly what I've been talking to Mike about."

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