NASCAR Cup
Long Pond: Ward Burton preview
"Pocono is a lot different than anywhere we go. The drivers have to shift, something they usually don't do and it is also very different than other superspeedways like Daytona. They can't hold the throttle wide open, they need to lift in the turns ...
Edited: Jun 7, 2002, 3:19 AM
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"Pocono is a lot different than anywhere we go. The drivers have to shift, something they usually don't do and it is also very different than other superspeedways like Daytona. They can't hold the throttle wide open, they need to lift in the turns and get the handling down."
- Tommy Baldwin, crew chief of the Caterpillar Dodge
BALDWIN ON POCONO...
"Pocono is a very unique track. You have to approach it in such a different way than what you approach any other track we race at. Basically, you have to attack each corner separately to get the car to handle throughout the entire track. But, that is also a challenge since the three turns are all unique. Turn one is pretty average, but then you get to the tunnel turn and it is a very tight turn without a lot of opportunity to pass. It gets a little too tight when you try and get through there. It feels a lot tighter because you are going so fast when you enter that turn. Then there is turn three that is pretty bumpy and tight too.
"Since you can't set the car up to get through every turn perfectly, you are forced to pick and choose which one is more important than the other. We'll make sure that Ward gets through turn three the best because that dictates your speed down the frontstretch. I feel that is most important because the frontstretch is where the best opportunity to pass exists.
"We'll see where were at when we unload on Friday. We have had a very good car the past few times at Pocono, but we can't seal the deal. We got wrecked at both Pocono races last year and had really good cars both times. We had planned on testing last week, but after Ward wrecked at Charlotte we didn't see the need to take him up there. We felt it was more important to rest him up for the next week. Hopefully, we can get the No. 22 working like it was last year."
TEAM NOTES...
The No. 22 and No. 23 spent Wednesday testing at Virginia International Raceway, located in Danville, Va., preparing for the upcoming road course event at Sears Point Raceway. The track is a 3.27-mile course. Both teams planned to work in the brakes and just give both drivers the opportunity to get comfortable making left and right turns, something they don't do every week.
Bill and Gail Davis have plans to ride their motorcycles from Michigan next week to Sears Point and then return on the Kyle Petty Charity ride.
-bdr/cat-
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