Jim from Moundsville, W.V.: Do you think that
Jeff Gordon is feeling pressure from his teammate Jimmie Johnson? Johnson has really come into his own as a title contender who could deny Gordon in his drive for five championships.
Darrell Waltrip: Those two guys work so well together at the track and away from the track, and you don't hear anything negative or derogatory from Jeff about Jimmie. The crew chiefs seem to get along well together. Rick Hendrick seems to be right in there, keeping them all on the same page. You'll see an improvement in the 5 and the 25 cars, too. They moved into a new shop that's set up just like the 24 and the 48 shop. Hendrick Motorsports is the most powerful team in racing right now, and everybody is going to be chasing them all year long unless somebody can come up with the magic that they have.
Charger is ready to race
Chris from Harrisburg, N.C.: Is this the year that the Dodge drivers figure out how to work together to beat the Chevys at Daytona and Talladega? If I were head of Dodge competition, there would be a meeting before the Daytona 500 to get all Dodge drivers on the same page.
Darrell Waltrip: I don't think anybody, including the Dodge boys, expected the new Dodge Charger to be the fastest car at Daytona. It's a good handling race car with pretty good downforce that will pay off in the race. When this thing goes 500 miles and goes green for a number of pit stops, you're going to see some Chargers fighting for the lead. It's really going to be good once we leave Daytona. They built that car around the smaller 4 1/2-inch spoiler, and the downforce and balance will be excellent at non-restrictor plate track.
Hotmail
advertisement
