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T.E. McHale: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the CART Media Teleconference. Thanks to all of you for being with us today. Our guest today is driver Michael Andretti of Newman/Haas Racing, who recorded his CART career-leading 39th victory in Sunday's Firestone Firehawk 500 at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan.
Welcome, Michael, and thank you for being with us this afternoon.
T.E. McHale: In his 17th year in the FedEx Championship Series, Michael established a new record Sunday by posting a victory in his 13th different season of CART competition. He and Rick Mears had shared the previous record with 12 seasons with at least one victory. Michael's 39 career wins are more than double the total of the next closest active driver, Paul Tracy, who has 16. In addition to being CART's career victory leader, he also stands second to Mears in career pole positions with 32; second to Mears in career wins from the pole with 12; and first in career laps led with 6,160, again, 6,160, merely doubles Mears' second place total of 3,286. Headed into the May 27 Bosch Sparkplug Grand Prix presented at by Toyota at his home track of Nazareth Speedway Michael ranks 8th in the FedEx Championship Series with 20th points. The rescheduled Bosch Sparkplug Grand Prix presented by Toyota, race 5 of the FedEx Championship Series will be televised live by ESPN on Saturday, May 27th, beginning at 1:00 P.M. Eastern time. Question: That long layoff at Nazareth, will it make any different? The weather was kind of up-and-down then; what do you think?
And hopefully, the weather will be a lot more predictable. I don't think we are going to have any snow this time, and I think you're going to see a much bigger crowd because of it. And I'm very happy because -- I think it was a blessing in disguise for the race that hopefully we'll be able to show that there are a lot of racing fans that are willing to come and watch a race, but under more acceptable -- acceptable circumstances weather-wise. Question: You didn't qualify very well, Mike 15th.
Question: Taking a look at all of your accomplishments and top so many lists, and not only just in CART, but in -- throughout many disciplines of racing, are you starting to get a sense of or a feeling for where you're at in the idylls of racing history, and where do you see yourself and where did you see yourself, even in a couple of years?
But, you know, I'd love to have a go at that, getting up there to second place, but it will be tough. Question: One last question, T.E. could probably answer this as well as Michael could, do you guys have a set schedule or for the weekend for the Nazareth; are you going to run a warm-up on Friday?
T.E. McHale: I believe that's correct. I don't actually have the schedule in front of me, but what I can tell you is that it's going to be a one-day event. There won't be anything on track.
Question: Any plans for the following day for Sunday?
Question: Will part of you, Michael be rooting for Juan and Jimmy, against IRL? Would that enter into it?
Question: Several readers wrote in to me and I was wondering if you could address the issue of the penalty. It seemed like the penalty you got was almost a double-penalty. If you could talk a little bit about that, and the fact that last time, I think you were put on probation; you went on one of your best runs. Is there something about being taken to that principal's office that drives you on a little bit harder?
To answer your question about that, yeah, I feel that we were double-penalized. We did get a penalty in the race and took us out of contention for the win, and then to find out two weeks later, which was the worst part of it, that we had the points taken away, it was just very disappointing. But unfortunately, had to deal with it. Question: Like in Nascar, they have some kind of National Stock Car Commission or something that they can appeal to. Is this a non-appealable thing; what's said is done?
Question: Nazareth, difficulty passing there, how do you have to approach this? How do you keep yourself from getting ahead of the game? Is it a patience thing; is that against your nature?
You know, we're going to need some luck to get it done. But if we're lucky enough to get up there and get track position, you know, then I think we have a shot at winning. Question: You had mentioned a couple of minutes about bad luck, bad breaks, well after the weekend in Japan, it seems like Lady Luck was on your side somewhat. Did it feel the same to you?
It's just one of those things. I've been on both sides of it, and I figure -- I've always said what goes around comes around, and I guess it was my turn to take advantage of that; whereas, a lot of other people have taken advantage of my misfortunes. Question: We all talk so much about momentum being carried, and I know this was probably a boost to you and your team. How will you take the positives from this and carry this over into the next race?
Unfortunately, though, we're going into a race weekend where we've already qualified and qualified not so good. But hopefully, like I said, we can go to Milwaukee and get a good test under us, and maybe get the car really good that I can make my way to the front. Question: I guess with all the circumstances, the weather -- (inaudible) -- how vital is it, you know, that the fans put the fannies in the seats out there at Nazareth on Saturday, is this a make-or-break kind of thing in your opinion, whether the series might stay --
Question: It's a close drive away from your place, you've got to like the economic impact of a race like that?
So you know, we're very fortunate to have this race in our backyard, and I'm just hoping that everybody comes out and supports it now that we have a good date. Question: How do you feel about the quality of racing that the Hanford Device Mark II has created?
Question: And would you -- if you could talk to the technical committee and suggest something that would make for better racing on the short oval, what would you suggest to them?
Question: Just wondering how win number 39 feels, after so many wins feel over the years, like race 25 or that first win in '86?
And this one is special, too, because I was able to tie now Al Senior, who is a living legend in the sport. So that feels special. Question: How long do you see yourself continuing?
Question: Can I ask about the rule, if you hit somebody in the pit if they go for medical care and there's a penalty, there's no penalty as I understand it?
I think it's going to happen again, you know, before they change these rules. They have got to do it soon. Question: Is there a danger of trying to hide an injury from CART, do you think?
Question: I guess you're now the senior driver out there, aren't you?
Question: How do you feel? We all remember when you started. Does it really seem like a short period of time since you were just starting in CART?
Question: You're not bad yourself. Tell me about the last couple of years, you've been on a different training program, you look fitter, you actually look happier and more congenial at the track. Tell me about how that all came about?
But as for me, also with my personal life, everything has been going fantastic, married to my wife and everything -- I'm just very happy right now and very focused on what I'm doing as well. Question: Talking a little bit about age, one thing that I think is making the series very exciting this year is not only we're seeing winners coming from far ver back but we're seeing the average age be rather high. So we're seeing prowess from a senior group if you will, but in years past, it's been the younger generation. Do you see an advantage that either as, either being younger or less younger?
Question: Last I checked schedule, June 7, 8, Wednesday Thursday open test at Mid-Ohio. Are you going to be there?
Question: What are you hoping to gain?
Question: For a good part of the race, three Lolas were running 1, 2, 3, do you feel that the Lola on the ovals is really the best chassis right now, and also, can you comment on the horsepower that they appear to have?
As for the Toyota, yeah, it had horsepower. They were strong on the straightaways, but also they were running less wing; so that would be part of it too, why they were a little quicker on the straightaways. Question: As a proven champion and a very accomplished driver, aside from winning this year's CART FedEx Championship, are you in any capacity involved with helping or mentoring CART's future stars from CART racing to champ car racing?
Question: And back to the youthfulness of the sport, if you could, what would you do to improve the visibility of champ car racing by attracting new fans?
Question: From your point of view, what changes, what schedule changes would you like to see regarding the 2001 CART schedule?
So I'm hoping they don't plan on adding too much more to it, because you know, our teams will be worn out. I don't know, if we do go to Europe, which is probably something we need to do for the series because we have so many fans in Europe, you know we're just not going to be able to have any more over here, though and we may have to lose one. Question: When you said in some ways you'll be wanting those guys to do well, in the 500, I assume just because they are CART guys and you'd like to see them do well at that venue?
Question: So could it prove something should they qualify, should one of them win, what would that do, what would that say in your mind, anything?
Question: I've had a chat with your cousin, John and I'm just wondering, are you excited about your children growing up in the racing industry? I know you literally grew up in the racing industry, and are you looking forward to your children coming up in these ranks, so to speak?
Question: But obviously, you would be very supportive?
Question: The CART and the IRL, do you feel like there can be a solution? I realize that from your perspective you may just be a driver, but you've been a driver for a number of years and you would have as good a perspective as just about anybody.
Question: On a very serious note, Adam Petty, when something like that happens, what reaction did you have and does all racing stop and take a breath? And how well did you know him? I think you knew the rest of the family pretty well and your connection with John and all that, could you talk a little bit that?
Unfortunately, this is a game that we all know is dangerous and we all know that life has got to go on, but, you know, we always in the back of our minds are praying for them that they are going to be okay. It just was a bad deal. Question: One of the constants in CART as it has changed in Michael Andretti, with all of the years of continuing winning, might not be as dominant as he once was, people say he might not be as fast as he was a few years ago, but with changes and everything you managed to win every year. Are they more satisfying now to sort of say to the guys that are ten years younger than you, "I can still beat you." Do you get more satisfaction out of a win now?
T.E. McHale: All right, Michael, thanks for being with us this afternoon. Congratulations again on your victory on Sunday and best of luck in your hometown of Nazareth two weeks from now and during the rest of the FedEx Championship Series season. Thanks to all of you who are with us this afternoon and we'll talk to you next week. | ||||||
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