Buddy_Rice
Buddy is now here so I will turn the chat over to him.
LeadFoot
Has the unification made it more difficult for a smaller team like DRR
to really compete week in and week out.
Buddy_Rice
I think it's made it more difficult for all teams. F----or the fact that
the unification has brought in more talented drivers and teams. The
challenge is across the board.
SwimRacer
Buddy - first of all let me say thanks for doing this again. Now, how
you feeling about coming back to The Glen? You've run well here the last
two years.
Buddy_Rice
I hope to keep doing better and I really want to get our team a podium.
I think I have a really good chance at Watkins Glen. I think I can go
quicker than the last few years so that is the plan right now.
OWFan
As you get farther away from your Indy 500 victory, does your
perspective about it change at all?
Buddy_Rice
No. It's still the highlight of my career and I hope I'm fortunate
enough to do it a second time.
CherylXXX
Hi Buddy, what are your plans for next year? Will you stay with DRR or
looking somewhere else?
Buddy_Rice
It's early right now. I'm happy with where I'm at but you never really
know. Things happen all the time so we will just have to wait and see.
SwimRacer
What kind of advantage, if any do you think you have over the ex Champ
Car Guys?
Buddy_Rice
I'm not sure if it's a whole lot after the very beginning. They are so
good and do well adjusting. We do have an advantage but I think they
have the talent to overcome it.
OWFan
You've obviously already won the crown jewel, the Indy 500. Is there
another race that you want to win badly?
Buddy_Rice
Besides winning Indy again...I would love to win on a road course. It
would be great if I could win at Watkins Glen or maybe at Long Beach
again. I really want to win at a track with a lot of history like those
two tracks have.
LeadFoot
Do you feel like DRR is making progress this year?
Buddy_Rice
Yeah I do. I think we're definitely making some progress. It will be
great if we can do some off-season prep and if we could I think we would
be stronger out of the box. I think we keep getting stronger and better.
CherylXXX
Now that you're a new father, has your driving style changed, I mean are
you more careful when you are trying to pass someone on the track, on a
track like Fort Worth or did you stay the same?
Buddy_Rice
I stay the same. I had to come from the back to get back into the
Top-10. It really hasn't changed my approach. The day my mind starts to
focus on that then that is the day I should get out of an Indy Car. But
no, it hasn't changed my style.
OWFan
I really enjoy watching you race so I hope the answer to this is
"awhile" but how long do you think you will continue to race?
Buddy_Rice
That's hard to say. A lot of things are going to dictate that. When it
comes to Indy Cars age will certainly come into that and whenever that
happens I can see a sports car career. Obviously you can do that type of
racing a little longer. I have to say I've got at least a good 2 to 3
years as long as I can stay around that long. It could be longer but you
never know.
CherylXXX
Does the fact you have two teammates this season give you more or less
help ? Do you prefer having Townsend or Milka has a teammate?
Buddy_Rice
It's great to have Townsend there because of his experience. He and I
have obviously known each other for a long time so it's a lot of fun. We
can both give advice and pointers to Milka to help her learn and
improve. I've had two teammates before but this is the first time they
have been splitting a ride. Everyone is an asset to the team and brings
their own skills.
SwimRacer
Can you see or feel momentum building since the unification?
Buddy_Rice
Yes definitely. The stands are more filled, the paddock is more filled,
the excitement is there. It is great for the league, sponsors, and of
course the fans. It has definitely been a change since unification.
OWFan
What do you expect of the ex CC guys next weekend at The Glen?
Buddy_Rice
I think it's going to be a lot like St Pete so you need to expect that.
They're certainly no slouches when it comes to road courses so I expect
them to content.
LeadFoot
What would you put Dixon's chances at for another win this year at WGI?
Buddy_Rice
I don't know. They're obviously pretty good because he's always been
strong there. It will obviously be more difficult with the increase in
talent but Ganassi and Dixon especially have run well all year and
always on road courses. It should be interesting to see.
CherylXXX
In the next few years, do you think of going to NASCAR or is the IRL
taylor-made for you? I hope you will remain an IRL driver.
Buddy_Rice
I don't see myself heading to NASCAR. At the same time, the door is
always open so you never know. I have always been an open-wheel driver
and I like driving them.
CherylXXX
What's the percentage of ovals you would like to see on the 2009
schedule?
Buddy_Rice
I just think we need to lose some of the ones we don't put on a very
good show. It looks like some of them are on the chopping block for
that. We should try and pick up some road courses in big markets like
Toronto so I think the league is taking the right steps. I don't think
it should be a set percentage but some could probably go.
SwimRacer
Where you feel like you race best at?
Buddy_Rice
I don't know if I have a specific track I like best. I know I have
tracks that I do better at, not really sure why but that's how it goes
sometimes.
CherylXXX
Do you have any plan yet to race the Daytona 24 2009? If yes, will you
race with David and Darren again?
Buddy_Rice
Yes. I will be back at Brumos again and I will be at the season finale
at Utah racing with the team.
LeadFoot
What attracts you to Grand-Am?
Buddy_Rice
I just like sports car racing. I think it's fun. It's a different group
of people, different atmosphere, and just a different mindset. It allows
a lot of drivers to continue their careers a little longer. The approach
is completely different which is pretty cool.
CherylXXX
Was the 92nd Indy 500 the hardest Indy500 you have competed in because
of the unification?
Buddy_Rice
It was definitely difficult as the talent from top to bottom was much
better. It's a tough race anyway and with the unification there was a
lot more teams with better funding.
OWFan
Do you have a favorite corner at The Glen?
Buddy_Rice
I don't know. The last two turns, 10 and 11, that combo is pretty fun.
You have to carry a lot of speed through there to be quick. You have to
be committed.
SwimRacer
Is it sometimes frustrating dealing with the CC guys at ovals?
Buddy_Rice
No, because I think most of them are racers. It's like the first time
anyone comes over to ovals. They need to learn where to run as well as
understand and respect the ovals. Ovals demand a lot respect and when
the wall jumps up and bites you realize that.
CherylXXX
Do you feel DRR can win a race by the end of the year or do you think a
podium would be your better result this season?
Buddy_Rice
I like to think we can win a race. It's going to take a short oval or a
road course to do it. It's tough when the three big teams have the top 8
spots covered plus the talent of the CC guys on the road courses. I feel
pretty good about the road courses but competition will definitely be
stiffer.
SwimRacer
What kind of advantage to you personally have over the CC guys at WGI?
Buddy_Rice
A little bit more knowledge from the previous races to help with setup.
The CC guys can definitely hit the setup and be pretty quick which
throws the advantage right out the window. The knowledge during the race
will be the biggest one.
JB
Being an Indy 500 Champion, who do you believe is the best driver to
never win the greatest spectacle in racing?
Buddy_Rice
I don't know the names off the top of my head but there is a list of
guys that deserved to win it but didn't. The list goes back to the
mid-1900s. I was fortunate enough to be quick all month.
CherylXXX
Do you prefer race on ovals or road course? which one is the most
physical to race at?
Buddy_Rice
I like racing on both. They each have different challenges. Ovals are
more mental than physical expect for the short ones. The road courses
are definitely more physically than the ovals. That is especially true
with Watkins Glen with the high G turns and the probable heat with it
being the 4th of July.
LeadFoot
What is your dream car?
Buddy_Rice
I already have it. It's the '49 Mercury I got from Argent for winning
the 500.
OWFan
What would you call your best race that you didn't win?
Buddy_Rice
I probably have to say Detroit last year because we started so far back
on the grid and we had a chance to win that one. Unfortunately it just
didn't happen.
CherylXXX
What was the big difference when you raced for Rahal Letterman (a kind
of big team) and then you signed with DRR, a smaller team that RLR ? Was
it easy to adapt ? Is the mentality of the team different that at RLR?
Buddy_Rice
Definitely the mentality was different. RLR was a bigger team and
structured differently with several layers of management. I knew DRR was
going to be a building situation and getting better over time. We have
great engineers and we will continue to improve. This year was the first
time they ever led at IMS so that should show we are moving in the right
direction.
SwimRacer
Ever want to be a team owner?
Buddy_Rice
No. I don't want to be a team owner. I'm close enough to that with my
go-kart shop.
OWFan
What did it mean to you for the unification to happen/
Buddy_Rice
To me it's one of the best things that could have happened for
open-wheel racing. Ever since I started racing there was a split. I
think we to have some work to do to really heal the wounds but I'm proud
to be part of that process and moving forward. I never thought it would
happen in my career.
LeadFoot
Any potential sponsors for the car yet?
Buddy_Rice
It almost seems like every weekend we have a local sponsor but nothing
yet for full-time.
CherylXXX
Is the DRR team based in Indy? If yes, would you move from Phoenix to
Indy to be closer to the team or do you still live in Phoenix ?
Buddy_Rice
The team is based in Indy and I still live in Phoenix. I was born and
raised there and have never really left for an extended period of time.
JB
If you would have of chose Baseball over Racing, do you think that you
would have made it to the majors?
Buddy_Rice
Probably not considering how small I am. I'm not very big. I never
second guessed that decision. I have friends playing but I have no idea
if I would have ever made it. I'm happy with where I'm at.
Buddy_Rice
It's time for me to head out. I want to thank all of your for coming out
and taking part in the chat. I'm looking forward to The Glen and hope to
see all of you there. I seem to run well on the American holidays so
since the race is on the 4th of July weekend I'm hoping. Thanks!
CherylXXX
Thanks Buddy ;)
Buddy_Rice
You're welcome. |
