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Scott_Pruett
Ok everyone, Scott is now here so I will turn it over to him!
SwimRacer
Hi Scott. Thanks for coming back on board. How you feeling heading into
WGI in a few weeks?
Scott_Pruett
Great. You know we had a lot of success in the 6 Hours race. It's great
coming off of the success we had at Barber which is a track we struggled
at. Watkins Glen is a great track for us so things should go well.
DPAlltheWay
Hi Scott. What's it going to take to sweep the DP races at The Glen this
year?
Scott_Pruett
Well, a lot of hard work which is what the Ganassi team has been doing.
We will also need luck, the racing gods need to be shining down on you
which they have been so far. We're looking forward to coming back to The
Glen because we always run well there. We think we've got a great shot.
Visions of Racin
Is this year's championship sewn up by the 01 team?
Scott_Pruett
No, not even close. I honestly hate even talking about it. It's great to
be up like we are but you need to race one race at a time. When we get
down to the last few races like the last one or two we can kind of look
around but right now we've got a heads down and working hard.
DPAlltheWay
Did GAINSCO's 2nd half run in 2007 provide extra motivation during the
off-season?
Scott_Pruett
You know it was interesting looking at the dominance of the GAINSCO team
last year. They were just faster than everyone else in every aspect from
qualifying to the races. This year we've won without being the fastest
car. Every point counts so we're not going to let what happened last
year happen again and end up losing by one point again.
SwimRacer
Can you put your finger on what has made you and Memo so dominant this
year?
Scott_Pruett
I think it's a couple things. I think it's Lexus with the changes that
Grand-Am gave us to improve the engine last year. With TRD and Lexus we
were able to make it driver better and we've adapted well to the new
tires. Some teams have struggled but we were able to just adapt to it
quicker.
DPAlltheWay
Is there a moment in your racing career that stands about all others?
Scott_Pruett
Wow, what a good question. One of the ones that keeps coming to mind is
my Indy Car win in 1995. To beat Al Unser Jr. by like 5 one-thousands of
a second on the last lap of the Michigan 500 is one of the best. I do
have a lot but that's probably tops.
macxpress
At Watkins Glen, do you like racing more on the long course (with the
boot section), or with the short course? Do you think it would be
advisable to have the Sprint Cup Series use the boot section during the
nascar weekend in the future?
Scott_Pruett
I think that would be a great thing to do, I don't know how many of the
NASCAR guys would like it though. I like both courses because the setup
is different and they're both challenging. Since we go to The Glen twice
it's like going to another track which I like.
M3Power
Do you think you have the best chassis or that you and your team are
preparing everything better?
Scott_Pruett
Both. I think the job Ganassi does is just phenomenal. If you look at
races since '04 you could count on one had the number of mechanical
issues we've had with some fingers left over. Riley does great work and
it's hard to bet against them.
Scott_Pruett
I think the Lola and Dallara are really coming along and should be
watched for the rest of this year and into next season.
SwimRacer
Are you running all three races at The Glen?
Scott_Pruett
At this point I'm running just the Grand-Am race. There is a strong
probability I will run one or both NASCAR races but for now stay tuned.
macxpress
What are your favorite tracks to race on?
Scott_Pruett
The running joke is the one I won on most recently so right now it's
Barber. But in all honesty, I really enjoy all of them. With the
exception of Salt Lake due to it not being real fan friendly, I really
like all of them especially if they have a sense of history.
M3Power
Great to see you back. Thank-you for the signed pictures I received
after the 6 hour race. They are framed and hanging on the wall. Do you
still think your car & team are prepared to win again!
Scott_Pruett
Absolutely, no doubt. It's like any team that's had a lot of success in
any sport, you just get on a roll and it's poetry in motion.
M3Power
The short course has fewer places to pass than the long course. Does
this make it harder during the race?
Scott_Pruett
Yes it does. Typically going into Turn 1 is the best place to pass which
is where guys usually make their room. Sometimes they do it going into
the bus stop but track position is critical.
Labatts
What do you think of car of tomorrow / today at The Glen Scott? Better
or worse than old car?
Scott_Pruett
Worse. No doubt. Worse. Not as much down force, not as easy to drive,
and definitely more of a handful.
SwimRacer
Would you say sports cars is your favorite kind of cars to race?
Scott_Pruett
I enjoy racing Cup because it's side-by-side, fender to fender. The DP's
are real fast, real smooth, and you can really race hard in them. Then I
like speed and you can't touch the speed of an Indy Car. So I guess you
can say I really like them all for different reasons.
M3Power
If you race in the main event against Montoya and Boris Said, I'm not
sure who to cheer for! :(
Scott_Pruett
Well, you know what? That's a good group of racers to be cheering for
and we're all pretty talented. So that is a tough choice.
DPAlltheWay
Does it feel like competition keeps getting tougher each year in
Grand-Am?
Scott_Pruett
I don't see the competition getting tougher because it was tough in '04
and '05 because Max and I went at it tooth and nail. The depth of the
field has gotten a lot better as you have 10 guys trying to win versus 4
or 5.
Labatts
Are you taking right off after The Glen race? Or will there be beers
involved locally? Sorry for sending same question twice..
Scott_Pruett
That's a good question. It depends on how the race goes. Typically a win
leads to drinks with the guys and hanging out at the track. Sometimes we
get together at the hotel but if we win, we'll be hanging out somewhere
enjoying it.
M3Power
I will of course be cheering you on during the DP race Friday night.
Even though I like Bill Auberlen since he races BMWs.
Scott_Pruett
But Auberlen is driving for Porsche. I do have a lot of respect for him
though and I enjoy driving wheel-to-wheel with him.
SwimRacer
What do you guys top out at on the backstretch?
Scott_Pruett
We're running I think about 171 mph.
M3Power
Yes Porsche in the DP series, but BMWs elsewhere.
Scott_Pruett
Good point.
mel
Scott I am a huge fan of your driving and I love your children’s books,
we are always at the events with our daughter and it is cool to see the
racing and family connection with including the kids!
Scott_Pruett
It's important to me and everybody involved. A lot of us, drivers,
mechanics, engineers, etc, have families and they keep us going. We
spend as much time on the road as we do at home so we like to make sure
to give back. The thing about my books too is that they are authentic
and focus on things you see around the track.
macxpress
is that top speed in the rolex car or the sprint cup car?
Scott_Pruett
Rolex
Labatts
Will you be signing autographs at The Glen at all?
Scott_Pruett
Yes we will. I don't know exactly where but there will be a few times
that we will be signing.
M3Power
171 mph is pretty impressive. I only get to about 125 mph with my BMW M3
street car and 110 with my Toyota Camry! :)
Scott_Pruett
And I'm sure that's at the race track. right? lol
M3Power
Yes, at The Glen. I'm an instructor with BMW CCA.
Scott_Pruett
Ok cool!
SwimRacer
Do you see any certain challenges coming up this season?
Scott_Pruett
Nothing beyond the typical challenges, there's nothing new. Honestly the
biggest challenge was last week at Barber. We had one podium since 2004
and winning was huge for us. It really sets us up well as the rest of
the tracks are ones we've done well on so we're looking forward to the
rest of the season.
M3Power
You need to stop by The Glen Club if you have a chance
Scott_Pruett
Absolutely! I've spoken there several times in past years so maybe I can
make it over there again this year.
Labatts
Do you have any dirt experience?
Scott_Pruett
Not since I was a teenager. A little bit of testing in the Outlaws and a
little off roading many years ago but nothing since then.
mel
What event do you get most fired up to drive for? Is it the Rolex 24 or
is it a smaller event that you enjoy more? I am in Daytona and nothing
compares to the 24 hr but as a driver what do you like the most
Scott_Pruett
I love driving the Daytona Prototypes. It's a great balance because it
lets you drive it hard. So with the DP I just love driving everywhere.
M3Power
Cool, I'll buy you a beer or a Crown Royal.
Scott_Pruett
After the race of course!
DPAlltheWay
Who are you watching the most closely for the rest of the seasons?
Scott_Pruett
Right now it's the 99 car because they're in second but also the 91.
They will be the biggest challenges the rest of the year but the 76 car
is running strong and it's just a matter of time the SunTrust team
brings the new Dallara to victory lane. it's going to be a really
exciting finish with these new manufacturers.
mel
So when you have to run in the nationwide or Cup is it a struggle to
adjust? In Mexico City you had a great run in the nationwide car
Scott_Pruett
It's not hard at all actually. The last several years I've been in the
DP one day then the Nationwide car the next and then the Cup car the day
after that. I was tired when I was done but not difficult.
M3Power
"Pit in and Pit out" That is classic!
Scott_Pruett
hahahaha
M3Power
How much setup and changes can you actually make to the suspension and
down force? Much more than the Cup Cars I would guess.
Scott_Pruett
A lot more than the Cup car. We continually balance down force and drag.
It's so much that if you don't stay on top of it, it can get confusing.
Scott_Pruett
Ok everyone I need to get going. Thanks so much for tuning in and we
will see you in a few weeks when we get to The Glen. Thanks everyone!
macxpress
good luck! thanks!
Scott_Pruett
Appreciate it. Thanks
Scott_Pruett
Bye everyone. |
