Chevrolet Notes

Chevrolet Notes

Today, at California Speedway, NEXTEL Cup points leader Jeff Gordon and second place driver Jimmie Johnson announced that they will lead Team USA's effort to reclaim the Nations Cup at the 2004 Race of Champions ROC in Paris, France on December 4th, 2004. Eight countries will compete. Among the other competitors will be Formula One Champ Michael Schumacher driving for Germany and current World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Loeb driving for France. In 2002, Gordon and Johnson brought the title home for the United States. Highlights of the press conference:


WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE FOR YOU TO RACE MICHAEL SCHUMACHER IN EQUAL CARS?

JEFF GORDON: "I'm excited because this is the format we had in the Canary Islands. The way the track is definitely makes things equal. The way the cars were prepared the last time, I feel like things are equal. You also swap cars. So I definitely think it's as equal opportunity as you can get. The style of driving for these cars in all-wheel driving on the dirt is certainly a little bit different than what we're used to doing all the time. But I thought it went very well in the Canary Islands. The more laps Jimmie and I made, the better we got the faster we got. By having a little bit of experience in these cars going back, we can pick up the pace to another level this time even though it's at a different track.


"So, I'm excited. I think Michael certainly brings a lot of interest there. I'm excited that Jimmie and I were able to work out everything and fulfill everything we need to fulfill here in the U.S. We're planning to leave after the banquet Dec. 3rd, hopefully after one of us has celebrated a championship, and get over there and have some fun."


AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT, JIMMIE IS GETTING MARRIED. HOW DO YOU KEEP UP WITH ALL THIS?


JIMMIE JOHNSON: "There are a lot of things going on. I have to give a lot of credit to my fianc