Daytona Testing: Day 2 - Post-Wreck Transcript
JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS:
WHAT HAPPENED?
"I don't know what started it. I know we were in a pack drafting, just trying to learn the cars and what this aero package is doing. Some guys started forming a line on the inside and things started getting a little more aggressive at that point. Somebody must have turned or got turned or something and then they just all started stacking up."
WE HEARD JIMMIE (JOHNSON) TALKING ABOUT THE LACK OF CARS YOU GUYS HAVE. HOW DETRIMENTAL IS THIS WHEN TWO HENDRICK CARS GET TIED UP LIKE THIS?
"Obviously, they look like the really smart guys in the garage by not drafting. Everybody has different theories on it. We feel like we have to go get in those conditions and find out now what we have to deal with to be prepared when we come back here in February, even putting yourself in jeopardy. We will get this car fixed up no problem. It is definitely going to cause some extra work."
HOW SURPRISED ARE YOU THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN?
"I'm not surprised at all. We see it every year, maybe not quite this big, but you get down here in packs. It's important to be in those packs and learn what you can learn, especially with a new car. I think you can kind of weigh into both sides of it. You know when the cars are starting to push and move around a lot more that the chances are getting higher that something is going to happen. There are some rookies out there as well. I saw some things happen a couple of laps before that. You just ride it out and hope you can make it through it. Unfortunately, we didn't in this case."
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
"The cars drive pretty well. You can't push. Which I think is a good thing. The bad thing is, you can still get to the guys bumper, but the cars just don't line up very well. You really just shouldn't even be doing it. Unfortunately, that is kind of that last little bit of momentum that you need to sometimes make the pass or make your lane move. So, it's something that is going to have to be dealt with very carefully. You are going to have to be cautious when you do it and do it with the right guys, but most of the time you're going to need to stay away from it. That is certainly something we learned. The cars really get good momentum and shifts by themselves but they run side-by-side for a long time so it's not easy to complete the pass."
CAN YOU NOT PUSH BECAUSE YOU ARE LIFTING THE GUY IN FRONT OF YOU UP?
"There is a lack of downforce and then the bumpers just don't line up like they used to. Certainly, the Chevy's they have a little bit more of a point so they really don't line up very good. I was pushed by a Ford and it almost spun me. I don't know if any of them are really lining up that good. Especially, with this kind of downforce that is in the cars. I think it is a great package. I love it. We have to kind of start over again, we have gotten so comfortable with running on one another's bumpers, pushing and being able to do that. You have to kind of reset a little bit and go back to the way we used to do it where you get close and you still gain momentum and push guys but with the air not necessarily the bumpers."
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
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