Chat Transcript: Ricky Rudd
June 21, 2001
10:38 AM EDT (1438 GMT)
[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Ricky Rudd!
[Ricky_Rudd] Hi, this is Ricky Rudd. Thanks for signing on today. Let's talk!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Noelle_dalejrfan] Hey Ricky, how does it feel to win after the dry spell?
[Ricky_Rudd] It feels great. It has been 2 years for me as a driver and even longer for Robert Yates Racing and the #28, so it is happy times for us.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dalejrfan845] Is it true your transmission broke with 10 laps to go and that you only had third gear? If so, how did this affect your concentration on winning the race?
[Ricky_Rudd] It was about 12-15 laps to go when the problem started and at that time it looked like we had a comfortable lead. There really wasn't any concern and then all the sudden I went into Turn 1 and I couldn't get it into gear. Something was definitely wrong and we didn't know what at the time. I said "this is typical luck" and didn't think we could finish the race. It didn't give me any more trouble until after the race when I tried to put it into first gear and there wasn't one. I had to do second gear donuts! We were lucky to finish that race, so maybe our luck turned around.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Mustang Driver] I've been a fan of yours for as long as I've been a fan of racing. You bring a lot of class to the races every Sunday. Will you be taking the same car from Pocono to Sears Point this weekend?
[Ricky_Rudd] No, because the Sonoma car was built especially for the road course. We might consider taking the Sonoma car to Watkins Glen, but that would be the only two tracks where that car might see some action.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [imaruddphan28] You were in Victory Circle quite some time doing the "Hat Dance". Did you ever get to privately celebrate with Michael and the rest of the team? And how did you celebrate?
[Ricky_Rudd] The Hat Dance we had to do was for all the various sponsors of the Pocono event and NASCAR. Generally they want to do those early and they had a heck of time getting us settled down to do those shots! There was Coca-Cola and champagne everywhere! They gave us about 10 minutes to have fun and then we did the hat stuff. As far as celebration, when the race was over and the media interviews were over, part of the team went to Indianapolis and part of the team went to North Carolina. We haven't had much time to celebrate because half the crew is on their way to California.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Smug] Ricky, I was at Pocono to enjoy a wonderful day and very exciting race. What was it about the third turn that made the current leader so vulnerable to being passed all day long?
[Ricky_Rudd] That particular corner is very flat, probably the flattest at the track. When you go through there, you might slip and when someone got in back of the car in front of them, you lose the rear grip. The guy that is behind the leader could help them break loose. That is sort of a little game that is played there all day long.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Bethers] How did Fatback come up with the nickname for you of ROOSTER? Is there a funny story behind this? Good luck in the future races and have a great rest of the season.
[Ricky_Rudd] The name Rooster started with a previous crew chief when I had my own team. It started with Richard, but he and Fatback are friends. He said when I get mad I was a mad rooster. He likes to get me fired up so I drive harder.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Noelle_dalejrfan] Ricky, do you think the new tire has been contributing to a lot of the teams not being able to achieve the good runs like they had last year, including yourself?
[Ricky_Rudd] I think that when we started the season we got behind a little bit from the end of 2000. We were challenging for every race win at the end of 2000, but the difference is that a lot of teams worked on bump-rubber technology. We ran well, but we were not a challenge or threat to win until 4-5 races into this season. It wasn't the tire, but it was more the bump-rubber technology. We were able to run well and we have adapted to that technology.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [tj40] Hi Ricky! Congratulations on the great win Sunday! It's nice to see you in the Winner's Circle again. Now that you are definitely in the points race and your team seems to be on target, does that affect the relationship you have with Dale Jarrett and his team?
[Ricky_Rudd] It hasn't seemed to. To me, it actually seems stronger than before. Both teams are able to benefit. They do things differently than we do, and sometimes they are better and sometimes we are. Pocono was an example. They didn't use 100% of our setup, but they used some of it. It helped them some, but next week we made need some help of theirs. Our relationship seems to be getting stronger.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [DanH] Hi Ricky! How did tire testing go at Indy this week? Do you think it will help you become a repeat winner? Thanks!
[Ricky_Rudd] I think the tire testing went really well. We ran over 700 miles of testing for Goodyear. Unfortunately we aren't able to make a lot of shock or spring changes, but we compared all the tires they wanted us to run. It is great to tune up and get extra miles on the racetrack.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nonperson] There are rumors that Mr. Yates may start a third team. What is your feeling on this?
[Ricky_Rudd] I don't really know how to answer that because I have heard that, but I also heard there was nothing to it. If he wants to start a third or fourth business, it doesn't matter to me as long as it doesn't affect ours. His engine performance is so diverse and strong I don't think it would affect us.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Ruddneck] With stamina and concentration playing such major roles in a driver's success, how do you prepare nutritionally and fitness-wise for races? Thanks, and good luck on a championship run!
[Ricky_Rudd] I am on the George Foreman diet, and mentally I just try to escape to family time as much as I can and get away from the distractions of the sport.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Gordo26] There are rumors of a new paint scheme for the #28 soon. Any truth to the rumors? Thanks for the great memories and good luck throughout your career.
[Ricky_Rudd] To be honest, I really am probably one of the last people to know if there will be a paint scheme change. The bodywork guys know before anyone else I haven't heard about it, but that doesn't mean there isn't something in the works.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RacingFan] It was a sad day when you had to sell your team and move to RYR. It was nice to see you return to Victory Circle. Is your schedule as hectic as it was as an owner-driver or do you have more time for yourself and family now?
[Ricky_Rudd] The demands on a driver's schedule has picked up from when I was just a driver, but comparing that to when I was a driver-owner, there is a lot less time that I have to spend at the shop now. There are still a lot of hours, but there is definitely more family time now.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [airhart] Do you concentrate on the points battle each weekend or just try to finish well at each track?
[Ricky_Rudd] Going into a racetrack, my number one goal is to win the pole and then the race. The team's goals are the same and we work to qualify the best we can at each track. We want the pole, but you don't get it at every event. The race is pretty much the same. We work hard to get our Taurus to handle well and we work and work on it and hope to win. If we can't win, we do the best we can to finish as high as we can. Some days you race as hard as you can for 5th, some days for 1st, or some days for 15th! We just compromise after we get in the race and look at things realistically and get the best we can for the day.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [sweeney] Do a lot of the young and upcoming drivers come to you for advice?
[Ricky_Rudd] I have had some come up and ask questions. I have seen young guys, or even senior guys, come ask me questions. I have seen it go both ways. I have asked for advice myself at tracks when I go to some that I have struggled at. Generally simple questions like, "Am I using the brakes?" or "Are you using the throttle on the corner?" are asked of me, but it isn't like I am holding a school every week. It is random.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [speeth] Are you planning to do anything to help Jason Rudd get his NASCAR career started?
[Ricky_Rudd] I would love to help him financially, but I about went bankrupt trying this on my own. I try to give them advice as much as I can. I feel for him because it is a tough road. He appears to have a lot of talent but he needs the experience. It is just so expensive to put a racecar on the track week in and week out. I have helped him more on the technical issues than financially.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Rudd's#1fan] Ricky, other than driving, what would you say is your greatest contribution the #28 team?
[Ricky_Rudd] Probably the feedback and input that I give them when I am on the racetrack. I am the direct link to what the car is doing on the racetrack. I need to give them feedback to help them with direction. I think it would be patience and giving them feedback.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Biggitty B] Hi, Ricky. I am a Jeff Gordon fan and I admired the fact that you let off the throttle on the last lap of Michigan to avoid wrecking Jeff. I know that your generosity and respect cost you the win. Do you wish that every driver was as respectable as you or would you rather they did their own thing? Congratulations on the win!
[Ricky_Rudd] It is nice of you to think that I am considerate, but I backed off so I wouldn't wreck me! Haha!
[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Ricky has for us this evening. Thanks Ricky! What are your final thoughts?
[Ricky_Rudd] I am off to do a radio interview right now and I thank you for your questions. Thanks for signing to our NASCAR.com chat tonight. I have enjoyed this conversation and an extra thanks goes out to the Ricky Rudd and Robert Yates fans that have patiently waited for us to get back into Victory Lane.
| 
