Rusty's Rundown: Watkins Glen

What to watch for

With a track like Watkins Glen, you aren't going to see a whole lot of passing on the racetrack, which is one tough part. Track position is real important.

I'd say the backstretch where we head into the inner loop is where you'll see some passing. Also, the frontstretch heading into Turn 1 is where there will be some more passing.

This is the second of two road courses we run in the Winston Cup Series schedule so you'll see some guys trying a lot of weird stuff. Things like brake combinations, springs and the hired road-course guys we're not used to racing against.

All in all, it's quite different than what we're used to driving on. But I like the road courses, so I look forward to them.

Ride along with Rusty

	Rusty Wallace finished 43rd last year at The Glen when engine problems forced him out after just 14 laps. Credit: Autostock

Heading down past the start/finish line, you head into Turn 1 and it's real hard braking into there. We downshift into second gear and rip off the corner real hard, put it in third gear and head up through the esses to the top of the hill. Then, we go into high gear and wind that out down the backstretch wide open.

We roll through the inner loop where it's hard braking again, we downshift into third and then second gear as we go through the loop. Out of the loop, it's out of second and into third gear and run around that last turn there.

Then we'll run up the short chute in third gear really winding the motor out pretty hard. From there, we head into Turn 10 with more hard braking again, shifting into second gear and then through Turn 11.

As you approach the start/finish line, you hit third gear heading toward Turn 1.

Thems the brakes

Braking is really important here at The Glen. They tend to run real hot and you have to baby them around here. It's a physically demanding racetrack and after the race my feet hurt more than anything does.

Between the braking, downshifting, upshifting and all that goes on in the car, the feel definitely is the thing that takes the most punishment on the driver's body.

Where's Wallace

Because of the layout of this track, it's tough for me to have fans come to a centralized place to sign autographs. So, this week I won't be able to see the fans at the souvenir trailer like I usually try to do.

Last Call

Today, I want to talk about autographs and when the best and worst times are to get one from me. If it's at a scheduled autograph session, that is the perfect place because that is why I'm there in the first place.

At the track, the best time is after practice is done and we are finished talking about the car and such with the team. It's really tough for me to give fans the time when we're working on the car and getting ready for practice or qualifying.

Once practice is over, it's fine with me to say hello and talk with me.

I have people who buy a brand-new Ford car and bring it to the shop and want me to sign the roof of the car. I just can't believe they want me to put my name on the roof of shiny new car.

But, that's what fans are all about it and if that's what they want, then I'll do it for them.

Rusty's Rundown appears each Wednesday on NASCAR.com. For more info on Rusty Wallace, please visit his Web site at www.rustywallace.com.