Ron Hornaday: Diamond Hill 200 preview

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet driver Ron Hornaday on Darlington Raceway

What are your thoughts on the new SAFER barriers installed at Darlington Raceway?

"I think the SAFER barriers are the right way to go at every track, but I'm surprised that they came to Darlington so soon. I would think that they would be one of the last tracks to have them, because you race right up against the wall anyway. But any step towards driver safety is the right step."

How will they affect how you approach the track?

"When we heard how much they moved into the groove (33 inches), Butch Hylton and I looked at it on a tape measure and it didn't look like much. Then we put the tape on the right front nose of the ACDelco Chevrolet and it's half a car width. That's when you say to yourself, wow! It's going to be pretty interesting once we get out there. Each time we go to Darlington at least 10 cars get a stripe in the first practice. With 33 inches less groove, I hope we still have a field (laughing)."

After the race at Las Vegas, you fell out of the top-10 in points for the first time in the past two seasons. How much does that concern you in your bid for a NASCAR Busch Series championship?

"We had a bad race at Las Vegas. I'm not sure how we missed it, but we did. It shows just how competitive this NASCAR Busch Series is. If you have one bad race, you can lose several spots in the points standings. That's what happened to us. I know we will be right back in the hunt after Darlington. We aren't worried about points right now. But when you drive the ACDelco car for RCR that's how you are judged. By wins and championships."

What is the key to getting around "The Lady in Black"?

"It is three things and they all work together. Number one, you have to just race the track. Number two, you have to be smooth and take care of your tires. Number three and this is the one that makes the other two work, you need enough forward bite to run fast without burning off the left rear and getting sideways loose. It you can get number three, you have a great chance at winning at Darlington."