In the Field: Sadler

Obviously, competing in the Nextel Cup Series as we do, we're constantly traveling, criss-crossing this great United States.

And as we do, we run into a lot of different weather conditions, depending on the time of year it is. It makes you plan ahead, I'll say that much.

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Because, while we had a real variety of weather conditions at Daytona for Speedweeks -- from real warm T-shirt weather to some conditions that were quite chilly -- at least we had our motor coaches there to carry a range of warm weather gear.

But since it's like a 40-hour drive from Daytona out to California, I gave my coach driver, Will, a break to spend some time with his wife and kids and things like that, and I just chilled out in a hotel.

Coming to Southern California on the week after Speedweeks might give you the impression you're going to be in for warm weather, but that was not really the case for us.

It's another interesting aspect of what we do, in that we go to California when it tends to be chilly, as it was last weekend; and then at the end of the summer, when it's pretty warm just about everywhere.

Anyways, I made sure on Sunday night after the Daytona 500 I had all my coats and sweatshirts packed up on the bus and ready to come out to California.

Once we get to the track, for better or worse, California is no different than any other race weekend. Once we get into it, we don't really get to do a lot other than be at the racetrack and deal with our racecars.

But there is a difference we'll see between Southern California in February and Southern California in August and September. We'll usually try to play some golf when we come out here for Labor Day weekend.

But it was way too cold to be playing any golf last weekend. I couldn't believe how cold it was. Right from the start, on Friday everybody was going for their sweatshirts and jackets, so it made you forget it was Southern California.

It was almost like we were back in Daytona for Speedweeks, which as everyone knows usually has its moments for some cold weather. So I don't know if the cold weather was following us around, or what? (Continued)