Inside the Garage: JGR No. 11 crew chief Mike Ford

When crew chief Mike Ford and his neophyte made the Chase last year, the pressure was minimal because they weren't supposed to be there in the first place.

Ford on the other hand, he belonged. No surprise there. The 37-year-old earned his racing stripes years ago. He's been a part of championship-winning teams and led drivers to Brickyard glory.

However, rookie Denny Hamlin? An unassuming, appeasing young man from Virginia. Hamlin, at first glance, was the last driver you'd pick for your fantasy team, let alone a driver to make the Chase.

Then Pocono happened.

Together, Hamlin and Ford swept both Pocono Cup races last season and continued the success with sixth- and third-place finishes this season. And this weekend, Ford is taking young Hamlin to New Hampshire, the first race of the Chase, where he scored his first Cup victory of 2007.

The pair is ready for their encore performance in the Chase and they're bringing the same attitude as last year: No pressure.

Q: We know Denny is confident heading to New Hampshire and you're taking the winning car to the track. But any areas of concern going into the Chase and what tracks are a concern?

Ford: Atlanta has been a struggle for us. Dover hasn't been our better track, but last time we were there we got a top five. Homestead is questionable, we finished third but we had to work for it. I will say that our strengths are the flats tracks: Martinsville, Loudon and Phoenix.

But Talladega is always going to be a crap shoot, that's a concern. A concern, but we were fastest in qualifying trim [Monday] during the test. We had some issues with bottoming out right off the truck but we got it figured out.

Q: Surely Denny has ways he mentally prepares for big races, but how does a crew chief recharge and renew the mind before game day? What are you doing to prepare for the Chase?

Ford: What I would like to be doing is a lot of cycling, I do a lot of bicycle riding, but can't because we are in Talladega this week before we go to New Hampshire. Then next week it's Daytona. So I'll probably just go to my motel, close the door, order pizza and throw myself into my notebook. I'd love to jump on a bike for a couple of days or watch my two boys' football practice. That really clears my mind.

Q: Seemingly the competition is stiffer this year over last year's Chase. Would you agree? If so, how will you step up your program?

Ford: Yeah, the competition is stronger this year. I think with the Hendrick, Gibbs and the Childress programs all in the Chase, any of those cars can win any week and do.

And there is a couple of possible factors; last year there was a smaller group and maybe the Car of Tomorrow plays a part, I don't know. When the competition is so close, it makes you look at strategy and avoiding mistakes, not making any mistakes is more important.

For us really, there's no other strategy than finish the race and if you can win the race, win the race. You more or less stick with what got you here. (Continued)