Conversation: Leffler

Jason Leffler's 2007 season had left something to be desired.

That was the case until last weekend in Nashville where the Busch Series regular contended for the win and finally posted a top-five finish after a string of bad luck that started with the Daytona 500.

"We've been fast, we've got a fast car, but we just fell in a hole for a couple of weeks," Leffler said from inside his Braun Racing shop in Mooresville, N.C.

Now out of the hole and heading to Texas, Leffler said he's confident the team will have another strong finish.

So what changed? The set-up, the Toyota engine, track position ... the stars?

Maybe, just maybe, it was the good news he received at home last week.

Q: So when you had a rear-view mirror full of Carl Edwards with about 20 laps to go, what were you thinking?

Leffler: I knew he would be coming, but our loose right front was getting worse. I went from trying to hold off Carl to just trying to finish the race. He got by us and I was mad right away. But, later I was happy we finished.

We have a lot going for us and we've been running up front and if you run up front long enough, eventually it will go your way.

Q: Your team's strong finish must have Toyota encouraged and the Cup teams curious. Speaking of, how has the change from Chevy to Toyota gone for you so far?

Leffler: With Toyota on board, the manufacturer has taken us to the next level. I think it's what we need to help us close the gap between us and the Busch whackers. We have more horsepower, a team of engineers for the asking, and on top of that, we've been to the wind tunnel at least a dozen times this season.

Q: Why has the Busch Series found success with Toyota as opposed to the Cup teams?

Leffler: Cup is more competitive and the Toyota teams are all new. Braun Racing has a strong and established crew and team. With start-up teams, no matter who it is, being competitive will be hard coming right out of the box.

Q: We hear you have some big news. Do tell.

Leffler: My wife Allison is pregnant and last week we found out it's a boy. We are both really excited. She's due in September.

Q: Does that mean you'll miss a race to assist in the birth?

Leffler: No. I'll go racing. Racing comes first -- as mean as that sounds -- my wife understands that. She's doing a great job.

Q: The red faux-hawk atop your head is very identifiable around the garage and pit road. And your sponsor is Great Clips, ironic?

Leffler: If it was up to me, I'd have a real Mohawk. My wife styled my hair for me ... it's easy to manage. One day we were joking and said Great Clips should have a haircut called the Leffler, my signature cut. We aren't in talks or anything to make it happen (laughing) but it would be good for business ... good for NASCAR fans.

Q: You've shuffled through your fair share of teams in NASCAR; a list that included Joe Gibbs Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing. Are you feeling more settled this season?

Leffler: Yeah, I'm definitely working on my longest tenure in racing here at Braun. And my experience here has been nothing but positive. We are all like family and the guys work hard to make the cars run well.

Q: In addition to several years in NASCAR piloting rides in all three series, you also have one start at the famed Indianapolis 500 in 2000; the same year your competitor Juan Montoya won the race. Ever do it again?

Leffler: I was a test driver for Treadway Racing in 1998 and got a lot of experience. I ran three races in the IRL during the 2000 season. I'd like to go back to the Indy 500, and the way the Busch Series schedule is, maybe [I can] somewhere down the road. I love to race, it's my life.