Notes: Evernham hopes partner creates new vibe

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- After winning a series-leading six races with driver Kasey Kahne last season, only to find his three Nextel Cup teams mired in 23rd, 28th and 38th two-thirds of the way through the season, Ray Evernham could be excused for frowning a bit.

GEM of a deal

Ray Evernham and George N. Gillett Jr. have announced the creation of the new team, Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

• Complete story, click here
• New owner sports fan at heart

But after announcing a merger with wealthy businessman and sports team owner George Gillett Jr. last week, Evernham said he's optimistic of breaking out of his competitive funk.

"It's been hard, there's no doubt -- I think it's been the hardest competitive year of my life," Evernham said. "I don't think I've ever been involved in a race team in 30 years that's run this bad, ever. That's something that you grow into. I accept the responsibility for it. It's on my shoulders to change it. But it's been very difficult not only on me but everybody here.

"You've just got to know that you're going to get it turned around. As somebody that's competitive and feels responsibility to the people who put money in this program and the drivers that believe in it, it's been a tough year. It's a tough business, and like [his driver] Elliott Sadler says 'There's just days you've got to get up in the morning and put your big boy britches on and go to work.'"

Along with getting more involved in competition decisions and hands-on work, Evernham is looking forward, he says, to getting his third driver, Scott Riggs, signed to a new contract.

"Scott and I are still talking, we've got some options and we've not closed anything yet," Evernham said. "I want Scott to be a part of our program next year. We've got to bring up overall performance as a big part that's on my shoulders. He can help us do that. As the thing grows, I want Scott to be part of it."

Practice makes perfect?
Nextel Cup point leader Jeff Gordon made only five laps in practice, and was fifth on the time sheet behind Denny Hamlin -- who'll start alongside him on the front row Sunday due to qualifying being rained out -- Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, consistent road racer Ron Fellows and Jamie McMurray.

"It was good to just get some laps in with the new car, and on a track that we don't test at," Gordon said. "We had no idea [of what to expect]. We went and tested at Road Atlanta and ran at Sonoma [Infineon Raceway road course], which is a totally different kind of track.

"So it was valuable information we got in the few laps that we made. Obviously, we would like to have equivalent conditions when we practice as when we race, and I don't even know what the forecast is for Sunday. But I'm hoping [Saturday] morning we can get some clear weather because it's going to be critical to fine tuning this Chevrolet for the race on Sunday." (Continued)