UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 - Dodge Qualifying Quotes

KASEY KAHNE (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) – Pole Sitter

NOTE: Kahne led the way as three Evernham Motorsports Dodges qualified in the top 10 and three other Dodge drivers nailed down top-10 starting spots for Sunday’s race.

“That says a lot for Dodge and the Evernham Motorsports teams,” Kahne said. “We had a fast car, and I didn’t get in a good first lap, but the second lap was pretty good and it held up. I was a little nervous at the end with Newman and Busch out there on a cooler track, but we were able to hang on.”

JAMIE McMURRAY (No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge)

“This is the same car we ran at Rockingham. We pretty much made the commitment this year that if we found a car we liked we were going to run it until we either crash it or it’s not made for that track. We’ve been pretty good since we unloaded. I think we were ninth in practice. Our program is pretty strong all around right now, so I’m pretty pumped. It’s always an advantage starting up front. You get to pick a good pit stall and if your car isn’t right to start the race you don’t usually go a lap down. It just works out. It’s good for the guys. Last year we didn’t qualify well, but we could race well. That’s the one thing we wanted to improve on. It makes the whole weekend easier. We were a little loose in qualifying. I knew it was fast. Sticker tires, tape on the grille and a cool racetrack, it doesn’t get any better than that for qualifying. I saw everybody picking up three or four tenths. I knew we would be better. I knew we were fast, but I thought we were a little too loose for the pole.”

RYAN NEWMAN (No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge)

“The car felt pretty good. We were a little tight and missed it just a little bit. It was a good run for the ALLTEL Dodge. It’s close to where we qualified here last year, but I think we’ll have a good racecar for sure. We were going for it, and I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t get it. I think we were one of the few teams that didn’t come out here to test. Just to be able to come home with a top five is a lot to be said considering the new tires and rule changes and what not.”

BRENDAN GAUGHAN (No. 77 Kodak Easy Care Dodge)

“I love being at home. I actually get cheers. I feel like Dale Jr. It was a heck of a lap. We had a little meeting after practice. We rolled the dice, and that’s what Vegas is all about. The guys gave me a hell of a Kodak Dodge and we had a great lap. Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your breath and go. We weren’t that good in practice, so the guys rolled the dice on me and I did the best I could. It’ll be awesome starting in the top 10 here Sunday, especially after we were so awful in practice. This team never gives up, and the guys never gave up. We’ve got a lot of Dodges starting up front. Now we’ve just got to keep ‘em all up there.”

KASEY KAHNE (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) – Pole Sitter’s Interview

“It was a good lap. We took off out of the pits and got real loose. That killed my first lap. I didn’t drive it where it needed to be. The second lap really felt good. It felt a little bit better than practice. It’s a great deal to sit on the pole here at Las Vegas as a rookie. Our sponsor, UAW, is sponsoring the race, so it’s great to sit on the pole.

“We took some pictures with some of them. It’s cool, all the Dodge Dealers and everyone that supports Ray Evernham’s race teams are happy. All Ray’s cars are up front, and we’re looking forward to a great weekend.

“I wish I would have broken the track record and end up first on the Busch side, too. I actually left a lot on the table. I didn’t run as good of a first lap as I should have, but that’s my fault. Still qualifying third at Las Vegas… I enjoyed this track when we raced here last year (in Busch Series). It’s similar to a few other tracks we go to. It’s a good racetrack, and there’s a lot of racing room. You can carry a lot of speed around here. It’s definitely a fun track. When we came out here and tested, it helped us learn more about the track.

“It’s a real big start. So far we’ve done some things I wasn’t expecting to do. I don’t think anybody was. We definitely have good people and have a good race team right now. Tommy Baldwin is doing a great job as a crew chief. It’s nice to have somebody like Tommy and all the guys that worked with Bill last year and all the guys Tommy brought to this deal to work with every day. It’s a pleasure to work with those guys.

“Everything that Dodge has done to help these race teams over the winter has paid off. I think Dodge is the best car to have right now. Obviously Ray Evernham has done a lot with his teams. To have three Evernham Dodges in the top 10 is pretty impressive. To have six Dodges in the top 10, definitely everybody has worked really hard to get the cars balanced.

“I thought my first year in Busch that this was one of the tougher we went to. I felt it was one of my worse tracks. I think I’ve picked up some as a driver. The tires are a lot different this year, too. The cars slide around a lot more. It’s pretty cool when they slide around as long as they don’t come out from under you.

“I think that’s another reason all the Evernham Dodges are up front. All three of us tested out here and we all three had really good tests. We compared notes. That’s one thing Ray is doing at Evernham Motorsports, making all the teams as one. We all have learned a lot from each other. None of us practiced qualifying while we were out here, so we’re really looking forward to the race Sunday.

“Getting into the 9 car, obviously Bill Elliott had the best car or one of the best cars in the last 10 races, so getting in that car was definitely a big step. I wouldn’t expect to run second in my second race. I wouldn’t expect to sit on the pole at Las Vegas, but I think it has a lot to do with the team. We’ve just got to keep it up. I don’t really know where I should be or shouldn’t be, but I think we’re going to stay focused and stay in the direction we’re going.

“Actually I thought about the Bud Shootout a few minutes ago. I get to be in that. Bill raced it this year, so next year I’ll get to be in it. I won’t have to be up spotting with Ray.

“It’s always nice to lead the first lap. We’ll definitely try to lead the first lap. I’m not going to try to do anything stupid and crash or something like that. We’ll take that race like we took Rockingham. We paced ourselvest all day long and didn’t want to make any mistakes. We’ve got to go about it the same way and not make any mistakes. It’s a long race. With Tommy Baldwin helping me throughout the race, it keeps me calm.”

JEREMY MAYFIELD (No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge)

“I’m real happy with that lap, and I’m real proud of this team. The car is driving great, and I’m looking forward to the race on Sunday. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in the race.”

BILL ELLIOTT (No. 91 UAW/DaimlerChrysler/NTC Dodge)

“We ended up with a decent qualifying spot and now we can get ready for the race. I’m trying to learn these guys and what I want and what they want and work through this new chassis. We’ll be OK.”

RUSTY WALLACE (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)

“I was a little looser than I wanted to be. I wanted to be a little tighter, and I think that hurt my speed. It was a good, solid run, and I think we’ve got something for ‘em on Sunday.”