Scott Wimmer Quotes:
During the next two weeks, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will hold back-to-back races at two intermediate tracks. How is the intermediate program faring this year for the No. 22 CAT Racing team and Bill Davis Racing as a whole?
“Our mile-and-a-half program has improved a good bit this year compared to last year. It is something we really targeted during the off-season. We’ve run better, although the results don’t always show it. We’ve run up around the front at most of the intermediate tracks. It just seems like something always strikes at some point to derail us from maintaining those strong runs, but our intermediate cars are better and stronger. With a little more work and more time this upcoming off-season, I know it will only improve in 2006. Hopefully, with Michael [Waltrip] and NAPA coming on board, that is just going to make the intermediate program that much stronger, as well.

“We’re taking an impressive car with us to Kansas this weekend. It really put out some impressive power and was just a well-balanced car when we ran it at Lowe’s Motor Speedway earlier this year in the All-Star event and Coca-Cola 600. I know it’s capable of carrying us to the front, as long as we can get it in tune with Kansas Speedway and as always, stay out of trouble. My spotter, Mike Brown, and I did a good job working together to avoid two very close calls at Talladega this past weekend. Hopefully, we will be able to duplicate the same teamwork and escape tactics this weekend, if the situation presents itself again … but hopefully it won’t be necessary.”

How did your last race at Kansas Speedway play out?
“We had a real good race car the last time we visited Kansas Speedway. Unfortunately, we went down a lap early in the race due to a flat tire. Then we had a bolt go through the radiator, and that knocked us out of the race altogether. It was disappointing because the car was real good, and it was one of those days where nothing seemed to be going our way no matter what we did. We tried to rebound from the tire incident, but the radiator problem was the final blow. The car was definitely capable of grabbing us at least a top 15 [finish].

“Kansas is very similar to Chicago, Las Vegas and Texas. They are all the same size and shape, but each has its own unique banking and the grooves are different. From what I’ve seen, Kansas has always seemed to have real good racing since its inaugural event back in 2001. With the track surface getting more worn and weathered, it is really going to create some great, multiple-groove racing, which will make it better for passing all around.”

Do you have any big plans for the weekend?
“We have some family coming in to visit and watch me race. My wife [Jody] and son are going to be able to make it to the track this weekend, so I always look forward to getting to spend a weekend and the extra time with them. I know I will be on baby-sitting duty one day so Jody can go and have some free time with her girlfriends, which I am sure will involve shopping somewhere in Kansas.”