Q. You were the 13th-fastest qualifier for Sunday’s Daytona 500 with a speed of 187.274 m.p.h., and you won this race in 2003 and 2001. Are you prepared for the start of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and all the new provisions?
A. Everyone talks about how long and difficult the season is. But here we are a few days from Daytona and I can’t wait. I’m ready to get after it.
Q. How did you become interested in racing?
A. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to race cars. I remember the first time I ever raced with a Go Kart when I was 10 or 11 years old. I won, which flipped me out, because I loved playing other sports, but I was never very good at them. To have the ability to do the job was so cool. Then I raced for a long time in NASCAR (463 events) without a victory. It was really tough because I felt like I was talented enough and I knew enough about what I was doing that I should have won many times. So those times were really hard, because they were confusing me. Now that I have that behind me, instead of worrying about winning a race or two, I can concentrate on trying to win them all and wanting to be the champion.
Q. Your sport always has been a huge spectator event in the South and throughout rural America, but how do you explain its increased popularity in major markets?
A. The new TV package with Fox and NBC really has made that growth even more over the last couple of years in mainstream America.
Q. What role have the sponsors played in promoting drivers as sports personalities?
A. I have great sponsors in NAPA Auto Parts. And a new sponsor I have this year is Best Western, the official hotel of NASCAR. Best Western has a deal where they are going to donate money to the Victory Junction Camp, which is a camp that Kyle Petty started for seriously ill children. Our sponsors have put us on TV commercials and in front of the public in order to help sell their products. It makes us more visible and helps people understand more about our sport.
Q. I’m sure you often hear the debate as to whether racecar drivers are true athletes. I know that you ran in both the Boston and Tampa marathons in 2000. How much physical preparation goes into your training regimen?
A. I run a lot, and I think cardiovascular strength is the most important physical requirement. The race is so tough mentally that if you start to tire physically, it takes away your mental edge.
Q. The tragic death of Dale Earnhardt seemed to direct more attention toward your sport. Would you agree?
A. Dale was a great champion, and that was a tremendous loss. That was tough.
Q. I understand you’re a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Are many entertainers and professional athletes from other sports fascinated by your sport?
A. I have a lot of friends who play major-league baseball who follow us. A bunch of players from the Atlanta Braves came to watch us race [in Joliet] after a game at Wrigley Field. And a lot of rock stars come to the races.
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