WINNING TODAY: “THERE ARE 30 CARS THAT COULD WIN
ON A GIVEN DAY INSTEAD OF 10”
Ken Schrader, driver of the #21 Little Debbie Fusion answers his fans questions about winning, cars, the Atlanta track, teammates, lapped cars and several other topics.
You've won at Atlanta before; why is it harder to win now a days? “There are 30 cars that could win on a given day instead of 10.”
You guys had a decent car at Kansas. Kansas has less banking than Atlanta. Would you still bring the same car to Atlanta that was used at Kansas? “I would think so, but I haven’t talked to Fatback about it so I really don’t know for sure.”
Do you prefer the old configuration of Atlanta or the newer Charlotte-type layout and why? “Whatever the track is what we’ve got to run so it really doesn’t make any difference. I didn’t like it when they changed it, but that is what the track is now and we’ll run there along with everyone else.”
Would having a teammate here make a difference? “It doesn’t make a difference on the racetrack. It makes no difference on the track. Where it makes a difference is the personnel and budget. On the track sometimes it’s a course. It’s not a given that it’s a plus. It’s all about budget and information.”
I don't see why lap cars should line-up in the left hand lane if there's a lucky dog rule, Maybe the whole pack should restart single file, please explain to me what you think and why? “You always race to get your lap back. The main reason of starting double file is for the fans. It is more exciting because they aren’t starting just plain old single file. That is one of those things that doesn’t make any difference on what you prefer. That’s what we’re doing. It’s worked wonderfully all these years and we don’t have a problem with so there is no need to change it.
In practice, do you ever run the car out of fuel to get an idea on the fuel mileage? “We definitely at some of the places run it out of gas.”
In practice, do you see how long you can run on a set of tires before you pit? “We just check tire wear to see how times fall off.
What do you do when you have to go to the men's room right in the middle of the race? “It’s never been an issue. You sweat out 8 to 10 pounds so.”
Do you ever snack under caution? “Don’t snack, but sometimes get a drink from the pits if it is a really hot day.”
Are you just as thrilled about being with the Wood Brothers next year as you were this year? “Yes, I am. I am really excited about it.?
Do you see improvement for the team in '07? “I definitely see room for improvement, but I think we are improving every week too.”
700 starts is a great milestone for you but it's also "Papa" Joe's Birthday, what emotion do you have? Do you have any special memories? “I’ve got a ton of special memories of Papa Joe, but they are just from all the time, not from any certain race or anything.”
Note: Wood Brothers Racing holds the record for wins and poles at Atlanta with 12 victories in 90 starts and nine poles.
Ken Schrader Career |
Starts
700
|
Poles
23 |
Wins
4 |
Top 5's
64 |
Top 10's
184 |
Wood Brothers Career |
Starts
1267 |
Poles
119 |
Wins
97 |
Top 5's
336 |
Top 10's
516 |
Schrader
at Atlanta
|
Starts
44
|
Poles
0 |
Wins
1 |
Top 5's
3 |
Top 10's
8 |
Wood Brothers at Atlanta
|
Starts
90 |
Poles
9 |
Wins
12 |
Top 5's
33 |
Top 10's
45 |
