Q:
Do you think Mark Martin will ask for advice on whether or not to really sit out the next race?
JG:
"I don't think he'd be coming to me for advice for that but I respect the fact that he's made a decision based on all the years he's been racing and the success that he has had, even though he hasn't won a championship. He's made that decision with his family. They've been committed to him all these years and following his dreams and I think that he's at the age and maturity level where he's recognized how important his family is and I respect that, that he wants to spend more time with them and not be caught up. This series is so competitive that no matter how good you do and you don't win the race, you can be miserable the whole week until the next race. That can just only build up and so your family puts up with a lot and I respect that he's made that commitment and promise to them and I think it's something he'll live up to."
Q:
Was the tyre all of it last week or does Vegas tell you something about Atlanta as well?
JG:
“Well, we ran really strong here last year. I think this. two things. One is that we ran really well here last year. Two is that I feel like we're just bringing better cars to the race track. I feel like from all aspects, aerodynamics, chassis set up, horsepower, that we've improved our race team this year. And it's already shown some. Last week's race didn't have anything to do with this week's race other than to see who has got their act together and who doesn't. That tire and that race track can be of no comparison to this one."
Q:
On Bill France Jr.
JG:
"He's passionate about it and even though maybe he might not be present here at the race track you'll still hear about it. If you're talking to Brian or Mike Helton or when I do see Bill 'I was watching this race and I said this' and he doesn't miss a beat. He's sharp as a tack and I think that it started with his father really instilling in him what is going to make this sport strong. I think he's just carried on that vision that his father had and then taking it to a whole new level of competition, to reaching out to the fans, to taking it outside of the Southeast and making it a lot more than just a stock car racing series. It's really the ultimate racing series in America and I don't even know if he ever really knew it was going to get to that level but it happened because of how hard he pushed for it and how passionate he was in the decision making of saying, 'this is what's happening, this is what we need to go after and this is how we have to get there."
![Jeff Gordon - DuPont Chevrolet [pic credit: image.net]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/289099.jpg)
