“To see those guys carry out what they did during that race, and watch them work flawlessly, I mean flawlessly through out that whole race, pit stops, pit calls, strategy, preparation of that vehicle throughout all of that week and throughout all of practice, I was as proud of a person I could have possibly been. I couldn't have been happier to see a race team be so successful and when they pulled in to victory lane, I was happy. But I am not going to lie to you, I had a little tear in my eye wishing that I was there."
Q.
HOW DOES THIS TEAM CONTINUE THIS MOMENTUM FOR THREE MORE RACES WITHOUT YOU AT THE TRACK? COULD IT PUT YOU BEHIND FOR YOUR CHANCE AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
CHAD KNAUS
"This is a really good question. This is something I think this team thrives upon. I don't know, I think maybe we are all a little sick. I don't understand it but whenever this 48 team has a little bit of an adversity or challenge put out there in front of them, they seem to step up. You have to understand they have set the goal very high after winning the
Daytona 500, the biggest race of the year, without me being there. Our goals as a team were to run in the top-10 for the first half of the first 26 races and to establish ourselves in the top-10 in points. The goal for the next three weeks I am gone is to go out there and to run competitively, run in the top-10 and to make sure we are established. Then it will all shake out when we get closer to the final ten events. The first 26 races are relatively irrelevant as long as you are in the top 10 and that is what we are shooting for and I feel like those guys can carry out those goals and move on."
Q.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THE TEAM FACES THE NEXT THREE WEEKS WITHOUT YOU?
CHAD KNAUS
"The challenges are going to be everything. From making sure the guys get to the race track on time, making sure the car is set-up properly; making sure everyone makes it to the airport on time. There are a lot of things they are all individually step up and do. You know, that is the thing, there are a lot of things you don't realize the crew chief now days, from my stand point, it is not just setting up the car. It is watching the guys, making sure they all dress right, they are clean shaven, and all that kind of stuff that truly contributes to the performance of the team and the perception of the team are all the responsibility of these guys now.
