Atlanta: Pre-race notes, quotes

2006 CROWN ROYAL IROC PRE- RACE QUOTES
Race Four Finale, Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton, Ga (October 26, 2006) - Crown Royal IROC XXX will conclude the 2006 season on Saturday, October 28, 2006 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The $1 million Race Four finale will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel at 3:00 p.m. ET. The following quotes were collected between Monday, October 23 and Thursday, October 26.

Sam Hornish Jr.: "Everything went pretty good despite the wind out here today which was moving the cars around a little bit. But I feel pretty comfortable so far for the first day, but no matter how comfortable you get during practice it all changes once we get everybody out there for the race. I certainly would like add an IROC race win to what has been a pretty good year for me."

Frank Kimmel: "We had a really good test (yesterday and today (Wednesday and Thursday)," said Kimmel. "It is great to be back here at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This is a great race track and I always ran well here in the ARCA cars so it is pretty exciting to get to race the IROC cars around this track. I would really like to have a good run Saturday to finish out my first season of IROC competition. I feel like I have had some solid runs in these cars and would like nothing better than to finish the season with a top run here at Atlanta. The IROC team members have done a great job getting all these cars ready for us and I hate that we lost a motor in one of the test cars that I was driving this afternoon. But we all put a lot of laps on these cars and they are always in top condition."

Steve Kinser: "Actually, I feel pretty good. I've been pretty comfortable here in past IROC races, but my results haven't shown it. For the race this year, I'm just going to get out there, have a good time and give it my best shot. Like I said, I'm comfortable enough in the cars to race hard, so hopefully we'll have a good race and a good finish to the season on Saturday."

Max Papis: "It feels great to back in the saddle with IROC. The opportunity IROC offers the drivers by being here all week and making the cars available to get in as many laps as you need before the race really helps out a lot. I can tell you I'm very excited about this race knowing that I'm actually in contention for the championship. I'm especially proud because I'm the only non-stock car driver in that position. I would really like to get that missing piece of the puzzle -- Celebrating an IROC victory in winner's circle. I know it's going to be tough but I'll give it everything I can."

Scott Sharp: "Things are going great and I'm excited about the race. Jay (Signore) and the IROC team are great about giving us non-stock car regulars as much time as possible to get as comfortable as we can in a short period of time before each of the IROC races. "

Sharp continued, "It's been a real fun season for me in IROC. I think every race I've run really well, but unfortunately I've gotten involved in someone else's issue's, but it's still been a lot of fun and hopefully we'll end it on a high-note on Saturday."

Tony Stewart: "Any time you can win a championship it's big. But the IROC championship to compete against so many different drivers from so many different disciplines and to beat them in a series where the cars are so evenly matched, that's big. It really is about driving the cars, and whoever does the best job driving their car is going to win the championship. If you can beat those guys on talent and not because you've got a better race car, that's a great honor. It would rank right up there with the rest of the championships I've won, that's for sure."

Wayne Taylor: "I'm feeling so much better than I did the first couple of days, I've had so much to learn. In the last two day's I really started understanding what it is I need to do for this race. The IROC test drivers have been working really well with me and I believe even if we get rained out of practice tomorrow, I'll be ready and looking forward to the race."

-credit: iroc