Pre-Race Levity
In case you missed The Countdown to Green, or whatever they call it:
<JEFF GORDON TO ESPN REPORTER JAMIE LITTLE ON THE EMPHASIS OF EARNING EXTRA POINTS FOR WINS IN THE CHASE FOR THE NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP - “If we were in the Chase we’d want to get bonus points for leading laps, leading the most laps, every point and every position counts. I think that you’ve got to give a lot credit to NASCAR in making the changes this year and pushing guys to win races as hard as you are. Last week was proof of that. I was pushing really hard, I wanted that win and had the opportunity to get it. I pushed too hard. I think that right now we’re in a position to do that and take those risks. Unfortunately that risk didn’t pay off for us and gave Tony (Stewart) 10 points instead. It was a tough week, but I’m excited to be back here at Michigan on the pole and with Steve Letarte as my crew chief.”
JAMIE LITTLE TO NASCAR DRIVER TONY STEWART – “Speaking of – this is the man (Tony Stewart) you gave the extra 10 points to.”
TONY STEWART TO JEFF GORDON - “Did I say thanks lately?”
JEFF GORDON – “Yeah, but you know what? While I was smiling about you spinning out going into Turn 1, you were smiling much bigger later.”
TONY STEWART – “I wasn’t smiling because I about blew the corner myself going, ‘Wait a minute. Did the sky just fall?’ ”
TONY STEWART, ON JEFF GORDON “GIVING” HIM THE EXTRA 10 POINTS – “He’s a father now and he understands. He’s really giving now and everything. He’s a kinder even gentler Jeff Gordon than before. I mean, he’s a great guy.”
JEFF GORDON – “You can repay me later.”
TONY STEWART – “I’ll bake you a cake or cookies or something.”
JEFF GORDON – “That would be good.”