Quotes of the Week
"We wanted everyone to know that unification was not the answer," said Kalkhoven, a native Australian who makes his home in Alamo. "It's a rebuilding process. The early signs are there. … But we still have a lot of work to do. It's a journey now, not a destination." Former Champ Car World Series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven shares the optimism drivers have with regard to the future. Nonetheless, as the current owner of the KV Racing Technology team, Kalkhoven invoked his venture capital background when thinking about unification and the long-term health of the series. "It's just a shame it took 13 years and ruined a fan base." Scott Dixon commenting on unification of IRL and Champ Car and the damage done to the fan base as a result of the IRL being created to undermine a very successful CART series.
08/18/08
"That was a really poor and foolish decision on the part of our key guys. A couple of guys chose to make a decision there that really impacts all of us. To me, the frustrating part is, why? I know they're probably frustrated from the standpoint of wanting to show that, hey, we have less horsepower than ever before and wanting it to look like we're handicapped even more than we actually were. I understand that, but that's not an excuse. If this alleged incident proves true, it goes against everything we stand for as an organization. We will take full responsibility and accept any penalties NASCAR levies against us. We will also investigate internally how this incident took place and who was involved and make whatever decisions are necessary to ensure that this kind of situation never happens again. The expectations we set for everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing begins with me, and I personally apologize to NASCAR, our partners and our fans for the negative light this situation has cast upon all of us." J.D. Gibbs, President, Joe Gibbs Racing, commenting on NASCAR inspectors catching Joe Gibbs Racing trying to alter the result of chassis dyno tests on the Nationwide Series cars of Tony Stewart and Joey Logano.
"We came here with a new engine package, and we're a bubble driver. We just make stupid choices. We can't keep our cars together. We have dash malfunctions, motors breaking. At this point, we don't even deserve to be in the Chase." Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, commenting after his engine blew on Lap 194 of the Michigan International Speedway race.
"From what I'm told by Scott Speed and Juan Pablo Montoya, the engineers sort of set it up and they drive it for you. They tell you where to brake, how fast to go through that corner and stuff. If they tell me to go wide open through one corner, I'd better hope it sticks because I'm going to do it." Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, commenting on testing a Toyota Formula 1 car
"This whole deal is like a mother dog eating her pups." Unidentified team owner commenting on single-car NASCAR Nationwide teams transitioning to a new car of tomorrow style for the 2010 season.
"Formula one was always my dream, always way above NASCAR. In my mind, I have accomplished what I'm going to in my life. I did absolutely nothing in F1, but I'm 1000 per cent satisfied. It's like going to college of the world. I never went to college, but I know a lot because I had the opportunity to live in Europe and travel the world. Now I get to come back and I'm the cultured one. There is a lot of money in NASCAR, but everyone is still pretty simple." Scott Speed, ARCA/REMAX and NASCAR driver, Red Bull Racing
"I suspect the Ferrari is still the best car but it is being spoiled by errors from the command post and by the drivers. Ferrari need to decide on who to put the money on — Massa or Raikkonen." Cesare Fiorio, former Ferrari boss who preceded Jean Todt
"Kimi seems to have the same trouble as Heidfeld in getting the car going for a fast lap. He has been champion already. Sometimes it appears he wants to watch rather than race." Marc Surer, ex-Formula One driver who is now a Swiss commentator
"I am still the same guy. If I am in a race, then I want to win it. It is never great fun to be fifth or sixth — even third place doesn't feel so great to me any more. I only want to win. Of course I want more. Whoever thinks I am content or tired are completely wrong. If we do not get both championship titles at the end of the season, then we will be disappointed." Kimi Raikkonen, reigning Formula One World Champion, Ferrari
"It's nothing against Nick, but unlike Kubica he is not a driver who can win a world championship. If you can secure an Alonso for the long term, then you must." Hans Stuck, ex-Formula One driver who now heads up Volkswagen's racing division