NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
Photos and story © 2006 Dwight Drum
Web work by Gary Larsen
Phone interviewer: Debbie Speicher

Driver, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet
Hendrick Motorsports

"We don't try too hard."

Few of us can admit that we haven't tried too hard in the past. Maybe most of us have pushed our abilities beyond realities and came up empty a time or two. The best life lesson is to relax and use your abilities to the maximum. It's tough to know a lot about cool, and a whole tougher to apply coolness. Without the right touch, a light decision, a smooth road is a hard turn for many. When you try too hard you often get more grind than forward movement. It's tough to define. It's tougher to avoid.

Two-time runner up to the NASCAR championship, Jimmie Johnson, always has a few quick words on many subjects, but also his focus seems quick and clear. Many believe a championship is Johnson's destiny. His time spent leading the points throughout several seasons is probably a good indicator of the future. Season 2006 has Johnson sitting on a sometimes slim but constant points lead. That's applying cool. Zoomster asked how.

Crew Chief Chad Knaus is the mind behind the wheels of the No. 48 car. His talent pushes him to the edge of mechanics, ergonomics, human relations and management. Knaus might be described as a street executive with skills that transfer to those who produce on the track. He has also been caught in the tight NASCAR filter of rules infractions, but he and his team seem to somehow overcome setbacks and produce comebacks. That's applying cool. Zoomster asked how.

Time: Midseason 2006
Place: Darlington Speedway, Darlington, S.C.
Event: Dodge Charger 500
Other sources: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teleconferences

You, Chad and your team overcome adversity and challenges time after time. Can you comment on how your team seems to rejuvenate so often?

"I don't have an explanation why. I'm glad that we've been able to produce during tough times especially with bad things happening with airplanes goping down and being able to produce on those days, that day in Atlanta. I don't know why it's happened. I'm not sure why we rebound back like we do. The only thing I can come up with is regardless of the situation our guys keep their cool and we maintain. We know our potential and we go out and strive for that. We don't try too hard. We don't go on the down side. "

"It's not going to work today, we're starting last because we crashed in practice, a plane went down and we're emotional wrecks. We're not going to do good. We don't allow that. We just go out and give 100 percent and we've been able to deliver doing that.

"Patience has been the key thing that pays off in every situation - whether behind the wheel or dealing with corporate folks or sponsors or team owners - patience has been the key."

"It depends....I think calm is a good thing, the team and everybody needs to see that stability. So it's something I try to put out there. Definitely there are times I'm more anxious and high strung inside, but try not to let it show. "

"It's a challenge, not only for myself but for everybody. It depends on what you see and I haven't been that calm inside so I don't know how it's going to come across." How does the experience of the hectic win pattern over the years play on you and your team as you win yet again at Lowe's Motor Speedway and look to winning more in the final races in the Chase to the Championship?

"It's just confidence. It just builds confidence and helps us believe in ourselves, believe in our team, and just stay focused on what the job is that we have to do."

"I don't think so. I think technology's always changing. There's different ways that you have to adjust and drive the car. I've seen that in my five years in the sport and also talking with Jeff about different things that he's experienced and has gone through."

"Technology changes. You have new guys like Kyle Busch that show up, Brian Vickers from my team, that I deal with. They come and they don't have a feeling that they're set on, a certain way the car has to drive. They just get in and go. They may have to drive a package that may feel wrong to someone that has a lot of experience. With all that in mind, I think you have to keep an open mind, and you never stop learning as a driver.

"It fuels the fire a little bit."

Dwight asked Chad Knaus:

"Obviously I think it's because I've got a group of guys who are incredibly hard workers. They like a challenge. When things seem to get old, they probably get a little bored. They like a challenge, they enjoy it. If we have a situation where we have an accident in practice or lose an engine or a crash or even if it's a slump in the season, they always thrive on trying to get back on top. They love to be able to prove people wrong. It fuels the fire a little bit."

"Oh yeah man. They're working all the time. When I think they see me working harder, and they work harder. I think all that energy just flows. The team has always been very, very aggressive and they enjoy going out there. Almost like when they get talked bad about in the press, they always want to go out there and prove everybody wrong. We'll show you."

More Jimmie Johnson thoughts

Debbie Speicher asked Jimmie Johnson:

"Definitely. On an oval, you're turning one direction all the time and so you can have the seat padded to support your body weight. On a road course, you're turning both directions and you can't do that. You don't have the padding to hold you in the seat. Secondly, you're on the brakes a lot - accelerating up and over hills. There are a lot of G-forces put on your body in different directions. It's demanding both physically and mentally."

"I would say the road courses (Sonoma and Watkins Glen) and Bristol."

The 48 team is on the move again in 2006 and leading in the points for the NASCAR NEXTEL Chase for the Championship. As the season peaks and rushes to the end it seems the 48 team is destined to be in the chase once again.