Name: Alexis Jarrett
City, State: Schererville, IN
Question: Is there any difference between the suspension in the COT and the 'old' car and if so, how difficult is it to prepare both cars this season for the various races?
ANSWER: There isn't a lot of difference really. There are minor things that are different but nothing that takes an extraordinary amount of time to prepare and as for how difficult it's been to prepare both cars, it hasn't been hard as far as the actual work goes but it has been tough as far as having time to do all the work.
Name: Bob
City, State: Eleanor, W. Va.
Question: Hi, I'm a big D.J. fan have been ever since he began racing. I'm wondering what the biggest problem that the team has to overcome to become a threat for wins and run up front?
ANSWER: Honestly, the biggest thing is getting through qualifying and making races on a consistent basis. Once we are in races on a weekly basis then we have the ability to figure out what areas in which we need to improve and get our cars up front, winning races.
Name: Katherine
City, State: Crossville, Tenn.
Questions: How did you get your start in racing?
ANSWER: It was about 10 years ago. I basically just left my hometown in Ohio where I had a body shop. I drove down to North Carolina and started going door-to-door.
Name: Anthony
City, State: Valhalla, NY
Question: What education do you need to become a race car mechanic?
ANSWER: Honestly, the best education is experience but that's harder to get these days with the competition for jobs being what it is. If I was a young guy starting out again I would say a technical school would be the best route to follow.
Name: Jeff
City, State: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Question: Do you ever get tired on the road and are the guys fun to work with? They look like fun, thanks.
ANSWER: Well it does get tiring when you have long trips that are back-to-back like when we went from Michigan to Sonoma, California to New Hampshire. But for the most part, you really get used to it once you've done this as long as I have so it isn't a big issue, and yes, I do get along with the guys on the team. It's hard not to when you're together as much as we are on the race weekends.
Name: Stephanie
City, State: Williamsport, Pa.
Question: What are your favorite and least favorite things about racing?
ANSWER: My least favorite thing is getting up early because our garages open pretty early - sometimes as early as 6 a.m. which means we are at the track no later than 5:30 a.m. because you have to be there ready to go. So that's my least favorite thing. My favorite things are the practices and the thrash that goes into getting ready to qualify and race. That's an adrenaline rush.
Name: Brian
City, State: Portland, Ore.
Question: What are your responsibilities on race weekends?
ANSWER: I am responsible for the front-end area of the car. I change the front springs, adjust the camber, basically anything to do with the front suspension of the car. Then on race day I am part of the pit crew and do the catch can duties.
