Buddy Rice Year Quotations

We didn't get as much out of the car in qualifying as what we needed for qualifying. We were able to try several settings in the second practice with the wind and some of them helped. We want to be prepared for any kind of conditions in the race. Last year, we had some trouble early, but that was a freak deal. This year is a whole another year. Now we'll be ready for the race. We were able to run some race setup in practice with full tanks. I was pleased with the car in that configuration. We just couldn't get the speed for qualifying. Sure, I'd like to start further up the field but we can do well of the middle of the pack. The race is much different than qualifying.

No matter if I have a job for one weekend or for the next year, or three years, I'm going to drive the same way. That's the way I am. I'm going to give it everything I have.

Nobody in the paddock was happier to see last season end than I. I worked hard this off season and I am really looking forward to 2006. I am optimistic that this is going to be a big year for us. There is a lot of similarity between this year and 2004 in that a lot of people are overlooking us heading into the season. I think we will surprise a few of the so called experts.