Ricky Rudd on Darlington's soft walls: "Probably 80 percent of the cars bumped the wall during practice, but when the race got going it wasn't an issue."
Discussion points for Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus, this week include changes at Darlington, lights at Darlington, the magic with Fatback, pre-race charity rides and a different kind of cat.
How does the Darlington Raceway differ today from the way it used to be? "The race track hasn't changed in a lot of years. The biggest change was when they switched the backstretch to the frontstretch. That was a little awkward to get used to, mainly just not calling all the corners the wrong names. It is still the same old race track. That is probably one of the race tracks that has seen the least amount of change over the years. The big Darlington stripe deal is still around and still an issue, but back in the '60s they used to build the cars and brace the cars in a way that they would actually use the wall - they'd let it go in the corner, let the back end of the car rest on the corner and use it for a prop. But that was way before I came along. When I came along, if you got a Darlington stripe it wasn't because you planned on it. In fact, in the '60s they would do it on purpose to be able to run faster. But that's not the case anymore. They have added the soft walls, and a lot of people complained because the track was very narrow entering the corner anyway and they took race track away that wasn't there to give up. Probably 80 percent of the cars bumped the wall during practice, but when the race got going it wasn't an issue."
What do you think about a Darlington under the lights? "I really don't have an opinion. I've never run Darlington under the lights. But everywhere we go at night I've actually enjoyed the tracks better when we run under the lights. I'd rather run under the lights at most of these tracks that have been lit up. I'm sure the same group would do Darlington and I'm sure they would handle it correctly, and if it is like all the other tracks it would be better at night."
Do you think they should have left the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend? "Yes."
What in the world makes you and Fatback click? It seems like you are telepathically tied. "I really don't have an answer for that. But I know from day one when he came on my team in late 1999 it worked and clicked. It just seems to flow naturally. Every driver has a way of describing what his race car is doing, and I haven't changed that over the years. I pretty much give feedback the way I always have. Fatback seems to be one of the guys over the years that seems to be able to take that information and understand exactly what I'm saying the car is doing. It's like he is driving the car when I'm describing what it is doing. I'm just guessing, but it is like he puts himself in the car with my description and then he goes to work on it. Again, there are no real answers as to why. It just does work, and it is pretty amazing."
Can you explain how Fatback's setups differ from what you have had in the past? "I don't really know. When Fatback is working under the cars I don't know what is under the car and I don't really care. When other guys were working on it, I was more involved than I needed to be on knowing numbers. And I'm just not very good with that. I'm better at giving a description and letting the guys go to work on the car. I personally don't care what the numbers are. If it takes a ridiculous spring rate to make the car work, I'd rather not know about that so I don't end up with any preconceived idea of what will or will not work. I'm very open minded and my better success has been to just let the crew chief do his job and put under the car what he thinks will work, and I'll let him know if it is good or bad."
I saw you on TV with your wife and a special kind of cat. What kind of cat is it and where did you get it? "It's called a Bengal cat. You can pretty much find them in any city. There are different breeders for them. Ours came out of the Charlotte area. The breed is an Asian Leopard bred with a domestic cat. He is about the fifth litter down from the full-blooded leopard. He is really a nice cat. It is a cat that demands a lot of attention. It's not a cat like you might think, though. It's not a wild cat at all. It's a year old and it's never scratched, never hissed. But he likes to play a lot. He wants to play all the time. He likes to play chase. He acts more like a dog. He has more of a dog personality than a cat personality."
During driver introductions during the pre-race ceremonies, drivers are often ride in the back of a pick-up truck with a fan to go around the track. What do the drivers usually talk about and can you remember any funny or interesting conversations you've had? "I can't think of anything in particular. A lot of times they have paid a lot of money to have that opportunity. It's used as a way to raise money for charity, and I have a lot of respect for people who do that. A lot of them are really your fans, but a lot of them have charitable hearts and it has been for a good cause. It might be for Speedway Children's Charities or one of the others, but there usually is a charity involved. I've met people from all over the United States and Canada who have paid money for that opportunity. It's amazing the dedication."
