Welcome race fans to the press conference held for the NASCAR Amino Sim Series today on March 14th, 2019.
Before we start, We'd like to start with a moment of silence for Charlie Whiting, FIA F1 Race director, who ed away recently due to a pulmonary embolism at the age of 66, he was a fantastic race director, always listening to drivers and making F1 a safe place to be.
And now, the official transcript.
Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Fernando Alonso, and Daniel Suarez enter.
NASS founder and race director, Canti: "Welcome, drivers, to our first ever press conference. As you all know, Michigan is this weekend, and today we'll gather some of what's going through your head and next week we'll take some questions from the amino ."
"But for now, some questions from the floor. Yes?"
Eddie Lopez - MajorLeague NASCAR: "Yes, for Clint... Um, you finished 9th at the Guns N Roses 300. How did it feel driving Panasonic equipment?"
Clint Bowyer: I'll be honest, it's really great equipment, not just for me of course, but for Fernando, Nelson, and Daniel. Now I mean, that's easy for me to say because I actually scored points that race! But I really do think that we can take that 9th and turn it into a 1st, maybe even do that here in Michigan? I mean, I have nooo clue how the racing is gonna be, it's always crazy in the league. I love it, it keeps us on our toes."
John Hanson - Nyoom news: "A question for Fernando. How have your first few NASS races been?"
Fernando Alonso: *sips water* "Augh. I win Daytona and then the engine blows at Talladega. I have raced in cars like that before, so 1 failure is ehh no big deal. We can continue the great pace the car has all season for sure, I think we will have wins in the 9 car. I would rather race the 14 but you know, it is what it is."
Walter Koster - Saabrucker Zeitung: "Quite another question: gentlemen, a short view back to the past. Thirty years ago, Niki Lauda told us ‘take a monkey, place him into the cockpit and he is able to drive the car.’ Thirty years later, Sebastian told us ‘I had to start my car like a computer, it’s very complicated.’ And Nico Rosberg said that during the race – I don’t what race - he pressed the wrong button on the wheel. Question for you both: is Formula One driving today too complicated with twenty and more buttons on the wheel, are you too much under effort, under pressure? What are your wishes for the future concerning the technical programme during the race? Less buttons, more? Or less and more communication with your engineers?"
Tony Stewart: "Well to answer your questions, quite honestly I think that Formula One is doing great in the Tech department, but Formula E is doing it better. However, this ain't F1 bud. Next."
Hideki Hiroaki - NASCAR Japan: " A question for Kyle Busch, can you give us your opinion on the NASCAR Amino Sim Series cars?
Kyle Busch: "well put it simply we have a specific parameter to build these cars in and as a result they look alot like your normal everyday NASCAR Stock car, but in reality if you take a closer look you'll notice a few things:
for one, we have much stronger engines, 900HP V8 engines, crazy strong, so it's a battle of skill to not spin suddenly or not explode your engine completely. You'll also notice that the bottom isnt sealed off at all since the minimum ride height is too high, so dirty air is less of a problem, and the floor is flat for the exception of a diff producing enough downforce to get us to turn without hitting the wall. Mind you this diff is the only thing we're allowed to have on the car's floor. So, I'm telling you all of this, because it's essential to understand this one thing: the car drives very differently from anything else I've ever driven. Its very demanding to drive, and honestly its really fun because of it. I think these guys can also agree so, yeah. I'm running a bit long so I'll shut up now."
Jacques McCarthy, NASCAR Canada: " Question for Daniel, when will you start racking up points in the NASS series?"
Daniel Suarez: "Ha ha, oh God. Well, I didnt really start scoring until something like halfway through season one. Hell, back then only the top 3 scored out of anywhere from 39 to 42 cars, and a bunch of part timers won races. So... Looking into my strong preformance in those conditions, I think very soon. Possibly Michigan."
Kim Delisle - NASCAR United: "Well I've got a question for Jeff Gordon. Jeff, you've gotten your first ever NASS win, after switching from Team Possible to Slick Scott Racing. What are your thoughts on that whole Transition?"
Jeff Gordon: "Well, Team Possible provided strong equipment, we finished 1-2 in our first race. It fell off after The Incredibles 200, so we ended up struggling the whole preseason. We got one top ten finish, finished 52nd at my favorite track, and the owners left. SlickScott Racing won right away, so I think I made the right choice."
Ingrid Kavanaugh - Super Motorsports: "Question for Tony, Tony, what races will you run for this season?"
Tony Stewart: "I talked it over with Canti, and I've decided I'll run Sonoma, Apathetic, COTA, Charlotte Roval, and Gateway in the #15 Bass Pro Shops Toyota."
Canti: "and time. The conference is now over."
The drivers get up and leave.
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