It was such a dramatic escalator that I was on. It was at 90 degrees. I was going straight up like a rocket ship into space. And I was thrown in with the sharks. They said sink or swim in this Cup deal.

James Finch is exactly what I'm looking for, as far as getting back into the race car to have fun.

It's almost therapeutic driving there and driving back (to North Carolina), with the time you get to think about things as well as create checklists.

Is my strike zone bigger than others? Yeah. It might be bigger than others, but I don't have a problem with it.

I'm technologically challenged, so I finally hooked up Bluetooth in my truck so I can talk going down the road.

I also appreciate the lasting friendships I've made while working with our great sponsors through the years, including Miller Lite, Shell and Dodge.

I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years. Together we won a lot of races - 16 in all. I'm proud that we won on a variety of tracks.