James Finch has always had pretty stout cars for the restrictor-plate races and I know we'll be very competitive at Daytona.

There are a lot of lessons that you learn, and you have to learn them quickly if you want to be competitive at this top level.

I wouldn't say it came easy, but I understood how to win and I determined how I could do it.

Each driver has their own identity and from one week to another, normally it stays the same.

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

When Jimmie Johnson goes out early and finishes 35th, as he did Sunday, he can look at the cameras, lament about it being a tough day, and then say, 'We'll just try to get them next week at Darlington'.

Dale Earnhardt told me it doesn't matter if fans boo or cheer, as long as they're making noise.