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When crew chief Mike Ford and his neophyte made the Chase last year, the pressure was minimal because they weren't supposed to be there in the first place.
Ford on the other hand, he belonged. No surprise there. The 37-year-old earned his racing stripes years ago. He's been a part of championship-winning teams and led drivers to Brickyard glory.
However, rookie Denny Hamlin? An unassuming, appeasing young man from Virginia. Hamlin, at first glance, was the last driver you'd pick for your fantasy team, let alone a driver to make the Chase.
Then Pocono happened.
Together, Hamlin and Ford swept both Pocono Cup races last season and continued the success with sixth- and third-place finishes this season. And this weekend, Ford is taking young Hamlin to New Hampshire, the first race of the Chase, where he scored his first Cup victory of 2007.
The pair is ready for their encore performance in the Chase and they're bringing the same attitude as last year: No pressure.
Q: We know Denny is confident heading to New Hampshire and you're taking the winning car to the track. But any areas of concern going into the Chase and what tracks are a concern?
Ford: Atlanta has been a struggle for us. Dover hasn't been our better track, but last time we were there we got a top five. Homestead is questionable, we finished third but we had to work for it. I will say that our strengths are the flats tracks: Martinsville, Loudon and Phoenix.
But Talladega is always going to be a crap shoot, that's a concern. A concern, but we were fastest in qualifying trim [Monday] during the test. We had some issues with bottoming out right off the truck but we got it figured out.
Q: Surely Denny has ways he mentally prepares for big races, but how does a crew chief recharge and renew the mind before game day? What are you doing to prepare for the Chase?
Ford: What I would like to be doing is a lot of cycling, I do a lot of bicycle riding, but can't because we are in Talladega this week before we go to New Hampshire. Then next week it's Daytona. So I'll probably just go to my motel, close the door, order pizza and throw myself into my notebook. I'd love to jump on a bike for a couple of days or watch my two boys' football practice. That really clears my mind.
Q: Seemingly the competition is stiffer this year over last year's Chase. Would you agree? If so, how will you step up your program?
Ford: Yeah, the competition is stronger this year. I think with the Hendrick, Gibbs and the Childress programs all in the Chase, any of those cars can win any week and do.
And there is a couple of possible factors; last year there was a smaller group and maybe the Car of Tomorrow plays a part, I don't know. When the competition is so close, it makes you look at strategy and avoiding mistakes, not making any mistakes is more important.
For us really, there's no other strategy than finish the race and if you can win the race, win the race. You more or less stick with what got you here.
Q: OK. Then who is your biggest concern: Hendrick, Richard Childress Racing or non-Chase drivers?
Ford: To be honest, ourselves, that is my biggest concern. I know we have the equipment to win and it's up to us and how we handle it. I'm not concerned with things outside our walls. We can win a championship or lose a championship right inside our own walls so I'll keep my focus on our race team.
Q: Your team made the Chase last year, so what did you learn then that may help you now?
Ford: One thing we had going for us is that we were relaxed because no one really expected us to do anything. No one thought we would be there. There were no expectations set, and to a degree, we will do the same thing. At the end, we were successful. You saw a lot of good teams last year let the pressure of being in the Chase get to them. In two or three weeks, they had taken themselves out of it. Just race the race each week. Don't worry about the points. If you do what you're supposed to do, the points will come.
You know what mistakes not to make and just try not to let things bother you. You almost become numb and insensitive to the world around you and completely focus on what is around you and have fun. Obviously we want to win a championship but we will get the most out of each day.
Q: Can you recall a specific costly mistake made last year?
Ford: If you look back, it hurt us when we went in to Charlotte and we were not as good in qualifying trim as we wanted to be. We didn't qualify well and ended up in the back. On the first lap, someone ran into us. During Happy Hour we had the best car, but a bad qualifying effort. That was costly.
Q: You joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005, but before that, you were with some big names like Dale Jarrett and Bill Elliott. What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Ford: I've been a part of some big races. Winning at Indy with Bill was probably my fondest memory. But this whole 11 car is pretty neat because we haven't done everything we are going to do yet. That puts a whole new perspective on things. With Bill, it was winding down and it meant something at a different level.
Q: Do you see a "Zippy and Tony" relationship in the making with you and Denny?
Ford: Well, we are still in the infant stages. We have a lot of respect for each other and knock down walls and talk about everything. We go through hard times, but difficult times make the relationship better. There's a possibility for our relationship to be that way.
Q: Are you still teaching Denny or does he know everything already, can you still tell him things?
Ford: Timing is everything. In high-pressure situations, at times, both of us are hard-headed. But if the timing is right, maybe the middle of week, we can talk through anything. It's more of a low pressure situation. But yeah he's still very much willing to learn.
Q: You've been an integral part of Hamlin's quick success. He was the first rookie to make the Chase and he's back again. Can you give us some insight into the relationship?
Ford: When we talked about putting him in the car, [end of 2005 season] one thing we emphasized was finishing races. And he did. He doesn't put himself on the other side of the edge and he has great car control.
One thing that helped him up front: He was humble. Also, he has a veteran crew and our group talked about what he was ready for and not ready for. The crew is made up of low-key veterans and they don't get excited and as a rookie I think that has helped with his comfort level. And we give him consistent equipment, that's always a plus. He pretty much knows what he is getting into each week. It helps him hone his skills as a driver better and find the comfort zone each week.
Q: And the pit crew? Denny was pretty vocal about the mistakes made in the pits. You made some adjustments but is everything squared away for the Chase?
Ford: Yeah. We knew going into the year that we needed to get a better pit crew and that was a huge focus for us in the off season. We weren't bad but we knew we would have to make some shifts. We actually just made one just a few weeks ago. And I'll say that I wouldn't want any other crew on pit road. We've built something really strong here and the attitudes are even stronger.
Q: You're perch on the pit box is a highly coveted position. What's it like sharing it with Denny's significant others? Do they ever help out or offer suggestions?
Ford: Ha, well they hear things they shouldn't hear that's for sure. We get vocal during the racing. At times, notebooks get crashed down and vulgar language is spewed. But that's our environment and you should respect it. That how we treat it anyway.
Q: Champions Week in New York City, lots of glitz and glitter, is that your style or would you prefer to have the banquet somewhere a little more down home?
Ford: If we win the championship, they can hold it in Honolulu for all I care. It's about what you've accomplished. We could even have the banquet at the shop. I'd be OK with that. It's the accomplishment, not the celebration.
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