I would say Matt is unquestionably one of the top three drivers-if not the best driver-out there right now. But don't ask me to rank the rest of them above or below that. I mean, everyone at this level is at the top of the sport, but to race week after week with guys like Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte-guys that I respect, like, and admire-is pretty cool. Tony Stewart? Man, he can get up on that wheel. But then, so can the rest of the Top 10, or 15, or even 20. Jimmie Johnson? Wow-he keeps getting better. Ryan Newman? Kurt Busch? They're all tough, tough, tough-and it seems like it's going to be a lot of years of having to beat those guys to get anywhere near the top.
It's not the end of the world if we don't win the championship this year, but it damn sure may feel like it! I think we can continue to improve in all areas of our team, and we still need to overcome some weaknesses-like Rocking-ham and the road courses-but that list gets shorter every year. When we get those mastered, then look out!
Win or lose, I'm very proud of what I've accomplished in racing. I never expected to make it this far, and each week at the track is another chance to appreciate how far I have come.
To be able to say, "I am a winning driver in the Winston Cup Series," well, sometimes that's overwhelming. And I can't imagine the feeling of being called "The Champ." It may soon be a reality. This is our best shot.