Raybestos Rookie Practice Notes: California

02-22-2007 | TruckSeries.com Report

Aaron Fike was the top Raybestos Rookie in both practice sessions today at California Speedway. Fike posted the ninth-best speed in the final practice this afternoon, which was cut short by rain.

Aaron Fike, No. 1 Red Horse Racing Toyota:
"I think our Toyota Tundra is pretty fast. We were in the top-10 in both practices and I thought that was pretty good. All the other guys in front of me have got a billion laps around here. We made a qualifying run there at the end and I was pretty loose. If we get 'er a little more tight I think we've got a shot at being in the top-five. I'd be happy with a top-15 starting spot. I think we've got a good truck for the race. I don't know about qualifying just because it was so loose."

The final practice was cut short by rain. Is that a disadvantage? "I think it hurt me because we didn't get to run. We were going to make a long green run and then come in and make a qualifying run so we only got to make a qualifying run so I think it hurt us a little bit. I think we've got a pretty decent truck. I just need all the laps I can get so that's what we were trying to do is get as many laps as we could, but obviously the weather didn't hold out."

How much track time do you have here? "I've ran a Busch race here but we didn't run very well . Something happened and I don't remember how many laps we ran. I've got a few laps around here but not in a truck."

Will the rain today change the track for qualifying and the race? "I don't know. I've never been in a truck before. Hopefully it gets a little more rubber out there before qualifying because I was pretty free."

Tyler Walker, No. 36 360 OTC Toyota:
"We unloaded and we were kind of loose but Doug Wolcott [crew chief] and everybody on the 360 OTC Toyota did a great job. They worked on it and worked on it and worked on it and I think we ended up 13th but we didn't do any qualifying runs. I think we're better off than what the board says. We didn't have time to make a qualifying mock-up. Our goal this weekend is to finish this race. We got through tech a little late and that put us out on the track a little late so we don't want to be in that position at Atlanta the next race. We want to go out there and be smart, run every lap and come home with a good finish for Bill Davis, Toyota and OTC."

The final practice was cut short by rain. Is that a disadvantage? "It's going to hurt us in qualifying because we didn't get a run. So I'm going to have to be a little patient in qualifying and feel the truck out which might hurt us because usually it's your first lap that's your best. I've got to go out there and be smart and get a solid qualifying run in. Hopefully we'll have a top-10 qualifying run and have a top-10 finish tomorrow."

Willie Allen, No. 13 Thorsport Chevrolet:
The final practice was cut short by rain. Is that a disadvantage?
"I don't think so. I feel like I picked up on the track pretty good. We had a little scrub with the wall there. That's the only thing that going to hurt us a little bit. I made a Q-run and it was a little too free. I had to chase it up and just barely got in the wall but I think we'll have a great racetruck for tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it."

How much of a guessing game is it to set the truck up so you qualify and race well? "I don't know. We're still trying to figure that out exactly. If it's good for qualifying then it seems to be free at the start of the race. I know that Lance [Hooper, crew chief] and the guys will come up with a good balance and I think we'll have a truck for tomorrow and we're looking forward to it. I hope we have a top-10 tomorrow night in the race and gain more experience and make it to the end ."

Is the most important thing to run all the laps in the race? "Oh yeah, exactly, and stay out of trouble. We got caught up in some stuff at Daytona and I just want to finish the race for the guys."