WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR OFF WEEK? "We had a chance to go down to the Athletes' Performance Center in Tempe, Arizona, where the Red Sox players work out.  I learned a lot about nutrition and how to be prepared from a fitness level and nutrition stand point.  I really had a good time.  I enjoyed myself and learned a lot about my body and looking forward to put those things to good use as the races get harder, hotter and longer."

CAN YOU APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED THERE TO YOUR REGULAR TRAINING?  "I think so.  They taught me a lot about how to eat right, how to prepare for a four-hour race in terms of what to eat and how to drink.  Also, the working-out aspect of things, and even just being fit and prepared.  I think a lot of that carries over into driving these race cars."

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A RACE WHERE YOU HAVEN'T RACED BEFORE? "Luckily for us, we had the chance to take the No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150 to Atlanta and test there in January.  For me, being able to test on a race track that I've never been to, it was a big help. To have my teammate Erik Darnell there was very helpful.  I learned a lot and I think I have a good understanding of the race track when I go out there this week in the first session.  It won't take me a full tire or fuel run to kind of figure out where the race track goes. I should know a little bit better about where to drive and what line sight I need to be running on.  In California I was able to watch some of the Nationwide practice on top of Carl Edward's trailer. When you watch practices up there, it gives you a chance to see what the race track is doing.  In addition to seeing what the track is doing, it gives me a chance to be a part of what is going on."

ATLANTA IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE FASTEST TRACK ON THE CIRCUIT.  WHAT HAVE YOUR ROUSH FENWAY RACING TEAMMATES SAID? "Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle have been helping me out quite a bit and so have my truck teammates Erik Darnell and Travis Kvapil.  Those guys have been real helpful.  They're helping me out in how to drive this fast race track.  Obviously having a crew chief like Mike Beam and a spotter like Bobby Hudson, there are quite a few people who all want to help me out and trying to do everything they can to teach me how to drive that race track.  I'm looking forward to going there and getting the chance to run again.  It was kind of weird to have an off week, so I'm looking forward to getting back to driving again."

WHILE TESTING, DID YOU GET THE SENSATION THAT THE TRACK WAS THAT MUCH FASTER THAN OTHERS?  "I really didn't get that sensation in Atlanta when we were there for the test.  It felt fast but it didn't feel unbelievably quick.  I think that has a lot to do with the new restrictor they put in this truck.  When we went out at tested in Las Vegas, we were flat out around the whole race track, pretty much, and we were flat out around the whole race track in Atlanta as well.  I'm not really sure that there's a big difference in the trucks in terms of the speed or the sensation of the speed.  When we were at the open test in Atlanta, we were the fastest Roush truck, so we were pleased with that.  I hope what we learned at the test can apply to the race this weekend."

CAN YOU USE WHAT YOU LEARNED IN TESTING DURING THE RACE? "I think testing, for us, carries over quite a bit.  We learned some things and the biggest thing was that I was able to go out on the race track and figure out how it feels and where to drive.  I was able to race with a few people and that was really helpful for me."

ARE YOU GETTING MORE COMFORTABLE IN THE DRAFT?  "Yes, I'm getting more comfortable in the draft.  We're starting to figure out a little more about the draft every weekend. Every race I'm in, I learn more about driving these trucks in traffic and how they feel in traffic and around other trucks.  The more laps I can do, the better."

ON THE NO. 6 CON-WAY FREIGHT FORD F-150 TEAM.  "I think the whole team is doing a great job at adapting and I think just having guys like Mike Beam and Bobby Hudson and all the drivers at Roush Fenway Racing help has been just a huge help for me.  Getting used to these race tracks, I feel like I go out to these race tracks and at least I know a little bit about what these guys are talking about.  I can do a few laps, and then I can kind of figure out what I know.  I'll take what I've learned and what they've taught me and everything clicks and it really makes sense.  Being on the track, then talking with the crew, I really understand more of what they are telling me."