With six top-five finishes in the last eight NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, Johnny Sauter has been on a roll throughout the summer. But as the "dog days" of August approach, Sauter isn't satisfied with just racking up top-fives -- he is hungry to get back into victory lane. Sauter built his reputation as a winner and an "ask no quarter, give no quarter" racer, and with the ultra-fast Bristol Motor Speedway in the windshield Sauter and the No. 13 In Country Television/Curb Records Chevy know they have an excellent chance to pick up their second victory of the 2010 season.
Did you prefer the "old" Bristol or do you like the "new" reconfigured track and progressive banking more?
"I really liked the old track. I know now there's a couple more grooves and we have more room to move up the track, but I miss the physical style of racing there. When they reconfigured it, I ran the first Cup race there and qualified 40th. We ran the first 115 laps under green and we moved up to 15th, but I thought it was boring. There wasn't any bump-and-run or that old-style short track racing that we all grew up with. With the old track if you were behind someone and you were faster and you couldn't get around him you'd just give him a shot on the bumper and move him up the track. It would really take your breath away, and I don't think you see that at Bristol much now."
What's the most challenging part of racing at Bristol?
"It's just like it is every week, you have to find that right handling package that helps you keep your truck turning all night long. Last year Matt Crafton and I went there with two totally different setups, he ended up second and we were 18th. That's the biggest hurdle, is finding what will keep you turning and let you lay the power down off the corner."
How does Bristol compare to Winchester and Salem, the legendary two high-banked short tracks in the Midwest?
"Those two tracks are fast and ultra high banked just like Bristol. They don't drive alike because at Salem and Winchester you run right up next to the wall, but in the seat you still feel the same speed and G-forces. Things happen so fast at those places so even though they aren't all that alike in the way you drive them just getting that experience is a big help. These tracks are so fast that something can happen in turn three when you're in turn one and you can get caught up in it."
