tool name
closeHendrick has been here before, but he's still pacing
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
Team owner Rick Hendrick has already won seven Cup championships, so you might think that he would be immune to the pressure of a title chase.
You would be wrong.
Even with Jimmie Johnson needing only to finish 36th or better on Sunday - 37th if he leads a lap - to assure Hendrick of a third straight Cup title and his eighth overall, Hendrick is battling a case of nerves.
"You know, I wish I could tell you that I've gotten used to it, but I (haven't)," Hendrick said. "I think I get more nervous, or as nervous as I ever have."
Johnson virtually wrapped up the title with a dominating victory last week at Phoenix, but Hendrick said it wasn't an easy day for him.
"That was the longest race that I ever can remember," the owner said. "You've just got so much riding on it. ... In the Chase anything can happen. It just brings a lot of pressure and a lot of nervousness, I guess, and I don't get used to it."
Hendrick, who also fields Cup cars for four-time champion Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears, said he expects Sunday to be a stressful day.
"Sunday morning when they line up and start is when I'll wear out my shoes going back and forth down pit road because I can't stand still," he explained.
"We think we've got a really good shot at closing the deal, but we could have the motor problem like Jeff (Gordon) did (at Phoenix) in the first 10 laps, and then we're done. So I'll rest better Sunday night, hopefully."