Every now and then, things just seem to go right, and 2001 was one of those years. I had signed with Pratt and Miller initially to just do the endurance races....Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans and Petite Le Mans. Things started off great with us winning Daytona, a race I had been trying to win since 1991. Then...not long after, I got a call saying that Chris Kneifel was going to take the job as CART chief steward, and that if I wanted, I could do the whole season. From that point on Ron and I began what was an incredible season in the ALMS. Out of the 8 races we competed in...we won 5, had a second and a third...and one DNF at the Petite Le Mans. That DNF hurt a ton as it meant that neither Ron nor myself would get the drivers championship. But when you look back and combine the win at Daytona, and also the win we got at the 24 hours of Le Mans....well not many guys have seasons like that. For sure one really big highlight of the season occurred at Daytona where Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. joined the team on the number 4 car. As it turned out in the race, Dale Sr. and I were often on the track together, and being able to draft with him on the oval portions of the circuit was amazing. Both he and Junior were incredible to work with, and I know all of our memories from that weekend are something we can always look back upon with a smile. Another amazing weekend was at Le Mans. I had previously been there when it rained, and it really was not so difficult. But in 2001, with it raining non-stop, well it was without a doubt the most dangerous conditions I have ever raced in. There were times during the night, when it was raining so hard, and the spray from the other cars was so thick, that going down Mulsanne you were honestly looking out the side windows to get an idea for where to brake, as looking forward you would see nothing. It was amazing that no one got hurt or had a big off. Anyway, the car ran great, and for the second time in my career I got a class win at Le Mans. Standing on the podium there....with the crowd all before you on the front straight....is without a doubt one of the coolest experiences in the world. As I look back now, at the 2001 season, I'm pleased with a lot of things. First off, I was lucky to get put with a great teammate. Without a doubt Ron is extremely strong as a race driver. He and I pushed each other all year, and I think both got stronger. As important to me as his speed, is the fact that he is truly a stand up guy. Quite simply you won't find many people that possess his level of integrity. Secondly, I was fortunate that all the guys working on our car were so good. It's nice showing up on race day knowing that you have the car to beat, and that certainly was the case. And finally, man was it nice getting to work with all the GM guys. Being part of a factory effort is what every driver strives for, and the folks at General Motors definitely give us the tools we need. No promises, but I am guessing that 2002 will be a lot like 2001....only better. Oh yeah...one other thing that is awesome about the Corvette deal is our fans. When I first signed up, Kelly Collins told me that the C-5 owners (and for that matter everyone that is a fan of the Corvette) , were totally bonkers for the race team and that I'd be asked to sign just about everything I could imagine. It is amazing to see how possessed these people are...but they are the best !!! They make it so much fun for us, and their enthusiasm for the race team is only surpassed by their love of their Corvettes. I must admit that at first I didn't get it...but then once I got my own C-5, I figured it out. It is an amazing car.....and the fans of it are just as amazing......possessed....but amazing !
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