John Hayes secures another Top 3 Finish at Pocono!

As usual John, Great performance today finishing the #87 Snap-on Tools Chevy 2nd here at Pocono!! You have to be happy with that finish especially after a losing a gear at Loudon last week ??

Yes I was real happy to finish well at Pocono after having some bad luck at Loudon.

It seems like just about every week now, this is getting to be a routine thing getting interviewed! LOL hope you’re not getting tiresome of it??

No, Actually I enjoy doing the interviews and you are doing a great job on them.

If the last caution had not come out, did you think you had enough horsepower and tire left to catch the #29 car?

I don't think so. Steven Flynn had a great car and he raced a great race. It was his day and i'm just glad to come home with second.

With only having 2 cautions for the entire race, and green flag pit stops taking place… where would you rate, or grade it in comparsion to previous races ran this year in SORS East?

This was a great race, all the guys did a fantastic job out there. I would compare this race with Chicagoland but this one was even better. Hats off to all the East drivers for a job well done.

Did you have pit strategy or plan in place prior to the race, or just kinda waited to see what panned out?

I justed waited to see how the race unfolded. I will be spending some time practicing pits stops for each track from now on. For some reason I was falling behind Steven by three seconds after both pit stops and I think it was because my pit road speeds are not what they need to be.

Pocono is known for it’s 3 very different turns making it a very challenging track. What would you say is the key to setting up a car to finish in the top 5??

Just what you mentioned those three corners, everyone is fast in the straights but the guy who can get through those three corners the smoothest and fastest will be the cars to beat.

Next Week, SORS East packs it up, and hauls their trailers to Indianapolis speedway. Are you taking the car you used today, or a different car to indy???

I am looking forward to Indy and yes we will be hauling the car we used at Pocono for that race.

In 3 out of last 5 races, you’ve been able to place your #87 Snap On Tools Chevy in the top 3 with a win at Talladega. Can you keep it going, currently being 3rd in the Season points to contend for the championship?

I sure hope so. The team is starting to really gel and if we can keep working hard and staying focused I think we will be a contender at the end.

I know it was disappointing losing 4th gear leading the field last week at Loudon, NH. You’ve proved it can be done rebounding back with a 2nd place finish here today! What advice do you have for a young driver to keep their head in it, and not lose the focus?

I was very disapointed about losing a gear at Loudon but hey thats racing and the key for me was to put that disapointment behind me and get ready for Pocono.

Congrats again John, and Good luck in your quest for the championship! It’s always a pleasure to speak to you, and Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. Is there anything you’d like to add, or any comments you may have?

Yes a big thanks to Snap-on for being a great sponsor and a big thanks to all the East drivers for again showing at Pocono that we are indeed the best affiliate in SORS!!

Mike Steger, SORS EAST Race reporter reporting from Pocono Raceway