Mike Steger
gets 2nd Place Indianapolis Finish!
Nice job today
Mike on finishing 2nd here today at Indy! Do you think you had a top
5 car today?
Yes, I did actually! But I didn’t think I had a 2nd
place car. The #20 Army National Guard Chevy got better on long green runs with
the setup my crew put together for me
Did you think
you had anything left for Al Rosemeyer and John Hayes at the end?
I knew I could compete with
Al, but John NO! lol. My Heart dropped when I saw Al and John go
into the turn side by side, and john spinning into the wall on 2nd
to last lap. I know and respect and
respect both these guys, but that isnt how Al wants to win a race. That isnt
how I wanted to get 2nd either. A driver wants to earn it
legitimately, and clean.
Any plan in
place when it came to pit?
I setup the car, and told myself I wasn’t to adjust anything unless I had damage prior to. The car handled great all race, and practiced all week to make sure it wasn’t loose making a pass.
You started
from the rear and had to work your way toward the front with a track here at
Indy that is hard to pass on. Tell us about that?
Well, the field did great with the start going the first 33 laps green. My crew back at the shop put together a great setup that was fast, but preserved the right side tires. I was making all my passes getting a run on the guy in front coming outta turns 2 and 4. So as the race went on green, I just waited for the others to wear their tires down. Mine just wore not as fast LOL
When you
pitted at the 2nd to last caution with 19 to go. You came in 2nd,
and came out in 3rd. What
happened there?
The name of the game. But it did look like frantic female shoppers
diving for the last sale item coming outta pit row. I just barely beat the #33
car! lol
Did you make
any adjustments on that stop?
No, I only took 4 fresh tires, and fuel. I was happy with #20 Army National Guard Chevy on how she was handling all race. Never mess with a good thing LOL
Next week,
SORS EAST, heads to your hometown track, Watkins Glen. You have to be excited
heading back to New York?
Oh Yeah Definitely! I love road course racing, and that track is always exciting when attempting to master the 11 turns. I think we’re running around 45 laps or so. That’s 495 turns a driver has to endure!! lol
Last 5 races,
you’ve had finishes of 5th, 1st, 6th, 4h, and
2nd today. You’re now 197 points behind the points leader when you
were 363 points behind 10 races ago. What do you think you have changed in last
10 races?
Anger Management
Counseling!! lol After the first 11 races., I was like the
“John McEnroe” of SORS East, LOL . Seriously though, I ‘ve learned to keep
focused, be patient, avoid damage the best I can, and the good finishes will
come.
Thank you for
taking the time to share your post race thoughts, and Congratulations on your 2nd
place finish today. Is there anything you’d like to add, or any comments you
may have?
Hats off to all SORS East
drivers for few cautions for a 2nd straight week. Thanks to my DTBR
racing (Hoorah!) teammates, Troy Surrett, and Mike Brazier. Billy Stratton!, thank you for the job
you’re doing, and keeping me in line!
lol