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is so cool to be here and be one of the drivers who gets to drive on this
racetrack." (About the unique surface): "It is definitely flatter, and the
shape of the racetrack is unique. To be able to go out there and run so fast
without feeling any bumps is amazing."

TONY STEWART (No. 20 The Home Depot Chevrolet): "We learned a lot here at the
Goodyear test a couple months ago, and we are just trying to build off of
that. We are getting a little bit of a slow start today because we're trying
to let the track get a little bit of rubber on it before we really start
hitting it hard this afternoon. I'm having fun, and I'm definitely glad to be
back here."

J.J. YELEY (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet): "It is cool to come back
to the Speedway with NASCAR driving a NEXTEL Cup car. I came here a couple of
months ago to do a tire test for Tony (Stewart) and Goodyear. The tire that
they brought back, I don't know if it is the same tire or not, but I can't
seem to get into the same groove that I was a couple of months ago. We're
decent right now. I guess it's just really different being at this track in a
stock car because you have to drive it so differently. We're trying to sneak
up on it as I know a couple of guys have already gotten in trouble. So far,
it's going pretty good."

ELLIOTT SADLER (No. 38 M&M's Ford): "We're just trying to work on our race
trim today. Indy's always been special to me, and to come here, sit on the
pole and lead some laps the last couple years has been a lot of fun,
finishing the top five two years ago. It's a cool place to come race, so
we're working on race trim right now and get it good and comfortable. Got a
brand-new car here, and we want to get it as fast as we can and come back
because everybody brings their best stuff (to IMS) that they got at home, and
hopefully we'll bring our best stuff, too." (Last year you had that tire
problem right at the end of the race. Do you feel better about the tires in
the wake of the Goodyear tests earlier this year?): "We'll see, I think we'll
be able to tell -- more tomorrow and Wednesday, when we get some more rubber
on the track -- what the Goodyear tires feel like. So far, so good, and we
haven't had any problems with them. We'll be able to tell more when the
track's good and hot. We did have some problems last year that took us out of
a top-five two years in a row, but that's OK, we'll come back. We usually run
good here. We're usually fast, and Robert Yates always brings a lot of motor,
so we'll see what happens."

DENNY HAMLIN (No. 11 FedEx Kinko's Chevrolet: (About IMS. It's pretty unique
for NASCAR, and for racing, in general): "It's been great. Seems like every
run I'm feeling a little bit more comfortable so it's a lot of fun, and once
we get this thing dialed in a little better it's going to be a fun racetrack.
It seems like with a flat track like this, handling's going to be a premium
so we definitely have those setup notes from Pocono we're bringing here, and
it's working out great so far." (Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley have experience
at this track. How much are you leaning on them for this race?): "A lot.
Definitely comparing a lot of data between Tony and J.J. and myself. We're
all three very, very close right now so I feel (when) the second day comes
around, we'll be in great shape." (How much of a leadership role has Tony
taken with this team?): "He's definitely taken the leadership role, whether
he wants it or not. He's always coming to us after races, telling us things
he saw that he thinks we could do better, whether we ask for it or not. It's
good that he does care because he could just say, 'To heck with it,' and let
us learn the hard way. Be he chooses to try to steer us away from the things
he did wrong." (He has about one-fifth of the Hall of Fame Museum right now.
Have you checked out the new display?): "I have not, but I saw it yesterday
on a local TV station. We have tomorrow off, which is good. We decided to do
Monday-Wednesday, use Tuesday to relax, learn this and have a better game
plan for the second (test) day. I'll use the second day (Tuesday) to try to
play golf here and check out the Museum."

DALE JARRETT (No. 88 UPS Ford): "It's a special feeling just to come here
whether you're practicing or racing, whatever the case may be." (You've got a
new opportunity coming up next year that you're excited about; how do you
juggle that with what you want to accomplish here this year?): "It's easy,
I'm just doing my job, that part hasn't changed. (For) 2006 nothing's changed
about it. We have to work hard to make this team work better. We're not a
very good team right now we have to improve for Robert, and Doug and Carolyn
Yates so they can get drivers that want to come here and sponsors that want
to be a part of this. When I signed up for this at the beginning of the year,
we weren't thinking about 2007, we are at 2006 and that commitment hasn't
changed our perspective."

DAVID STREMME (No. 40 Coors Light Dodge): (About racing near his hometown of
South Bend, Ind.): "It is cool coming back to Indiana. It's close to home, so
anytime we get to do that, it's a lot of fun. We struggled here a little bit
the first run out, I just got loose with a brand-new car, but it seems to be
pretty good, so we're just going to run some laps and get better." (Initial
impressions?): "It's a really cool place. It's real fast, but it's like
you're running a road course in a way, so many corners. It's just cool coming
to town, there's so much history here at Indianapolis, and getting to run.
It's a lot of fun." (You're getting a world-famous teammate in Juan Pablo
Montoya. Your thoughts?): "I'm real excited. Juan is a really great guy, I've
heard a lot of stories from Andy Graves; he got to work with him and they won
the '500' here. He might struggle a little bit, like he told us yesterday,
he's going to be leaning on Reed (Sorenson) and myself, but he'll be able to
help us out, too. Speed is irrelevant to him, and the guy can drive anything
so I think after a few races he'll be just fine." (What's your goal for this
race?): "A top 15. We just need to get back in the top 35. We're in such a
restructuring stage right now of getting our cars better, our team better,
and its showing. I told my guys I'll pay them a lot of money if we run well
here."

BILL ELLIOTT (No. 00 Burger King Chevrolet): "Very much so, I enjoy the
racetrack, it's always been fun. I've enjoyed racing here. So much history to
Indy Speedway, just to be back is great." (New team and sponsor at this race
for you, is it a new learning curve?): "No, the race is still the same. The
main thing is just getting everybody working together and going in a good
direction. We just need to get all the little bugs worked out and get around
the corner, that's all we need to do."

PAUL MENARD (No. 15 Menards Chevrolet): "I've been waiting for this day since
the first time I was here in 1989. It's pretty awesome. We've still got some
speed to find. We're not really happy with our speed so we're working on
that, but just to get laps around here is pretty cool. Right now we're
concerned about making the race; we're not locked in the field. We've got to
work on qualifying quite a bit, but if we can do that it's going to be a good
day." (On performance today): "It's decent, car is driving pretty good, but
we've got to find about a second of speed. Such a big track, it's all spread
out. But if we can find about a second, we'll be very happy."

***

Tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard,
scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 6 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by
calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the
Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the
ticket office.

Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET)
Monday-Friday, while online orders can be made at any time.

Reserved seats start at just $35.

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