Lehdistötiedotteet - Wheeler: Stone Needs an Attitude Adjustment

Wheeler: Stone Needs an Attitude Adjustment

We tried to call Rage camp representatives after the comments John Stone post-race, and luckily got in touch with Rage driver, Nick Wheeler. Jason Anderson was on the call:

Anderson: Nick, twice in a week I've managed to get you by chance. How are you feeling after qualifying today?

Wheeler: Kicking myself for sliding wide in turn 7 on the 2nd run. Would've got Drummond, but front row will certainly do. I'm ecstatic about our results as a team.

Anderson: Speaking of your team, have you heard the comments John Stone made post-race?

Wheeler: Can't say I have, but I'm sure if it's coming from Stone, it has something to do with me.

Anderson: To summarize, basically he's suggesting forming an F3 team is an unfair advantage, and believes the governing bodies will act to break Rage up. He's threatened to bring Pitbull Racing out of retirement. He claims that your practice times were too subpar to be running top 5 as a group. What do you think?

Wheeler: I think Stone needs an attitude adjustment. He's been in the news a total of two times in his career. Both times he's taken jabs at me or my team. I've all but lost my respect for him. He's a middle of the pack owner, who runs middle of the pack drivers. Harroun couldn't beat a solo rage driver without a DNF, and I doubt Cooter could've either.

Anderson: And what of his claims?

Wheeler: If he wants to form a team to gain his own advantage, maybe he should take a more personable approach instead of attacking good drivers every time he stands next to a microphone. Bring Pitbull racing back for all I care. As long as it's run by Stone, they won't compete.

Anderson: And his issues with the difference in practice times vs. qualifying times?

Wheeler: If he's suggesting we're sharing setups, it wouldn't matter if we did. MRC is designed so that every car requires a different setup even on the same chassis in the same race with different drivers. I'll let Stone keep managing his setups how he does, and I'll manage mine how I do. His is obviously good because he made the front row right?

Anderson: He's starting P14

Wheeler: That's what I thought. Maybe he should take a look at his priorities. Winning in practice means nothing to anyone. Run as fast as you want there. I'll run fast when it matters.

Anderson: Is it safe to say you're not a big fan of Stone's remarks?

Wheeler: I'll just say if he spent half as much time in the garage working on his machines as he does complaining about other drivers being better than him, he might actually improve.

Anderson: Any thoughts on the race?

Wheeler: Not tonight Jason, I'm going to call it a night and get some much needed rest. I've been celebrating a front row with friends and it's time to unwind. Have a good night, thank you for calling.

Just a day after one of the most unselfish interviews Wheeler has given, the fiery side surfaces yet again. Austin's first race stage runs Friday afternoon. We'll be looking forward to it!