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5 questions for driver Joe Nemechek

Jim Benton, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 3, 2007 at midnight

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Joe Nemechek, released earlier this season by Ginn Racing, has been driving for Furniture Row Racing. Nemechek, nicknamed Front Row Joe because of his ability to qualify near the front of the field, has qualified for the past five races in the Denver-based team's No. 78 Chevrolet. Nemechek recently talked with Rocky NASCAR reporter Jim Benton.

1 How much longer will you drive for Furniture Row Racing?

"We're working on that right now, trying to get some stuff put together. Originally, I was scheduled to go through Talladega (on Sunday) but will probably go a little bit farther."

2 What is your impression of the Denver-based team?

"From the owner, Barney Visser, to (team manager) Joe Garone to Jay Guy, the crew chief and all the guys on the team, they have a good team. They just need someone to help them get to the next step, and the first goal is to get the car qualified, which we have been doing and we're getting the race setup better. We just haven't had practice time."

3 Would you be comfortable to continue driving for the team?

"We have a long ways to go, but they have a plan and they are putting the plan together to get this team to where it is competitive. As a race car driver, I want to be competitive. I wouldn't want to jump into something and run 30th every week. That's not me; I'll find something else to do. . . . Barney Visser and Joe Garone are trying to get the plan put together to do that."

4 Can you bring anything to the team from your experience as a Busch owner?

"No question. They respect that. I've had to pay all the bills, I've had to hire all the employees and I've had to do all this stuff. . . . It gets back to having the right people around you. This business is about people."

5 Why are you so good at qualifying?

"There's a lot to qualifying. The car has to be close, but a lot of it is mental. You have to know what you have to do."