NASCAR veteran David Ragan will have a new teammate and crew chief for the 2018 season, but the driver of the No. 38 is ready for whatever challenges the Daytona 500 brings.
The 2018 Daytona 500 is set to take place this Sunday. With the shift toward younger drivers in NASCAR, many are still getting their feet wet when it comes to the big stage. For David Ragan, it’s yet another rodeo for a veteran that has seen some of the most unpredictable moments in his career.
Ahead of Daytona this Sunday, Ragan answered questions about the race, his new teammate and much more leading into what could be a successful Sunday for him. Here’s what he had to say about what it takes to have success this weekend.
FanSided: This is a big season for you. How does it feel working with a new teammate (Michael McDowell)?
David Ragan: Teammates are very important at Daytona, and Michael and I have been able to watch a little video. We have been able to watch other on-track activity and chat a little bit. Ultimately, we raced together a lot over the last few years, and I think we got good handling cars and cars that are pretty fast. I think it’s going to be pretty easy to find each other and work together. So, in order to win the Daytona 500, you’re going to have to have some help and some friends along the way. It’s good to know I have a few friends out there already.
FanSided: You have had success at Daytona in the past. Do you know exactly who you need on your side out there?
Ragan: Yeah, it’s always tough to win the Daytona 500. Obviously, it’s a long race. You’ve got a lot of opportunities to make mistakes. You know as a driver, as a crew member, the car is pushed to its limit. You really have to be on point from Thursday in the [Can-Am Duels] through practice and the entire 500-mile race. To have some friends out there you can work with, but also just being a little extra careful when it’s early and the race isn’t near its finish yet.
FanSided: Overall, everything has been comfortable thus far?
Ragan: Yeah, our Speedco Ford has been good on the track. We obviously have a race here Thursday night (Editor’s note: Ragan finished seventh in his Duel race). It’s important to have a good car, which I think we have. It starts the Daytona 500 setting, or the starting field, so that will be an important race to get a good finish and it awards a few points if you can finish in the top 10. So we don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, but we’re gonna race hard and try to win the race.
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FanSided: Do you feel there is a disadvantage having to race in the Duels instead of the Clash?
Ragan: I think there is a little advantage for sure. I think that those drivers that got to run in the Clash, they get to know how their cars respond and drive. They’ve got a little bit more time to work their spotters and get in a rhythm. They got a little bit of an advantage, but that goes away pretty quick. Once we get 10 or 15 laps in, some of that advantage goes away and we’ll all be on a level playing field.
FanSided: Speaking of change, what is it like working with new crew chief Seth Barbour?
Ragan: Seth Barbour has actually had a little history with me back in the Xfinity days with Roush Fenway Racing. We have a little bit of a relationship because he comes from Roush, which is our big brother in the garage. We have an engineering agreement with those guys, so we lean on them pretty heavily for race cars and parts, pieces and designs. So far, so good. We have a pretty good team. We’re still learning each other’s cues and some of the things we need to learn. It’s been a good start to the year so far.
FanSided: You have raced at Daytona multiple times. Do you feel what you have learned in the past is still applicable, or have the cars changed too much?
Ragan: You’re always learning. It’s almost compounding. The things I learned the very first race here, they still apply today, but you just keep learning more and more and more. So as the cars changed, as the race track got repaved, the drivers change, you still adjust to your surroundings. The things I’ve learned racing here and in the ARCA race, I still use today 12 years later.
FanSided: Other manufacturers have unveiled new cars. How are the Fords holding up in comparison?
Ragan: The Fords, I think we’re going to be fine. The other manufacturers have done a good job building their cars. The Ford Fusion, it drives good, it looks good. We’ve got good power with our engine. We’re just going to have to work on our cars all year. We can’t sit back and expect things to come easy. We’re going to have to be aggressive and work hard. There are some very good Ford teams we’re going to lean on, and I think you’re going to see Ford in Victory Lane a lot.
Next: See the 2018 Daytona 500 starting grid
FanSided: What are you most excited for on Sunday?
Ragan: I think just the green flag. You have so much build up to the race, everyone is excited for Thursday, and then the extra practice on Friday and Saturday. You’ve got other series down here. As soon as the green flag drops, it’s going to be all about the 500. So I think that’s what I’m most excited about. Just trying to keep my nose clean and when that green flag drops, it’ll all be good.