What Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham

Before we get to what Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham, I need to confess something: when I first heard Ray Evernham was writing a book, I started thinking "oh great, he's gonna tell us how easy it was with Jeff Gordon...and building the Dodge racing team...blah blah blah". Ray always makes it look so easy, and that's what made this book "Trophies and Scars" such a pleasant surprise...we learned a lot about Ray - including what Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham. This book is a much read for any NASCAR fan, or anyone looking for motivation to take that next big step in life. Here's part of the conversation (click here for the whole conversation):

(Big Jim) - Your  insecurities  humanized  you  to  me  and  that  to  me  is  a  key  component  of  this  book. You've  humanized  your  experiences  in  a  way  that  anyone  can  relate  to.  

(Ray) - Well,  thank  you,  good.  That  was  something  I  was  trying  to  do  and  didn't  know  if  I  was  gonna  be  able  to  accomplish  that.

And  it  was  very  important  to  let  people  know  what  I  was  really  feeling  because  from  outwardly,  right?  You  play  this  role,  right?  You  play  in  this  role  as  this  leader.  You're  up  on  the  pit  box  and  you  got  the  uniform  and  the  sunglasses  and  you've  got  to be  so  confident.  And  so  people  are,  you  know,  'cause  if  you...  you  don't  look  confident,  the  crew  and  the  driver  and  sponsors  and  all  those  people  don't  look  confident  or  feel  confidence  either.

But  on  the  inside,  you  know,  as  I  said,  there  were  days  when,  you  know,  my  fingers  shook  pushing  that  button,  was  I  going  to  make  the  right  decision?  And  then,  you  know,  again,  not  knowing,  you  know,  you  just  taking  the  chance  to  prove  to  yourself  if,hey,  am  I  really  worth  a  darn,  could  I  do  this  or  not?  You  know,  that  was  hard  because,  you  know,  when  you,  when  you  roll  the  dice  and  you're  going  all  in,  it's  scary.  And  that's  not  just  a  one -time  thing  for  you.

(Big Jim) - Ray,  outside  of  the  trophies  and  the  titles  and  everything, is  there  something  you  kept  from  your  time  with  Jeff  Gordon?  

(Ray) - I  think  just  the  ability  that  when  you  have  trust,  honesty,  respect,  and  you  have  a  great  communication  with  one  person.  you  know that  lives  on  and  I  think  that  knowing  that  look  there's  gonna  be  bumps  on  the  road  because  everybody's  got  a  different  direction  here  and  there  but  never  let  you  know  never  let  those  goals  or  whatever  drive  apart  family  or  friends.

(Big Jim) - Okay Ray, pick one  guy  in  history that  you  would  want  to  be  the  crew  chief  for. 

(Ray) -  Oh,  wow.  Goodness  gracious.  One  guy  in  history  that  I  would  want  to  be  the  crew  chief  for, Mario  Andretti.  

(Big Jim) - I'm  going  to  tell  him  you  said  that  because  we  talk  all  the  time.  Seriously.  

(Ray) - Well,  tell  him  that  that  would  be  that  would  be  my  pick. This  is  Mario's  purpose.  Mario  has  a  personality  like,  like  it's  somewhat  like  mine, except  Mario's  got  a  lot  more  driving  talent,  right?  But  he,  you  know,  he  is  after  every  little  thing.  You  know,  Mario  is  very  interested  in  the  car  and  how  to  win, you  know,  Mario  just  didn't  get  in  and  drive  the  wheels  off  of  something,  even  though  he  could.  He  technically,  like  every  little  thing  that  could  get  him  in  a  car.  is  what  he  thinks  about.  And  Mario  has  such  a  huge  philosophical  way  of  looking  at  auto  racing  just  to  be  around  him  is  an  honor.

Ray Evernham is one of the best crew chiefs in NASCAR history. This book will change some of the preconceptions we've had (okay, I've had) about him. A must read.