Full Throttle

Roush Fenway Racing driver David Ragan has taken NASCAR by storm. The 22-year-old driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion barely missed making NASCAR’s Chase in 2008. This coming season he will be sponsored by UPS and will contend not only for wins and the Chase, but for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

Q: Six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 2008; if there was any lingering doubt that you’re the “real deal,” surely this season has taken care of it. Are there any races you will take something specific away from that will help down the road?

DR: Definitely Sonoma and Watkins Glen because those are tracks we can improve at. Then there are tracks like Pocono, Michigan and Charlotte where we ran well and just have to continue to do the same. We just keeping putting forth a full effort into the entire program.

Q: When UPS started shopping around to replace retiring legend Dale Jarrett, every team in NASCAR was interested. One year later, they sign David Ragan and the No. 6 Roush Fenway Ford to a multi-year contract. How does it feel going into 2009 with some serious new colors on the car?

DR: It feels great, I think brown will look good next year. It’s a huge opportunity and I’m excited about. Now all the UPS, David Ragan and Ford fans can all unite.

Q: What’s been the secret to keeping the No.6 Ford running for 9,423 of the 9,487 laps (more than any other driver in Sprint Cup) in 2008?

DR: Definitely (crew chief) Jimmy Fennig and the reliability of the Roush Yates engines. All 500+ Roush Fenway employees take pride in their work and do such a great job that it makes my job a lot easier.

Q: Younger drivers are increasingly dominant across NASCAR. Is this becoming a young man’s game?

DR: I think young drivers today have learned quick and have had the advantage of getting into good equipment early, but there are still several veterans out there that are tough to beat.

Q: You can’t be 22 years old, win all this money a year racing and not splurge a little on a few “big boy toys,” so give it up: what’s the favorite ride in your garage right now?

DR: My 1985 Ford FMC Tanker Truck, it’s unique and it’s an inexpensive way to have a neat car.

Q: Of your 1,039 Myspace friends, most of them seem to be single ladies looking to be Mrs. Ragan. What’s the strangest or most memorable experience you’ve had with a fan?

DR: Meeting someone with the same name in New Hampshire.

Q: There are a lot of old NASCAR fans out there who are relieved they don’t need their No. 6 Ford tattoo removed after the 2006 driver change. How has your outlook changed since you’ve joined the upper echelon of drivers in Sprint Cup and Nationwide this season?

DR: My outlook really hasn’t changed. I continue to race like I would if it was my first or last season. I just try to be a smart race car driver.

Q: As the 10 month long 2008 season winds downs, you’ve got to be due for a vacation. Where’s David Ragan go to get away for a while?

DR: I plan on going back home to Georgia for the holidays and spend some time with family. Maybe do a little hunting and fishing too.