I didn't expect the race to go like that, and I didn't think I'd forget to push the pit lane speed button coming into the pits. When you make an error, as long as you make up for it, it's a good day.

But I think primarily, it's the fans that make this race.

I think California is going to be a really good race because obviously the championship has been decided, but second, third and fourth are up for grabs. There's going to have to be some big things happen for those positions to change. Then I think you have the fifth through 10th pretty close. I think everybody's going to be going for broke.

I had a Sonoma race where I was disappointed in the result, ... I wanted to make amends for that. That was the longest period of time I've ever had between races. From the last race of the year to the first race of the next season is a long time. It felt a lot longer than that.

The St. Pete race was very, very good from that standpoint. Certainly, living there you can feel the buzz about people wanting the race to come back. That's what you have to have at each track we go to. With Danica [Patrick], and the fact that she's generated so much interest, I think the races are going to get bigger and better.

I anticipate a really good race because, even though the championship is decided in my favor, second, third and fourth places are still up for grabs,