CONCORD, N.C. -- February has arrived, which means the NASCAR offseason is nearly at an end.
It also means it's crunch time for the race teams as they prepare to return to the track for a brand new season.
"The home stretch to Daytona is here," No. 5 team crew chief Keith Rodden said. "It is a very organized -- and busy -- time."
The crew chief explained that the No. 5 team has approached the various stages of the offseason with to-do lists along the way.
In the final weeks before the teams head to Daytona International Speedway, Rodden said a few of the tasks left on the checklist include working on the pit box, making sure all of the equipment and adequate spare parts are on the No. 5 team hauler and continuing to prepare the No. 5 Chevrolets.
"We are racers, though, so we will work on our 500 cars until the very last minute they need to load," Rodden said. "Everyone here at the shop is all-in on getting (Hendrick Motorsports owner) Mr. (Rick) Hendrick another Daytona 500 win, so we are constantly coming up with new ideas and implementing them to the cars before we load up for the track."
Throughout the process, communication remains key, and Rodden praised the No. 5 team for its teamwork.
"The more we communicate and stay organized and work together the less hectic it seems," he said. "There is a ton of stuff going on but I couldn't be prouder of the effort the team has put in this offseason to be in great shape for Daytona."