Haley has kept his usual smile present through the week and has asked his family and team not to change the way they act around him just because it’s championship weekend.
To him, it’s just another race.
“I told everyone around me to keep it as regular as possible … no changes,” Haley said. “I told my girlfriend just (to) be normal. We’re going to eat the same thing and do what we do. There’s nothing different about this week.
“I’ve done the same prep. Obviously a little more media. I’ve been at the Chevy sim a little more than usual, just because of the week, but in terms of how often I’ve been to the shop, I’ve been there every day and working and team spirits have all been the same.
“This is just a normal race for me, and that’s the only way we can look at it.”
Though he’s not over-focusing on Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200, Haley acknowledged that winning a championship would carry a tremendous amount of emotions along with it.
“It would mean a lot to me,” he said. “You know, looking at it, the K&N (East) Series was the first series I ever ran full time and I got a championship there. So to be able to move up the ladder and click off those championships would obviously be key.
“I honestly think it would mean even more for my family, though,” Haley added. “We’ve put a lot into this sport, and to see all the heart and blood that they’ve put into it and how much love and support they have behind me has meant a lot. I want to do it for them and for everyone at GMS. We’ve had a pretty killer season, so it would be disappointing if we didn’t win the championship, but it wouldn’t be career ending.”
As calm as he’s tried to remain, Haley also tipped that he has let himself think about the possibility of closing the deal and securing his first championship in one of NASCAR’s top-three series.
After all, how can you not think about it as a driver at Haley’s level?
“You always think about it when you’re in this position,” said Haley. “You can’t lie and say you’re not. I thought a lot about it when I was running for the East championship, as well. But I don’t know, it’s just one of those things where you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow night. Your motor could blow up (on) lap one.
“I’ve said from the start that as long as I had the opportunity to run for a championship, I’d make the most out of it, and I have the opportunity now. I’m planning on making the most out of it.”
