Insider's View: Robbie Loomis

Being Jeff Gordon's crew chief carries more pressure than many of the crew chief positions in the Winston Cup Series garage, simply because he's known nothing but success at every level he's ever competed. And especially in Cup.

	Jeff Gordon and crew chief Robbie Loomis are currently third in the Winston Cup standings. Credit: Autostock

That's not to take anything away from anybody calling the shots. Every crew chief job is pressure-filled, but people expect to see Jeff Gordon up front year in, year out, winning races and vying for championships.

And it's my job to assure that it happens.

I don't think those expectations are unfair. It's something you build according to your performance early on, and if you sustain that level on excellence for a few years it's a disappointment if you don't achieve it.

The King went through it. Dale Earnhardt did, too. Earnhardt finished 12th or 13th that one year and everybody said he had a terrible season. That's kind of crazy. There are 30 guys out there that would love to have that year.

It's part of success. When you're used to that type of performance, everyone expects it, including, and maybe more than anyone else, yourself and your team. Does that mean you'll get it every day? No. But it's how you're looked upon, and I welcome it. Now, I've had to learn that it's a good thing.

ROBBIE LOOMIS  •  R. Loomis Crew Chief Page  •  Hendrick Motorsports  •  Jeff Gordon Driver Page  •  The Science of NASCAR  •  Join J. Gordon's Fan Club!  •  Store: Buy Gordon's gear! Jeff Gordon enjoys his first win of the 2003 season Play video

It took awhile for me to grasp the positive in it, but it really is good pressure. Like last year, everyone was questioning us and doubting us up until August and we were third or fourth in the points, but since we hadn't won everybody acted like it was a terrible season. People thought we were stumbling, but I knew that any time you stumble, you stumble forwards, not backwards.

And once we won, it was kind of funny. We got Bristol and Darlington back-to-back, then got Kansas City and had lots of momentum going until we had a couple problems.

A three-win year, and people wonder what's wrong. It's crazy, isn't it? That's one reason, though, that getting that win out the way last week at Martinsville is so huge for us.

That's the biggest thing, just getting it behind you. Like I say, working with Jeff Gordon and the team here, expectations are always extremely high. Personally, from my standpoint, if I go to the racetrack and don't win, with the capabilities and manpower and equipment at Hendrick Motorsports, I feel like I haven't done my job.

	Credit: Autostock

I don't enjoy looking in the mirror at times when we don't win, knowing I'm capable of winning every single week. That's my feeling, so getting that win behind us builds that momentum and confidence and let's you work on the mental part of your job, that crucial focus, and what you need to do to keep on getting it done, not the outside pressures from everyone asking questions and questioning your ability.

It's funny, Jeff and I were talking just last night about this. I went to the beach during the off-weekend, and if I'd have gone down there and we hadn't won -- even if we're third or fourth in the points -- everybody says, 'Man, what's wrong? You guys are really struggling this year.'

But get that win, and everybody looks at things so much different. They're all saying, 'Man, you guys are having an awesome year. Looks like you guys are the guys to beat.' It completely changes their whole tune.

I'll be honest, though. You feed on that, man, as a team. Whether it's 20 percent or 80 percent, it's fuel. I'd say, as a team, we don't really rely on it, but any time you're getting positive feelings and positive feedback in the overall mindset, it really shows.

I can tell in all the guys in the shop. There's a calmness and excitement inside everyone. Walk out in the shop and it's obvious. It makes everyone want to do everything better. And with so many great tracks coming up for both Jeff and Jimmie Johnson, the glass is really half-full right now.

	Credit: Autostock

That's how I look at most everything anyway. I'm a 'half-full' kind of guy. People wonder if Jimmie's success adds to the pressure of being the 24 team. I don't really think it does. To the contrary, I look at this way: I know how every single car they have is built, how the chassis is built, how the body is put on -- every detail.

I know more about that 48 car than 41 other cars in that garage, so when I see him running good it points me in the direction I know I need to go. It's stimulating, man. When they're on, do I wander around lost? No way.

Now, if Ryan Newman is on top, that's negative. If Jimmie's on top, huge positive in our favor. I know I can go dig through the information, find out that they've got this and this and that and that, and it gives me direction on which way to take the 24. That's comforting.

Not quite as comforting as that win last Sunday, but comforting nonetheless.