 | | "Wait a minute, this ain't your stuff, Richard!" Credit: Autostock |
NASCAR.COM
November 16, 2006
02:47 PM EST (19:47 GMT)
Are the problems at Roush Racing fixable, or are we talking about a severe recession for NASCAR's largest team? Ryan Smithson: This season should make people appreciate what Roush did last year with five cars in the Chase. It probably won't happen again. Splitting up Biffle and Richert was a bad move and I don't see why they did that. Dave Rodman: Not only are they fixable, they are already on the way. It's too bad Wally Brown is leaving, but he fixed a rocket ship for Carl, and him and Bob Osborne looked like they'd never been apart. And if Chad Norris took good notes on that car before it got wiped, he might have found Jamie's key: Older is better. David Newton: It's not like they're in the sewer. They have two of the top 10 cars, including Kenseth in second. Biffle and Edwards weren't that far off the pace. It's just a lull, not a collapse. Duane Cross: Roush has been Ford's marquee team for a while; there's nothing going on in that garage that cannot be fixed rather quickly. The team has the full support of the manufacturer -- and Jack has enough jack to put 2006 in the rear view. Ryan Smithson: Replacing Mark Martin with David Ragan won't help the team get back to dominance. That is not a knock on Ragan, but that has to hurt. Dave Rodman: I thought Jack was pretty candid at Phoenix about how lucky they were to go 5-for-5 last year. And splitting the 16 seems knee-jerk -- but how do we know the whole story? We don't. David Newton: Agreed, Rodman. We don't know the inner dynamics that led to the split. I don't know that we can say splitting Biffle and Richert was a bad move. Tryson has a pretty good track record with Martin and he might be just what Biffle needs to go to the next level. Ryan Smithson: Biffle was already at the next level, Newton. David Newton: He made the Chase one year, finished second. Next level is consistently making it and winning championships, at least in my book. Dave Rodman: Sometimes you need a shakeup. If Doug gets away from Roush -- I think that would be a blow -- because he'll surely hurt them somewhere else. Ryan Smithson: Richert won't stay with Roush, Rodman. No way. ... So they lose Doug, who has a billion years of experience, and Wally Brown, one of the best engineers in the sport. David Newton: Richert wants to be a Cup crew chief and that doesn't appear possible with Roush, at least not this year. But Roush did promise that Fennig would be back with one of his Cup teams, and he came through on that. The difference here is he's promised Richert nothing publicly like he did with Jimmy Fennig. Duane Cross: Anyone surprised that Matt Kenseth and Robbie Reiser are still together, in the wake of all the crew chief swapping? Ryan Smithson: Yes, Duane, they bicker more than anyone -- and yet, they are the one who remained the same. Duane Cross: I thought moving Doug to the No. 17 was the next logical move; I think those two -- Doug and Kenseth -- would work well together. Dave Rodman: I don't want to keep beating a dead horse -- especially since it has one more race to run and they could still win the championship -- but I think the essence of that team is that Matt says their stuff sucks and yet they still have a shot at the title. Duane Cross: Sometimes a fresh perspective can pay dividends. Looks like that is what Penske is hoping with the No. 12. Ryan Smithson: We will certainly find out that one. Ryan Newman has never had a crew chief other than Matt Borland. David Newton: How can you be surprised that Roush left one of the best combinations together? Part of their bickering is how they get along. Duane Cross: Because sometimes you have to shake up things to get better, Newt. Maybe Matt and Robbie have become like an old married couple. David Newton: He's second in points for goodness sake. You can't get much better. The problem isn't Kenseth and Reiser. Duane Cross: Not arguing that -- I'm saying that Jack turned the apple cart over trying to improve the organization as a whole. Maybe Robbie could help another team while Doug moved in and gave Matt a spark. I'm not railing against keeping Matt and Robbie together; obviously they can get it done. David Newton: But I wouldn't look for Reiser to be in that role much longer after next season. He's ready to move on to the next challenge, whether it's at Roush or somewhere else. Ryan Smithson: Their decline has been appalling. Kenseth killed the field at Chicagoland -- just killed 'em. Where did those cars go? I know he got wrecked on the final lap, but still ... Dave Rodman: As Curley used to say, "sabatoogey." How did their cars all of a sudden turn to buckets of crap, to quote Mr. K? Duane Cross: OK -- so let's say Robbie jets after 2007. Roush has lost, presumably, Doug, Robbie and Wally. That's a lot of talent to replace. Dave Rodman: Robbie needs to put on a Steve Hmiel-type hat: "Technical Director" for Roush Racing. Ryan Smithson: Steve Hmiel. The best spotter in NASCAR. David Newton: I think Kenseth hit the nail on the head when he said all the changes going on at Roush finally caught up to their team. Jack admitted communication hasn't been as good as well. If Jack was so concerned about losing Richert, then he wouldn't have made the move he did. Duane Cross: True -- which makes you wonder what the hell is going on. Doug's no slouch. Ryan Smithson: Maybe he simply wanted Richert to do the things for McMurray that he did for Biffle. Duane Cross: Two totally different talent levels there, Smithson. Ryan Smithson: I wouldn't like it if Biffle wasn't my driver, either. Are all four of you guys of the opinion that Johnson has already won the title? David Newton: Barring a major collapse that he has nothing to do with, yes. Duane Cross: Considering that Johnson has dominated on 1.5-mile tracks this year, no question. Dave Rodman: The thing is, Matt has to finish in the top five while Jimmie would have to finish 28th or so. Without a major trauma, that team just doesn't do that. Is it over? No. That's why they run the races. Ryan Smithson: If Tony Stewart was a lady, he/she would be singing. David Newton: Hey, Tony has trimmed down. He won't be playing Santa Claus at Victory Junction this year. ... I'm sure everybody thought Tony had it in the bag last year as well, but it got a little interesting. I doubt this one will get more than that unless Johnson gets caught up in somebody else's trash. Ryan Smithson: It is funny that the scenarios involve Kenseth winning and leading the most laps when he has struggled to simply remain on the lead lap recently. David Newton: If you recall, the driver leading the Chase going into the final race has won every year, albeit a short history. Duane Cross: Oh Newt -- even with the disclaimer at the end ... you're gonna get a few e-mails over that! David Newton: What you talking about, Duane? Duane Cross: Fans love to point out how the Chase format makes everything the "closest this" or the "closest that" or rant about whatever piece of Chase-related trivia we throw out. Amazing how many fans still rail against the Chase. ... It's not going anywhere, folks. Dave Rodman: Well, anything can happen. Look at last year. Replay that scenario -- or any of its hundred variations -- and we have a repeat Cheesehead champion. ... I gotta tell you -- even though I have been singing the praises of the 48 team, basically all year -- at this point I think it would be a way better not only story -- but stories -- if something happens and Kenseth wins the title. David Newton: I'm sure Kenseth would agree, Rodman. Ryan Smithson: Either way, guys, if Kenseth or Johnson wins the title, they deserve it. They were the two best teams. David Newton: We all get good stories from natural disasters as well, so what's the point? Dave Rodman: Although, I don't know how many times I could stand to hear Matt repeat -- "We sucked and our cars ran like crap -- I can't believe we won."  |  | | "I'd like to thank Goodwrench and Reese's, but most of all Ryan Smithson. Without him ..." Credit: Autostock |
| |
| Inside the Numbers |
Most wins in a season
(multiple series combined) |
| Year |
Driver |
C |
B |
T |
Total |
| 2006 |
K. Harvick |
5 |
9 |
0 |
14 |
| 1993 |
M. Martin |
5 |
7 |
0 |
12 |
| 1986 |
D. Earnhardt |
5 |
5 |
0 |
10 |
| 1997 |
M. Martin |
4 |
6 |
0 |
10 |
| 2005 |
C. Edwards |
4 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
|
|
Ryan Smithson: Is anyone else not shocked that Harvick has five wins? He has 14 wins this year in both series. That is insane. Is that a record? Duane Cross: RCR is the comeback story of the year, hands down. And if Jimmie stumbles at Homestead -- I think Harvick sweeps in to win the title. Dave Rodman: Oh yeah -- there's no doubt RCR reached a new plateau -- in their recent history, of course, this season. I can definitely see them with three in the Chase next year. ... Whether it's the "new" Chase or the "old" Chase. Don't that make you wanna puke? Ryan Smithson: Duane, you ought to look that up. Most wins in one season, all series. Dave Rodman: Shocked? No. Relieved? Plenty. Ryan Smithson: I may have found you a record, Harvick -- just be sure to thank me on TV. David Newton: That's an insignificant record since so few Cup guys run a full second series. Dave Rodman: But it's still a significant number of wins. David Newton: Are we to say Mark Martin hasn't had such a bad Cup season because he's won some Truck races? Ryan Smithson: You'd throw a drowning man both ends of a rope, Newt. And you say I'm negative. Duane Cross: Petty winning 27, 21 races in seasons ... Kev's still got a ways to go. Ryan Smithson: Modern era, Duane. Come on. David Newton: Having said that, five wins for Harvick in Cup is pretty damn impressive considering where that team has been. Dave Rodman: Unfortunately, Mark's combination seasons are less than a pee drop compared to Harvick's. |  | | "Figaro, figaro, fiiii-gaaaaa-rooooooooo!" Credit: Autostock |
| |  |
Duane Cross: Kevin had only five career wins coming into this season. David Newton: Kevin probably would like to see more points for winning because with two wins in the Chase he'd be right on Johnson's bumper. Ryan Smithson: Now he is tied with good old Sterling. Sorry, random thought. Predicts for Miami? Any weird winners? Ryan Smithson: Stewart is going to be very hard to beat again. Duane Cross: I'll take Smoke -- and Bobby Labonte is my dark horse pick. David Newton: Stewart is bringing that magic car that he can't lose in, but I'll take Jimmie Johnson to make the final race a snooze. Dave Rodman: If the circumstances dictate that Jimmie Johnson doesn't have to ride or retract the horns, I'd say there's a damn good chance he'll win-out on his way to the title. Ryan Smithson: Chad Chaffin avoids 42-car wreck, wins. David Newton: Surprised nobody picked Montoya. Duane Cross: Juan-derful ending, Newt. The opinions expressed are solely of the participants. | 
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