Jack Roush has a new general manager for his Nextel Cup team. Credit: Autostock

Roush Racing names new GM of Cup program

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Max Jones, who has overseen the Truck and Busch Series programs at Roush Racing the past two years, has been promoted to general manager of the Nextel Cup program.

There recently was talk, according to several drivers within the organization, that Matt Kenseth crew chief Robbie Reiser would be considered for such a role.

Jones said the plan is for Reiser to remain with the 2003 Cup champion who entered Sunday's race at Texas Motor Speedway as the points leader.

"I would hope that we would keep it that way next year, and I'm sure we will,'' Jones said. "He does such a great job. If he wins that championship it will be great to come back and defend.''

But Jones didn't rule out Reiser playing a more expansive role, noting he's been a big help in acclimating him to the Cup facility in Concord, N.C.

"Robbie, he's probably one of the best crew chiefs in the garage,'' Jones said. "He's been a big help to me since I came to the Concord facility and helping me understand how things are different than maybe they were in Mooresville.

"He has introduced me to a lot of people and the procedures they have. Robbie is a big asset to Roush Racing, there's no doubt about that.''

Roush has said there will be some shakeups in the crews of his five Cup teams, but Jones doesn't anticipate anything major.

Jamie McMurray's team in particular has struggled this year. With Mark Martin leaving for MB2 Racing next season, the door is open for crew chief Pat Tryson to possibly move.

"Jack always mixes things up and is always looking for the best chemistry and the best people for his program.,'' he said. "We've got a lot of great people at Roush Racing. Sometimes to make things better, you've got to move people around a little.''

Jones laughed at the perception that Roush Racing is struggling because Kenseth and Martin were the only drivers to make the Chase after five made it in 2005.

"It's funny,'' he said. "People are saying it's a down year for Roush and Matt's on top of the stage. It's so easy when you've been on top and then you're not on top that everybody thinks the world is coming to an end. I don't think that's the case at all.''

Jones joined Roush Racing in 1990 as a driver for Roush's road racing program. He helped start the Truck Series program at Roush in the mid-'90s and did that until 2002, when he left for Red Bull Cheever Racing in the Indy Racing Series.

He returned to Roush two years ago to manage the Busch and Truck programs.

"I'm not a high profile guy,'' Jones said. "But like I tell everybody, it's all my fault if anything happens.''