Pair start building relationship, talk upcoming races after crew chief swap
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Crew chief Billy Scott and driver Clint Bowyer wasted no time in starting to build their relationship as teammates, hitting Darlington Raceway for testing the same day Michael Waltrip Racing officials announced a crew chief swap for its’ two-team NASCAR Sprint Cup Series operation.
Bowyer’s No. 15 team was one of four taking part in Tuesday’s Goodyear tire test at the historic 1.366-mile venue and was one of 12 participating in Wednesday’s open team test.
Scott, previously the crew chief for the organization’s No. 55 Toyota, is now overseeing the Bowyer entry; Brian Pattie, who had served as Bowyer’s crew chief, is now with the No. 55 group and driver.
The pit crews for the two teams remain unchanged, although Scott said there were some individuals in other positions that made the switch as well.
Wednesday’s open team test provided teams the opportunity to prepare for the Bojangles’ Southern 500, scheduled for Sept. 6.
“There are different aspects that have been kind of building up to it,” Scott said of the crew chief change. “The timing, even though it’s been short notice, coming to the test here with cars that were prepared differently (and) going to Michigan before the off week is short planning, but I think the timing is good that we do have the test here for the 15 and next week for the 55 (at Richmond) to give everybody a chance to work together.
“The off week (which follows this weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway) will be a good chance to review that and make some tweaks.”
Bowyer will be the fifth driver with whom Scott has worked this season as team co-owner Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers, Brett Moffitt and David Ragan have spent time behind the wheel of the No. 55 entry. Vickers, the team’s primary driver, was sidelined after just two starts due to a recurrence of blood clots while Ragan has been in the car for the five Sprint Cup Series events.
Bowyer and Pattie have worked side-by-side since 2012 at MWR, winning three times and qualifying for NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2012-13.
Currently 17th in the points standings, Bowyer’s managed just three top 10s this season and has led only two laps.
“Hopefully having that experience (with different drivers), learning somebody new and adapting on the fly will help us,” said Scott, who added that building a relationship with Bowyer will be no different than building one with any of his former drivers.
“That’s always evolving even for guys that have been together for years; you can always improve on that,” he said. “But … we’ve been in meetings together for three-and-a-half years already and he’s a pretty easy-going guy so hopefully we should pick up pretty quick.”
It won’t be necessarily a change in the direction of the team, but just a different approach perhaps.
“The communication at … Michael Waltrip Racing has always been very fluent among all the teams whether it’s been two or three,” said Scott. “Everyone’s worked on the same goals … I think maybe just having a different perspective and just some small details might be enough to just switch it up, get that little spark.”
Bowyer, taking a lunch time break from testing, said MWR has “to make our cars better … to give (Billy) a chance.
“Communication can always be better and that’s what we’re working on with this change,” he said.
“Something’s needed. It’s not like he is coming in, having to learn everything. We’re only a two-car team so they worked pretty tight anyway. My engineer, Dax (Gerringer) is a guy that I’ve work with really closely with since I’ve been at MWR. I’m just looking forward to gaining a new asset, a new voice. We’ve certainly got a lot of work to do.”
Other drivers taking part in Wednesday’s test: Aric Almirola (Richard Petty Motorsports), Greg Biffle (Roush Fenway Racing), Kurt Busch (Stewart-Haas Racing), Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing), Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports), Joey Logano (Team Penske), Jamie McMurray (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), Ryan Newman (Richard Childress Racing), Martin Truex Jr. (Furniture Row Racing), Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing) and Jeb Burton (BK Racing).