[jks812]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One of the longest tenured crew chief-driver relationships in Nextel Cup will end after Sunday's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.


Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Robbie Reiser, who has been Matt Kenseth's crew chief since they entered NASCAR's premier series in 2000 and long before that in the Busch Series, will become the general manager at Roush Fenway Racing.


He will replace Max Jones, who will move into the GM role at Robert Yates Racing. RYR and Roush recently formed an alliance that basically will allow them to work as a seven-car operation without violating NASCAR's four-car cap.


Reiser will follow in the footsteps of his father, who was the general manager of Roush"s Busch Series and Truck Series teams. The elder Reiser lost a battle with cancer prior to the Homestead race two years ago, which prompted his son to consider a move that would allow him more time with his family.


"You look at things that you do in the long term," he said late last season. "Family becomes more important. ... My dad spent a lot of time with my kids. When he isn't around anymore somebody has to fill that void."


Reiser hoped to get the Roush GM job last season that ultimately went to Jones.


"I've done this for [13] years for Matt," he said at the time. "Not that I'm sick and tired of it or don't enjoy it or any of that, but somewhere along the line you've got to move to the next challenge.

"And the next challenge probably would be to oversee an operation in the garage. That's something I want to do down the road."

[LSC9901]

Another interesting turn of events. Will the next crew chief be able to keep th eteam at its current level or will next year be a totally new learning curve year for the team ???

[jks812]

I didn't think he would ever split Matt and Robbie. They seem to have the right chemistry. I think Matt might have a bad first year with a new crew chief, after all these years with Robbie. But who knows, maybe it'll be good for the team all the way around.

[Lefturn]

MAtt is a talented driver and Rieser a talented crew chief. As a 'team' they were extremely successful. I think that Kenseth will still be a great driver and will likely be paired up with somebody from Roush making the adjustment minimal.

I'm sure there will be a few snags, but the 17 will still see victory lane next year.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Lefturn

I'm sure there will be a few snags, but the 17 will still see victory lane next year.

I believe the 17 team is too good and Robby will not allow them to sink to average, so I doubt we'll see more miscues than normal.

and now that RFR is fully on-board with the COT, we'll see a much different season in 2008 than we saw this year.

I believe the entire RFR/RYR operation will see an improvement as Robbie takes the reins and begins guiding the organization back to the top.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I believe the entire RFR/RYR operation will see an improvement as Robbie takes the reins and begins guiding the organization back to the top.

I really hope so. Wouldn't mind seeing Biffle and Kenseth win some and would be great to see RYR win again.