[vincesanity82]

Ten races into the season, Matt Kenseth sits a miserable 22nd in the Sprint Cup Series points. He is one of two drivers to qualify for every Chase since NASCAR rolled out the championship format, but this time he'll have to dig out of a 200-point hole and climb over 10 drivers to contend. Momentum isn't on Kenseth's side. With handling trouble and an accident at Phoenix, a tire failure at Talladega and a crash at Richmond, he has plummeted 11 spots in just three races. The 12-man Chase for the Sprint Cup field is easy to see from 13th place, but from 22nd it's a job for binoculars. Kenseth has never finished a full season worse than 14th in the standings. "The handling problems we've had on top of our just awful luck has made the past few weeks not a lot of fun for me," Kenseth said as the series headed to its toughest track, Darlington Speedway in South Carolina, to race Saturday night.. "Maybe we'll catch a break this week, and at least finish on the lead lap." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel



JS Online: Kenseth must cut to Chase

[jks812]

Remember the thread luck versus talent? This and JG's year so far just proves that without some luck it really doesn't matter how much talent you have. They are both very good drivers but they just aren't having any luck so far.

[clutch]

I reckon that he needs Reiser back.and R.Reiser doesnt like his role as GM.
Although Rousch says he wont let him go back to his old role, it wouldnt surprise me one bit with the #17 performance thus far

from Jayski:
2nd Thoughts by Reiser UPDATE: For the past 12 years, between the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, Robbie Reiser [former #17 crew chief] was in the midst of the buzz as Kenseth's crew chief. His adrenalin would be flowing in anticipation of all the calls he would have to make to get his driver into Victory Lane. "I don't like it that much," he said of his new job as general manager at Roush Fenway Racing. "If somebody came up and said you can do your old job again, I'd probably take it in a heartbeat." Daytona was Reiser's first weekend in his new role. He spent most of Sunday bouncing between each of team owner Jack Roush's five haulers, making sure the crew chiefs had everything they needed for the Daytona race and this weekend's Sprint Cup race at California Speedway. Reiser says he'll give this role a few months before deciding if it'll become permanent. If he decides it's not for him, he won't hesitate to look for another crew chief job, at Roush Racing or another organization. "When we get to April and May, I'll look at it," Reiser said. "If I still can't stand it, I'll go talk to Jack." Adjusting to all the management meetings has been Reiser's toughest chore. He would rather have his head under the hood getting his hands greasy than pushing a pencil.(full story and more at ESPN.com)(2-22-200

UPDATE: Former crew chief Robbie Reiser, who now oversees Roush Fenway Racing's Cup program, told ESPN.com last week that he doesn't like his new role as general manager. Car owner Jack Roush was asked about Reiser's comments Monday. "He's not yet got comfortable with his new job,'' Roush said. "One of the things that happens is that between the driver and me, there's a crew chief. [He] would intercede for the driver and, by the same token, the driver would intercede for the crew chief if things aren't as they might be. Right now, it's Robbie and I. There's no buffer. Some days I think that may be not as comfortable as what he had. He's got a real big job. He's doing a good job at it. If he had a choice today between going back and being a crew chief and being a manager, he'd probably go back, but we're not going to give him that choice.''

[jks812]

I'd like to see Jack let him go back as CC for Matt for a few races. Just to see if maybe that is part of the problem. I'm not one of his biggest fans, but I have to admit that I feel bad for him this year.

[Racer Duck]

I thought Reiser was the interm CC for Edwards while the regular CC was in the penalty box. Seems the 6 races ought to be over by now...

[Bob Tanner]

Note to Matt Kenseth and Team- Remember Tanner's Rule of P to the Sixth Power
Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Successful people don't play the "Blame Game," and they especially don't blame "Luck." They make their own luck. They aren't victims!

Bad luck...? What a bunch of dorks!