[vincesanity82]

Chip Ganassi's three NASCAR teams aren't going anywhere fast, and he has made another change, this time giving Juan Pablo Montoya yet another crew chief. Brian Pattie will be taking the job that Jimmy Elledge had the last four weeks, the job that Donnie Wingo had before that. Pattie comes over from Ganassi's Nationwide team. Montoya, the subject of a NASCAR marketing promotion in Miami last weekend, in conjunction with the annual All-Star race, finished 14th in that race, his first All-Star running. Montoya's first race with Elledge was at Talladega, where Montoya almost beat Kyle Busch. Elledge, 37, has been with Ganassi since 2003. -- Winston-Salem Journal



NASCAR Notebook: Aflac to sponsor Edwards

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Chip Ganassi's three NASCAR teams aren't going anywhere fast, and he has made another change, this time giving Juan Pablo Montoya yet another crew chief. Brian Pattie will be taking the job that Jimmy Elledge had the last four weeks, the job that Donnie Wingo had before that. Pattie comes over from Ganassi's Nationwide team. Montoya, the subject of a NASCAR marketing promotion in Miami last weekend, in conjunction with the annual All-Star race, finished 14th in that race, his first All-Star running. Montoya's first race with Elledge was at Talladega, where Montoya almost beat Kyle Busch. Elledge, 37, has been with Ganassi since 2003. -- Winston-Salem Journal

Way to go, Chip.

Something to ponder: If the oven breaks on your range and everything that is taken out of the oven is burnt, what the solution? Firing the chef?

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Way to go, Chip.

Something to ponder: If the oven breaks on your range and everything that is taken out of the oven is burnt, what the solution? Firing the chef?

methinks Chip is starting with the easiest (and cheapest) to replace part and working his way up... he will eventually get to the source of the problem (I really think his NASCAR teams are "pi**ing him off .. he's having tremendous success in all his other racing endeavors, but his NASCAR teams have only been mediocre at best.)

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

methinks Chip is starting with the easiest (and cheapest) to replace part and working his way up... he will eventually get to the source of the problem (I really think his NASCAR teams are "pi**ing him off .. he's having tremendous success in all his other racing endeavors, but his NASCAR teams have only been mediocre at best.)

I think that you hit the nail 100% on its head, Charlie. Ganassi is all about success. In my eyes he's the big team owner version of A.J. Foyt and Vince Lombardi. ("Winning isn't everything; it's the ONLY thing.")

My problem is: Is starting with the cheapest path (Firing a crew chief) even remotely a "fix?" Or is it just camouflage for doing nothing? If Chip actually believes that Elledge is part of the problem, firing him is like putting a bandage on a gaping wound.

Lately it seems, to me, that Chip is falling into following an old adage I first heard as a Little Bobby. It goes: "When in trouble, or in doubt - Run in circles - Scream, and shout."

[Fireball]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

methinks Chip is starting with the easiest (and cheapest) to replace part and working his way up... he will eventually get to the source of the problem (I really think his NASCAR teams are "pi**ing him off .. he's having tremendous success in all his other racing endeavors, but his NASCAR teams have only been mediocre at best.)

I've followed Chip Ganassi a long time in open-wheeled racing. He knows what is needed to put a race team together. With his NASCAR team, Chip has probably made many more changes than those known via the press releases. Chassis and engine people are what makes these cars go fast. Certainly he's looked at weak spots in the cars preparation. Crew chiefs are the "responsible person" when it comes to readying a car for the track. Jimmie Elledge had to be removed if he was linked to the weak spot.

I don't think this issue is dead or complete. Chip Ganassi has resources outside of NASCAR that could put an influx of technical improvements with engines and chassis into his cars. I think we can look for more significant management changes coming from the Ganassi camp in the coming weeks.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Fireball

I've followed Chip Ganassi a long time in open-wheeled racing. He knows what is needed to put a race team together. With his NASCAR team, Chip has probably made many more changes than those known via the press releases. Chassis and engine people are what makes these cars go fast. Certainly he's looked at weak spots in the cars preparation. Crew chiefs are the "responsible person" when it comes to readying a car for the track. Jimmie Elledge had to be removed if he was linked to the weak spot.

I don't think this issue is dead or complete. Chip Ganassi has resources outside of NASCAR that could put an influx of technical improvements with engines and chassis into his cars. I think we can look for more significant management changes coming from the Ganassi camp in the coming weeks.

I hope that you're right. I'd like to see Chip succeed because I would love to see the status quo's stranglehold on NASCAR championships get squashed. (Especially when it comes to The Felon, Rick Hendrick)

But, you're right about Ganassi's ability to bring a lot into the game but at first glance, it appears to the layman that he's floundering and grasping at straws. That's painful for us who want him to succeed.

[jks812]

At what point do you start looking at your drivers, as maybe being alittle of the reason you're not doing so good?
When you have some not really good drivers you get not really good finishes.
Montoya seems to be the only driver he has that will have any success. Sorenson has never been more than an ok driver.

[RonRipple]

Hopefully this will be the right change. Pattie was with Montoya when he first arrived on the scene... so hopefully they'll mesh together and come out on top. It's got to be tough to keep switching Crew Cheifs like that.

If like you guys are saying "Pattie is the cheap way out" then I have to say it takes money to win. Money buys speed (equipment) and money buys good drivers. You can't win races with one and not the other... so if Gnassi is looking for the cheap way then he's not going to be a top contender.

It's like that in every sport.

Look at Hendricks and Gibbs... they love spending money and are winning!

Ron Ripple

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by jks812

At what point do you start looking at your drivers, as maybe being a little of the reason you're not doing so good?
When you have some not really good drivers you get not really good finishes.
Montoya seems to be the only driver he has that will have any success. Sorenson has never been more than an ok driver.

I think Reed Sorenson's tenure is up at the end of this season. He has been marginal at best. He'll be the first driver to go and maybe the only driver change for 2009.

There will be many "free agents" available to fill No. 42 seat. Several of these free agents have far better potential than what Sorenson possesses.

Franchitti and Montoya are Ganassi's pick for the future. Both have a record of "winning" and that's what Chip Ganassi wants..... winners. Adding a proven competitor with this duo can create a dynamo team.