[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by Robertdjr

I wonder if Rick Hendrick has considered hiring him as Junior's crew chief.

who in their right mind would want the Jr. @ hendrix CC job??

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Dunno if Addington is looking outside JGR especially if they might field a 4th team. Also, Zippy was content in his Dir of Race Ops job until he had to step back down into the ranks and "fix" the CC problem with Joey. Expect him to return to the (ivory) tower asap .. that'll open a(nother) hole for Steve. But it might be that Steve's best attribute is gelling with a new guy and making instant progress, but is unable to carry it to the championship (aka consistency) level.

That said, glad to see they're promoting from within. Always a good sign in an organization as it promotes (sic) loyalty.

I never heard of Zippy stepping back from dir of race ops in order to cc joey. Isn't dir of race ops Jimmy makers job? I could be wrong.
Addington never made instant progress with JJ Yealy. If anything, when Kyle came into Steve's control he had a chip on his shoulder and raced like a raped ape... Now he has a wallet that lifts him about 3 inches higher in the driver seat and who else is Kyle going to blame?

[OregonSHRFan]

Originally Posted by loco4pablo

I never heard of Zippy stepping back from dir of race ops in order to cc joey. Isn't dir of race ops Jimmy makers job? I could be wrong.

Jimmy Makar is in his seventh year at JGR as Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. Prior to that he was the crew chief for the #18.

Zippy might be in line for Jimmy's job, when Jimmy retires.

[Racer Duck]

Sorry for the "dir of race ops" tag. I don't remember, nor am I sure, what his official title was when he wasn't atop the pit box. Everyone just knows him as the #20 Crew Chief.

But as I remember the story, when Zippy stepped down from the pit box after Tony left, he took an executive position in JGR and was in charge of all race teams (he didn't take Makar's place as Sr. VP of Race Ops, but rather more of a overseer of daily operations of the teams.) He maintained that position until he was called to get back on the box as CC for Joey. As such, Joey's progression as a Cup driver has been considerably aided by the wisdom and talents of Zippy. Unfortunately, I can't find a timeline which shows exactly when Zippy regained control of the #20 team to validate my memory of the events I've stated.

[nascaraddict]

I miss the good ole days when Zippy was Tony's Crew Chief.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by nascaraddict

I miss the good ole days when Zippy was Tony's Crew Chief.

good ole days? uh, I hate to remind you it was only last year...

[OregonSHRFan]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Sorry for the "dir of race ops" tag. I don't remember, nor am I sure, what his official title was when he wasn't atop the pit box. Everyone just knows him as the #20 Crew Chief.

But as I remember the story, when Zippy stepped down from the pit box after Tony left, he took an executive position in JGR and was in charge of all race teams (he didn't take Makar's place as Sr. VP of Race Ops, but rather more of a overseer of daily operations of the teams.) He maintained that position until he was called to get back on the box as CC for Joey. As such, Joey's progression as a Cup driver has been considerably aided by the wisdom and talents of Zippy. Unfortunately, I can't find a timeline which shows exactly when Zippy regained control of the #20 team to validate my memory of the events I've stated.

There was talk and speculation in the media about Zippy's future once Tony announced he was leaving JGR for SHR but Zippy has always been the #20 Crew Chief. Zippy signed a contract extension to remain prior to Tony's announcement to leave. He has never left the #20 helm since 1999. I think his contract is good through 2010.

You might be thinking about when Zippy left the Camping World East series as a crew chief and went to Rousch as a chassis specialist with Burtons team. That was in 1998. He and Tony joined JGR in 1999.

[loco4pablo]

Yeah Zippy never stepped down as cc for the #20... as far as I know. I remember when Tony signed his deal Zippy signed one w/ JGR to CC for Joey.

[Racer Duck]

what I'm remembering (or imagining .. it's hard to tell these days what with the old memory cell being so overworked and underpaid) might have been speculation (or fact) that happened after Tony announced he was leaving JGR. It could have been part of the silly season stuff that went on at the end of last season or over the winter, but I definitely remember it concerned Zippy taking a "higher level" position, if only for a short time (maybe no races were involved .. just don't remember.)

now that we've identified the Duck's memory problem .. let's move on 'cause my world vibrates at a different frequency so I naturally see things a little different .. some agree with my "truths" and some don't .. that's life on planet Earth!

back to the original subject: Yes, I think Zippy would be just what the doctor (and coach) ordered to get Shrub into the Chase. After all, he "handled" another incorrigible driver very well and made a Champ out of him!