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SONOMA, Calif. -- Chip Ganassi was giddy, if not a bit arrogant, after Juan Pablo Montoya won his first Sprint Cup race last season at Infineon Raceway. He sounded almost vindicated for all the criticism he and his organization had been taking, some even questioning his decision to bring a Formula One driver into NASCAR."We all knew we had it in us," Ganassi said after the victory. "We've all won races and know how to win. And we have a guy that pushed the pedal now. That sure helps."A year later, though, Ganassi finds himself back under attack. His drivers -- Montoya, Dario Franchitti and Reed Sorenson -- are winless in 15 events with only one finish in the top 10 heading into Sunday's race at Infineon. They've led a combined seven laps, or 794 fewer than points leader Kyle Busch.

ESPN - Results-driven Ganassi on edge as Cup teams fail to produce - Racing

[Bob Tanner]

Swapping Juan's crew chief was a big mistake. Accomplished nothing except making Montoya mad. It wasn't broke. Why did you try and fix it?

Sorenson is a perfect example of what happens when you bring a kid up from the lower ranks who is about two seasons away from being ready. Now, instead of being accustomed to winning and running up front, he now has developed the habit of being mediocre with only occasional flashes of marginal success. JGR, take note. This could happen to you.

Franchitti was thrown into the pond with a distinct feeling of "Sink or swim." He's about to go under. His succeeding in Cup will take a lot of patience on both his part AND on Chip's. I doubt if either one has it. Dan Wheldon, take note. This could happen to you.

But, I could be very wrong...

[Racer Duck]

I think the "medical disability" hurt Dario's rhythm. Now that he's back, it'll take some time to get back into...

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I think the "medical disability" hurt Dario's rhythm. Now that he's back, it'll take some time to get back into...

Time will tell. However, he seems to be having more trouble transiting to the stock car that the other open wheelers. If I had to bet, I'd bet that second tier seat he gave up in F1 is starting to look mighty good.

But, that's just the way I see it, which has been know to be slightly askew.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Is it just me or are the teams that have owners who run in more than one series suffering from racing quality issues in Cup?

Hendrick, Roush and Gibbs, arguably the three top teams in Cup, have no stakes in the IRL and are doing very well while Penske and Ganassi are not doing as well as possible? Is it also coincidence that two of the newest drivers, both ex-Indy 500 winners are from those teams and are not doing very well?

The recent emergence of Gillette/Evernham takes the manufacturer (Dodge) out of the possible problem areas so it narrows the focus down to owners, teams and drivers.

I think that Ganassi's IRL success at Indy put a lot more pressure on him to press his Cup efforts forward. I think that unless you can devote 100% effort and time to the Cup teams, not having the owner around - if for nothing else but to pump up the troops - can be a very discouraging thing.

If the only time you hear or see your owner is when he complains publicly about his race teams, makes unexpected crew chief swaps, fires a veteran crew chief and tells his young driver that taking him out of the seat in the upcoming race that it "might be" only for this race, I don't think I would be to thrilled to come to work for such a person.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

Is it just me or are the teams that have owners who run in more than one series suffering from racing quality issues in Cup?
.

I admit to have never looked at it that way but you do bring up a pretty good point. Penske has success in open wheel but fails at consistency in NASCAR.
Ganassi, ditto.
Cal Wells never did get a handle on it and just folded his tent.

Roush did run another series, Trans-Am and IMSA. But, to my knowledge he's never mixed the series.

Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone since John Holman and Bill Stroppe who successfully mixed different forms of racing, as owners.

[bamaga]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

Is it just me or are the teams that have owners who run in more than one series suffering from racing quality issues in Cup?

Hendrick, Roush and Gibbs, arguably the three top teams in Cup, have no stakes in the IRL and are doing very well while Penske and Ganassi are not doing as well as possible? Is it also coincidence that two of the newest drivers, both ex-Indy 500 winners are from those teams and are not doing very well?

good thought, with one adjustment. Hendrick, roush and Gibbs were born in Nascar. the other teams mentioned were born elsewhere, with a Nascar Division, like Penske South. the rest of your point was spot on!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by bamaga

good thought, with one adjustment. Hendrick, roush and Gibbs were born in Nascar. the other teams mentioned were born elsewhere, with a Nascar Division, like Penske South. the rest of your point was spot on!

Ropush was ultra successful in Trans-Am and IMSA before he came to NA__AR. But, he never mixed the two.

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Time will tell. However, he seems to be having more trouble transiting to the stock car that the other open wheelers. If I had to bet, I'd bet that second tier seat he gave up in F1 is starting to look mighty good.

But, that's just the way I see it, which has been know to be slightly askew.

What second tier F1 seat ?!
Ganassi and Penske are indeed in (very) bad situations and it's sink or swim.

[bamaga]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Ropush was ultra successful in Trans-Am and IMSA before he came to NA__AR. But, he never mixed the two.

your right, but they were merely a succesful marketing tool for Jack's road racing engineering and equipment business. He still does road racing as well as drag racing, and as proof of a marketing tool, you will find those forms of racing on the webpages of his Roush performance site mixed in with the mustangs, f150's ,engines and road racing parts.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

What second tier F1 seat ?!
Ganassi and Penske are indeed in (very) bad situations and it's sink or swim.

Maybe my teflon-coated brain has failed me. I seem to remember, but I could be wrong, that Dario was offered a second team ride in an F1 ride which wasn't Ferrari, McClaren or the like. Maybe Toro Rosso? Or Toyota? I seem to recall that he wasn't going to get the first seat.

That was the "Second tier F1 seat i referred to.

Sink or swim... Ganassi, the possibility is there. Penske...I don't see it as sink or swim. I think that might be a little... dramatic? I see it more as a case of "needs consistency."

Speaking strictly as a layman, I think Penske's failure comes from two things:
(1) Kurt Busch becoming more concerned about his image than he is about his racing, and...
(2) Ryan Newman and Matt Borland losing the ability to communicate with each other. Ryan's good and Tryson's good. But together I just haven't seen them as a good fit.

But then I'm just an old country boy so what do I know?

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Speaking strictly as a layman, I think Penske's failure comes from two things:
(1) Kurt Busch becoming more concerned about his image than he is about his racing, and...

But then I'm just an old country boy so what do I know?

I like that. I like that in that the "today fan" spoke loud, long, and hard against his unacceptable behaviors. Don't get me wrong, there were some instances that had us peeved/confused/unhappy, but in the final personal analysis - he had the right balance of skill, aggressiveness, and confidence. Maybe even still has. He may have gotten defused by the "boos". Some do.

Many now await/want the younger to "come apart". After all, he friggin' wrecked the marquee. He is diminishing HMS - wait, might not this be what some of those awaiting his demise ----- ah, forgot the "qualifier" - dimish the 24, 48, and maybe if necessary the 5, but do not intrude on the hatey hate --- or something like that.

****************************************

Ouch - sorry, we too got lured away from the String Title here.

Will be interesting to see if, in the long term, Ganassi can be successful in this form of motorsport competition. There. Left us somewhat back on track(?) ---

[Racer Duck]

Ganassi and Penski will survive .. as soon as they apply "NASCAR" principles to their teams instead of those from other series. All too often those at the top tend to manage each leg of their organizations the same when it's not the best way to achieve success - the smart ones soon realize their mistakes and adapt...

I have faith in Chip and Roger.