NASCAR: Three Changes Needed To Save Roush-Fenway Racing
By Mike Hutton
Where to go from here?
This wasn’t intended to be a Roush-bashing article. As stated earlier, Jack is one of the sport’s legacy owners and is a member of two halls-of-fame, with induction into the NASCAR hall-of-fame at some point an almost sure bet. He deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
However – his own stubbornness will be his ultimate downfall if things don’t change soon. The sport is mirroring our society in that it is an instant gratification world and “what have you done for me lately” culture. Perception is very much reality. In my opinion, the following need to happen to show that he’s still committed to winning:
- Jack needs to relinquish day-to-day decision making to others who have relevant and current experience engineering this generation of race car.
- Focus on the Sprint Cup Series exclusively.
- Ask John Henry II what exactly he brings to the table besides money, because his money isn’t getting it done.
- Have Robbie Reiser change his attitude or hit the door.
- Solicit ideas from employees and use them. Getting input from guys and girls who actually build the cars, work on the cars and drive the cars is your best information — not what you learned in the ’60’s and ’70’s.
- Keep your drivers engaged and happy. You fooled Edwards once, so he stayed only to leave later. Biffle is regretting the decision to stay and is surely gone as soon as he can be. Kenseth was the smart one and left at the first opportunity.
Or, you can keep doing the same things you’re doing now and expect different results, which is the definition of insanity. If that’s the plan, fine — sooner or later you’ll lose one of your three remaining Cup teams. At that point, you can sell the two that are left to Roger Penske anyway, giving him a four-team operation…. wouldn’t that be something!
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