RGM getting close to having a solid team

Toyota seems to have been a good decision so far for RGM. Gas mileage hasn't been an issue and horsepower seems to be more equal to most teams.

Kirk has done a great job and keeping Robby calm & focused. His discussions with Robby have been very solid with giving Robby the adjustments he wants, but keeping him from going overboard.

So far no "Back in Black" with sponsors more willing to climb aboard.

The only thing I see RGM needs work on is the pit crew. It seems weekly they've stumbled. Had the crew not messed the stop up, the 4 cars running with Robby at the time all finished in the Top 15. Robby bounced back and caught cautions at the right time most of the day, so finishing 21st is decent.

Robby is 30th in points and only -46 behind 25th and -66 behind 20th. Martinsville hasn't been a good track for Robby, hopefully he get a solid finish and move up in points.

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Permalink Reply by jack on March 23, 2009 at 9:32am

baby steps... i agree when adjusting the car.. I was happy yesterday when I heard Robby say.. No.. just go a half round.... that was alot better than the normal 1,2, or 3 for major adjustments

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Permalink Reply by TOG on March 23, 2009 at 9:34am

This is a good team. I posted my thoughts about this an hour ago, but my message got wiped out by the site host updating.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on March 23, 2009 at 11:24am

As did mine! LOL!
Oh well, guess we all know what Ning thinks of our comments now. LOL

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Permalink Reply by bighead on March 23, 2009 at 11:59am

I hate to disagree but I think the PIT CREW performed great. When it was nut cutting time they actually passes a couple cars on pit road. On the McMurray caution if it was not for the 55 (pos) getting in the front of the line and holding everyone up Robby has a chance to position himself for the Lucky Dog.. Instead he got cycled back because of the 55 (which should have been at the tail end because of a speeding violation) and ended up going 2 laps down..Robby's car was definitely better than 21 coulda, shoulda, wooda been top 15..equal to PIT CREWS performance.......

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Permalink Reply by xcmtb on March 23, 2009 at 12:39pm

I agree we've seen moments of really good performance from the pit crew. Seems like once a week, something goes wrong, though. What I'm liking is that we're coming back from these mistakes - Robby says his piece about how bad they just f*d him and then goes and drives the wheels of the car. Seems like they're putting it behind them better than before.

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Permalink Reply by Jaci on March 23, 2009 at 1:49pm

I think driver and crew chief are communicating well. Robby tells Kirk what he wants and if Kirk disagrees, he tells Robby why. I have heard Robby agree to Kirk's way, they seem to talk it through instead of the crew chief agreeing to Robby's way. Yes, the pit crew has had some mistakes, whose hasn't? Robby sounds much calmer in the car this year, except after pit problems or when the car is really bad.

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Permalink Reply by Tim R on March 23, 2009 at 4:04pm

Yeah, RGM has good relationship with Toyota from Off Road and Champ cars, but it would be nice to see my favorite driver in my favorite make....FORD! unfortunately, Ford is spending most of their $$$ with Roush!

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Permalink Reply by Matt on March 23, 2009 at 5:52pm

More like all of their money. Yates Racing is to Roush what Stewart Haas is to Hendrick.

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Permalink Reply by AZBadseed on March 23, 2009 at 6:11pm

at this point everything is going fine. people saying that kirk should make changes and take chances and all that, i believe, are wrong. do what the big boys do. for example if you're near jiffy and racing with him....pit when he pits...dont re-invent the wheel. it must be maddening to figure out stragety as the race changes every sunday. why not just keep track of the guys your are racing around....and do what they do. thats not magic...it just makes sense. how many times does elliot sadler finish in the teens...more frequently than robby, and his stuff isnt any better, and he's certainly not a better driver, he just does what those around him do. you never here that team saying that was a great strategy call there in the middle of the race...yadda yadda yadda.
keep on keeping on RG and the rest of the squad!
GAS ON at the paperclip!