Marcos likes Frank Kerr too.

* Marcus Ambrose, for his career-best 10th place finish at Bristol. It was the Australian's first race in a Cup car on a NASCAR short track. Ambrose made his NASCAR debut at Martinsville in 2006 in the truck series.

Referring to his crew chief, Ambrose said, "Frank Kerr has saved my career. He's giving me good cars and good equipment."

Kerr is from Bensalem. He was Ambrose's crew chief for four races last year. Previously, he worked with Robby Gordon.

Ambrose's No. 47 Toyota is co-owned by former NBA player Brad Daugherty, now an ESPN racing analyst.

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on March 26, 2009 at 6:32pm

In the interview on Sirius Frank said "Marcos has been one of the best driver he has work with. We just communicate well". Frank said Marcos explains what the car is doing by telling me what he feels in the seat. Frank being a former driver seems to be able to relate. Frank also said because Marcos does not understand how these cars work he does not know what will fix the car, so he just explains what the car is doing and we try to adjust it a little bit at a time to see if what he is feeling is getting better.

My thought was, that is why Frank and Robby probably did not work out. Robby knows these car and knows what changes will do what. The down side is Robby thinks he knows what will fix the handling issues and he over rules what the CC thinks and half the time it only makes things worse. I heard that Rusty Wallace did the same thing. Because he was very old school and worked on the cars himself he understood the cars and he was known for Crew Chiefing from the drivers seat too.

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Permalink Reply by Turtle7 on March 26, 2009 at 6:39pm

Nikal I hear what you are saying but I think that Robby is starting to learn trust. Based on the scanner, he seems to be giving Kirk more leadway on the changes and the cars are coming out the shop with better setups.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Pendleton on March 27, 2009 at 1:09am

Since Kirk and Robby have some history it might work better for the Team. Kirk needs to have Robby think its his idea to change something on the setup.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Pendleton on March 30, 2009 at 4:42pm

When Robby is driving the car his mind is focused on driving. He is very smart to get where he is. I have worked for a lot of bosses and if I think something needs to be changed sometimes I have lead them in the right direction. Its the same way in marriage, you let you spouse think its he or she's idea.
Obviously, Robby is very independent and he might not take others suggestion seriously as his own. If I was sliding all over the race track I might not always be thinking straight. Your brain goes into the survival mode, you make poorer decisions. Its like the tires this weekend, Robby was convinced the team put the wrong tires on. They had not. He was getting a flat. Its his style and his show. I enjoy being a part of Planetrobby and help out the team whenever I can.

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on March 31, 2009 at 3:25pm

It's also a very good way to handle your boss.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on March 27, 2009 at 8:42am

Quote Nikal:
My thought was, that is why Frank and Robby probably did not work out. Robby knows these car and knows what changes will do what. The down side is Robby thinks he knows what will fix the handling issues and he over rules what the CC thinks and half the time it only makes things worse.

Having listened to Robby and other drivers over the scanner, notably Kyle Busch for one, Robby is no where in tune with these COTs as others are... he may have done well with the COYs, but he's just now getting to the stage that others were at a year ago.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on March 27, 2009 at 10:15am

Isn't the 47 car a fourth car in the MWR (pos) stable?.. If so, you would expect it to perform pretty well regardless of the CC. Ambrose is probably the 2nd best driver at MWR behind Rut at this point, so Frank having some success there is to be expected. Whoever Robby puts in the box as his CC will have to hit home runs to win, you can't have any weak players in tennis or golf, RG is a one man show! When Kirk and Robby win a race, don't think Kirk wont have more money offers thrown his way than you can shake a stick at..

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Permalink Reply by john mcglasson on March 27, 2009 at 2:52pm

perform well regardless of cc? If that worked Dale Jr and Gordon would be winning something. Throw money on a table and see what happens; nothing. smart people have to implement it. and Marcos second to reutiman? Hardly.

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Permalink Reply by Turtle7 on March 27, 2009 at 12:08pm

If Robby wins a couple of races this year, don't you think that a whole lot of money will be thrown his way. Look what is happening with his Dakar program. From 1 car to now three in 2010. The whole team will prosper!

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Permalink Reply by Keith on March 27, 2009 at 12:28pm

"IF's" and "BUT's"... just get it done.

There hasn't been a winner from outside the "SuperTeams" in how long?
Certainly if he could pull it off it would bolster the program.

I'd be happy right now to be consistently competing in the top 15.