Pocono Post Race Quotes & Scott Riggs to RGM?

ROBBY GORDON (No. 7 Menards/John Manville Dodge Charger) Finished 37th
“We missed it on setup and got ourselves lapped and on a pit adjustment, the leader beat us another lap. We lost two and never got a chance to get them back. I don’t know if it would have made any difference if we had gotten the laps back. Thank God we have a road course coming up next week so we can get some momentum back with this race team.”

Scott Riggs Looking at Pocono

While still unofficial, it appears that Scott Riggs will be the odd man out at Stewart-Haas. Riggs had been talking to several teams about opportunities in 2009. According to NASCAR.com, he's 99.99999 percent sure he won't be back with the team.

Meanwhile Joe Custer, the team's manager, stated that "no one's out" and expects a decision on the driver lineup next week (www.NASCAR.com).

While Riggs hasn't finalized anything yet, he is still looking for a Sprint Cup ride and is working hard to secure one. If the rumor about State Water Heaters staying with Riggs as a package deal is true, with our economy in shambles right now it could be a blessing for him and an incentive for a team to sign him. One on the radr might be
Robby Gordon Motorsports.

Riggs would be a benefit for Robby by adding a teammate and making him more competitive. If Gordon wants a teammate, I can't see him passing on the package of Riggs/State Water Heaters. Gordon has a new shop with space for a 2nd team.

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on August 4, 2008 at 8:52am

I think most of what you said is very true, however I will say listening to the scanner during races has opened eyes alot.

I look at sunday's race at Pocono. During the rain delay all the drivers were out discussing things I'm sure. When the drivers got back in the car, Walter told Robby over the radio "Come directly into your pit and we'll go straight to work." Robby asked "Are we in position to get the Lucky Dog?" Walter replied, "I'm not sure, I'll have to ask an official. Come on in."

The problem I have with this is simple. 1) I would think during the red flag he should have already asked an official and had an answer and then had a plan. 2) At that time Robby was 2 laps down but nobody else was a lap down other than Michael Waltrip (who was over 100 laps down). He could have went around and got 1 lap back then.

Everyone new with rain in the area, drivers were gonna get risky and bring out cautions.

This was a HUGE mistake. I think Walter is totally to blame for that call. Had Robby went around like he should have and got a lap back, then picked up the next lap when he was awarded one sunday. Robby would have been on the lead lap, packed full of fuel and believe it or not....based on those that ran out of fuel and spins, Robby would have had a Top 25, possible Top 20 finish.

I'm not a crew chief being paid the big dollars, but when Robby was told to go straight in the pits and get repairs I immediatley thought "WHAT?"

The caution had not flown that much and green flag stope were routine. It had just rained so you knew they were gonna run a few extra yellow flag laps before turning them loose.
Why was this not discussed before Robby got back in the car and why didn't Walter ask an official before Robby got back in the car.

That's the dumbest call I've seen in years!

As for Riggs, if Robby can land a sponsor to fund a 2nd team then he needs to. The notes and extra help alone are worth every penny. With the new testing deal next year a 2 car team will be equal to a 4 car team. Single car team gets same amount of dates but, who you share notes with? Riggs is not a bad driver, just like we all know Robby is not a bad driver. It's all about having the right people around you and good equipment. Sunday Robby had poor equipment and the results showed it. Haas has Hendrick chasis & engines but the difference is the team that assembles them and around them.

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Permalink Reply by Blue Ridge Rob on August 4, 2008 at 9:29am

I do think money is the problem and I am not a great fan of Riggs. But he is one thing that Robby is not. He is a very good qualifier. With all of the economies of scale it would probably be a very good thing if he did get Riggs with a sponsor already on board.
They have to do something because if things keep going like they are, the ship might sink. That was pitiful yesterday. Damn it looks like they would hit the setup every once in while by accident if nothing else. I guess they are paying in spades for not testing at Pocono, huh?

BRR

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on August 4, 2008 at 10:10am

Remember Riggs was hit with a 150 point (Would be 29th in standings), has an average finish of 26th and an average start of 21st (that's with missing a race due to a sub at Sonoma, take that away and he has an average qualifying of 18th).

Be great to have Riggs work on qualifying set up and Robby working on race setups each week. Then share notes.

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on August 4, 2008 at 11:38am

All good points Zoom. The only thing I could even disagree with is this. Rob was out of the car during red flag. Him being the owner, he should've gone to the official about the luky dog scenario. Walter's sole concern, should've been the performance of the car. 2 min. de-breifinfing with the driver, then a battle plan with the crew. THEN, if theres time left, let's look at the lucky dog. That was my point about Rob, he spreads himself too damn thin. He wants to be in on everything.
As for Riggs, agreed 100%. The only thing that could be better is if Truex/Bass Pro went to Stewart/Haas. That would leave Newman as a wildcard,& Dodge might just pony up some dough to a Dodge camp to keep Newman. That could be Robby's golden goose. Would Newman do it, let's just say I've seen him around Robby more than a couple times. Also let's not forget it was Newman who lent Rob a trailer ealier this year to bring his car back to the shop for repairs (can't remember which track it was)...

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Permalink Reply by Keith on August 4, 2008 at 8:57am

Money will cure a lot of ills.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Lee on August 4, 2008 at 12:06pm

Please dude. You're worse than the MWR fans I've encountered. You know how I call it missing the set up? When the car is absolute junk at Michigan, Indianapolis, Pocono(twice might I add) and Darlington. Walter hasn't done anything other than be along for the ride, and we all know Robby can run well at plate tracks. I'll give him credit for a top 20 at Dover. But that's it.

2nd of all, don't try to tell me what I do and don't know. You act like you're some racing expert but I'm curious as to what your experience is, and who you know that gives you all of your inside information on what's good and what isn't. And I'm curious, where was Walter before RGM? pretty sure it was DEI IIRC, and they weren't exactly winning championships with him in charge because he wasn't. Worst thing Robby did was letting Greg Erwin go, then he had Gene and was foolish enough to let him get away.

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Permalink Reply by Hank Lee on August 4, 2008 at 12:20pm

Because, according to some members, they have Walter Gilles. What else could you want? Hes' the greatest crew chief of all time.

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on August 4, 2008 at 2:43pm

Suggest some other CC's who Robby should (and could) hire instead. Before firing anyone, you better have someone just as good, if not better, lined up to fill the position. If not, you're going to go backwards.

I'm thinking Walter's doing okay, and there are other problems to fix right now.

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on August 4, 2008 at 1:15pm

Hank you shouldn't worry where I get my info, you should worry about getting yours right. I told you why the car was junk @ MIS. Slow down read left to right, top to bottom.Whose car WAS good @ Indy? I think strategy won there, did it not? Besides, what holds true for Pocono, holds true for Indy. They didn't have the car for either on the straights. I act like I'm some racing expert? You act like a smartass local late model driver. You don't know what goes on behind closed doors,& when somebody opens the door a crack to let you in a lil, you think you should be on the box. Seriously man, I'm not into pissing matches. Besides, you've already proven your all about pissin into the wind. I'll give you this, RG's been foolish about letting a few CCs go, & Walter will be the next one he's kickin himself for, if he doesn't diagnose the real problem.

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Permalink Reply by Terie (aka vassinvegas) on August 4, 2008 at 2:28pm

didn't Greg just leave on his own accord for greener pastures and more $$$$?? again, if RGM had more money they could attract better people.

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Permalink Reply by Terie (aka vassinvegas) on August 4, 2008 at 2:24pm

Standing and cheeing!!! right on Mike!! As for being a control freak...you say that like it's a bad thing. Us control freaks get things done in the world. It really is a money thing, and the need of a second team to share info with since the GEM deal was a waste of time.

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Permalink Reply by Zippy on August 4, 2008 at 10:15am

I think having Riggs with a sponsor can only be good. Riggs has been running better than Robby the past few weeks and I would always bet on him to make races over the other go or go home guys (I was very shocked to see him miss Daytona last month).

As far as the Walter thing goes, I reckon he's alright. Can't see what good swapping to yet another guy would do, or swapping brand for that matter. A good watkins glen weekend would make everybody feel better for a while. Fingers crossed !