Best Current Crew Chief

Reck

Reck

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Outside of Chad Knaus of course. :D

Who is the second best crew chief operating in the NASCAR garage today?

I had heard that Alan Gusftason was second only to Knaus. I dont see it.

He doesn't seen to put out fast cars for Gordon in a consistent basis.

I personally think that the Janitor-turned Crew Cheif was a better fit for Gordon. Letarte is a very underrated CC.

So who do you guys think is the best crew chief not named Chad?

I'm going with Dave Rogers. That team, despite's Kyle erratic and volatile behavior at times seem to gel very well.
 
Todd Berrier.

Before Todd Berrier joined FRR, that team had 0 top 10s in 2012. He joined at the Brickyard and they got 5 before the year ended. And then we all know what he's done with Kurt this season.

I'm telling you, him and Kurt need to stick together if Kurt goes to RCR. They have something.
 
Alan second to chad? Bahaha no. He had a good run with Mark Martin that's it. I liked Robby Loomis much better than Steve or Alan. If I had to choose one other than Chad it'd have to be Paul Wolfe. Seems like most of the time the #2 team gets behind they get rallied back for a solid finish.
 
I used to think Mike Ford was pretty good, but he's really fallen off the map since getting canned at JGR. He was with RPM briefly and I think he's with BK racing now, yuck.

A guy I think is a real good crew chief who doesn't get much respect is Gil Martin. Even within his organization he got replaced at one time but then reinstated after Childress and co realized he was better than anyone else they had.

Honorable mention to Paul Wolfe and Jimmy Fennig
 
I honestly dont think Rodgers is that great. I think he has always been a product of a fast driver and great equipment/resources. I'd pick Grubb and Ratcliff at JGR over Rodgers.

For second best CC behind Knaus? I would go with Jimmy Fennig.
 
Even though his driver isn't doing much this year, I'm gonna throw Darien Grubb's name into the pile. He won a Daytona 500 as a sub crew chief with Jimmie Johnson, won a championship with Tony Stewart even after learning he was being let go, and the performance of the 11 team greatly improved after he got there last year. They've struggled in 2013, but I think that has more to do with Denny than Darien.
 
Either Kenny Francis or Ratcliff.

I would probably go with Ratcliff for adjusting to Matt so fast, but Francis has done awesome in his second year at HMS.
 
I have to say Todd Parott. It seems whoever has him at RPM is significantly better than the other one.

Honorable mentions go to Kenny Francis (for his amazing chemistry with KK), Paul Wolfe (who may get my main shout out if he wasn't so risky) and Darian Grubb.
 
FenderBumper said:
Either Kenny Francis or Ratcliff.

I would probably go with Ratcliff for adjusting to Matt so fast, but Francis has done awesome in his second year at HMS.
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Francis is a good pick as well. He has won with every organization he has been with and every driver too. Every incarnation that eventual RPM went through, one year stint at red bull, and now HMS.
 
2. Paul Wolfe (like Jimmie/ who is the best) has to be considered as a duo with Brad. I think their the best race management. He usually makes the right choice on the late strategy, and Brad hustles on the restarts and maximizes pit entrance/exits.

3. Jimmy Fenning
4. Berrier
5. Grubb
6. Ratcliff
7. Gil Martin
7. Francis
8. Brian Pattie
9. Letarte
10. Tony Gibson
11. Gusftan

I dont think Gusftan is Jeff Gordon's biggest problem. As a duo they have good speed, especially during long green flag stints. But they suffer more on restarts, the double file restarts and short runs or cycle green flags hurt them.The team of Gusftan could help him more with better track postion. But Gordon still is non aggressive and those double files demand aggression, he is long past the bump and runs that won him some races during the Everhamn era.
 
The only recent time I cant think of Gordon using the chrome horn for a win is JJ at Martinsville. Still couldnt get by him.
 
Greg said:
I dont think Gusftan is Jeff Gordon's biggest problem. As a duo they have good speed, especially during long green flag stints. But they suffer more on restarts, the double file restarts and short runs or cycle green flags hurt them.The team of Gusftan could help him more with better track postion. But Gordon still is non aggressive and those double files demand aggression, he is long past the bump and runs that won him some races during the Everhamn era.
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Agreed.

I think Alan is a good enough CC to give Jeff 2-3 wins per year. The problem is Gordon himself.

Apparentlly he lost his balls because he refuses to give a damn on restarts. He counts too much on his car speed. He thinks he can let 10 others go by and think he can pass them later.

Also his pit crew sucks. His pit stops are in the 13-14 and even 15 second bracket consistently.

Gordon must have fallen out of favor with Rick or something. He also gave Gordon's old pit crew to Jr. along with the crew chief swap.

Gordon needs to grow a pair and demand better personnel around him.
 
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