The worst 5 drivers to pit for and why?

dpkimmel2001

dpkimmel2001

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Sure, everyone can guess who's #1 but maybe some of the rest may or may not surprise you. This info is from the people that actually pit the cars.

Like we said in the first addition of the top 5, a driver has the biggest influence on a team. Influences can be positive or negative and these 5 drivers seem to have more of a negative impact on there crews than positive. Once again, we would like to re iterate that these are our opinions from the limited access we get to the drivers through TV and other such outlets. We listed the top 5 best and now here is our top worst. Take a look and enjoy.

#1 Kurt Busch
Do we really have to explain this, not really but we will. Just go to youtube and type in Kurt Busch rants and you will understand where we are coming from. When things are good KB can be the best driver in the world to pit for. When things go bad, they’re real bad. Sense his career started over 10 years ago KB has had trouble keeping his mouth shut when things go bad. Whether it’s to his crew chief, spotter, owner, or crew guys, he can’t seem to understand the concept of time and place. There is a time and place to chew out your team when things go bad, but not on the radio for the whole world to here. The thing about Kurt is that it’s not just been a few times he’s laid into people on the radio, it’s been his whole career. This was an easy decision for #1

#2 Kevin Harvick
In a sport that is filled with sarcasm, when a driver gets the nick name “Happy” you know he’s a moody guy. KH can win and has won for years. Crews guys like that, but when he gets on one of his tears on the radio it makes for a long day. He is not afraid to say what he’s thinking or feeling when he’s in the car and that can sometimes lead to verbal assaults on his team. Just because your passionate about winning and want to win more than anything in the world, it doesn’t give you the right to be a hot head on the radio.

#3 Martin Truex Jr.
This is one that might surprise some people but ask around pit road and you’ll understand. Over the last few years MT has won 1 race and it seems to be everyone’s fault but his. Anytime you have a driver with that mentality it can make for long years on a team. He’s been known to ask for whole sale changes on his crews in the middle of the year and that doesn’t settle with guys on pit road. Outsdie of the track we have heard that MT is a good guy but in the car he’s had some rants that land him on our list.

#4 Robby Gordon
Now, we understand he isn’t racing any more but towards the end of his career he was a guy that you just knew going into the race that you were in for a verbal beating. Crews guys rotated through his teams like contestants on the bachelorette. He was always quick to lash out on his team for a slow stop or a mishap on pit road. It didn’t matter who or what, but if things went wrong he had no problem letting everyone know. You know it’s been bad when your not racing any more and you still make the top 5 worst to pit for.

#5 Denny Hamlin
Denny is a driver who is almost off the list but still managed to make it in the 5th spot. Over the years he has gotten better with the public scrutiny of his crew guys but in the early years it was brutal. A few years back DH wouldn’t hesistate to make a crew changes on his team. Things go wrong on pit road, they always have and always will. DH doesn’t seem to have the patients to deal with that sometimes. On more than one time he has expressed his anger for his team in a post-race interview and guys don’t forget that. Like we said, over the last few years we think he’s gotten better but he’s still #5 on our list.









from here
 
So who were the best drivers to pit for and why?
 
sloggie said:
My understanding is that Pit Crews that work with Kurt Bush love working with him actually.
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They do. Kurt wouldn't even make the top 20 if you polled actual pit crew guys. He's actually one of the very few drivers who goes to where they train and helps out, drives the car, sweeps lug nuts, etc. Truex wouldn't make the top 20 either.

Number one could very well be Junior. Number two, just a guess, Carl Edwards. JPM and Jeff Gordon would be up there as well. Denny was a good call.

Here's what you have to understand - you can't judge "worst 5 drivers to pit for" because of radio banter during the actual race. That's like judging "top 5 football coaches to play for" based on sideline demeanour. If that was the only criteria, yeah, those guys you mentioned would be tops. However, the driver and crew spend A LOT of time together, and most of them spend all weekend together, face to face, hand in hand. There's a chemistry, and a mentoring, and a communication comfort, and just a willingness to be available and approachable. A lot of drivers act above the pit crew...and trust me, that's a much bigger violation than being called out on the radio. I would actually be surprised if Junior could name each member of his team. His crew sticks around for Hendrick $$$ and women. Which, come to think of it, probably makes him a top guy to pit for. Ah, who the hell knows...
 
Allenbaba said:
They do. Kurt wouldn't even make the top 20 if you polled actual pit crew guys. He's actually one of the very few drivers who goes to where they train and helps out, drives the car, sweeps lug nuts, etc. Truex wouldn't make the top 20 either.

Number one could very well be Junior. Number two, just a guess, Carl Edwards. JPM and Jeff Gordon would be up there as well. Denny was a good call.

Here's what you have to understand - you can't judge "worst 5 drivers to pit for" because of radio banter during the actual race. That's like judging "top 5 football coaches to play for" based on sideline demeanour. If that was the only criteria, yeah, those guys you mentioned would be tops. However, the driver and crew spend A LOT of time together, and most of them spend all weekend together, face to face, hand in hand. There's a chemistry, and a mentoring, and a communication comfort, and just a willingness to be available and approachable. A lot of drivers act above the pit crew...and trust me, that's a much bigger violation than being called out on the radio. I would actually be surprised if Junior could name each member of his team. His crew sticks around for Hendrick $$$ and women. Which, come to think of it, probably makes him a top guy to pit for. Ah, who the hell knows...
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Just a guess but are you pissed at JR. Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and JPM about something, according to the pit crew members themselves your boy KuBu is the worst and JR. & JG are in the top five and Carl & JPM are in the middle 15, crew members are pretty active in the social media and are easy to find and usually talk freely.
 
Not at all! Just what I hear in the garage from all kinds of people. It's a very small universe.

I have absolutely zero to do with Jr, Jeff and Carl, and have met JPM several times, and think he is one of the coolest guys on the planet. But...take a look at how many crew chiefs JPM has had. It's a bit telling, no?

As for the list, I have no idea what "itTalks.com" is, or their credibility. I know my credibility - it's 100% credible. But none of you guys know that, I could be a complete fake and a troll, so it really doesn't matter. These are just my opinions.
 
Allenbaba said:
These are just my opinions.
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Hey, it's great that you have an inside line in nascar and all, but do you have any opinions that don't involve doing damage control for Kurt? Since you have the inside scoop on nascar things it would be nice to hear some of it that doesn't involve trying to convince everyone here what a great guy Kurt really is.

Most of us here have a favorite driver either past or present, but we (almost) all share our opinions about all sorts of nascar related topics.

How about giving us a break on the Kurt damage control and post about other insider nascar stuff for a change.
 
Allenbaba said:
Not at all! Just what I hear in the garage from all kinds of people. It's a very small universe.

I have absolutely zero to do with Jr, Jeff and Carl, and have met JPM several times, and think he is one of the coolest guys on the planet. But...take a look at how many crew chiefs JPM has had. It's a bit telling, no?

As for the list, I have no idea what "itTalks.com" is, or their credibility. I know my credibility - it's 100% credible. But none of you guys know that, I could be a complete fake and a troll, so it really doesn't matter. These are just my opinions.
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It's not very hard to figure out who is full of BS or trolling on here and who is not, and from reading all of your posts in the past you have convinced me that you are the real deal, or a darn good imposter. If you are a BS'er, you are by far the best BS'er on this forum. Like I have said in another thread I really enjoy when someone can bring some of the behind the scenes inside info on here, so, until someone can prove that your not the real deal, then keep up the good work.:D
 
gordonite said:
Hey, it's great that you have an inside line in nascar and all, but do you have any opinions that don't involve doing damage control for Kurt? Since you have the inside scoop on nascar things it would be nice to hear some of it that doesn't involve trying to convince everyone here what a great guy Kurt really is.

Most of us here have a favorite driver either past or present, but we (almost) all share our opinions about all sorts of nascar related topics.

How about giving us a break on the Kurt damage control and post about other insider nascar stuff for a change.
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Ummm...I did. I told you who I thought were tough guys to pit for. I also said Truex was probably unfairly mentioned.

I spend the most time with Kurt, so I mention him the most. I'll stop - I really don't care. I just thought you guys would be surprised to hear what he's actually like. I know I was. He's an interesting guy, in an interesting part of his career, having an interesting season. Also, my job isn't to clean up his PR. He's on the Forbes top ten list of most hated athletes...there's not a PR firm large enough to clean up his image. I sure as hell ain't qualified.
 
Allenbaba said:
Ummm...I did. I told you who I thought were tough guys to pit for. I also said Truex was probably unfairly mentioned.

I spend the most time with Kurt, so I mention him the most. I'll stop - I really don't care. I just thought you guys would be surprised to hear what he's actually like. I know I was. He's an interesting guy, in an interesting part of his career, having an interesting season. Also, my job isn't to clean up his PR. He's on the Forbes top ten list of most hated athletes...there's not a PR firm large enough to clean up his image. I sure as hell ain't qualified.
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Yes, I saw you post about some other drivers after your usual defend Kurt reply. It wasn't exactly the insider info I'm talking about, but whatever.
I get that you mostly work with Kurt, but surely you could give an insight to things that happen in the garage area that don't involve Kurt.

I'm not saying you should stop posting about Kurt. You have an insider thing with nascar and that's good for everyone here. I'm just saying it would be nice to hear about other insider things in nascar that don't involve Kurt for a change.
 
gordonite said:
Yes, I saw you post about some other drivers after your usual defend Kurt reply. It wasn't exactly the insider info I'm talking about, but whatever.
I get that you mostly work with Kurt, but surely you could give an insight to things that happen in the garage area that don't involve Kurt.

I'm not saying you should stop posting about Kurt. You have an insider thing with nascar and that's good for everyone here. I'm just saying it would be nice to hear about other insider things in nascar that don't involve Kurt for a change.
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Ok, that's fair. I see your point.

I wish I knew more about your boy Jeff Gordon (assuming your handle makes you a fan). He keeps a close circle. I know his seemingly bitter attitude all the time the last couple seasons is a result of him being held hostage in the sport by Helton and France. He really wants to retire. I don't know what has happened behind closed doors with those guys, almost no one I know does. But they all know those meetings take place, and a grumpy Jeff Gordon always leaves them reluctantly sticking around. NASCAR needs another season or two before they can bridge the old with the new. Obviously they have something on Jeff, or at the very least, the threat of something. He really does walk around like a guy who hates his job. It's sad - he deserves nothing but a royal treatment for what he's done for NASCAR.
 
Allenbaba said:
Ok, that's fair. I see your point.

I wish I knew more about your boy Jeff Gordon (assuming your handle makes you a fan). He keeps a close circle. I know his seemingly bitter attitude all the time the last couple seasons is a result of him being held hostage in the sport by Helton and France. He really wants to retire. I don't know what has happened behind closed doors with those guys, almost no one I know does. But they all know those meetings take place, and a grumpy Jeff Gordon always leaves them reluctantly sticking around. NASCAR needs another season or two before they can bridge the old with the new. Obviously they have something on Jeff, or at the very least, the threat of something. He really does walk around like a guy who hates his job. It's sad - he deserves nothing but a royal treatment for what he's done for NASCAR.
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:confused:o_O:eek::mad::mad::mad:
 
Allenbaba said:
Ok, that's fair. I see your point.

I wish I knew more about your boy Jeff Gordon (assuming your handle makes you a fan). He keeps a close circle. I know his seemingly bitter attitude all the time the last couple seasons is a result of him being held hostage in the sport by Helton and France. He really wants to retire. I don't know what has happened behind closed doors with those guys, almost no one I know does. But they all know those meetings take place, and a grumpy Jeff Gordon always leaves them reluctantly sticking around. NASCAR needs another season or two before they can bridge the old with the new. Obviously they have something on Jeff, or at the very least, the threat of something. He really does walk around like a guy who hates his job. It's sad - he deserves nothing but a royal treatment for what he's done for NASCAR.
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Someone's mad.
 
I don't get it. I like Gordon. Rooted for him when I had nothing to do with NASCAR.
 
The "I AM F*CKING THERE!" line from Kurt Busch always makes me laugh. And I love the Truex Jr. meltdown, like chill bro you're not gonna win anything anyway.
 
Allenbaba said:
Ok, that's fair. I see your point.

I wish I knew more about your boy Jeff Gordon (assuming your handle makes you a fan). He keeps a close circle. I know his seemingly bitter attitude all the time the last couple seasons is a result of him being held hostage in the sport by Helton and France. He really wants to retire. I don't know what has happened behind closed doors with those guys, almost no one I know does. But they all know those meetings take place, and a grumpy Jeff Gordon always leaves them reluctantly sticking around. NASCAR needs another season or two before they can bridge the old with the new. Obviously they have something on Jeff, or at the very least, the threat of something. He really does walk around like a guy who hates his job. It's sad - he deserves nothing but a royal treatment for what he's done for NASCAR.
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Allenbaba said:
I don't get it. I like Gordon. Rooted for him when I had nothing to do with NASCAR.
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Even doing it in a smooth suave kind of way bashing Jeff Gordon is still what it is bashing and you are coming off as being bitter as hell about something or are just pissed at a JG fan for asking honest questions that you can't or wont answer and you are sounding kinda like KuBu himself so this isn't fun anymore, I'm through with it.
 
Allenbaba said:
Ok, that's fair. I see your point.

I wish I knew more about your boy Jeff Gordon (assuming your handle makes you a fan). He keeps a close circle. I know his seemingly bitter attitude all the time the last couple seasons is a result of him being held hostage in the sport by Helton and France. He really wants to retire. I don't know what has happened behind closed doors with those guys, almost no one I know does. But they all know those meetings take place, and a grumpy Jeff Gordon always leaves them reluctantly sticking around. NASCAR needs another season or two before they can bridge the old with the new. Obviously they have something on Jeff, or at the very least, the threat of something. He really does walk around like a guy who hates his job. It's sad - he deserves nothing but a royal treatment for what he's done for NASCAR.
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That doesn't make a lick of sense at all to me. I'm sure if Jeff wanted to go, he'd go. Being who he is and what he's done to the sport I'm positive nobody would try to stop him.
 
I've heard horror stories about Kurt when he's in a bad mood. But when he's in a good mood, he's apparently one of the nicest guys you can be around.

Every driver has their moments.

That said, when they say they're going to replay Kurt's radio transmissions, I chuckle knowing what's coming bleepity bleep bleep.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
That doesn't make a lick of sense at all to me. I'm sure if Jeff wanted to go, he'd go. Being who he is and what he's done to the sport I'm positive nobody would try to stop him.
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You'd think so, right? I'd offer another opinion, but if I talk about how Helton and France rule the sport in a negative way, I might come off as just being bitter. :wink: Let's just say that while this theory sounds crazy to some of you, it sounds like par for the course to me.

I honestly like Gordon. That's the last time I'm going to say it. Truly and sincerely. There have been several occasions where I've needed a photo or an autograph for some of my guests, and he's obliged every single time (and trust me, much less popular drivers haven't). But the fact remains, every person I've ever talked to about him has told me the same thing - the guy really wants out, but way too much pressure was put on him to stay. I've heard it a million times. His attitude in the garage supports that. He doesn't seem happy. I'm not saying that because I have an agenda. Our haulers have been next to each other for weeks, I'm just telling you what I've seen.

I'll put it another way, so my feelings about him are less confusing. IF what I heard is true...IF he is being pressured into staying...I think that sucks. He deserves better. I tried saying as much in my last post.
 
Allenbaba said:
You'd think so, right? I'd offer another opinion, but if I talk about how Helton and France rule the sport in a negative way, I might come off as just being bitter. :wink: Let's just say that while this theory sounds crazy to some of you, it sounds like par for the course to me.

I honestly like Gordon. That's the last time I'm going to say it. Truly and sincerely. There have been several occasions where I've needed a photo or an autograph for some of my guests, and he's obliged every single time (and trust me, much less popular drivers haven't). But the fact remains, every person I've ever talked to about him has told me the same thing - the guy really wants out, but way too much pressure was put on him to stay. I've heard it a million times. His attitude in the garage supports that. He doesn't seem happy. I'm not saying that because I have an agenda. Our haulers have been next to each other for weeks, I'm just telling you what I've seen.

I'll put it another way, so my feelings about him are less confusing. IF what I heard is true...IF he is being pressured into staying...I think that sucks. He deserves better. I tried saying as much in my last post.
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:bsflag:
 
Allenbaba said:
I don't get it. I like Gordon. Rooted for him when I had nothing to do with NASCAR.
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I enjoy your writing and I don't consider myself to be a big Kurt fan.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
I've heard horror stories about Kurt when he's in a bad mood. But when he's in a good mood, he's apparently one of the nicest guys you can be around.

Every driver has their moments.

That said, when they say they're going to replay Kurt's radio transmissions, I chuckle knowing what's coming bleepity bleep bleep.
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When he's in a bad mood, there's about a ten minute window where you don't want to be anywhere near him. It's bad.

After a poor qualifying run at the first Richmond, he stormed into the hauler, threw his sunglasses, and shattered them into a million pieces. After he stormed out, Todd Berrier (with help from a few other crew guys) picked up every single piece - then Todd actually super glued the damn thing back together. Every little piece. Shattered glass and all. It was amazing to watch. He stuck them in Kurt's locker when he was done.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
He's probably a huge cheerleader but the media only shows his tantrum. Every driver has tantrums. Have you heard Jimmie's?
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JJ's are as funny as hell. Your cheer leading sucks. I know that, don't tell me anymore. I know, I'm not an idiot.

You can close your eyes and see a parent trying to help their child and getting sassed for their trouble.
 
Allenbaba said:
When he's in a bad mood, there's about a ten minute window where you don't want to be anywhere near him. It's bad.

After a poor qualifying run at the first Richmond, he stormed into the hauler, threw his sunglasses, and shattered them into a million pieces. After he stormed out, Todd Berrier (with help from a few other crew guys) picked up every single piece - then Todd actually super glued the damn thing back together. Every little piece. Shattered glass and all. It was amazing to watch. He stuck them in Kurt's locker when he was done.
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I can only wonder why repair his glasses, it just looks to subservient and enabling imo. A better response would be to yank off all of his future replacement glasses and preemptively smash them to pieces. After you have finished you could then tell Kurt you have already taken care of that piece of the business, and he doesn't ever have to worry about them again.
 
Greg said:
I can only wonder why repair his glasses, it just looks to subservient and enabling imo. A better response would be to yank off all of his future replacement glasses and preemptively smash them to pieces. After you have finished you could then tell Kurt you have already taken care of that piece of the business, and he doesn't ever have to worry about them again.
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I was waiting for it and there it is.
 
Allenbaba said:
When he's in a bad mood, there's about a ten minute window where you don't want to be anywhere near him. It's bad.

After a poor qualifying run at the first Richmond, he stormed into the hauler, threw his sunglasses, and shattered them into a million pieces. After he stormed out, Todd Berrier (with help from a few other crew guys) picked up every single piece - then Todd actually super glued the damn thing back together. Every little piece. Shattered glass and all. It was amazing to watch. He stuck them in Kurt's locker when he was done.
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I own a pair of coast del mar and Oakley sunglasses both with glass lenses. Glasses that expensive are shatter and scratch proof with a lifetime warrenty. I don't see a pair of sunglasses that a multi millionaire wears shattering into a million pieces. Why repair them when either he has lifetime warranty or his sponsor will just send him another free pair?
 
Allenbaba said:
They do. Kurt wouldn't even make the top 20 if you polled actual pit crew guys. He's actually one of the very few drivers who goes to where they train and helps out, drives the car, sweeps lug nuts, etc. Truex wouldn't make the top 20 either.

Number one could very well be Junior. Number two, just a guess, Carl Edwards. JPM and Jeff Gordon would be up there as well. Denny was a good call.

Here's what you have to understand - you can't judge "worst 5 drivers to pit for" because of radio banter during the actual race. That's like judging "top 5 football coaches to play for" based on sideline demeanour. If that was the only criteria, yeah, those guys you mentioned would be tops. However, the driver and crew spend A LOT of time together, and most of them spend all weekend together, face to face, hand in hand. There's a chemistry, and a mentoring, and a communication comfort, and just a willingness to be available and approachable. A lot of drivers act above the pit crew...and trust me, that's a much bigger violation than being called out on the radio. I would actually be surprised if Junior could name each member of his team. His crew sticks around for Hendrick $$$ and women. Which, come to think of it, probably makes him a top guy to pit for. Ah, who the hell knows...
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So much for not throwing the drivers under the bus rule you "had". ROFL.
 
Johali said:
Even doing it in a smooth suave kind of way bashing Jeff Gordon is still what it is bashing and you are coming off as being bitter as hell about something or are just pissed at a JG fan for asking honest questions that you can't or wont answer and you are sounding kinda like KuBu himself so this isn't fun anymore, I'm through with it.
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Good post.

AllenBabba is on some serious double standards here.

Kind of hard to take a guy serious when he tries to paint a guy who's known to be a douchebag on and off the track a saint. And then goes on to talk pure garbage about some other drivers? Yeah you have no credibility with me buddy.
 
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