What Crew Chief has the toughest job?

Bowtie3

Bowtie3

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SiriusXm morning drive topic. I thought it would make an interesting thread.

Most on twitter(I wasn't listening to the actual show) were saying Keith Rodden and Adam Stevens. Rodden maybe, but not Stevens. I would think getting to work with a driver as good as KB would outweigh his attitude. Jeremy Bullins might be a good choice. Good young driver, excellent equipment but still can't quite break through. Slugger Labbe don't have it easy. Even being an Austin Dillon fan, I know he can be a brat at times. Alan Gustafson has it tough, some by his own doing, but what a bright future with Chase.

I'd say right now, Matt McCall may have the toughest. To see you teammates doing so well and being so close but still not able to break through has to be tough.
 
Alan G. has it made in the shade. Look at the drivers he's gotten to work with. Mr H. has also said that as long as Alan wants to do this, he's going to have a job at HMS. In all honesty, he and Chase have exceeded expectations to this point. No wins, but winning is extremely difficult in the series. They've done everything but win at this point and that first W isn't far away. I just hope they keep the two of them paired and that Alan wants to CC for at least another 5 years.
 
Toughest, as in dealing with a volatile driver or owner , I'd say any one of the Stewart Hass crew cheifs . Toughest, as in general, I'd say Bootie Barker .
 
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Rodden doesn't have a tough job, he's just a bad crew chief, makes horrible in race strategy choices and at times just seems to be throwing adjustments at the wall to see what sticks. Stevens I would say because dealing with Shrub has to be maddening
 
I would guess K-shrubs. He just seems like he would be a misery to work with.
 
Whoever is Dale Earnhardt Jr's C.C. , because if Jr isnt running well the C.C. has to deal with the wrath of Jr Nation
 
aunty dive said:
I have a hard time equating living the dream with having a tough job.
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You gotta think, for some, like Matt McCall and Paul Wolfe, their dream was driving. Driving didn't work out for them. That may make it tougher for them.
 
That's a tough question. Results is only part of the equation. All drivers whine and get mad at some point but dealing with the driver during the race is just part of the job. A big part we don't see is back at the shop. I don't know if the crew chief is top dog in the shop or if someone else (or several people) run the shop. But I think the crew chief on a smaller team might have the toughest job.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Alan Gustafson, because Chase Elliott inherited Jeff Gordon's fanbase and no matter what happens, it's all Gustafson's fault.
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I don't understand this stereotype at all. Are 24 fans really that critical of Gustafson? I've always thought he does a pretty good job more often than not.
 
The younger Elliott not winning in cup at this time cannot be his fault.

See Danica Patrick.
 
I like Danica and believes she belongs in NASCAR.

But, her Crew Chief could hand her the best NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Car every single points paying race on the schedule, and he'll never get to see the fruits of his labor.

KyBu's Crew Chief and his pit crew probably have fun agitating KyBu to hear him whine. Coach Gibbs probably laughs along with them as well...
 
Ever heard of anybody hating to work with Kyle? Me either. Please don't waste your time with scanner exchanges. We could play that game all night long. His crew and his CC love him. That doesn't mean that he doesn't piss them off, but they know who they are working with, and they like coming to the track knowing that they are in the game every week. If they wanted something cushy, there are some popular drivers out there who will be popular regardless of where they run.

Really tough question, but I might say Chris Gayle. Erik Jones is a slam dunk to many. If he doesn't run well, he will not be fired, but Chris will. So far, he has been the new CC talent of the last few years IMO. Brilliant.
 
Hotrod said:
The CC with the 19 team is in a tough spot.
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I disagree. Nobody expects anything really. Dave had a good gig. They were going to give him time. Scott Graves will have time, and if he isn't working, most feel that Daniel is a year early on his Cup ride anyway.
 
Anyone who doesn't say Lajoie's crew chief needs to have their head checked
 
Revman said:
I disagree. Nobody expects anything really. Dave had a good gig. They were going to give him time. Scott Graves will have time, and if he isn't working, most feel that Daniel is a year early on his Cup ride anyway.
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I was just thinking in terms that the 19 was 4th in points
this time last year and now they are 21st.
Even if the expectations are low, I still bet someone on that
team is feeling the heat of accountability. They could use a top 10 quick.
 
BobbyFord said:
Whichever crew chief has the least available resources has the toughest job.
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I would agree with this one. All teh field filler CC have got to be bummed knowing they will never get their car to victory lane and that each week is just like the last.
 
Thinkin’ they know what they’re gettin’ into when they agree to climb up on the box. At least better than those of us who watch from a distance.

At that, if one does their best with what they have to work with, there should be no shame in depositing the pay check.
 
Hotrod said:
I was just thinking in terms that the 19 was 4th in points
this time last year and now they are 21st.
Even if the expectations are low, I still bet someone on that
team is feeling the heat of accountability. They could use a top 10 quick.
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I hear ya man, but Daniel is a rookie, and they all acknowledge that he is there sooner than expected due to Carl's departure. Daniel has been solid, and now with the departure of Dave, I think they give him even more room to grow. I will say, however, that the 19 team must be a mess. Unfair spot for a promising rookie.
 
Revman said:
Dave resigned right after that incident, right?

Didn't say you couldn't use scanner quotes....said don't waste your time. They are indicative of nothing.
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Dave was probably fed up with working with a self centered whiner and figured the stress wasn't worth it.....

Can't say I blame him one bit.

Some jobs just aren't worth the stress and abusiveness.....
 
kymartin6 said:
Dave was probably fed up with working with a self centered whiner and figured the stress wasn't worth it.....

Can't say I blame him one bit.

Some jobs just aren't worth the stress and abusiveness.....
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The point being that Dave, in fact, did not resign after that incident. Actually, when he was relieved of his duties as Kyle's crew chief the parting was amicable....but I'm no fun...please, carry on....

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