Bad times for the “crew chiefs”

In the flagship automobile discipline in the United States, the “crew chief” plays a major role in the performance of a driver and his car. Jimmie Johnson, for example, owes a lot to Chad Knaus in obtaining his five consecutive titles, from 2006 to 2010. Also, as the "Chase" approaches (the last ten races of the season during which the first 10 ranked at the end of Richmond, the 26th of the 36 rounds of the calendar, are competing for the title, Editor's note), are these strategists the first placed in the dock in the event that their foal is not among the 10 elected? .

Brian Pattie is the latest example. Its driver, Juan-Pablo Montoya, is currently ranked 17th, 59 points from qualifying for the “playoffs”. Also, given the inconsistency of the Colombian?s results, despite having had a very good start to the season, Pattie has just been dismissed by the Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team. He will be replaced at the Brickyard 400, in Indianapolis next weekend (July 29-31), by Jim Pohlman, who will act as interim. Pohlman, Bill Elliott?s former crew chief at Evernham, joined the Ganassi team in 2006. We are pleased to have someone of Jim's caliber to fill this role on the No. 42 Chevrolet., confided Chip Ganassi. He has been with us for several years and I have confidence in his abilities to put the team back on the map. ».

Arriving in the team at the end of the 16th round of 2008, Pattie led Montoya to his second Sprint Cup success at Watkins-Glen last season. At the time, there was already water in the gas after the missed victories on ovals, notably at Indianapolis where "Juan" had flown through the event before having to change tires a few laps from the goal. The victory in the State of New York had then calmed the spirits. Temporarily. Kevin Manion, who accompanies Jamie McMurray, the team's second driver and currently 2th in the standings, therefore has anything to worry about?

The situation at Ganassi is not isolated. Last week, Roush-Fenway did without the services of Greg Erwin, whose driver, Greg Biffle, is the only member of the team not to be classified in the top 10 (15th). He was replaced by Matt Puccia, but has already found refuge at Richard Petty Motorsports where he took the place of Mike Shiplett alongside AJ Allmendinger (16th).