Track Smack: A new car and crew chief make debut

1. Joe Gibbs Racing is replacing Kyle Busch's crew chief, Steve Addington, with Nationwide skipper Dave Rogers. The right move?

David Caraviello: I don't know if it's the right move, but it's probably a necessary one. Interesting how the announcement comes on the heels of Kyle's best run in a while, and an event where Addington wins the crew chief of the race award. But the car and driver combination there have just been off for too long, which is why Kyle missed the Chase.

Joe Menzer: I feel real bad for Steve Addington, who seems to be one of the sport's true good guys. He doesn't enjoy media attention, yet he'll always patiently answer any questions you might have -- even after a tough run. I actually think this move might be a little premature. I mean, let's look at this statistically: yes, they weren't consistent enough to make the Chase this year. But they have a total of 12 Cup wins together in less than two years. And the guy gets booted out?

Dave Rodman: Should be very interesting, and a good three-race trial to see if it has potential for 2010. I think Dave has made the best of the time since his last foray into Cup and has proven to be a real weapon in the Nationwide Series. He has some experience with Kyle in the Nationwide Series from 2008, I believe -- they probably even won at least a race or two -- so there is definite potential there if he can be a ringmaster to that ol' beast KB. I dare say if JGR could find Kyle's Chad Knaus, that would make for some interesting Chases for the next five or eight years. Some record books could be re-written, no question.

David Caraviello: Addington is indeed a good guy who has completely redeemed himself as a crew chief. He was the target of a lot of animosity from fans during Bobby Labonte's difficult final days at Gibbs. Clearly, he showed last year that he can still set up a car. Joe, as for being premature ... I wonder if it's too late. As early as Loudon in June it was becoming evident what they were doing was not working.

Joe Menzer: Guys, where is the patience in professional sports these days? Is it working right now for Carl Edwards and Bob Osborne? Should they be busted up and Edwards start over with someone new? No. Why is this so different? I will repeat: in less than two seasons, Addington and KB won 12 Cup races together!

David Caraviello: Oh, nobody doubts that. But the falloff on that No. 18 team has been quite stark, Joe. You have to admit that. They had a good first third of the season and have basically struggled to get the cars right since then. I don't think that's happening with the 99. And making the Chase also counts for a lot. I don't think we'd be seeing this had Kyle gotten in again.

Joe Menzer: He wasn't that far off! I think in some ways this is a panic move -- endorsed by you!

Getty Images

Steve Addington

Replaced

Announcement comes on the heels of Kyle Busch's best run in a while, and an event where Steve Addington wins the crew chief of the race award.

• JGR pleased with Busch
• Appoints Rogers chief
• Driver page

David Caraviello: I'm not going to throw Steve under the bus here, no matter how badly Joe wants me too. But I remember back in New Hampshire in June was when it first became very evident that something was up with the No. 18 team's cars. Kyle voiced those concerns himself. And that's when the falloff began. They haven't really been the same since. And a driver like Kyle should be in the Chase every year.

Dave Rodman: Their record is significant, yes. And it quantifies their individual worth, for sure. But look at it as a team. In 2008, they were phenomenal, but when they had to deliver, they fell apart. In 2009, again, they excelled in spots but the consistency they needed to put together a championship effort was absent. I don't think that speaks to the individuals' abilities as much as it does the classic chemical imbalance.

Joe Menzer: Well, it's interesting that you say that. Because I spent quite a bit of time taking with Alan Gustafson at Martinsville. And it seems there was at least a slight "classic chemical imbalance" between him and KB back in the day, too. So maybe it's the driver who needs to change his ways.

David Caraviello: I'm beginning to think Joe has a classic chemical imbalance!

Joe Menzer: Listen, it's pretty obvious that Dave Rogers has a very good chance to be one of the next great Cup crew chiefs. I'm not doubting that. I'm just saying that cutting Addington loose from the 18 right now seems a little premature to me. And I deny having a classic chemical imbalance at this time. Catch me after a few Coors Lights on a Friday night and maybe you would have a better case!

Dave Rodman: It's fascinating that Rogers' cars have beaten Shrub's, what, five times this season in Nationwide? And now they get a chance to work together. If things work in a Cup model, this could be the one. I've always been pretty impressed with Dave's skills -- despite how humble he and his partner, Jason Ratcliff, have always been. I really don't mean for this to sound as offensive as it does -- but Steve is too nice, and too competent a guy to put up with this mess. I think he can be effective in any role. And that isn't dissing Kyle, either -- he just needs his guy, and when he gets him, look-freaking-out.

David Caraviello: In some ways this move was probably easier to make because Rogers was around. Talk about a terrific guy who's proven he can set up a car for anybody. Yeah, he had a rocky previous stint in Cup with Jason Leffler, and there was that whole magnets scandal in the Nationwide Series, but the guy shows every sign of being a star in the waiting.

Joe Menzer: You know, another factor we don't know yet is how this all came about. Maybe Addington wanted a different role, or off the road, or whatever. That will come out in time, too. Then it all might make more sense.

David Caraviello: I believe Joe's imbalance is kicking in again! (Continued)