What can these teams do to get back in contention?

Sporting News, The, May 17, 2004 by Lee Spencer

DALE JARRETT

This has been a rebuilding year for Jarrett's team. After adapting to three different crew chiefs in 2003, Jarrett now is reacquainting himself with his former car chief, now crew chief, Mike Ford. When Ford arrived last November, he worked on rebuilding the Yates stable of cars, which, partially because of shifting personnel, varied considerably. In the wake of mechanical failures that hit the team in 2003, Ford placed emphasis on the cars' durability. He also made changes to Jarrett's pit crew. If this team which, at 18th, is the last within 400 points of the top--hadn't had an engine failure at Rockingham and finished 40th, it would be close to the top 10. Jarrett says the team is ahead of where Ford had the No. 9 team and Bill Elliott last season. That's cause for optimism, but Jarrett has concerns about the 2004 tires and says the team could use a lot of testing.

STERLING MARLIN

Marlin and his crew were 37th in points after a wreck at Daytona but have battled back to 15th. Marlin struggled with qualifying in the past, but an improved engine package is helping him this season. Still, his pit crew continues to lose positions on race day. Crew chief Lee McCall has held tryouts in an effort to upgrade, focusing on tire changers. McCall realizes this team won't win races or gain a spot in the top 10 in points until it has a pit crew capable of getting--and keeping--Marlin out front. "Right now we've got a good pit crew, but we need a great pit crew," he says. Marlin has gotten a boost from the closeness of the three Ganassi Racing teams. The friendly rivalry among Grandpa Sterling and his 20-something teammates, Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears, could help Marlin continue his ascent.

MARK MARTIN

Martin completed seven laps before the engine died in the season opener at Daytona, forcing his team to fight back from a big points deficit. Martin, 43rd after Daytona, has reached 13th, one position better than he was after 10 races last year. Martin is with his third crew chief since the start of the 2001 season but says his current one, Pat Tryson, has been a huge asset. Still, it takes time to build a relationship that will help the team adjust cars throughout races. Martin's qualifying program has been off considerably this season and needs improvement. Before this year, Martin averaged one pole for every 14 starts. He has qualified in the top 10 twice this season, both times at restrictor-plate tracks. Martin's pit crew has been solid. If the pit stops remain consistent and the team keeps posting top 15s, he should reach the top 10 in points.

MICHAEL WALTRIP

This is the same team Waltrip had last year, but that's where the similarities end. The pit stops still are some of the strongest in Nextel Cup, but the team lacks the momentum that existed last year, when it stayed in the top 10 through the first 27 races. Waltrip says, "Anything positive in racing helps your mental attitude." His optimism has kept the team afloat, but it will be difficult to recover fully from failing to finish three of the first five races. The qualifying efforts have been poor; Waltrip has used three provisionals in the past six races. Heading into Bristol, the strategy to climb up the points ladder was to average an eighth-place finish, but that hasn't happened; Waltrip is 30th in points, 577 behind the leader, teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. To get back in the hunt, Waltrip will have to pile up some top five finishes.