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Why did the bottom feeders finish where they did?

Sporting News, The, Dec 9, 2005 by Scott Riggs

Scott Riggs

If there were a Reverse Chase, Riggs would have been the champion. That's the closest thing to an award one could offer him after two mediocre seasons on the Cup tour. It appeared Riggs' program was turning around after he finished fourth in the Daytona 500 and finished in the top 10 two other times in the first five races. But there wasn't much to speak of after that, other than a career-high second in August at Michigan, despite the team's switch to crew chief Rodney Childers in June. Next season, Riggs moves with Childers into Evernham Motorsports' research and development team. Riggs will have better engine reliability, but he inherits organizational issues that plagued EMS this year after the loss of crew chiefs Tommy Baldwin and Slugger Labbe.

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STERLING MARLIN His performance suffered because he was a lame duck. it was disappointing that Marlin was relegated to the organization's test car in his eighth year of service to Ganassi Racing. Case in point: Marlin had four engine failures, his teammates none. Marlin had no influence on the selection of chassis for his cars and never fee comfortable behind the wheel. The ultimate insult: Marlin learned through the rumor mill that David Stremme was taking over the No. 40 car, after owner Chip Ganassi refused to return Marlin's phone calls. Marlin's legendary father, Coo Coo, died in August--one week before the Stremme announcement--and Marlin missed Watkins Glen, which knocked him out of contention for a finish in the top 25 in points. A fresh start with MB2 will get Marlin back on track.

TRAVIS KVAPIL Despite moving under the Penske roof in 2004, the No. 77 car has not made significant gains. Kvapil couldn't match former driver Brendan Gaughan's 2004 numbers--not by a long shot. Kvapil finished 33rd in points, five positions lower in the standings, and failed to score a top five, which Gaughan did. Penske officials released a statement saying Kvapil's job is safe, but the team needs a complete overhaul. The organization must go back to the drawing board if this team ever hopes to rise to the standards of the Nos. 2 and 12.

KEN SCHRADER NASCAR's senior driver reached the half-century mark this season, but it was his car that needed a Geritol infusion. Even though crew chief David Hyder made gains with the No. 49, it is a single-car team without a cutting-edge engine program and significant assistance from the factory. Next season, Schrader takes over for Ricky Rudd in Wood Brothers Racing's No. 21-a team that, with a little luck, could finish in the top 15 in points.

DAVE BLANEY Blaney's team-player attitude made him an excellent choice for Richard Childress after Childress' tumultuous 2004 with Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon. But Blaney, a former World of Outlaws champion, didn't have the stock car savvy to overcome cars that weren't up to speed. Although Richard Childress Racing showed improvement in 2005, it was not soon enough to save Blaney. His return to Bill Davis Racing will not help his cause. Without factory support from Dodge, Blaney will just be turning laps.

JEFF GREEN His name spent most of last season in the rumor mill. It wasn't whether he was leaving Petty Enterprises, it was when, and that was lousy for morale. Green didn't finish a race in the top 10; he finished in the top 15 three times. The addition of Robbie Loomis and Bobby Labonte should boost the No. 43 significantly in 2006. As for Green's move to the No. O, the team has potential; the driver switch, from Mike Bliss, is a wash.

Why did the bottom feeders finish where they did?

Sporting News, The, Dec 9, 2005 by Scott Riggs

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