Sauter understands why Phoenix Racing released him, but 'it stinks'
Johnny Sauter was released today by Phoenix Racing just five races into the 2008 Nationwide Series season.
Sauter was 17th in the standings, and the team is already on its third crew chief.
“I got a call this morning from [general manager] Steve Barkdoll and he just said that pretty much my driving services weren’t needed anymore,” Sauter said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “I understand that race teams have to do from time to time ... what they have to do to try to improve their program. … It’s a tough deal, I’m sure, and it’s a tough call to make.
“As far as me losing my job, it stinks. What are you going to do?”
Phoenix Racing officials opted not to comment on the driver change Monday.
The 29-year-old Sauter drove in Cup last year for Haas CNC Racing with the team’s start-up second car. He put that car in the top 35 in points and finished 30th overall in the driver standings. He posted one top-five and also was second in the Nextel Open.
“I am proud of the fact that we set out with a new team to get established in the top 35,” said Sauter, who put his team in the top 35
after five races (missing one) and was locked in the rest of the season. “A lot of people would say that’s old news, but there are a lot of teams right now in Sprint Cup that would relish the fact to be in the top 35.
“It wasn’t all me. I had good stuff. We had Hendrick power, a good team and good equipment.”
With Haas CNC Racing making a change after last season and putting Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 70 car, Sauter had hoped to rebound at Phoenix Racing, where he had finished 12th in points and collected one victory in what was then the Busch Series in 2005.
But 2008 has been just as frustrating for the Phoenix team as last year was when its teams were 22nd and 26th in the standings.
“They probably came off a pretty tough season last year, and they felt like they went out and got Hendrick motors and felt like that was
going to fix their program,” Sauter said. “It was a step in the right direction, but you’re not going to fix your program overnight.”
Sauter also has spent time with Richard Childress Racing, where he teamed with Kevin Harvick to win the 2003 Busch Series owners title.
“It’s going to be hard to find a ride, especially at this point of the season, but all you can do is call [teams],” said Sauter, who has three career Nationwide victories. “All I’m asking for is to be competitive, whether it’s truck, Busch, Cup whatever. Late Models. You just want to run well. … I just want to be team player and feel like I can make a difference.”
Phoenix Racing has a history of making driver changes early in a season. It released Johnny Benson after 10 races in 2004 and released Jason Keller after eight races in 2006.
