Dave Rogers bringing experience from previous Cup outing to new role with Kyle Busch
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Friday, November 06, 2009
Dave Rogers begins his duties as Kyle Busch's crew chief this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
FORT WORTH, Texas – New Kyle Busch crew chief Dave Rogers had the similar role in the NASCAR Cup garage in 2005, and he has a pretty blunt assessment of his job as crew chief for 13 races for Jason Leffler at Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I failed with the 11 car [of Leffler], there’s no doubt about it,” Rogers said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. “I think you learn more from your failures than you do with your successes. Certainly, I learned a lot through that experience. I would not change it for the world, and I think it will make me a better crew chief for the 18 car.
“[I learned] leveling the emotions – not getting as high when things are good, not getting as low when things are bad, managing people, that relationship between the driver and crew chief.”
Rogers has replaced Steve Addington as crew chief for the No. 18 Cup team, which has won 12 races since Busch joined the team prior to the 2008 season but missed the Chase For The Sprint Cup this year.
“You learn in this sport to never be surprised with anything,” Rogers said. “Things change so quick. I’m disappointed for Steve. I’m humbled. This is an honor to represent Joe Gibbs Racing. … I’m slightly surprised, but not really.”
Rogers has worked with Busch and several other drivers through his role as crew chief for the organization’s No. 20 Nationwide Series team. That team won the 2008 owners title with Rogers, who missed the final 10 races after being penalized for NASCAR after the sanctioning body ruled the JGR teams attempted to manipulate the results of an engine dyno test.
“Life was very good over there,” Rogers said. “We were running well, I had Sundays home with my wife and kids. Life was great. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I didn’t have to come over here and do this. But when the opportunity came up and you realized that Kyle Busch was the driver and you look at the engineering staff that Joe Gibbs Racing has, you just couldn’t pass the opportunity up.”
Rogers says his big challenge is learning the new NASCAR car that was implemented for a partial schedule for 2007 and then used full time since 2008. He has to learn everything from the technical inspection process to the tools to tune the car, especially what is different from the Nationwide car he has worked on the last four years.
“These guys [on the crew] have bent over backwards being very patient with me the last two weeks, teaching me about the car while I’m trying to lead them,” Rogers said. “It’s a unique situation.”
Communication with the driver and the engineering department and understanding the details of the new car will be key, Rogers said.
“I’m probably going to have to take some beatings from him, we all know that he can be verbal, and I’m probably going to have to give a few back,” Rogers said of working with Busch. “It’s going to be a good working relationship.”
Rogers doesn’t have high expectations for the final three races this year.
“We’re just building for next year,” Rogers said. “If we can run in the top five, that would be fantastic, but we’re not going to be disappointed if we don’t. … … The next three weeks are all about finding a direction, what direction do we need to work on over the offseason?
“Whether we win, lose or draw, as long as we have something to work on over the winter, it will be a success. The guys that are good have been together a while. If you think you’re going to come out and beat them on Day 1, you’re arrogant and naïve. That is not going to happen.”
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9 responses to "Dave Rogers bringing experience from previous Cup outing to new role with Kyle Busch". Post a Comment.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 1:11 PMDave will do just fine. They have the whole off season to get cars prepared for an all out assault on the 2010 Championship.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportterris88sem said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 2:37 PMI wish Dave and Kyle Busch well for 2010. Hope that they can work together. hope for the best.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportnascarnutsheeler said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 5:48 PMI wonder how long he will be able to stomach the Bush?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbajafishin said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 6:23 PMDo you think after Kyle doesnt win a championship next year Dave will be replaced too?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjerryswiatek said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 7:51 PMAgain, Better Have Addintons notes, Just like the rest like when Everham left notes and Gordon continued on for about almost a year.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJrNation_Idiots said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 1:36 AMDave is doing a great job so far. Nice pick-up from practice to quals!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJrNation_Idiots said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 1:39 AMI hope chevelle reads this. I was looking at MSP's wall (since I'm him and all) and I noticed that SS was talking crap about kyle starting 41st at martinsville...How does it feel to eat ish then chevelle? Kyle finishes 4th....your boy finishes...in the wall!!! You're old right chevelle...like ancient right? You should know, it's not where you start, it's where you finish....enjoying your crowe!? Sucker!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttshotcar88isthebestdriver said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 7:51 AMWhy can't you people be nice to each other! congrats to Kyles win. Lets play nice people.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsibbi173 said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 10:27 AMSo Rogers is expecting to get verbal assaults from Brush....and he expects to give them right back!!! Just how long does he think Brush will tolerate THAT!!! Good luck Dave, but everyone knows that the spoiled brat doesn't take any critizism too kindly. So keep your suitcases packed!!!
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