Major Changes with In The Hendrick Organization

Rick Hendrick, proved to everyone that in the offseason, he doesn’t just sit back and relax. He makes major changes, that will effect the whole team. Just two days after the final race of the 2010 season, Hendrick Motorsports made some big changes. Changes that involved, crew chief being moved from one driver to another; and whole race teams being moved from one shop to another.

  The way Hendrick Motorsports was set up before was:

1.)   Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon shared a shop. (Crew Chiefs : Knaus and LeTarte)

2.)   Dale Jr, and Mark Martin shared a shop. (Crew Chiefs: McGrew, and Gustafson)

The “new” set-up at Hendrick Motorsports:

1.)   Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr. (Crew Chiefs: Knaus and LeTarte)

2.)   Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon ( Crew Chiefs: McGrew and Gustafson)

   Rick Hendrick states “"This will improve us as an organization, across the board," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We had a championship season (in 2010), but we weren't where we wanted and needed to be with all four teams. We've made the right adjustments, and I'm excited to go racing with this lineup." Kudos to Hendrick for making a change, however was it the best one? I guess only time will tell.

  My opinion on it is this: Everyone knows that Jr and McGrew didn’t work out.Their results from the past two years show that much that.  Steve LeTart has proven that he has the knowledge to win races. Something that I, personally don’t think that McGrew had. So maybe this is McGrew’s last chance, to get it right. Was there ever any chemistry between Jr and McGrew, most of his fans say no. I have to agree with them on this one.

  So where’s that going to leave McGrew and the rest of the 5 team in 2012? Well, its very possible that he could be on the outside looking in, and I say that because Kenny’s going over to Redbull with Kasey, along with Engineer Keith Rodden, and Car Chief Todd DeVinch, a team that has proven time and time again they can win together, and they can lose together. I’m not really sure, the terms of the contracts at RedBull Racing. We know that Kasey’s is only for a year. I believe that you will see, Kasey, Kenny, Keith, and Todd, together for a long time, hopefully. But only time will tell.

http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news_detail.asp?id=2965