January 13, 2003

Well folks, once again its time to set the record straight.

This past week marked a changing of the pit guard over at Hendrick Motor sports with Chad Knaus giving an interview claiming that his personal hand picked pit crew doesn’t cut it anymore. Knaus would suggest that he wanted a more athletic team due to several miscues in which driving sensation Jimmie Johnson had to pay the price with bad track position.

Mr. Knaus if I could have a minute of your time? Let’s have a look at what you’ve cost Hendrick Motor Sports this past year shall we, not to mention one of the best miscues of 2002. It would make a great skit on a show like Saturday Night Live.

Chad Knaus, crew chief for the Lowe’s Monte Carlo was fined $ 25,000. This fine levied at Daytona last season considered offset mounting bolts located in the No. 48 trailing arms. It was no mistake that these machined shank bolts were placed in the suspension of the Monte Carlo and, had been that way for some time. It was good to see a technology bust even though it came one year too late. It was sweet justice for Jeff Gordon winning all those races with the flavor of someone else having to pay the piper. Jimmie Johnson was striped 25 points due to this cheating attempt by Knaus.

In a released statement from Hendrick Motor Sports on July 12, 2002 Knaus would go on to say that "We got caught with something that we thought was going to be a little bit of an advantage for us." What Knaus is saying is that he knew full well about the bolts and, also understood fully that the bolts made the car react as if it were on softer springs as was later uncovered by NASCAR the sanctioning body.

Let’s have a look at some results from Chad calling the shots!

Chad Knaus can blame others and claim to want a more athletic crew but he should look at his own calls from 2002 and realize he actually cost the Lowe’s team more at the end of the year than the pit crew could have done on any given Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson finished fifth in the Winston Cup point standings trailing Jeff Gordon by seven points. If it were not for the 25 point fine levied at Daytona, Johnson would have finished ahead of Gordon in the fourth slot.

When we look at the money involved, the fine at Daytona in which Knaus was the man cost $ 147,641.00 in point money at the end of the year. Now, if we toss the $ 25,000 in from the fine that comes to $ 172,641.00. The price of a complete race car and maybe two "Fat Burgers” served by the 24 hour chef over at the beach house. (please call first)

So, when Mr. Chad Knaus talks about pit members costing time on the track, remember that he is the one that cost Jimmie Johnson the difference between 5th and 4th in the points in 2002.

Knaus also suggests that his ability to make proper pit calls is hampered because his personal hand picked crew for 2002, was inconsistent in their pit times. Hey Chad! Remember that call you made at Dega' after Mark Martin hit the Lowe’s Monte Carlo? Let’s see, you had Jimmie stay out on the track and Martin came to the pits immediately. Roush Racing made the proper call at the proper time Hendrick Motor Sports fumbled the ball.

Knaus blamed NASCAR for his foolish mistake of not knowing what to do. As it turns out, and I am sure Hendrick made you write it on the chalk board 100 times, you can do everything but fuel the car in that situation. Not that it matters because Hendrick Motor sports "blowed up” six motors that day but you Mr. Knaus made an error in that call. I just really hate to bring it up but, now since you feel the need to blame the pit guys in the trenches, what the hay!

Chad Knaus can blame others and claim to want a more athletic crew but he should look at his own calls from 2002 and realize he actually cost the Lowe’s team more at the end of the year than the pit crew could have done on any given Sunday.

The brilliance known as the Rainbow Warriors was based on more than an athletic ability. Trying to reproduce magic from another time is a dream that in most cases never plays out. Knaus sets himself up for failure now if this team pulls off a few poor pit stops.

There should be something said for diplomacy in this sport. Look no further than Petty Enterprises to see how to run folks down the road. They know how to send a guy off with class and respect. You don’t go running to a free lunch interview with some hot blonde talking about how you blame someone else. Send the Fat Dudes out the door wishing them the best and sing the praises of respect doing it. Well that’s about it from me Mr. Knaus. Just wanted to let you know that you’re doing a great job, I buy all of your books.

You can contact Joe at: Insider Racing News