The great inventor Thomas Edison had a unique perspective on coming up short. He is credited with the adage, “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
“The Captain,” Roger Penske, may very well be the Thomas Edison of NASCAR. Once again, his organization has been at work to find that magic combination to provide Penske with that elusive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.
Former Kyle Busch crew chief Steve Addington will be atop the pit box, making the calls for older brother Kurt Busch. If ever there was a driver that would make working with Kurt look easy- it would be Kyle. “Addy” comes in with an impressive resume, and he insists working with temperamental drivers is not a problem for him.
2009 was a nice rebound effort for Busch after missing the Chase in 2008. If Kurt hit a rough patch with the “Blue Deuce,” he didn’t stay in the ditch long. In very quiet, consistent fashion, Busch made a serious run at the championship. While I’m not sure I would have endured some of Kurt’s attitude as well as Penske, or former crew chief Pat Tryson, I’d still have to admire Kurt’s passion and effort.
Brad Keselowski will take over the “12” ride from David Stremme with a strong Nationwide Series season under his belt, and a decent campaign of part-time Cup driving. Kez came out of nowhere to win at Talladega last Spring. It was just one of several occasions where Brad showed he wasn’t bashful about mixing it up with the big boys.
As for what will happen in 2010, the big question is this: will he be the first to dump or be dumped with NASCAR’s stated plan to “let the drivers drive.” It will be interesting to see what the Michigander does with steadier seat time.
Speaking of seats, Sam Hornish, Jr.s may get a little hot if he cannot make significant strides forward. The odyssey thus far of the former IRL champion is living proof that the transition from open wheel to “stock” car racing is not an easy one. The fact the Tony Stewart made it look easy more a tribute to Smoke’s greatness than it is any sign of a lack of talent on the likes of Hornish, Juan Montoya or Scott Speed. Let there be no doubt, Hornish has talent. It also speaks volumes of his character that he has endured the smack talk about his driving gracefully (no doubt you’ve heard the “Spinnin’ Sam” jokes), and he’s not been reticent to take responsibility for any mess he made on the track.
It can’t help when your nameplate has the the troubles Dodge has had in this economy. Every now and then, you hear a whisper of Penske going to Ford, or Dodge pulling out altogether.
Whatever the case, in spite of the challenges, Roger Penske put a highly competitive driver in the Chase in 2009, and I wouldn’t be shocked at all if there were a repeat performance of the same in 2010.
If not, the Captain will go back to the drawing board to produce a better 2011.
