RGM getting close to having a solid team

Toyota seems to have been a good decision so far for RGM. Gas mileage hasn't been an issue and horsepower seems to be more equal to most teams.

Kirk has done a great job and keeping Robby calm & focused. His discussions with Robby have been very solid with giving Robby the adjustments he wants, but keeping him from going overboard.

So far no "Back in Black" with sponsors more willing to climb aboard.

The only thing I see RGM needs work on is the pit crew. It seems weekly they've stumbled. Had the crew not messed the stop up, the 4 cars running with Robby at the time all finished in the Top 15. Robby bounced back and caught cautions at the right time most of the day, so finishing 21st is decent.

Robby is 30th in points and only -46 behind 25th and -66 behind 20th. Martinsville hasn't been a good track for Robby, hopefully he get a solid finish and move up in points.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on March 22, 2009 at 10:27pm

I agree for the most part. The pit crew will improve with some time and they get chemistry with each other. Some of these guys weren't on the team last year. They are getting better...

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Permalink Reply by Lance on March 22, 2009 at 11:39pm

Newman finished 7th compared to Robby's 21st and jumped past him. That's the way it goes sometimes.

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on March 23, 2009 at 10:55am

That had to do with Newman improving his position ahead of Robby.

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Permalink Reply by Christy on March 22, 2009 at 10:32pm

Pit crew needs practice, practice, practice, run drills?

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on March 23, 2009 at 10:44am

I couldn't agree more with you Chisty. Thats what makes any team great. RG seems to have most of the bases covered this year, with the exception of this one. Hopefully he sees, this means more athletic focus needs to be put on the pit crew.

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Permalink Reply by James Lepich on March 23, 2009 at 12:12am

Seeing all the pit crew members have SPOT uniform can only be a good thing. Hopefully they are signed on for multiple races!!

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Permalink Reply by HazMat870 on March 23, 2009 at 4:45am

You missed his point. He ment hopfully SPOT is going to be onboard for more races. Not that they looked good in the uniforms. As more teams close up shop there will be more crew members looking for work. Maybe RGM can pick up a few to strengthen the team.

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on March 23, 2009 at 10:50am

RG should hire an available pit crew coach (as a consultant), to tell him where the weakness are,& how to strengthen them. Don't go swingin the axe on anybody, then team morale goes to shit,& you loose your team. You end up with a bunch of guys makin a paycheck, lookin for work elsewhere. Take some talent, from out side,& give him a part-time pc consultant/trainer/coach...type gig.
As for the uniforms, I would think if spot was only a one race deal, the guys would've been wearing the team primary sponsor (JB). Thats unless spot paid for the gear in the sponsorship pkg.

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Permalink Reply by Rube on March 23, 2009 at 1:03pm

ya... imo, there is noway this is a one race deal... they would not spend all that money getting new uni's for all the crew and driver to wear for one race... i expect to see SPOT on the car a lot more this year!... look at Camping World last year, that was a four race deal and only Robby had the new uni not the whole crew... maybe this week at M'ville?, we will know if TOG changes the lettering from orange...

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Permalink Reply by jack on March 23, 2009 at 1:06pm

well that all really depends on what they spent for the sponsership. not all primary sponsers are created equal. The may of said " if we are gonna do this than lets go all out and do it right". I do hope they come back for more races though.. i like the look of the car and give more $$ for RGM to improve with.

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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on March 23, 2009 at 3:45pm

Considering the commercials that mentioned RG and there is a bit on RG up at their website, I'd say the odds are good....doesn't seem like something a company like that would do based on a one race deal.

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Permalink Reply by Garrett Gleason on March 23, 2009 at 1:42am

I think RGM is a solid team, just gotta cut down on the mental errors by the crew. I believe the right people are in place to get the #7 to victory lane at a roadie this year.