It's official Grubb is out Addington is in

Great post Lucy64. I think that Darian handled it very well and continued to go out and do his best. That shows what kind of professional character he has. I really do think there's more to it than any of us will ever know

Very good post Lucy - as always. It's nice to hear from you again.

I am in a management position and know about the fine line that’s hard not to cross regarding friendship with your staff. It is no easier to terminate an employee due to reorganization, budget cutbacks, or less than acceptable job performance. Many businesses however do offer an employee that’s not up to par the grace of write ups and the opportunity to try and improve their weaknesses.

As co-owner, I believe Tony has heavy input in the decision making, on the track or in the conference room. Considering SHR’s success in retaining and obtaining new sponsorship I am not inclined to give that argument a lot of weight.

Nor do I feel comparison between Darian and Zippy personalities or leadership styles is appropriate. Tony has never signed Greg’s paychecks.

It’s extremely unfair and inaccurate to hold Darian responsible for every loss the 14 team had this season. Then, when he does roll the dice and makes a questionable decision that, all factors considered, wins the race and the championship, attribute it to luck. That was a carefully calculated fuel mileage decision. I’m sure, with so much on the line at that point in the race, if Tony had any doubts about the call, he would have and could have overridden it.

I’m not sure that the 14 team was ever out of the top 12 in points this year, so while I’ll admit it was a challenging and difficult season, I would not agree it was terrible.

In the last 5 seasons Darian has been in VL with the 3 drivers he served as cc for. While employed with SHR his driver made the Chase every year. Whatever factors played into the decision to release Darian have pretty much been a well-kept secret, but it is inconceivable to me how anyone can deny his overall job performance as less than impressive and justify his termination.

I also think Darian will be fine. I’d like to think the 14 team will be fine, but I can’t imagine the heavy stress work environment that their boss has created, to know that even meeting and exceeding his expectations does not offer job security.

CatRod53 wrote:

Very good post Lucy - as always. It's nice to hear from you again.
I am in a management position and know about the fine line that’s hard not to cross regarding friendship with your staff. It is no easier to terminate an employee due to reorganization, budget cutbacks, or less than acceptable job performance. Many businesses however do offer an employee that’s not up to par the grace of write ups and the opportunity to try and improve their weaknesses.
As co-owner, I believe Tony has heavy input in the decision making, on the track or in the conference room. Considering SHR’s success in retaining and obtaining new sponsorship I am not inclined to give that argument a lot of weight.
Nor do I feel comparison between Darian and Zippy personalities or leadership styles is appropriate. Tony has never signed Greg’s paychecks.
It’s extremely unfair and inaccurate to hold Darian responsible for every loss the 14 team had this season. Then, when he does roll the dice and makes a questionable decision that, all factors considered, wins the race and the championship, attribute it to luck. That was a carefully calculated fuel mileage decision. I’m sure, with so much on the line at that point in the race, if Tony had any doubts about the call, he would have and could have overridden it.
I’m not sure that the 14 team was ever out of the top 12 in points this year, so while I’ll admit it was a challenging and difficult season, I would not agree it was terrible.
In the last 5 seasons Darian has been in VL with the 3 drivers he served as cc for. While employed with SHR his driver made the Chase every year. Whatever factors played into the decision to release Darian have pretty much been a well-kept secret, but it is inconceivable to me how anyone can deny his overall job performance as less than impressive and justify his termination.
I also think Darian will be fine. I’d like to think the 14 team will be fine, but I can’t imagine the heavy stress work environment that their boss has created, to know that even meeting and exceeding his expectations does not offer job security.

Agree.

I think Steve Addington proved he was GREAT at JGR...

I think JGR was GREAT to Addington. In 2008 your driver wins 8 races, is #1 going into the Chase, and #10 at the end of it. But he didn't lose his job until late in the 2009 season. That speaks volumes about the difference in JGR and SHR owners!

what happened to Kyle's car during that chase???? seriously.. Kevin woulda won this chase had drivers minded their ps and qs and drove like the media wants them to,, all nice like old ladies... crap happens and that is why NASCAR is indeed a crap shoot and why Carly poo, the hider,, the biggest chicken of them all almost won this chase.. THAT would have been a TRAVESTY

CatRod53 wrote:

Very good post Lucy - as always. It's nice to hear from you again.
I am in a management position and know about the fine line that’s hard not to cross regarding friendship with your staff. It is no easier to terminate an employee due to reorganization, budget cutbacks, or less than acceptable job performance. Many businesses however do offer an employee that’s not up to par the grace of write ups and the opportunity to try and improve their weaknesses.
As co-owner, I believe Tony has heavy input in the decision making, on the track or in the conference room. Considering SHR’s success in retaining and obtaining new sponsorship I am not inclined to give that argument a lot of weight.
Nor do I feel comparison between Darian and Zippy personalities or leadership styles is appropriate. Tony has never signed Greg’s paychecks.
It’s extremely unfair and inaccurate to hold Darian responsible for every loss the 14 team had this season. Then, when he does roll the dice and makes a questionable decision that, all factors considered, wins the race and the championship, attribute it to luck. That was a carefully calculated fuel mileage decision. I’m sure, with so much on the line at that point in the race, if Tony had any doubts about the call, he would have and could have overridden it.
I’m not sure that the 14 team was ever out of the top 12 in points this year, so while I’ll admit it was a challenging and difficult season, I would not agree it was terrible.
In the last 5 seasons Darian has been in VL with the 3 drivers he served as cc for. While employed with SHR his driver made the Chase every year. Whatever factors played into the decision to release Darian have pretty much been a well-kept secret, but it is inconceivable to me how anyone can deny his overall job performance as less than impressive and justify his termination.
I also think Darian will be fine. I’d like to think the 14 team will be fine, but I can’t imagine the heavy stress work environment that their boss has created, to know that even meeting and exceeding his expectations does not offer job security.

Thank you for being so nice. The point I was trying to make about the crew chiefs is this; Tony may well be part owner of the company but on the track the crew chief should be boss. Whoever is Tony's crew chief should have enough gumption to tell him just that or tell him to find someone else to do the job. I was just using Zippy as an example. Someone else like Chad Knauss for instance I wouldn't see letting Tony get by with that stuff. Darien just seems too soft spoken to handle a personality like Tony has. Have a good day.

I agree with you that Tony should let his crew chief do what he pays him to do. Darian does seem to be more reserved than some, and he probably took a lot of mouth from Tony he didn't deserve.

Kind of alarming is that I've read Addington left Penske because he was tired of the verbal abuse by Kurt. That poor guy possibly has just jumped from the frying pan into the fire. What do you do when the driver ranting at you is also your boss?

JohnnyDeppfan2 wrote:

<quoted text>
I guess We Shall see. But How many Crew Chiefs has your precious Jr had? He still can't win.

He may not be winning but he don't keep his ass in trouble with nascar over his temper does he.

CatRod53 wrote:

I agree with you that Tony should let his crew chief do what he pays him to do. Darian does seem to be more reserved than some, and he probably took a lot of mouth from Tony he didn't deserve.
Kind of alarming is that I've read Addington left Penske because he was tired of the verbal abuse by Kurt. That poor guy possibly has just jumped from the frying pan into the fire. What do you do when the driver ranting at you is also your boss?

I think Tony has calmed down quite a lot since becoming an owner and I don't think the rants are anywhere near what Kurt's are so IMO Addington will be much happier.

THE PUNCHY CLOWN wrote:

<quoted text>
PUNCH IN THE MOUTH
__________
HOHOHO!!!
HEHEHE!!!
HAHAHA!!!

If anybody needs a punch in the mouth, it's you, you moron.