Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

To the HH brain trust,

 SJM Racing and KCP Racing 2019/2020 seasons have some noticeable similarities.

 2019 was an ok season for Lil Haud and SJM Racing, but it wasn’t what they had hoped for. Some success and some head scratching and an overall lack of consistency for 2019. 2020 however, they seem to have put something together! Way more consistent and they seemed to have shaken the 2019 funk.  

2019 was a decent season for Madsen and KCP Racing. They did have some success, mustered a few wins and some podiums along the way. I’d say their 2019 season ended on a positive note. 2020 not so much, this season in a whole hasn’t gone too well for the team. With 41 races into the season they have no wins, 10 T5’s and 24 T 10’s. Of course, we all know they let Madsen go and put Gio in the seat. We haven’t seen that Gio magic yet. Why ? It’s not a lack of talent.

The main similarities between these teams through the 2019/2020 season is Tyler Swank. I know there’s a lot that goes into a successful race team, ultimately the crew chief has a lot to do with it. IMO Swank is the key factor in these two teams lack of success. Or is it just a coincidence ? I don’t know a lot about the guy. I’ve heard he’s good at wrenching on sprint cars and likes things his way. The driver doesn’t tell him what the car is doing, and he goes from there. I was told he sets the car up and expects the driver to drive it.

What do you guys think ? Coincidence or not ?

There is definitely some things that cause concern with what you are pointing out. The 18 was built around Madsen from the inception makes me think Tyler possibly got into the owners ear and pushed a change to save his own job, it happens. Also worth pointing out given his success with everyone else Bernie deserves even more respect and appreciation for what he does with his race team I'm not saying anything bad about Gio but he doesn't look anything in the 18 like he did in the 71.

You make some good points. I don't think it's Swanks lack of skill or knowledge, however some guys just don't seem to gel with him. A lot of crew chief/driver combos don't work well together.  Swank has seen it all and knows how to make a sprint car fast that's for sure. This whole situation has also made realize how fast the Indy Race Parts car is. Everytime somebody new climbs in it they are lighting fast. Credit to Bernie and Charlie Garrett. 

 I know he had had a Garrett at Williams Grove but have seen Riders under the hood.

www.harleytrikes.com

I'm not sure it's that simple. Sheldon had moments of greatness last year (10 second win at Pevely) and Madsen was very fast to start the year when he led laps at Volusia and Knoxville with the WoO.

I do think while Gio is good, it's been proven that almost everyone has some success in the Bernie 71.

I can help but think both of these teams issue was and is Swank. If my thinking is right, KCP drops him for the 2021 season. Too early for silly season, Time will tell.