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

I'm hearing the car owner fired the crew chief for running his mouth after their win Saturday and then the rest of the crew quit. Has anyone heard anything?

Kinda.  Speaking his mind as opposed to running his mouth but yes fired handed over the keys to the trailer and crew left with him.

Sheldon should just leave the team hours before the next race! 

He's currently 5th in driver points. 5th place pays out $100,000.  Yep, he should just walk away from $100,000. That'll show 'em.

There is a good chance he could quit and still finish in 5th, or pick up another ride. Seems to be the thing right now.

Maybe. But there's a couple other things that come to mind. Sheldon has sponsors that he would certainly want to keep happy. Also, I have to believe there's something in the Platinum contract that requires a driver to be a "member in good standing" or such, in order to qualify for the point fund. That can be used against a driver by the powers that be...

Who did the firing? Do they have a like team manager? Or was it that guy that wears the complicated shoes and his wife that looks like Sarah Jessica Parker? 

Ripper and crew is gone. Pruitts is in. 

Keep It Real

Sill Question! Without Ripper and the rest of his crew, How's he going to remain in 5th place in the points?

He may struggle to run as well without his crew chief, but it will be DNFs that affect his point standing.   The WoO point system is tightly structured enough that it will be hard for the 6th place guy to catch him.   Add in that the 6th place guy is Donny, who hasn't exactly been killing it with great finishes.   I'd think Sheldon should be good to go.   

Crew chief [which is set he got the keys to the trailer) and a couple guys can push a car around the pits np.   Or Sheldon can attend in any car and maintain his good standing attendance fir the last 10 races.   Neither the team or Sheldon would have a hard time with either option 

This is the exact reason the WoO has a Platinum contract---So drivers don't do exactly what you suggest.  Imagine how many would drop out of the last 3 or 4 races if they weren't contractually obligated in order to receive point money.  

It's not like that team set the world on fire this year. Usually Sheldon's a threat to win any bullring but this year that wasn't the case. Maybe the new crew chief has a different approach on setups and sheldon kicks some ass at the end of the season. Just a thought.

Was Ripper the crew chief who said something wrong,or just one of the crew with the coolest name?

Sheldons hard charging style makes him a crowd favorite. Alcohol can make people say things better left unsaid .Gravel is still feeling the effects of Codys actions. Best to win and lose with class. Paul and Ricky and Cody are the best but there are several very talented crew cheifs looking for recognition

This is probably true about Gravel. Had Cody not given his expletive interview about how great he was, Gravel probably would have been given much more grace after the fact 

I still cannot wrap my head around why he is leaving the team! Especially with nothing for a backup plan at least for right now. That team seems to have the best of everything from Hauler, Motors, clear down to the Dzus fasteners. I'm sure there is behind the scenes deals being made but I still can't believe he is just leaving the team!!!

???

Clock is ticking and he wants to try a different path? 3rd to 6th every year for 8? years in the greatest sprint series would be enough for most and better than 99% of the drivers out there, but he doesn't see a top 2 run in the current situation maybe? I don't know all the details and discussions and reasonings, only he does.  I know he will not have trouble bringing support to his new team so he may want to make this move while he is still assured that support.  Whatever next season brings, I wish him the best.  I wish the best for the Stenhouse car as well.  It's been a successful run and hope they continue to succeed moving forward.

They are most likely going to the kpc 18 team and have known for quite some time. I cant imagine them not being provided with everything needed to succeed but i dont understand how haud or ripper think they are going to get different results somewhere else staying together. I know they are good friends but it may be time for them to part ways because they arent getting it done together.