FIFTH GEAR: Failing NASCAR teams put crew chiefs on notice

In the stick and ball sports, if a team goes south, it's the coach or manager that usually pays the price by losing his job.

In NASCAR, it's the crew chief.

And with the remaining races to make the Chase dwindling to seven, teams out of the title hunt who believe they should have contended are making changes. A pair of crew chiefs have been dismissed in the past two weeks, and more could be forthcoming.

Greg Erwin was the first to go as Greg Biffle struggles in the standings (15 th, no wins) for Roush Fenway Racing. This week, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing relieved Brian Pattie of his duties for Juan Pablo Montoya (17 th, no wins).

Pattie had been with Montoya since the tail end of the 2008 season, but had finished 17 th two straight years after making the Chase in 2009. Erwin, who has since found a similar role with Richard Petty Motorsports working with A.J. Allmendinger, had worked with Biffle since 2007 and made the Chase twice, finishing as high as third in 2009.

There were high expectations for both Montoya and Biffle this year, thus the change. Both organizations are banking on new chemistry (Biffle with Matt Puccia; Montoya with interim Jim Pohlman) to perhaps save the season.

When ABC/ESPN starts to broadcast NASCAR Sprint Cup races in a week with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis, there will be a new voice handling the play-by-play.

Allen Bestwick, a veteran NASCAR broadcaster, will carry the load for the network's final 17 Sprint Cup telecasts, which includes the Chase. Bestwick replaces Marty Reid, a longtime Southern California favorite.

Reid, best known in the area for his drag racing and off-road racing work, remains as the lead announcer for the ESPN Nationwide races and also the network's remaining Izod IndyCar Series races. Reid called Cup races for ESPN in 2010.

As a result of Bestwick's promotion, Nicole Briscoe will take over hosting duties for NASCAR Countdown on the network's Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series telecasts. She has been host of ESPN2's daily NASCAR show since joining the network in 2008.

No other changes were announced by the network. Bestwick, who had been the Countdown host since 2007, will work with analysts Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree beginning July31 while Briscoe will be joined by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN Pit Studio.

"We are blessed with a talented and versatile group of NASCAR commentators," said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production, in announcing the changes. "We believe this arrangement best plays to our individual and collective strengths.

2010 Hummer H3 Moab V8 Engine 300 hp Off Road Performance Cargo ...

Press Release:

LAS VEGAS – With a renewed focus on recreation and off-road racing performance, HUMMER comes to Las Vegas and the 2009 SEMA Show with a group of four special trucks and SUVs demonstrating the purpose-built nature of HUMMER vehicles.

HUMMER introduces two concepts, the H3 Moab, outfitted with a host of off-road performance accessories inspired by its namesake, and the H3T Sportsman – a proposal for the ultimate outdoorsman’s truck. In addition, Rod Hall Racing’s two-time Baja 1000 full stock-class winning H3 Alpha and Robby Gordon Off-Road’s Dakar-proven HUMMER round-out HUMMER’s 2009 SEMA Show display.

“HUMMER is refocusing on what made the brand successful, which is building rugged, all-terrain vehicles with capabilities that meet the needs of our customers,” said James Taylor, HUMMER CEO. “These concepts not only highlight the off-road performance technology built into our models from the factory, they are inspiration for enthusiasts who want to express themselves via their H3 or H3T.”

While none of these specialized HUMMERs are currently targeted for production, they incorporate Genuine HUMMER Accessories and other aftermarket parts available today, allowing owners and enthusiasts to replicate much the concept vehicles’ enhanced capability and performance.

H3 Moab

HUMMER is the ultimate vehicle for the independent spirit, and the H3 Moab is no exception. Inspired by trails like Steel Bender, Moab Rim, and Poison Spyder, the H3 Moab pays homage to one of the world’s greatest landscapes and off-road enthusiasts’ playground.

Beginning with the solid off-road foundation of a 300-horsepower, V8-powered H3 Alpha with factory-installed front- and rear- locking differentials, the H3 Moab features a combination of production equipment, available aftermarket components and specialized modifications.

At the heart of the H3 Moab’s design is the combination of a Rancho four-inch front suspension lift and a custom rear spring-over conversion inspired by current HUMMER engineering test vehicles. The suspension modifications are supported by Rancho shocks and sure-footed performance is provided by its 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires mounted on custom 17-inch 2-piece Monster Black Competition Beadlock Raceline Wheels by Allied.

The H3′s standard underbody protection has been augmented with additional custom shielding and a HUMMER Genuine Accessory brushguard and rocker protection provide the Canyon Metallic exterior paint with defense against the elements. Mounted atop the H3 is a Gobi Ranger roof basket to increase cargo carrying capacity for long overland journeys. The H3 Moab also features HUMMER Genuine Accessory lower grille mounted lamps and six Delta Xenon roof basket-mounted off-road lamps to provide lighting in all conditions.

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