If Addington Goes, Zipadelli is Best Choice as Busch’s Crew Chief
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ESPN.com reported Sunday the possibility that Joe Gibbs Racing is considering several things to boost Kyle Busch’s performance. Among the options: replacing crew chief Steve Addington.
If that doesn’t tell you how fickle Sprint Cup racing is, nothing will.
In 68 races and just under two seasons together, Addington has led Busch to 12 of his 16 career Cup victories, 26 top-5s and 33 top-10s.
Granted, Busch failed to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup this season and finished a disappointing 10th in last year’s Chase, but to replace Addington at this point would be a huge mistake, in my mind.
That being said, let’s say Joe and J.D. Gibbs go forward with their plan to oust Addington. After all, it’s their team, their organization and their money – they have the final say.
Who, then, would be a good replacement as Busch’s crew chief? And, what to do with Addington, who has shown he knows a thing or two or three about being a successful crew chief and getting his driver to victory lane?
Excuse me if I prognosticate or pontificate, but the answer is pretty clear and obvious to me.
If the Gibbs’ are convinced that Addington has taken Busch as far as he can go, move him to the No. 20 team to mentor Joey Logano, while switching Greg Zipadelli to the No. 18 team as Busch’s new quarterback.
Think about it: while Zippy has done wonders in his first year with Logano, he also has two championship rings, earned with Tony Stewart in 2002 and 2005. If anyone could get Busch over the hump and into championship contention, it’s Zipadelli.
Addington, meanwhile, is the type of guy who likes working with young drivers. And if the chemistry just isn’t there any more with Busch, he’d be a perfect fit with Logano, in my mind.
This way, both teams win and no one loses.
Sure, you could make a case to move Mike Ford over from Denny Hamlin’s team, but I just don’t see Addington or Zipadelli being a good fit with Hamlin. Ford works well with Hamlin, keeps him centered and has helped him mature over the last year-plus.
With a win like Sunday’s at Martinsville, you want to keep Hamlin moving forward. Moving Ford to another team/driver would not accomplish, I feel.
Which brings us back full-circle. If Busch, who started 41st Sunday but rallied for a fourth-place finish, his best showing in nearly two months (since his win at Bristol), is indeed destined for a new crew chief nonetheless, give him the guy that knows how to mold a driver into a champion, as Zippy did with Stewart.
I’m not saying Addington still couldn’t do that, but if the Gibbs’ feel a change is necessary, Zippy is the best man for the job.
And, who knows, maybe Addington may just lead Logano to a title in the next few years, as well, with the No. 20 team trying to hold off the No. 18 team. Wouldn’t that be interesting?
Posted by on 10/25 at 10:04 PM
