Zipadelli and team plan to battle through distractions until 2009

Tony Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli have not enjoyed their usual level of success this season.

[DonaldI]

JGR's formula for success has been based on the fact that the (teams) share engineers, engine builders, engine tuners, etc. Each JGR team enters every race on an 'equal basis'.........so says JGR. Now, we have a team member that will probably win the cup (Busch); another team member that has the ability to win the cup but is leaving the team at the end of the season;(Stewart). Smoke will not win a race this season; it should be very obvious.......... a few thousands clearance on that piston here, a spring rubber there, who will notice? Busch wins the cup, Smoke has no wins! Glad you bailed-out Smoke, good luck next season!

[CatRod53]

I agree - I don't think Tony will get a win this year - but I'm not convinced it's JGR or Zippy's fault.

Watching Tony qualify and race it looks like he's just biding his time waiting for the 2009 season to end. He's just not focused.

Considering everything in Joey Logano's favor, including his crew chief and team, plus I don't think he's at all intimidated at taking over the ride Tony gave up, I wonder if we'll see the 20 or 14 in Victory Lane first in 2009?

[interstate]

http://www.nascar.com/
Yea Zippy looks thrilled with the whole thing!
Pictures say everything!

[madeline]

lol interstate I thought the same thing. Granted we don't know what was being said/asked when that pic was captured. But I just wonder how long Zippy will stay on at JGR. I'm not thrilled with Joey L. I think he will either not be a factor next year or spark/burn out quick.

[LuvMySmoke20]

I don't think Zippy will stay, if he feels like he and Joey aren't clicking. It's sad, but judging from what I hear, it seems like everything that was said, he compares Joey to Tony. I think Zippy is still on the fence, and is about to learn the hard way.

:(

[CatRod53]

The photos at MSN Foxsports were taken at the announcement too and they're all smiles.

Joey has signed a multi-year deal with JGR and Zippy is under contract through 2009.

I'd like to see Joey have a great rookie season, and I hope Zippy will re-sign and build a long-standing, easier and stronger relationship than he had with Tony.

[mrbreeze]

CatRod53 wrote:

The photos at MSN Foxsports were taken at the announcement too and they're all smiles.
Joey has signed a multi-year deal with JGR and Zippy is under contract through 2009.
I'd like to see Joey have a great rookie season, and I hope Zippy will re-sign and build a long-standing, easier and stronger relationship than he had with Tony.

Very nice, I agree!

[mrbreeze]

LuvMySmoke20 wrote:

I don't think Zippy will stay, if he feels like he and Joey aren't clicking. It's sad, but judging from what I hear, it seems like everything that was said, he compares Joey to Tony. I think Zippy is still on the fence, and is about to learn the hard way.
:(

He has no choice until the end of the 2009 season, lol!

[LuvMySmoke20]

He doesn't have a choice, really- no. But if he doesn't click with Joey, he'll be fired, or moved- Joey is going to be like... the golden-child... :|

[Debi Does]

well, Tony is made an offer he can't refuse, his dream offer but he can't take any crew so the rookie will be the only new variable on the existing team..what do you do? Zippy is a professional racer.. it doesn't matter who is in the car, he is going to try to win every race..Tony has been evaluating risk vs reward since he almost fell out of the chase. No one can blame him for making sure he is in the chase, getting good finishes...when the chase starts, that is when we will see if he has decided to be a team player for JGR, or if he will try to go out with a championship... the 20 team is going to try their hardest to be the best... they are going to be a single unit for joey next year..Zippy is a lucky guy, Joe gave him the greatest driver at the time every year of his cup career.. Joey is going to be sucessful..don't worry about that... Joey is a racer just like Zippy...it is nice that Kyle, leaving HMS got to show his skills this season... I wonder if he was truly held back that much at HMS.. this is a lesson for drivers... maybe the garage is the best, but how many drivers do you have to share wins with? It is sad that Rick did not see fit to let Kyle race last year.. sad..anyhow, I think Tony made the right move going to SHR instead of being the next guy in line, the spare tire at HMS but thenm he would never have left JGR if it had not been for this extraordinary offer.. I hope JGR comes in right behind SHR every race for the rest of eternity..(that would be 3rd through 5th)

[Debi Does]

JGR is the best people to race for at this time..

[CatRod53]

LuvMySmoke20 wrote:

He doesn't have a choice, really- no. But if he doesn't click with Joey, he'll be fired, or moved- Joey is going to be like... the golden-child...:|

So is everyone thinking Zippy is only still at JGR because Tony's release had a clause that he couldn't hire from there?

I thought Zippy was happy there and wants to stand on his own merits - not just be known as Tony Stewart's crew chief.

I agree with your point that everyone has high expectations for Joey, but Zippy's contract negotiations should be based on his skills and job performance and not whether he and Joey click. If JGR has to fill that void I think the whole 20 team might fall apart.

[CatRod53]

Debi - I hope SHR does well too - but I'm not expecting Tony and Ryan to finish 1, 2 every race! I think it's great to have dreams - but you have to keep your feet on the ground too.

Don't be too surprized if you see the 14 chasing the 20 to the finish line a few times. When, not if, that happens, we'll have to remind ourselves that this was Tony's decision.

[PosieFor20]

CatRod53 wrote:

<quoted text>
So is everyone thinking Zippy is only still at JGR because Tony's release had a clause that he couldn't hire from there?
I thought Zippy was happy there and wants to stand on his own merits - not just be known as Tony Stewart's crew chief.
I agree with your point that everyone has high expectations for Joey, but Zippy's contract negotiations should be based on his skills and job performance and not whether he and Joey click. If JGR has to fill that void I think the whole 20 team might fall apart.

I think you are right. I also had heard that Zippy's contract had an out clause in it that he could get out of his contract if Tony was no longer the driver. Greg made the choice to stay with JGR because he said that they never gave him any reason to not want to stay there and have been very good to him over the years.

I think that if Zippy and Joey don't click, JGR will have another spot for Zippy in their organization, because judging from comments made at the press conference the other day, it sounds to me that Greg Zipadelli's opinions rank right up there with Jimmy Makar's opinions at JGR. Greg is important to the company, and they would want him there whether it's with Joey as crew chief or in some other important capacity.

[Big-14-Fan]

PosieFor20 wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you are right. I also had heard that Zippy's contract had an out clause in it that he could get out of his contract if Tony was no longer the driver. Greg made the choice to stay with JGR because he said that they never gave him any reason to not want to stay there and have been very good to him over the years.
I think that if Zippy and Joey don't click, JGR will have another spot for Zippy in their organization, because judging from comments made at the press conference the other day, it sounds to me that Greg Zipadelli's opinions rank right up there with Jimmy Makar's opinions at JGR. Greg is important to the company, and they would want him there whether it's with Joey as crew chief or in some other important capacity.

Yes he had a out in his contract. But if the only way Tony could leave early was not to hire anyone from JGR it could have voided that out for Zippy, and considering the relationship they have it could be Zippy took this for him.

Everytime you hear Zippy talk about working with Joey its always next year nothing stated about beyond that. no future tents but next year. Zippy could be a guy honoring his contract out then out of there. Ya he smiles but still does not seem all that convised about it. That could change after next year but no one will know anything till someone start talking or things change around then what they are from now. Something just does not seem to fit with Zippy right now when he is with Joey granted they are not together yet, but he still like I'm stuck with him make the best of it.

[GO FASTER I HEAR BANJOS]

Big-14-Fan wrote:

<quoted text>Yes he had a out in his contract. But if the only way Tony could leave early was not to hire anyone from JGR it could have voided that out for Zippy, and considering the relationship they have it could be Zippy took this for him.
Everytime you hear Zippy talk about working with Joey its always next year nothing stated about beyond that. no future tents but next year. Zippy could be a guy honoring his contract out then out of there. Ya he smiles but still does not seem all that convised about it. That could change after next year but no one will know anything till someone start talking or things change around then what they are from now. Something just does not seem to fit with Zippy right now when he is with Joey granted they are not together yet, but he still like I'm stuck with him make the best of it.

IMO Zippy's expression said everything. He did not look at all happy. When he spoke his voice was "dead tone" like he was reading a script. He mostly stared straight ahead and only reacted when he was asked a question. Don't know, maybe it was a bad day for him. But time will tell about Zippy and Joey.
JD said that Joey was going to run both Nationwide and cup next yr. That's an awful lot for a young kid. Case of burn out might be waiting for'em.

[Big-14-Fan]

GO FASTER I HEAR BANJOS wrote:

<quoted text>IMO Zippy's expression said everything. He did not look at all happy. When he spoke his voice was "dead tone" like he was reading a script. He mostly stared straight ahead and only reacted when he was asked a question. Don't know, maybe it was a bad day for him. But time will tell about Zippy and Joey.
JD said that Joey was going to run both Nationwide and cup next yr. That's an awful lot for a young kid. Case of burn out might be waiting for'em.

one name Casey Atwood.

[Junior Nation]

Big-14-Fan wrote:

<quoted text>one name Casey Atwood.

Who? Exactly your point right? The forgotten superstar that never became a superstar right?

[GO FASTER I HEAR BANJOS]

Big-14-Fan wrote:

<quoted text>one name Casey Atwood.

Hey 14!! I'm gonna be stupid and ask: "Is Casey another driver?"

[Mr Nascar]

Who say's Zippy wants to work with Tony. Why? Cuse they're friends. If he moves, whats in it for Zippy?
At Gibbs, He working for one of the top teams. With the room for advancement.
When Evernham left HMS did Gordan want to go with him.