Track Smack: Battling out of an odd deficit ... already (cont'd)

2. Haas CNC has changed drivers. Petty Enterprises has changed crew chiefs. Bill Davis Racing has changed management. Is the top 35 rule causing these teams on the fringe to make rash, early moves?

Mark Aumann: The top 35 has really become the demarcation line for owners to go from satisfaction to dissatisfaction. Once you fall out, it seems to be the thing that sparks change. I'd lump BAM's reorganization in there, too.

David Caraviello: We are seeing something of a disparity in the way teams are handling this. Some, like Haas and Petty, have been relatively quick to make changes. Others like Ganassi and Evernham have stayed the course.

Silly Season already

• Mayfield released from Haas
• Cooper new No. 45 crew chief
• BDR shuffles management
• BAM to skip Texas, Phoenix

Dave Rodman: I think teams have always made rash, early moves -- but it seems the top 35 has multiplied the number of teams that feel compelled to do it.

Mark Aumann: As David said about the Chase, every race you miss is one fewer chance to get yourself back in the top 35 -- so there's panic there for a very valid reason.

David Caraviello: I guess the crux of the question is -- is it too early to do it? Are six or seven races enough of a barometer to gauge, say, Jeremy Mayfield's ability in the 70 car?

Mark Aumann: And there aren't a lot of drivers sitting idle who can pull a team back from outside the top 35. If they were, they'd have full-time gigs by now.

Dave Rodman: It's a pure loss -- you can't even compete if you're not in the show.

David Caraviello: I agree, Mark. Which makes you wonder if some of these teams would be better off staying put, unless there are internal personnel conflicts we don't know about.

Dave Rodman: BAM's decision was more budget-driven and -- considering where they are, and what they have to gain with their Toyota switch -- it was the most sensible thing they could do. Their deficit was beyond reasonable. Both Haas CNC cars have been consistently bad, so something has to give. But what's hard to figure out is what's holding them back.

David Caraviello: Then again, you look at Dario Franchitti's situation and wonder, would he benefit from a personnel shakeup? If Chip's comments on satellite radio last weekend were any indication, the frustration is growing over there.

Dave Rodman: All that needs to be said is, if you are gonna start executing people, you better make sure you have the guilty parties.

Mark Aumann: And again, the economy is driving some of this, because the No. 70 is running on the company's dime -- since it's sponsored by Haas Automation. I think it's a lot like firing the manager in baseball. Sometimes you have to shake things up to see if you can make a difference. Usually the crew chief is the first to go, but apparently Haas wanted to switch out the driver.

David Caraviello: Then Mark, if baseball were like NASCAR, Jim Leyland of your beloved Tigers would be out of a job.

Mark Aumann: And perhaps he will be, if they don't start showing some life soon. Don't forget, the Tigers fired their manager and general manager after an 0-6 start one season. And the Orioles did too, and promptly went 0-23.

David Caraviello: But doesn't history indicate that all this early changing only puts you more in the hole? Is there an example of a struggling team that changed driver or crew chief early and turned it around?

Mark Aumann: That begs the question -- was the team destined to struggle, no matter who was driving? And if so, does it really matter?

David Caraviello: I just look at Wood Brothers, and how they've shuffled drivers looking for a spark, and it hasn't worked for them.

Dave Rodman: If the 70 has had some preparation issues -- which in a couple cases it seems like it has -- the driver would have to be living in the car to help that situation.

David Caraviello: Interesting though, that Haas is going back to the guy they canned last year. Strange homecoming that will be. But I guess if you're Johnny Sauter and you want a Cup ride, you hold no grudges.

Dave Rodman: Will be more interesting to see how they match drivers to courses. Johnny's run well at Haas, he was available, and he maintained a relationship with car owner Joe Custer, so the bridge was there. (Continued)