By David G. Firestone
So, after last week’s column, I decided to examine a news story I overlooked, but it does kind of prove a point. Brad Keselowski is leaving Roush Fenway Keselowski as a driver, and an owner. While the legal details are still being worked out, both parties really haven’t said all that much.
I do think, however, that this move proves something I’ve been saying for a while. I think Roush Fenway Keselowski racing would be better without Jack Roush. Jack is the primary owner and decision maker. This has proven itself very problematic over the years. In 1990, Roush Racing was the top Ford program in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. By 1998, Roush was the second top program in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. In 2003 and 2004, they were back on top, with Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch respectively.
Since then, it’s all gone downhill. Roush has gone from one of the most powerful Ford teams to an afterthought. Team Penske has succeeded them as Ford’s number one team, and they may be either second or third, depending on how you see Front Row Motorsports. Who is to blame? Jack Roush is to blame.
Having lived in Chicago, I get that the reason sports teams are bad, the owners are to blame. Every bad decision comes from the owners. Every bad personnel decision comes from the owners. The team is bad because of the owner. Jack Roush has gone from gold standard to afterthought in the 36 years I have been a racing fan. Sure, they win races every now and again, but it i a shell of its former self.
Getting rid of Roush as an owner and manager would help. Many supervisors and owners don’t really realize that they are bad. Jack Roush is a perfect example. You get rid of him, and maybe there is some hope, but I really don’t see Roush changing his ways, despite the obvious evidence.
Granted Jack Roush will be in the hall of fame someday, but you can’t look at the last few decades and tell me that he is still championship caliber. I could also say the same things about Richard Childress Racing, but they have more race wins in the last few years.
In short, only way to fix Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing is without Jack Roush, however that happens.
