#17 Car Robby Reiser leaving crew chief position to become Roush Fenway GM

[James J.]

Posted on Jayski.com Reiser moving up to be Roush Fenway GM: One of the longest tenured crew chief-driver relationships in Nextel Cup will end after Sunday's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Robbie Reiser, who has been #17-Matt Kenseth's crew chief since they entered NASCAR's premier series in 2000 and long before that in the Busch Series, will become the general manager at Roush Fenway Racing. He will replace Max Jones, who will move into the GM role at Robert Yates Racing [will just be Yates Racing in 2008]. RYR and Roush recently formed an alliance that basically will allow them to work as a seven-car operation without violating NASCAR's four-car cap. Reiser will follow in the footsteps of his father, who was the general manager of Roush"s Busch Series and Truck Series teams. The elder Reiser lost a battle with cancer prior to the Homestead race two years ago, which prompted his son to consider a move that would allow him more time with his family. "You look at things that you do in the long term," he said late last season. "Family becomes more important. ... My dad spent a lot of time with my kids. When he isn't around anymore somebody has to fill that void." Reiser hoped to get the Roush GM job last season that ultimately went to Jones. "I've done this for [13] years for Matt," he said at the time. "Not that I'm sick and tired of it or don't enjoy it or any of that, but somewhere along the line you've got to move to the next challenge. And the next challenge probably would be to oversee an operation in the garage. That's something I want to do down the road."(ESPN.com), no word on who will be Kenseth's new crew chief in 2008.(11-14-2007)

I wondered when Reiser would step down off the pit box.  Good for him and his family!  I do think Matt Kenseth will likely struggle a bit more next season.  That entire crew is said to be so close and with quite a few of them being from Wisconsin, etc..  Matt and Robby have been quite a good combination over the years.

[south jersey girl]

Gee...wonder who might be the 17 crew chief next year ? ? ?

This was on Jayski last week

Richert in Texas looking for a gig: Long-time NASCAR crew chief Doug Richert, who recently left Red Bull Racing, was in the garage Friday at Texas Motor Speedway and plans to be at the remaining three races of the season until he finds a new job. Richert flew from North Carolina to Texas on Jack Roush's airplane. Richert, of course, formerly worked as a crew chief for Roush Fenway Racing.(Ford Racing)(11-3-2007)

[Chris]

yeah... it was discussed mid-season that Reiser was stepping down,.. then it was dropped.
Wondered if he would do it at the end of the season.
I have a feeling that no matter WHO they get,... they won't get along as well as he and Matt do.

[czechmate25]

Chip Bolin is the most likely candidate to replace Reiser.  He was the guy on top of the 17 pit box earlier this year when Matt won at Vegas.  He currently serves as head engineer at Roush-Fenway racing.  Rumors were circulating that Jeff Meendering, current car cheif on the 24 car, was going to be the guy but don't be suprised to see him at Petty next year sitting on top of the 43 pit box.

[paulfan]

How about Frankie Stoddard.  He is working closely with Roush and Boris has been compititive when he has made the races.

[Tyyrus]

How about Frankie Stoddard.  He is working closely with Roush and Boris has been compititive when he has made the races.

Yep Stoddard has a proven track record with Roush , so Doug Reichert ! It will be interesting to see who is the replacement to Reiser , they will be hard pressed to improve on what has been achieved by the #17 Team . 

[Chris]

Be nice to see Matt & Reiser win this weekend...
One for old times sake.  Heck they been together ever since they raced against each other back in the 'old' days up in Wisconsin.