Several days ago, the apparently long-simmering feud between Roush drivers Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth came to a public boil.
In news reports of the incident, Edwards seemed to point a finger at the Roush organization for their woes, unfavourably comparing their situation to what exists at happy camper teams like Hendrick Motorsports.
Carl Edwards: "Hendrick Motorsports, and those people that we compete against do a better job of having team spirit than we've done lately at Roush Fenway."
and...
"I think that, obviously, leadership from somewhere is needed, but I think most importantly it comes from within. You know, Mark Martin was very good at communicating when he wasn't happy with something."
Perhaps feeling the heat, today Jack Roush offered his thoughts on the situation. (
... with files from Ford)
Jack Roush, car owner of five Ford Racing Fusions, addressed the incident between Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth in the garage area at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday before practice.
JACK ROUSH, Car Owner – Roush Fenway Ford Fusions – WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN THIS WEEK AS FAR AS DEALING WITH THE INCIDENT BETWEEN CARL AND MATT? "I've been engaged all week trying to understand what the reasons were and what the frustration was behind the conflict between Carl and Matt, and I think we have the measure of it. Certainly, Carl realizes that he wasn't a friend to Matt and Matt, I think, is anxious to have Carl get some relief from the dilemma he finds himself in. We're working our way through the aftermath of the conflict that was regrettable, and I think in the future, in a scenario where there will be conflict and differences of opinion, that we'll be able to avoid that confrontation."
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK THIS WEEK ABOUT HOW RICK HENDRICK COMES ON THE RADIO TO TALK TO HIS DRIVERS AND MAYBE CALM THEM DOWN. WILL YOU BECOME MORE ACTIVE IN THAT REGARD WHEN YOUR GUYS ARE ON TRACK? "Very seldom do I feel the need to become engaged with the running of the race from a crew chief and a driver point of view. In a very, very rare circumstance I'll clarify something that's obvious to me for all to hear, but not very often. I think by maintaining a pretty much hands-off policy toward the development of the race is what NASCAR looks for. I think it's in the interest of fair play as seen by the fans, and I don't see a greater participation myself to try to stave off a conflict or a dispute that could potentially occur. This is an overtly aggressive, competitive, potentially combative circumstance that occurs between all the drivers on the race track. I want that from my drivers and their sponsors so everybody recognizes that the ability of the car and the judgment of the crew chief will manifest itself for all of our activities, for all of our different programs in the result on the race track. There may be a dispute over space from time to time among drivers, but in the case between Matt and Carl it wasn't just what happened at that race at Martinsville, it was the fact that there had been some conflicts and some hard feelings that had smoldered for some period of time. By having discussion and thinking about the things that are in the common best interest for their careers, I'm sure that reason will prevail going forward."
