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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
VENTURINI: ‘Real Deal” With Dave Rogers
SPEED’s Wendy Venturini with Kyle Busch’s new Crew Chief Dave Rogers on this week’s edition of 'Real Deal'...
SPEED Staff  |  Posted November 16, 2009   Charlotte, NC
SPEED's Wendy Venturini. (Image: SPEED)
SPEED’s Wendy Venturini with Kyle Busch’s new Crew Chief Dave Rogers on this week’s edition of 'Real Deal'...

Wendy Venturini: “Kyle Busch is outside the Chase but he wants to end the season on good note. He has a new Crew Chief on the No. 18 car on the pit box. Dave Rogers stepped in the role, Steve Addington leaving that role as Crew Chief. He has been with Joe Gibbs racing for 11 years so he’s no stranger to this organization. You are probably familiar with him on the Nationwide side but not crew chiefing Kyle Busch. He has been crew chiefing the other team in the Nationwide series for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has 20 wins on the Nationwide side as Crew Chief now taking over for Kyle Busch full-time in the Sprint Cup series. Here’s a look at Dave Rogers and his personality as he is taking over for one of the most high profile drivers in NASCAR."

Wendy Venturini: "What was going through your head when you found out you were going to be coming over here to the Cup side before the season was over?"

Dave Rogers:"Just a lot of emotions. That nationwide program is my extended family I think the world of those guy. We had a lot of success over there but this is just such an amazing opportunity to work with Kyle Busch, someone who you really respect. A lot of emotion, it was a tough decision."

Wendy Venturini: "You have 20 Nationwide wins with Joe Gibbs Racing, everyone’s thinking you and Kyle worked together but honestly it has only been three races you crew chiefed for Kyle. Really you are truly are working with a new driver."

Dave Rogers:""For sure, we have three runs one win but they were early last season. Everyone was getting their feet wet with the new Toyotas and Kyle was still new to us so yes this is definitely a new program. There is a learning curve. The pressure is much higher over here than it is over there so we are starting from square one. I think we both have a realistic approach to what we are going to do here."

Wendy Venturini: "I want to talk about something, Steve Addington perfectly capable Crew Chief. He has 12 wins in two years with Kyle Busch. What do you think is more important? Is it putting up the numbers because one doesn't necessarily equate to a good relationship."

Dave Rogers:""I think in this sport you see trust and chemistry. We use those words all the time and I don’t think you can overuse those words. You just have to be on the same page. The questions are obvious you know, the wins, the success, why the change. Me worrying about that and me thinking about that was going to be counter productive towards our efforts in Texas but I certainly know that Kyle and I have to develop a strong relationship to enjoy the good times together and weather the storms together."

Wendy Venturini: "Do you feel that pressure starting to build up now being in this position with him as the driver being so passionate that he is?"

Dave Rogers:""I don’t want to pat myself on the back but I think I dislike losing every bit as much as Kyle. Kyle can’t put pressure on me; I want to perform as bad as he does. I think if you watch my interview after the race I was clearly disappointed. It wasn’t because Kyle Busch put pressure on me; it wasn't because I thought I made the wrong call. It was simply I don’t like to loose, that is just who I am."

Wendy Venturini: "Talk about Kyle’s desire to run so well. How much have you learned about that so far in one weekend of racing?"

Dave Rogers:""He made some very complementary remarks during practice and I smiled at him and say hey we are on our honeymoon. We both know it, life is great right now. He hasn’t really challenged anything I asked or decided to change and he has been good with it. If every weekend goes as good as this weekend look out."

Wendy Venturini: "will the honeymoon be over by Daytona 2010?"

Dave Rogers:" “The goal is to make the honeymoon never get over. I am confident I really like what we started with so I am very optimistic and confident we can make this last."

Wendy Venturini: "Has it sunken in yet, your change and your career path is coming back into the Cup series?"

Dave Rogers:""I don’t know yet. I think it has but probably not. I haven’t sat down and pinched myself yet and said wow, you are Kyle Busch’s Crew Chief on the Cup side."

Wendy Venturini: "I think the important thing is to point out that a Crew Chief really needs to be the ice to the fire of the driver. We have seen it with Tony Stewart and Greg Zipadelli when the marriage ended. Now we see Pat Tyson and Kurt Busch parting ways. Now between Kyle Busch and Steve Addington, them parting ways, Dave Rogers coming in for the 18 as full-time Crew Chief. I think it is a good balance. You have to get that relationship working you have to be on the same page. This happens time and time again in our sport, but you have to know one thing for sure Kyle Busch is one tough dog to work with. If Dave Rogers can accomplish this and get to victory lane Kyle Busch will be a happy man."

SOURCE: SPEED/Edited by Michael Pomeroy and Greg Engle.

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