Chat Transcript: Robbie Loomis
August 28, 2001
2:00 PM EDT (1800 GMT)
[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Robbie Loomis!
[Robbie_Loomis] Hello race fans! Glad to be back here on NASCAR.com!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JeffRulz4Ever] Congratulations on your great year so far. I was wondering what you contribute most to your greater successes this year than last year?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think the biggest thing is just time with us being together. Anytime you go into a new situation with new employees, there is always some learning. My relationship with Jeff has just got better and better and everyone is doing a great job.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [24SBiggestFan] What has been your most exciting moment as Jeff's crew chief?
 | |
Robbie Loomis
|
|
|
[Robbie_Loomis] I would say winning the Brickyard, for sure. That was a great achievement for everyone at Hendrick Motorsports.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Spec] What was your first job with NASCAR?
[Robbie_Loomis] I never actually worked for NASCAR! Haha Just kidding. It was in the Busch Series with Kyle Petty back in 1988. You could say that was my first job in NASCAR. That led to 11 years with Petty Enterprises after that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [raceykasey] Hi Robbie, what is the hardest aspect of being a crew chief?
[Robbie_Loomis] It is probably just learning and understanding everyone's personalities. The travel strains that this puts on everyone's family is important to address and we try to get them to spend some time with their families. That is a hard part.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [24kicksall 24 7 365] Hey Robbie! I was just wondering if you are as excited as Jeff is about Jimmie Johnson coming to Hendrick Motorsports next year?
[Robbie_Loomis] Yes, we are VERY excited about Jimmie. He has done a great job in the short time he has been in the Busch Series. He is fresh off a win at Chicago and that speaks a lot for his driving talent.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [FatRubber] Do you have any plans to be an owner someday?
[Robbie_Loomis] No, not really. I am very happy in the capacity and role I am in. I like being very close to the owner. I was very close to the Pettys and I am very close with Mr. Hendrick and Jeff, and the only way I would do that would be under the umbrella of a Jeff Gordon, Rick Hendrick or someone like that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [LaurieSrJrfan] How do you feel about the new Dodge rule?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think that it has really helped them a lot if you look at the Indy and Michigan performances. There will always be rule changes and NASCAR saw fit to give them a rule. I am not in the Dodge camp now, and I do not feel it was needed, but if I was there, I would. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don't. You just have to concentrate on the tools you have to work with and do the best you can.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Tygger] Robbie, what's your opinion on reporters printing driver and crew radio conversations?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think it is great for the fans to see. It puts them more inside the sport, so I don't have a problem with that. I know they use our voice on TV and radio sometimes. It gives the fans an up-close look as to what the crew chief or driver is really like.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Annluvs8] How do you feel about the tight race for the points championship and does that at all affect the way your team races?
[Robbie_Loomis] No. I think that we just have to focus on going out there each week and concentrate on doing the job we can do with the DuPont Chevy and Jeff Gordon. If we can do that, the points can fall where they may. The points are just like your lawn at the end of the year -- if you fertilize it and take care of it, it will be great. We just have to keep doing that and the points will follow.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [McCeleste] Every time you or Jeff are interviewed I am always struck by your composure and eloquence. Is there anything else in your personal history that has helped you prepare for the pressure of spontaneous public speaking?
[Robbie_Loomis] No, I think just the good Lord above. People just want to hear the straight facts and it is easier when you do that I think.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [medic497] How do you keep your cool when you start out so bad (like at the Brickyard) then come back and win?
[Robbie_Loomis] That is a good question! It is just having faith in the race team when you have a driver like Jeff Gordon. You know that all things are possible and you have to keep the faith and focus on the thoughts that are going to make you better for the day and not that you are so bad at the time.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [sandyw24] Who on the team is responsible for Jeff's safety belt installation, and do you or Brian do the final inspection of this very important piece of equipment?
[Robbie_Loomis] We have several members that look at it, but Jeff is ultimately responsible for the inside of the car. That is his office and he does a great job with it.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [elemdee] Hi Robbie! With nearly 2 years under your belt with this team, what do you think your strengths are as a crew chief, and what areas do you think you can improve on?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think just working with people and seeing the big picture of what we are trying to accomplish along the way. There are areas to improve on everyday. I just try to do the best I can every day and then do better the next.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [MajykGuy] Do you get frustrated with the media when you're nearing the end of a race and they stick a microphone in your face and ask you to reveal information that the other teams would kill to have?
[Robbie_Loomis] No. Once again, the media is an important part of our sport and it has elevated it to where we are. They are trying to report on the story and get the home viewers more involved. That is a big part of our sport and that is just what we have to do.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [MajykGuy] Hi Robbie. It seems in the last few races that Jeff has hung back in the middle of the pack for most of the race. Then suddenly, there he is, up front. Is this a strategy, or simply the way things have worked out?
[Robbie_Loomis] That is really funny! That is just the way it worked out. At Indy, our car was just not good during the race but the pit stops and adjustments worked out in our favor. The Glen was a steady approach. That is just the history of the team. We just work all day long and work towards the last laps so we can be in victory lane.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [raceykasey] Hi Robbie, how do you feel about adding black boxes to the racecars?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think the black boxes will supply a great amount of info for safety devices in the future. We are all looking really forward to having those in our cars.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [thegame460] What race near the end of the season do you think you might wrap up the Championship?
[Robbie_Loomis] I wish I had a crystal ball for that! Usually it comes down to Atlanta, but you never do know. Sometimes a guy has won it with a few races to go in the season, but it depends on the job we do and how things shake out at the end of the season.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RadioScott] With the time away from home and family increasing, does HMS put on family-type day activities so that everyone can get together and relax?
[Robbie_Loomis] HMS is great about that. We have a bible study every Wednesday and the guys will bring their wives in for lunch. During the year, Brian schedules something where people can bring their wives and kids by and have lunch and that is a good time.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [MissyS109] How did Wes "Stickboy" Ayers get his nickname?
[Robbie_Loomis] It started back in the fab shop. He is a real, real thin person and he just got the name from that!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Onebad24] Robbie, when it comes to setting a car up for Bristol, what is the most difficult adjustment?
[Robbie_Loomis] Bristol is a tough racetrack because it always has a small vibration in the car. You always have to fight for ground clearance so you have to be careful of it bottoming out in the corners.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [D] Robbie, you guys have always had a strong qualifying program. What are your thoughts on the proposed qualifying changes for next year?
[Robbie_Loomis] NASCAR hasn't handed down anything yet that is for sure, but that will be fair for all the teams whichever way they go. I greet each with open arms because depending the tracks we won't be changing the engines out.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Cid50] Hey Robbie, congratulations to you and the team on a great season so far. What were the changes that you made during the final pit stop at MIS? Whatever they were they seemed to improve the car. Do you think Jeff would have caught the leader if the race had gone the scheduled distance?
[Robbie_Loomis] I would never bet against Jeff if it went the whole distance! We felt like we were gaining all day and we were making the car better and better. We were really happy for Sterling Marlin because they are doing great this year. The last adjustment we made (I think) was some wedge and that really seemed to help it there.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Guest98011] Robbie, is it more of a challenge to set up the road cars as opposed to the oval cars?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think it really is with the road courses having both turns. Each week we just think about left turns so it exercises our mind more and gets us ready for the changes we need to make.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [SCCAfan] Would you like to see other manufacturers like Toyota and BMW enter NASCAR for more competition?
[Robbie_Loomis] You know, I think that right now we have sprinkled another manufacturer in with Dodge so there is no telling that 5 years from now there may be another manufacturer in there. The more the merrier, but NASCAR has to police the rules and policies so I will leave it up to them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [MissyS109] What is your funniest memory as a crew chief for Jeff?
[Robbie_Loomis] When I am at the track, nothing is really funny! Haha Probably of Jeff would be when we saw him on the Regis show on TV.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JGordon24Chevy] I have noticed there have been some spectacular burnouts lately. Do you think Jeff will try to top Ryan Newman's awesome burnout at Michigan? Did Jeff really ask Kevin Harvick how to do it?
[Robbie_Loomis] Actually Kevin did offer up some advice! Jeff, when he won the Championship the first time, that is when the donuts really started. I don't think we will get caught up in the donut race. It is just about winning the race at the end of the day. I really don't like him doing all that because it is harder on the equipment! Haha
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Hi] Hi Robbie, what have you learned from Jeff that has made you a better crew chief?
[Robbie_Loomis] Jeff, I have said all along, is a true champion. He brings out the best in everybody. Sometimes the good Lord surrounds you with good people, and Jeff knows so much about what he feels in the racecar and he can describe it. That has definitely helped me adjust the car in the ways that he wants it tuned to where he needs it.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [FatRubber] Robbie, how's your relationship with other crew chiefs?
[Robbie_Loomis] I think it is really good with the other chiefs. We are competitors and no different than football or baseball teams. We don't hang out together, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of them out there. Sometimes they don't have the right tools around them and get the right opportunities, but I have a great respect for all of them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [D] You guys seem too extraordinary at pit stops. Last week Benny Parsons offered a payout to any team to do a four-tire pit stop in less than 13 seconds. Is the DuPont team capable of doing that?
[Robbie_Loomis] If anyone can do it, it is the DuPont guys! Those guys practice hard and work hard at it. They are on top of their game and I think it won't be long before you see someone get down there.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [DEI_1] Does your team, including Jeff, get together outside the track and just have a good time very often or is it strictly business?
[Robbie_Loomis] Usually when we are testing is when we will get together and have dinner, but we try to enjoy every day and not just save it for certain days. We try to have fun at the shop and the track. The big fad is the remote control cars. They spend more time working on them than racing them!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [repeatfrog27] How is the car for this weekend at Bristol? Jeff has never won the night race. Is the car going to be good enough?
[Robbie_Loomis] You are talking to the crew chief! Of course it will be good! The guys have improved the body a little bit and we have worked on the engine a bit. I have always loved the night race, and as a race team, I think we can win it. We just need to put our best foot forward and we should be in good shape.
[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Robbie has for us this evening. Thanks Robbie! What are your final thoughts?
[Robbie_Loomis] Thanks for having me on tonight. Keep pulling for us and we are looking forward to some safe racing ahead. See you in Victory Lane!
| 
