April 11th, 2010 
T.C. On Friday in Phoenix, the biggest buzz before the Nationwide Series race seemed to be about whether or not John Wes Townley had been fired from Richard Childress Racing. Following a practice crash that destroyed the team’s primary car, Townley was yanked from the seat and Clint Bowyer took over for the remainder of the day. Internet rumors swirled that Townley had gotten the boot, but Lee Spencer of FoxSports.com reported this afternoon that Townley is still at RCR, but his future will be decided on Tuesday. My only question about all of this, is what was RCR expecting?
Last season, Townley jumped from ARCA competition to the Nationwide Series with RAB Racing. Of the 32 races he attempted, he DNQ’d for six of them. In the 26 races he did run, Townley had 10 DNFs and only managed to complete 73% of the laps. He had an average start of 24.2 and an average finish of 27.6. Not exactly a stellar rookie campaign.
Entering the 2010 season, Townley and his family sponsor Zaxby’s decided to leave RAB and take their money to Richard Childress Racing. Through the first five races of this season, Townley has actually improved fairly markedly over his first year. He has an average start of 10.0, an average finish of 22.4, has completed 96% of the laps, and only has one DNF. While he is still tearing up equipment, progress has been made.
From the various reports online, it appears Townley will be out of the #21 through Texas, and may return at Talladega. But all of this still leaves me wondering what RCR thought they were getting in bringing Townley over.
The obvious answer in this situation is money. RCR’s Nationwide program lost sponsor Holiday Inn after the 2009 season, and Townley and the Zaxby’s money enabled RCR to keep the program going. The difficulty for RCR in this deal though, is the fact that Zaxby’s was partially founded by Townley’s family and his father still serves as the company’s CFO. Knowing this, there is no way that I see where the contract would allow John Wes to be replaced all together if the performance wasn’t there.
So now, apparently we’ve reached the point where RCR can’t stomach Townley destroying any more of their equipment (despite JWT’s improvement).
It will be interesting to watch this situation going forward, because I’m not sure the Townleys will continue footing the bill for a race team that John Wes isn’t apart of. Which really leaves RCR with only two options: let Zaxby’s and Townley walk; or continue dealing with a young driver who will probably never figure it out.
And therein lies the dilemma when a team makes the decision to bring in a funded driver. Is the money really worth it? The ball’s in your court RCR.
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Here’s my question. In my understanding of NASCAR contracts with “funded drivers” there is always some sort of crash clause in the contract. So its pretty safe to say regardless of the number of wrecked race cars. Yes I think its a fact that “chicken man” will never fight for a cup title but your article is right he has shown improvement. There is no greater chance to improve than to have seat time. He is still finding the limits of the race car. Yes there are 100′s of drivers more deserving of a chance to race (Danny Efland comes to mind) but if his family is willing to support his growth and write a check for each wrecked car shouldn’t he have the chance to learn? In this economy I am sure there are quite a few fabricators employed as a result. If I’m RCR I’d rather go to the track and return with a wrecked car than lay off a bunch of guys and sit home on saturday as I am sure you are right. Zaxby’s will be gone if Townley is kicked to the curb and I am sure there will be a team somewhere willing to take a check.
One can only assume that Childress charges Zaxby’s enough money to sponsor the #21 car that all labor costs, mat’l costs and profits are realized regardless of any winnings. As we all know racing is a losing proposition. So why wouldn’t RCR charge enough to also cover torn up race cars each week? Just increase their crash retainer fund accordingly.
I feel sorry for the independent Zaxby’s franchisees. Having to give up a chunk of their profits so the family’s Jr can play.
Great analysis of the Townley fiasco. I was surprised that RCR made this deal with Townley/Zaxbys in the first place; it seemed an uncharacteristic act of desperation for RCR which contained many potential problems. And here we are, two months into the new season, and the deal may already be falling apart.
The underlying problem, of course, is that Townley is in way over his head. He doesn’t have the skills for Nationwide, and he may never develop them. Another year or two in ARCA or NCWTS would have been a much wiser choice for the young driver. Better to toil and learn at a lower level than become the punchline to a running joke.
my only quibble is with “… destroying any more of their (RCR) equipment”. the title might be in RCR’s name, but if Zaxby’s is writing the check and paying the bills, it is their car(s).
Hey how bout bringin in Danica to replace JWT? I mean geezuz what a helluva team that would be! That 19th place finish in her Indy ride is sho nuff big time stuff! Rockin and rollin with the Big Boys and In Yo Face Stylin with skimpy bikinis and 80s hair dew. I jus lov it!…Talk about a runnin joke. There out to be a two-car team for Over Hyped, Over Funded Failures with Danica and JWT leading the way.
I don’t see how anyone paying attention could have possibly expected anything different than what JWT is giving them. If anything, he has improved and is exceeding what many people expected. He’s finishing races, and well ahead of the two unsponsored Roush rookies in the points.
If RCR had been interested in doing anything but taking Zaxby’s money to keep the NW program going so it would be there next season to move Austin to, they would have taken less of Mr. Townley’s money, and put that kid in Trucks, so he could learn with less pressure, just like Austin is. If people not involved with racing on a daily basis knew that JWT wasn’t ready, and had a tendency to crash, then people as close to the situation as Richard Childress and Mike Dillon must have had an inkling this would be the reality.
And, to be honest, if I’m JWT’s father, I would be telling them before their internal. meeting on Tuesday, no son behind the wheel = no sponsorship money. Then I would look to bail on the contract and find the JWT a truck ride anywhere but with RCR, and let him gain experience he needs.
I would ialso magine that Mr. Townley had at least crack an ironic smile to himself to see Clint Bowyer replace his child in the car, promptly stall it on the track, and then later wreck it.
2008 and 2009 were not great years for any of RCR’s programs. The fact that they sold rides in NW and to that driver they’re running in ARCA shows there’s a desperation for money. If you’re going to be a rental car company, I don’t really see how they can complain about what their customers do to the vehicles.
Didn’t we call this dead on when the announcement was made? And why pick on Townley? There’s a few other constantly crashable drivers in the sport, a couple of them in Cup and do NOT have family money to allow them to play. If Zaxby’s was willing to pay for the car and all other expenses associated including tutoring by Jeff Burton and the crashes, and RCR was willing to trade like this, what’s the problem? If RCR has suddenly decided that pride is more important than money, then that’s their choice too. But I agree, I bet the deal was if no JWT in car, no Zaxby money.
It’s tough to see any young driver get pushed along too fast, and wash out as a result, and if that’s what ultimately happens he ain’t the first and won’t be the last. I said last year Townley needed more ARCA time and a year in Trucks.
I don’t know why RCR wants to keep Harvick wround. I mean it has been over 3 years since he last won a points race and he has proven he has no chance at winning a Xhampionship.
He needs to go back to the Nationwide or Truck Series. Sure he started the season off well but we are starting to see the old Harvick again. Nothing is ever his fault.
Harvicks best points finish was 4th, Dale Jr was 3rd. Harvicks most wins in one season was 5, Dale Jr’s most was 6.
So Harvick is not even as good as Jr. I lost all respect for Harvick when he let that crew member knock his wife on her butt and did nothing about it. Seems he isn’t so tough after all.
It has been almost 15 years since Childress won a Cup Championship, it is time for Richard to sell his stuff and go make wine. He has no clue what he is doing since we lost Dale and putting JWT in a car just proves that.
How the heck are these young drivers supposed to learn if you jerk them out of the car before they CAN learn. Unfortunately I think the sponsors are making the decisions regarding who gets into the Nationwide series. Why watch a fake copy when You can watch the real thing. The nationwide is basicly “cup light.”, plain and simple.
It’s ironic that RCR is that impatient. I remember Mike Dillon wrecking almost every time he raced!
Maybe the “chicken man” can walk down the road to JRM and buy his boy a ride there. Landon Cassel sure didn’t set the world on fire with his first of four trial rides with JRM. Maybe Pops could turn JWT into a racer. Then again JR has a history of getting rid of drivers who tear up their equipment, but if Daddy is paying for wrecks that might be another story. just imagine JWT in the 7, sharing a ride with Danica. Oh I forgot, whoever shares the ride has to keep the 7 in the top 35. Guess JWT might not be able to do that.
DD you are right. Jason “Spikey” Lefler and Steve Wallace come to mind. Lefler doesn’t have any more excuses. Wallace, well Dad can’t throw good money after bad for much longer. He threw Checvy away cause Toyota got him Mo Money. So after Steven has used up all the parts & pieces in the RWR inventory he will cahnge to Ford and use that up for a while. When will rich poppas get it? Send them boys to charm school and get um a job as a head waiter.
JWT holds the cards here, daddy has nothing to do with it. If he’s willing to accept his time out with the promise of returning at dega, then the program will continue. If he takes his ball & goes home, the team will fold.
An interesting choice for him. Sit out 2 races & return to a proven quality Busch program or take your money to another team who most likely doesn’t have a quarter of the resources that RCR has.
I’m betting he stays on.
Also, give Bowyer a break. He finished 11th in a back up car with no practice & 8 hours notice of the start in his first Busch race of the year. I think he did his job.
The exact same thing is happening in cup with Kevin Conway. While I don’t think his family has anything to do with Extenze, he is a funded driver who is obviously in way over his head. Paul Menard is the exception I guess although he isn’t all that great either.
Maybe he would be better at polo. In any case, he should admit he needs more training etc. before he wastes any more of dad’s money.
Have seen a few comments about a crash clause. From what I’ve heard about the deal, there is a crash clause involved, but I don’t know for certain what the dollar amount is. You can probably figure it’s up close to six figures though.
I still think it’s interesting that RCR made this move now. JWT was 17th in the drivers standings heading into Phoenix. He has outrun James Buescher, Michael McDowell, and both Roush rookies. I think he was probably doing better at this point then some expected.
Journo, you and TC are in the embedded in the NASCAR community and totally anonymous so feel free to speak freely. Does anyone, I even throw Rusty in there, actually take Steven Wallace seriously as a driver? Seriously? or even a decent interview?
Nothing I’ve seen on the track, or in front of the camera, from SW makes me even remotely think about trying some 5 hour energy in those little bottles. Even the opposite. I just don’t get it.
Sorry to shift gears on that and BTW Barber Motorsports Park (Indy/Grand Am this past w/e) is absolutely THE measuring stick for race tracks. The Augusta Nat’l of tracks. Amazing stuff!
Is it possible it’s not the crashed cars, but an ego problem with RC. Since JWT was doing better than the other drivers he got the boot. Look at it this way, we normally consider paid for drivers not that good. It’s been said more often then not, that they are only there because they got money backing them. So if he is showing up guys that RC hand picked himself, what kind of hit does that do to RC’s ego. The crashed cars just doesn’t help matters. So RC is thinking not only is JWT costing me money by crashing cars, he is still doing better in points then the guys I hand picked to be better.
I will admit I have no clue if the other guys were actually hand picked by RC. Or how much of an ego RC has.
Ric: RCR’s problem with Townley is not that he’s been doing too well. If you as an owner sign a guy up to drive your car, you aren’t hoping he’s going to fail.
Neon: Everyone knows that Steve is only where he is because of Rusty. But I think Steve’s biggest problem is his condition. He shows flashes that he could actually be a decent driver at some point, but I think the Tourette’s really hampers his ability to stay 100% focused.
JWT and Steve Wallace both where they are becuase of dad’s money. Paul Menard used to be in this category. He is now showing his stuff and proving he belongs! Carl Edwards did things the right way. Start in trucks and work your way up! A lot of other drivers did this to. When JWT and Wallace go to the NCWTS for a year or 2 and then give n’wide a shot they will be MUCH better off and maybe have a chance to win!
But, do they even have the right to complain or threaten his job security? He’s really not doing all that bad, everything considered. And, more importantly, the sponsorship is linked directly to him.
So, if you sell a seat off like RCR did, do you retain the right to replace the driver you sold it to? And, if you do retain the right, is the sponsorship contingent upon JWT driving the car bearing his father’s company’s logo?
It was obviously a money deal, not a development deal, because if the intent were to develop Jon Wes Townley into a viable NASCAR driver, considering his age, lack of experience, and prior results, the better, more productive course of action for him would be to run a full Truck season, possibly get some good finishes, and definitely get some much needed seat time in a smaller spotlight. But, that doesn’t pay RCR nearly the same money as a full NW season does. So, it seems to me, that as long as he doesn’t hurt himself, if RCR wants that sponsorship money, they need to smile while alternating repairing cars, and running to the bank with the father’s checks. They made their bed when they chose this route for their program. It’s not the kid’s fault…
T.C. First just trying to look at things a little different, since obviously it does NOT make sense on the surface. Yes, I know an owner does not sign a driver and hopes he does bad, at least 99.44% of the time. Maybe I didn’t explain myself the best and probably I have no idea what I’m talking about. I’m a geek, not a writer like you guys.
For what I’m saying means RC has to have an inflated ego, no clue if he really does, just playing the odds. RC has to look down on drivers that come with money backing, again no clue. RC handpicked / has personal interest in the other drivers.
So taking that into account, my thought is that RC signed JWT for the money knowing he won’t do good. RC is thinking he can use some of this money to help pay for the guys that will do good, since they are ones he picked. Then JWT starts tearing up the cars, costing money that could be spent on the other guys. Then to top it off JWT (a bad driver, a driver with $$$ backing) is doing better then the good drivers (the ones RC picked).
Like I said I have no clue, just trying to look from a different angle trying to make SOME sense out of it.
I absolutely LOVE ELLEN’s last comment…”if you’re going to be a rental car company..etc…..” PRICELESS!! AND RIGHT ON THE MONEY! But…I would think JWT’s dad must be a little smarter then he is given credit for…he obviously knows what to do with his money..he has gotten this far in life…I’m sure he’ll do whatever’s right for his son, his business, and RCR in this situation….IN THAT ORDER! Who knows..by the end of the season RCR might be able to make “chicken ala King” out of the “chicken salad” we are watching run around and around and around (whoops crash!) the track! Look at Paul Menard…he’s finally making some noise..and it isn’t screeching tires and crunching metal! Now if Rusty could just do something with Steven!
Ric: I understand what you are getting at, but what drivers are you referring to? JWT isn’t outperforming any of RCR’s Cup drivers in any way, and the only other driver in the building is Austin Dillon in the Truck Series. And I’m not sure comparing Austin and JWT is fair. I think if Childress really had such a problem with funded drivers, he would have never signed Townley up in the first place.
I don’t know why RCR took a chance with JWT in the first place, unless it was just for the sponsorship.
Doesn’t anyone remember that Jon Wes Townley wasn’t the original Zaxby’s driver?
The Zaxby’s sponsorship was brought to Nascar by Joey Clanton, who was (is?) a Zaxby’s franchisee. He ran a season for the Wood Brothers in the truck series and showed some real potential in the 09 truck in 2007.
In 2008, he brought the Zaxby’s sponsorship with him to Roush’s trucks. He certainly didn’t last long, though. He was released after the Daytona race in which he had run well, but caused a large wreck at the end. Roush played musical drivers with the truck the rest of the season, including putting Jon Wes in the truck. Roush’s refusal to make Jon Wes the permanent driver led them to moving on from there.
IMHO, if RCR wants the Chicken Man to continue to happily pay the bills, they better not mess with Jon Wes too much. They’ve already shown that they’ll walk away from a great team.