The Battle of Roth…
What is going on at Roth Racing? Marty Roth is running as fast as the majority of the field and finishing races… This isn’t the Marty Roth that we know. Most of us place him in last place when it comes to fantasy racing due to the fact he can never go the distance. It would seem that he has turned his organization around and is looking towards a better 2009 season. I don’t necessarily mean that he will be having podium finishes just yet or even top fives. If Roth can consistently finish on the lead lap in the 2009 season then that my friends will be an accomplishment for that organization. I sure hope that he can treat his drivers a little better as well. We all know what transpired with Jay Howard this season. You can look at this decision from a fan standpoint or a business standpoint. Roth lost his chief engineer David Cripps just before the start of the month of May. At Indianapolis Marty Roth chose to replace Jay Howard with John Andretti. Marty Roth reportedly said that this was due to the fact that John Andretti had more experience and that his experience was crucial due to the loss of Cripps. There were other instances where Roth wrecked his car during a morning warm up or practice session and booted Jay Howard out of his car in order to run in the race. Roth Racing continues to be a controversial team amongst fans. Hopefully, Jay Howard can find a ride this season since it’s definitely not going to be an easy task with the large list of distinguished drivers already seeking a limited number of rides..
September 16th, 2008 at 20:17
I feel for Jay Howard. I really did not like how Marty Roth left Jay Howard out on a limb like that. I am sure Jay was ecstatic to know he was going to be running in this years Indy 500 and then crushed to find out that he was going to be replaced by John Andretti. I really hope he lands on a more deserving team.
September 16th, 2008 at 20:32
After seeing Roth stuff 5 cars in the wall in St. Pete, and being 5 seconds off the pace before he withdrew, I admire the man’s determination. What I dont like though is his ego. I unerstand its his team and his money yadda yadda. But in order to make money, run up front and get sponsors and feedback, he needed someone who was going to crack the top 15 each race. Jay Howard impressed me,, especially after not being in an Indycar the previous year. Howard was doing well then got replaced by Andretti. Andretti was running well himself, then got the boot. I dont understand this teams goals, For Roth just to race? If thats the case, they wont last too long. With a startup team you have to have a good engineer or driver in place, people who are knowledgable, fast, and can keep the equipment in one piece. Roth’s focus need to be on his second car, if he can even afford to run it next season
September 17th, 2008 at 17:38
I don’t like Mr Roth at all. He had a couple of good runs this year but at the tracks he ran good at you pretty much run wide open and drive around. He is using his father’s money to play with the real racers and really has no business in our series. And after what he did to Jay well that has been beat to death already. Hopefully he will step out of the car this year and put a young talented driver in and give someone else a chance.
September 18th, 2008 at 20:40
Yea if they finish on the lead lap it will be an accomplishment compared to the past years as a team, but if Roth himself keeps booting people of their cars so he can race I do not see the team gaining needed chemistry and experience as a whole. The turnover rate among drivers and other members of the team won’t give them nothing but turmoil amongst themselves. Howard deserves a fair shot on any team and security when it comes to his ride, simply because he deserves it.