Roush Fenway Racing Owner JACK ROUSH, "once the quintessential hands-on team owner," now is "moving toward the sidelines" in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, according to Nate Ryan of USA TODAY. The survivor of two plane crashes has "eased into a role he jokingly labels as public and human relations manager." Roush said, "I've gone from wanting to be the mechanic that I hoped everyone else would be to now I'm the point-and-grunt guy." The plan within the next five years is he "won't attend every team meeting or race anymore, scaling back to spend more time with five grandchildren." Driver CARL EDWARDS, who has been with RFR since '03, said of Roush, "His role's changed a lot. Jack is as pragmatic as anyone. He's realized that one man can't do all of it. ... I think he's doing a great job of adapting to the new complexities of the sport by letting go, and that's been cool." Driver GREG BIFFLE, in his 16th season with RFR, said, "Jack isn't as hands on, but he's more active today in quizzing us about what we're doing on the car to make sure you've turned over every rock." Ryan writes, "Wooing companies has become a greater part of the job for Roush." He is "more certain the team's on-track results are in turnaround," and "bristled at the suggestion his organization might have lost any of its speed in recent years." Ryan asks, "Is there a clear path for the enterprise once Roush steps away?" Team President STEVE NEWMARK said, "There's no written plan. We'll welcome his leadership as long as we can get it" (USA TODAY, 7/11).
