I'd think being a NEXTEL Cup crew chief might be the most overated job in the sport these days.

Based on how Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kasey Kahne have performed without their regular crew chiefs calling the shots on raceday at times this year, it seems most anyone can step into the job and have success.

As Tony Eury, Jr., Steve Letarte, Chad Knaus and Steve Francis served suspensions for rules infractions this year, their drivers have gone on quite well with interim guys in their absence.

It's like managing a baseball game sometimes; most everyone knows when to bunt, when to hit and run, when to put in a lefty reliever to face a lefthanded hitter, etc. During a race, it's usually making similar choices - pitting for fuel, tires, adjustments to the car based on driver input, etc.

To me the real skill of a crew chief comes during the week, when the car is set-up and prepared for a particular track. That's where guys like Knaus, Letarte, et all earn their pay.

Unless NASCAR can find a way to keep these guys out of the shop during the weeks any are suspended, banning them from the race track will make no difference. Cellphones and Internet connections are also in place raceday from the banished chiefs, make no mistake about it.

A suspended crew chief should be banned from all team activities. Until NASCAR sits out a driver for a penalty infraction, that's the only way the sanctioning body will get teams' attentions that breaking the rules won't be tolerated.

Pete Pistone