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by Larry McReynolds

FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster.

Updated: July 6, 2004, 8:15 PM EST

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Bang Racing has put everybody back where they were before Milwaukee with Rick Ren and his team returning as Mike Skinner's crew while Eric Phillips and his team will be Travis Kvapil's crew once again. We accomplished what I wanted to accomplish which was to prove that these guys could work together. It doesn't matter how we mix and match the teams because both trucks will be good.

The biggest struggle has been getting these two teams to work together. They got along, but it just seemed like they were on different agendas most weeks. For the first time at Kansas last week, the trucks were set up pretty much identically, and I think it paid off. They got 25 minutes of practice, and both trucks were good top-two or three trucks all day long.

At the same time, the original mission was to try to see if Ren would complement Kvapil better, and he did. Phillips complemented Skinner. But Ren is more the crew chief that Skinner needs. He needs a very vocal, outspoken crew chief, and that's Rick Ren.

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On Monday, I was very proud when we met with both teams because I didn't get up and speak. Owner Alex Meshkin didn't get up and speak. Phillips and Ren got up together and said we're going to go back to where we were before Milwaukee, but the only difference will be we're going to work together as one team. Actions speak louder than words, and I'm in a comfort zone right now with what I've seen and heard.

I don't want to become known as the guy who changes people every time something goes wrong, but I've been tickled to death with the team chemistry after Kansas. We're back to accomplishing the goal that I set for the organization eight months ago which is one team fielding two trucks. The only difference is the color of the uniforms and trucks.

FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.

"Larry McReynolds: The Big Picture" is on bookstore shelves now, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.

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