NASCAR Home Tracks
CHAMPION CREW CHIEF PROFILE: Bob Mueller
In addition to Bob Garbarino, the other Bob has had a pretty good run with the "Mystic Missile" team in recent seasons as well.
Crew chief Bob Mueller has been around racing almost as long as car owner Bob Garbarino, but when the car's driver Donny Lia is asked to describe Mueller, the usual buzzwords to characterize a veteran like "experience" or "wisdom" aren't the first things that comes to mind.
"He's a real passionate guy about racing," Lia said. "When he wakes up he's thinking about the race car, and we he goes to sleep he's thinking about the race car. He's devoted. This is all he wants to do, and he's been at it a long time."
Lia and Mueller had instant chemistry as a tandem. The first time that Mueller worked with Lia, it was at Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl in 2006 when Lia was still piloting his own car. They won the race that night, and three years later they've got 10 more wins and a pair of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships together.
"When his name is on it, the results are there," Lia said. "He's got a real strong desire to win. He's not having any fun unless the car is in the top five or winning."
The instant and sustained chemistry with Mueller is something that Lia values and appreciates greatly.
"We've got a great relationship together," Lia said. "I'm proud to say this is one of the best relationships he's had, and it's definitely the best relationship I've had since I've been racing."
Lia stresses that Mueller, in addition to making the right calls as far as car setup and race strategy, is always looking out for the team as a whole.
"He's a great guy. He cares about everybody on the race team and makes sure everybody is taken care of and everybody is having fun."
With a remarkable 24 top fives in just 29 races together during the 2007 and 2009 campaigns, there is no doubt that Lia and Mueller have good communication, something that Lia believes is one of the team's best assets.
"He's real big on driver feel. He really listens to the driver, and his main focus is making sure the driver is comfortable," Lia said. "As his driver, that even makes you feel comfortable before you get to the race track."
