Struggling Ragan getting engineering help for Cup effort

Roush giving Ragan extra engineering help

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Roush Fenway Racing is hoping to give David Ragan a boost, assigning the team’s engineering manager to work with the struggling NASCAR Sprint Cup driver’s team for the next five weeks.

Chris Andrews will work alongside crew chief Jimmy Fennig, who will continue to call the races from the pit box of the No. 6 Ford.

“I made the decision on Chris’ special assignment for the next five weeks after consulting with Robbie Reiser, our general manager, and the other RFR crew chiefs,” team co-owner Jack Roush said Friday. “We arrived at the consensus for Chris to assist Jimmy and David with the application of our engineering tools to help with pre-weekend preparation and tuning at the track.”

Ragan was one of the biggest surprises of the 2008 season when he finished 13th in the season points. In the first 14 races this season, Ragan has only one top-10 finish and is 31st in the standings.

Andrews has been with the organization for almost three years and will assess what changes may be necessary to improve the team’s performance.

Roush Fenway also fields Cup cars for Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth — all among the top eight in points — and Jamie McMurray, 22nd.