GAINESVILLE, Fla. Life is full of difficult decisions. When it comes to leaving a job someones worked for over a decade, it makes it more difficult to go somewhere else.

In the case of crew chief Dickie Venables, departing from Tony Stewart Racing and driver Matt Hagan, who hed worked alongside for 13 years, was a tough but necessary breakup.

It was difficult in that I probably got in the comfort zone working over there with the same driver and crew for basically 13 years, Venables said. Obviously the same driver and the core group of of the crew as well.

But it was time. They were wanting to head in a different direction. They still wanted me to be a part of that over there, but kind of oversee both cars and stuff. Not really be in during the week in person. I was brought up in the sport Im at the shop every day and I just always like to be around and thats what makes somebody good.

I feel like you got to live what youre doing out here. Its kind of a passion. It wasnt a job, really. It was time, they had a direction they wanted to go and I was looking to do something else.

Then came a call from Kalitta Motorsports General Manager Chad Head, who gave the four-time champion a new adventure in his storied career working with J.R. Todd and his DHL Funny Car team.

Now with a new team to lead, Venables drive to compete is burning as much as ever.

Thats what drives crew chiefs. Its no different than a driver, Venables said. Its competitive. The drivers, they compare themselves to each other and so do the crew and crew chiefs and stuff.

I was fortunate to win three championships with Hagan and won one with Tony (Pedregon). I kind of look at it as hopefully I can be a part of getting one done for J.R.

Todd and his DHL team enjoyed a win in the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals last year, however, endured more consistent struggles once the Countdown to the Championship started.

We just fell on the toilet for whatever reason, Todd said. Theres not one thing that you can pinpoint what we did or should have done.

Once Venables entered the equation during the offseason, however, its become a solid reset for the team as it aims for better results.

After a while, I feel like you kind of dont know the things you dont know until somebody like Dickie comes in, like, Hey, this is what youre doing over here. This is what I like to do.

Its just completely different than what we have done in years past, Todd said. Kind of just changes the mindset here and its definitely been a breath of fresh air seeing the guys attitudes upbeat this year, knowing that I think we all have expectations of going out there and winning races and competing for a championship, given Dickies track history.

Venables résumé speaks for itself. The multi-time champion has found immense success with some of NHRAs greats in Hagan and Pedregon.

But its not going to be that easy to flip Kalitta Motorsports lone Funny Car team around. Since Todds first title in 2018, the DHL team hasnt finished better than sixth (2020) in the points chase.

With that in mind, Todd knows it wont be a simple, flip-of-the-switch fix.

Its not like Dickie shows up and waves a magic wand on the car, its like, All right, here we go, this things gonna rip,' Todd explained.

Its gonna take races before we get a handle on things. Im OK with that.

Patience in drag racing is an ironic concept, considering the sport prides itself on quickness and smashing elapsed time and speed records.

Nonetheless, Venables is eying the long game. According to the 60-year-old, the team has made roughly 20 passes tentering this weekends NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.

Thats become the baseline for a checklist.

Were certainly closer. Each run we are learning, Venables said. Were checking off boxes of the stuff that needs to be addressed, but its kind of a one at a time.

A nitro car is you have to kind of massage it into a position to where you can run it quick. You cant force it or they can blow up, they can do all kinds of weird stuff. Ive been doing it long enough to know you cant force it. You cant get mad at it. Just turn everything to the right. Make it go fast, because itll remind you, Hey, you shouldnt do that.

Its dangerous, its expensive, so theres a process, Venables continued. We probably made 10 half passes or less before we try to run it to the finish line.

Making sure everythings right. So OK, take it another little further down the track.'

As for this weekend, the team is in an odd position as he stated theyre still in test mode, but we are at a race.

We certainly want to qualify and do well, Venables said. But that being said, Race day is a different story.

Sometimes you do whatever it takes. Thats where the nobs might get turned to the right. But then theres a process you have to take or itll bite you.

That process can be grueling and frustrating, especially for a driver whos a proven champion. But for Todd, hes firmly at peace and trusts Venables direction.

Kind of taking baby steps, Todd affirmed. When you take big swings and it doesnt work, or whatever, kind of get yourself lost.

I told myself, before we even start the season, like, just be patient and trust the process.

Todd qualified 11th for Sundays Gatornationals as hell take on Bobby Bode III in the first round of eliminations.