She Said: It is obvious that Hendrick Motorsports does not practice
team orders. The four teammates race each other very hard. And of course you have to look back at Loudon (New Hampshire)
to see my point. Brian Vickers was in no way going to simply move over and let Jeff Gordon by. At one point Vickers was faster
and Jeff whined that his teammate was racing him too hard and he was in the Chase and I suppose that meant he should
get preference on track. Gordon would not have simply moved over to let someone go by, teammate or not. And at the restrictor
plate tracks, it was common to see the No 24. and the No. 48 basically hang each other out or at the least stop working together
altogether. So I believe team orders are no way in play there.
Joe Gibbs Racing:
He Said: Joe Gibbs Racing has no choice as Tony Stewart would run over
his grandmother in the pits for a win (or another biscuit) and so far has cut no rookie, much less his “teammate”
a break.
She Said: The only team orders I can see at Gibbs, is Stewart
is the boss and that is that. Maybe not exactly like that, but being the veteran driver of the organization and throwing in
the fact he is a two-time champion carries some weight (no pun intended).
Roush Racing:
He Said: Roush? He lost one of his only two Cup Champions he had
last year, presumably over contract disputes. It is now rumored that Greg Biffle will take over the Yates No. 88 ride next
year. Mark Martin has bolted to Chevy, so who does that leave. Cousin Carl, the grinner… He ruined Biffle’s chances
last year at Atlanta, one doubts he will help Kenseth. Besides, Roush, like Childress
seems more interested in running Busch races than Cup races.
She Said: Normally, I would say Roush drivers would follow team orders,
but the teams just aren't running strong enough to influence the race or even help the Chasers on track, so Matt Kenseth
is on his own there. The organization has bigger problems than who is helping who or who will move over for who.
Richard Childress Racing:
He Said: Richard Childress shot his wad this year running top
Cup drivers for a Busch Championship. Burton won’t tank for Harvick and
Harvick has been focused on yet another Busch title. Maybe when Harvick and Childress shake off the Dale Earnhardt ghost they
can actually run for a CUP championship and be the team that Earnhardt always knew they could be when he selected Harvick.
She Said: No team orders at Richard Childress Racing either, Harvick
is a lot like Stewart, he would run his grandmother over to advance his position on track as well. I think Burton
would be more inclined to move over on the racetrack, not for the fact that Harvick is a teammate, but the fear of being wrecked.
2006 StockCar Review.
