Team orders work in racing environments where one member of the team has such an internal, team-wide, competitive or ability advantage that the only value for the other team members is supporting that alpha performer.

For example, Floyd Landis could bend his Tour de France team to his will- force them to exist almost wholly to support his chances for victory- because none of the team members had a prayer of winning themselves. Their only utility was as supporting players.

Formula One is similar (and to an extent Indy car)- after a handful of races, three-four drivers/cars are identified as having a realistic chance to win the series, which makes it easier to force the other fifteen or so regular starters into supporting roles.

NASCAR doesn’t work like that. The cars, particularly within teams, are the exact same, so team orders are difficult to enforce. Each race, everyone thinks they are one pit stop fix from being the “superior” car on the team. Each season, 25 guys are one good month, three good starts, from being in or near the all important Top 12.

A perfect example is guys who due to a flat tire or something are a few laps down, but at speed, at Talladega or Daytona. They almost always are “great teammates” in the draft. They can’t win- for he rest of today, they are clearly the second tier effort- so they are willing to follow team dictates.

Did you already forget how your pretty boy MaaacMurray won the 400 saturday night? Teammate Cousin Carl decided not to make it 3 wide and push the 26 to Victory. Seems like a good example in the modern era.

justracethecar

pleeeaaaseee....
he was just afraid of Kyle Busch making a dumb move and taking out the entire field.

I'd say that was playing it safe.

The best thing I ever saw as far as a team goes, was last years race, not sure which one, Waltrip had crashed and really really wrecked hard, Junior was involved too....all I remember is seeing Junior jump out of his car and go running to his team mates car and get him out of the car safely....it gave me goosebumps.

Detroit Red Wings. Wait...what?

The poor France Family...they have had so much heartbreak this month!

Nascar.com has an interesting article today called “Petty crews prove team sport” Read it more importantly, read the last paragraph.

Hamlin got scared and slowed down, Tony hit him. However, Tony probably should have waited and said something different.There isn't much for teamwork if you are in the chase. They all want to win, do you blame them? YOU CAN'T.

Best example of team work I can think of was on one of our saddest Nascar days. Earnhardt, Sr holding off the field allowing Mikey to get the win.

You will see alot more teamwork during the Chase. Drivers that are not in will hold up other guys that are to give their teammate an advantage or they will back off to let their Chase teammate go ahead. That's what I dislike about the Chase concept. If I had a car that I thought could win, I'd go for it no matter what. (Yay, Vickers!)Instead you see guys backing off and getting out of the way of the top ten. That's NOT racing.

This year they expanded the Chase to 12 cars cause Tony missed out last year. If Kurt doesn't get in this year will they go to 15 next year? What do you think?

Linda, you all need to keep not only the France family in your thoughts and prayers, but that poor little 10 year old boy who was burned so badly when the plane hit his house.