[vincesanity82]

Joe Gibbs Racing: From the "been down that road before" department, this isn't the first time JGR has changed manufacturers. Gibbs has bounced from Chevrolet to Pontiac and back again in its 16-year history. JGR has won driver's championships with both -- two with Pontiac and one most recently with Chevy. But the switch to Toyota will be a greater undertaking. Toyota struggled mightily, as expected, in its NASCAR debut. Gibbs is expected to bring it the credibility and success it lacked in 2007. Can JGR be for Toyota what Hendrick Motorsports is, in essence, for Chevrolet? It had the best COT operation of any team outside the HMS stable in '07. That's definitely a plus heading into '08. It also has three of the best drivers currently in NASCAR, which brings forth another question. Can Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch coexist on the same team? Drivers with similar, aggressive racing styles tend to find one another on the track. Stewart and Busch have had skirmishes before. Chances are good they will bump fenders again. But will they butt heads? -- NASCAR.com

NASCAR.COM - Pressure is on in '08 for teams like DEI, Evernham - Jan 2, 2008

[smokefan20]

i think it was the worst idea in the history of ideas to have a selfish brat be a teammate with profassional stock car racer (Tony Stewart).

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by smokefan20

i think it was the worst idea in the history of ideas to have a selfish brat be a teammate with profassional stock car racer (Tony Stewart).

Because of all the racers in NASCAR, Tony Stewart is the professional one...

Not saying I don't like him, he's one of my top 3 racers, but he can be a little unprofessional at times.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Because of all the racers in NASCAR, Tony Stewart is the professional one...

Not saying I don't like him, he's one of my top 3 racers, but he can be a little unprofessional at times.

A little.... schwoo your bein nice about it.

[smokefan20]

i'm saying that kyle is not as experienced as Tony.

[LSC9901]

Now here are two drivers that have made names for themselves. A lot of it is due to poor choices. I don't really care for either but I'll bet you that they'll be best of friends. Count on it. They need each other since they are both new to Yota-land.

[Racer Duck]

definition: professional

1. Of, related to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession.
2. Engaged in a specific activity as a source of livelihood.
3. Performed by persons receiving pay.
4. Having great skill or experience in a particular field or activity.

(The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, copyright 1981)



hmmm. doesn't say anything about temper tantrums or spoiled brats or climbing fences or running over people....

I guess they're both "professional" racers...

[jks812]

I think they'll do fine on the same team. Both can be aggressive drivers, both can be inmature. And while Kyle doesn't have the experience Tony has, he hasn't been in it as long as Tony, I think he's almost as good as Tony.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Everyone talks about "team" like these guys were playing on a basketball or football team where the actions of the players can influence the outcome of a game against a common opponent. In truth, there are 43 drivers every weekend trying to beat the others regardless of whose "team" they are on!

When they weren't teammates, Shrub and Smoke were trying to beat each other when they had the opportunity, so what makes anyone think that will change? Okay, Gibbs will tell them "not to take each other out" (the usual company line) and aside from that, what else is significant about them being teammates? I just think too much is being made about the word "team" in this and other cases. The only team Busch should be concerned with is his team starting with the crew chief and the rest of that group because if those guys aren't happy, then mysterious things start to happen like wheels falling off at high speeds and such!

Lastly, I'd much rather have drivers who are "temperamental" and win than those who "get along" and don't win! Who cares if they have attitudes? BFD I say, as long as they win, as the owner, I'll be more than happy to pay their fines for them!!!

[Racer Duck]

actually, being a teammate in racing is more about sharing data gathered in practice/test sessions. once the race starts, "team" only comes into play when protecting a teammate's position from other teams. but once teammates go head to head it's every man/woman for themselves.

owners try not to get too upset and bite their tongue around the media when one teammate takes the other out .. it usually comes back to bite the "take-outer" when the new contract is negotiated ("let's see, how many millions did you cost me when...") .. unless of course it's so bad that it calls for immediate dismissal - which hardly ever happens with today's contracts.

[pitbullkissess]

I think that they at least have to try , If they do or they don`t thats another story in it self. I think they both have a desire to win and that is what we need and want for our team isn`t. I am a Kyle fan and I really like the sponcar change and the car make change , I thing all of that will make a team that will be in the winners circle alot this year.

[bears9]

As long as the team as winning everything will be fine, but if either of them start to struggle someone will blow.

[lilsexy08]

Tony is the best driver in JGR and if Kyle wants to act the fool I'm sure Tony will have no problem putting Kyle in his place.

[Bob Tanner]

From my point of view I think we are making waaaaay too much out of this.

First of all, na__ar.com is COMPLETELY wrong. They aren't "on the same team." They're on different teams! They have the same OWNER!!! You'd think they could at least get this detail right , in their writings?


Secondly, where is it written that these guys have to even like each other? They're on competing teams, and [should be] out there trying to beat one another. This whole things brings me back to this, "NA__AR is a team sport!" crapola. It never was designed to be, is not now, and hopefully never will be! If you want to watch "team" sports, go to stick&ball and leave NA__AR the Hell alone! Please. When you start equating "team sports" and auto racing, you get into F1 and their "Team orders."

It's all just another reason why Bill France Jr.'s, Brian France's and Rick Hendrick's "mega-team" concept just plain sux!

Besides, I think it's all kind of moot anyway. Tony's many and varied outside interests will be a pretty good buffer between Shrub and himself. One the track, they'll race each other just as hard as they would race a RCR or a Roush car, and in much the same way. If they don't then why the Hell are they out there anyway?

So what difference does it really make if they get along or not? They are rivals, from cripes sake!

[Jeffrey4396]

They'll coexist for as long as it takes Tony to jump back into a Chevy. I found a video on Nascar.com a little interesting. It is about the drivers at JGR welcoming change. Watch how both Kyle and Denny act optimistic and upbeat about this year. Then watch Tony. He doens't look very happy at all. Plus he kind of has this glass half empty look to the season. Check it out it is in the video section of Nascar.com called "Gibbs drivers welcome change"



I think Kyle is the least of Tony's worries. Too bad JD went and screwed up his dad's team. When Tony leaves they will be the new DEI. Decent drivers but lacking that allstar caliber type driver to compete with the big boys.