As mentioned in a previous post, Nextel Cup Chaser Kyle Busch thanked his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Casey Mears for yielding the 5th position to him in Sunday's Dodge Dealers 400. On the last restart, Mears' Crew Chief Darian Grubb came over the radio to let his driver know that if the #5 caught up to them and the #25 didn't have anything for him, he was to let him by.
Mears gave the 10-4 and ultimately gave way to the Shrub. For the non-Chaser, it meant giving up his fifth top 5 on the season for the "good of the team." For Busch, it meant an additional five points for his championship run.
Mears understands that he took one for the team and he did so willingly. But he felt differently about his decision after the fact.
Take a listen. **NSFW**
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mears is a team player and knows how to follow directions.....he knows who signs his checks,he will get his due.
some times you need to take one for the team..but kyle is not part of the team
Here's the thing - Hendrick has a history of doing this, even when it's not a Chase situation. That's why, even as a Junior fan, I was not pissed off last fall when Vickers won at Talladega. Given the fact that he'd been on the receiving end of the "let Jimmie go" orders at the previous Talladega race and Jimmie won that one, it was high time that he got his shot.
The fact is, when a team owner issues team orders regularly, there's going to be one guy that's just nice enough to get screwed. I honestly think that Kyle is just selfish enough (in a good way this time) that he hasn't ever let it be him. He's not going to give anything up for the team. He's going to do the best he can at any time.
I'm all for teammates helping one another out and not hurting one another, but why the hell hire a driver for a car if you want your other drivers to win? (Something in the way Casey was talking about team orders gave me the impression he didn't deal with that at Ganassi.)
awe, cj. i hate that he had to do that. i missed the race but when i heard about this, i was so mad. he deserves that spot and i hope i kyle is thanking his lucky stars that mears was willing to do that for him. i just wonder if big h will return the favor when case is in the chase.
Even as a HUGE Kyle fan, I'm ticked on Casey's behalf. I know Kyle was very thankful and SURPRISED (as in he didn't know it was going to happen, not as in he didn't think Casey would do it for him), but still. No one should have asked him to do that. But if Kyle wins the Championship by less than 5 points, I'll be eternally grateful. ;)
I see nothing wrong with Casey giving up that spot since he is not in the chase and Kyle is. Other teams would work it the same way I am sure. Casey is part of a team and needs to understand that. One place makes little difference to him but could make a big difference to KYle as well as Rick in the end. His day will come when he needs a team member to move over for him too. I would think differently if it were for the win. Then it is every man for himself but 5th and 6th place is not a winning situation.
I think that it sucked that Casey did that and everything, but if you think about it. He's kind of helping himself out too even though he hates that he did it. Isn't he getting those points next year when he movies? Won't this end up benefiting him for next year, at least somewhat. I don't know, but that was my first thought. I could be wrong.
I do hate that he had to do it. I never understood that. Yeah its a team sport and all but just because he's the odd man out over there and is not in the Chase doesn't mean he needs to jeopordize his good finishes for others, but Casey's a good guy and does what he thinks is right.
And this my friends is the very reason why Mears will still be employed by Hendrick Motor Sports next year and Kyle Busch will not! Mears is a team player and a nice guy! Kyle is a spoiled little brat who will fit right in with Tony Stewart on his team. I can't wait to see all the fireworks next year between three team-mates, (Tony, Kyle, & Denny) who only care about themselves, aren't in it for the team, will stab each other in the back every chance they get, and to beat all, will be driving the crappy Toyotas next year.
I say bye bye Kyle and good ridance! Mears is a good guy and he will get his due. He has plenty of enthusiasm, which will make him a winner soon! Attitude is everything! Just my opinion of course!
Kim
I am sorry but I think that the whole damn thing was f*cked up. Casey is too good of a race car driver and guy for that shit. To hell with remember who will be here next year, that is no damn excuse. Who made that call anyway? Mr. Hendrick. Yep another reason why I have lost respect for him. Go Mears Gang!!
Its pretty clear it was Alan and the 5 team NOT Mr. H. And no no-one has ever told Brian to "back-off" and let Jimmie by. If his guys are running 1,2 Mr. H always gets on the radio to tell them not to wreck eachother, because he's had three cars wreck out of the lead before. THIS IS IN NOWAY ASKING HIS DRIVERS TO LAY OVER. Only the odd moron would think that.
Casey may not be racing for a championship but he is still racing and trying to compete. I think it is wrong for anyone to have to give up a finishing position, Chase-contender or not.
I do wonder who the request came from - Kyle, Alan, Rick, etc.
I got a chuckle at the end when when Darian reminded him who was going to be with the team next year. That comment makes me think it might have been a request of Kyle's.
SO WHAT IF MEARS HAD TO MOVE OVER FOR KYLE.
LAST YEAR, KYLE HAD TO DO THE SAME THING FOR J.JOHNSON.
WHAT ARE TEAMMATES FOR? KYLE IS ONE OF THE TOP TIER DRIVERS OUY THERE TODAY.SO said richard petty and few other drivers also and him compared to mears there is a 10to1 difference in driving talent.
KYLE BUSH has been in the CHASE for the last few years, where has MEARS been? WHERE IS HE TODAY IN POINTS?. NO VICTORYS AT GANASSI,1 WIN AT HMS SO FAR.
At the least KB has shown he can win, he's had few victoryes already and he just started in nascar few years ago.OH,i almost forgot the many top 5's and top 10's he achieved.WHERE ARE K MEARS RESULTS.WE ARE TALKING EMERALD VS GLASS. That's a big difference in value and material quality. 20+ teams tryed do get KB on board as soon as they found out he was leaving HMS. How many are going to jump on KMEARS if he quits HMS? TONY, KYLE and DENNY, will get along just fine at gibbs. TONY and DENNY have already approved the coming of KB even before the deal was initiated so i do not see any problems there. TOUGETHER THEY WILL BE A STRONG TEAM TO COUNTER HMS TEAM. And ovviestly that translates in a better competition and better show for the fans.
TONY STEWART CAN DRIVE AND WIN in to anything and unforcenally, even too they are favorites drivers of mine ,among a couple others, I WILL NEVER SAY THE SAME ABOUT JJ and JG. TONY is the TOP GUN there and many new nascar drivers have been learning seeking the advice of TONY STEWART, that includes kbush,dhamlin,kasey kane,mc murrey and many others.
SO KYLE AND EVEN DANNY, will have no problem learning a little more from stewart about the new toyota and everything alce.KYLE AND DENNY EARNED THEIR WAY IN TO NASCAR with wins and top finishes when they were in the lover leagues.JIMMY JOHNSON, ALTHOUGH he is an excellent driver and another preferred driver of mine, GOT INTO NASCAR BECAUSE HIS WEALTHY RICH DADDYS MONEY (old news several reports).SO..... WHO IS THE REALLY SPOILED BREATH NOW. AH?. HOW IS MY SPELLING TODAY BLOGGERS TEACHERS?
OOPS,I JUST REALIZED THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SPELLING ERRORS.DAMN IT. THE SHARKS FROM YALE, BERKELY OR COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, ARE GOING TO GET ME AGAIN.
LOOSERS?!.HA HA HA HA.
Berkeley
I think that kind of sucks that Casey had to give his spot to Kyle. If things were reversed that would never happen. I think you should race for your spots and not be just given to you. Also, I do not believe Casey is helping himself out for next year. Sure he is moving into the 5 car next year, but you know they are going to change it around so Jr. gets the points when he goes to Hendricks. I would be surprised if Casey gets the 5 cars standings next year. I know another team did the whole switching points and numbers last year, I just can't think of the team next year. So really Casey probaly got screwed twice, he helped Kyle out that race and Jr. out for next season. Wow thanks for helping Casey out for a change.
If you don't want to end up basically playing the role of a teammate's bitch during the Chase then you need to make the Chase yourself. Harsh analysis for sure, but true nonetheles. Sucks to a degree but this kind of thing has happened before and will happen again, a non-story really.
I think the chase is a bunch of c. politics. we wouldnt want carl edwards to get ahead of jeff an jimmy and tony baloney would we, so lets just give him a 25 point fine . yeah . nascar you are ruining the sport. get your head out of your a an smell the roses .