Track Smack: Team players

1. Hendrick Motorsports was accused of issuing "team orders favoring Jimmie Johnson" at California: So do you think anything similar will come into play Saturday night at RIR?

Joe Menzer: If it does, and I'm Kyle Busch, at this stage I would ignore them and go for the win -- every time. I think it's ridiculous to have the team owner tell one of his guys "to play it safe" -- at this stage, or almost any stage, really.

Dave Rodman: Well, the 10 guys who are locked into the Chase will be racing ball-out for a win Saturday night. But Rick's call was not unreasonable during the California race, when Kyle was NOT locked-in.

Duane Cross: Scenario: Late in the race ... Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer are a few spots ahead of Kevin Harvick, who's still riding the bubble with Dale Jr. in tow ... Yeah, I can see Richard Childress putting a bug in their ears.

Dave Rodman: I think RC would have that well-rehearsed with his guys beforehand.

Joe Menzer: I guess I'm not entirely clear about exactly when Rick Hendrick told Kyle to play it safe, and where he was in terms of track position and Chase position at that very moment. But I still like guys going for the win.

Dave Rodman: It was late, and the e-mailer's contention was that KB was locked in, when in fact he was not. Shrub had much more to lose at that point by trying to win rather than locking himself in, as he did with a good finish.

Joe Menzer: But if you're Kyle Busch, do you heed such advice from a boss who will no longer be your boss in 11 weeks?

Duane Cross: Yes, you do. Kyle still has a lot more to lose during the final three months.

Dave Rodman: Rick's the boss, so I believe he has a right to dispense it. Down the stretch, winning the race, for Kyle unfortunately, was superfluous. He needed to lock in. Can you hear the helicopters?

Duane Cross: I also could see Rick Hendrick telling the Nos. 5 and 48 to give Jeff Gordon some room to race at the end. Having Jimmie Johnson and Gordon tied at the top of the standings certainly wouldn't be the worst-case scenario.

Dave Rodman: Duane! No, no, no. Those guys need to earn a win this weekend -- and the best man should win on merit, not via a gimme.

Duane Cross: But then again, if you're JJ, you want every point possible between you and the 24 before the green drops at Loudon.

Dave Rodman: I've been impressed with the interaction among the Hendrick teammates -- and their straightforward comments about how, in JJ's case particularly, they were biting their lips but openly sharing.

Duane Cross: And Rick was spot-on. Kyle's track record is aggressive -- and Rick wanted to ensure a smart final few laps. I doubt he meant for Kyle not to challenge Jimmie -- just race smart, cross the line and not sweat this week at Richmond.

Dave Rodman: As everyone always says -- they still have a championship to win, and working together is the best way to do it at this point.

Joe Menzer: But now that he's locked in, what exactly does KB have to lose? He's got his next gig lined up already.

Dave Rodman: Of course. And I don't think anyone's questioning that. I believe the e-mailer was laboring under a misconception. If Kyle WAS locked in he would have been turned loose. The fact he was not made the comment irrelevant -- and was why ESPN did not play it up.

Duane Cross: Kyle has a championship to lose.

Joe Menzer: KB will have a better shot at winning a championship if he wins a couple races. That means going for it when you're up front and have the chance to win one, doesn't it?

Duane Cross: He's one of the favorites -- for driving for HMS, if nothing else.

Dave Rodman: If he did something dumb, crashed and finished 33rd or so, he might have been in the position his brother and Kevin Harvick are this week. Still relatively safe, but not out of the woods yet. (Continued)