Relationships away from track important for crews (cont'd)

Mears said the season is demanding, it can wear you down, but his crew keeps a high pace through it all.

"I've always felt like it's really important to let those guys know that I appreciate what they do week in and week out," Mears said. "It's a long season for everyone, and just taking some to talk away from work -- even just for lunch -- it's a good way to say, 'Hey, man, thank you.'"

Team sponsors in NASCAR also facilitate entertaining venues and events for their respective drivers. Mears, sponsored by the National Guard, took his No. 25 crew to a training facility near Salt Lake City, where they flew inside Black Hawk helicopters and performed weapons training with the guardsmen.

"It was just a fun day and a great way to bond as a team," Mears said.

Some crew members and drivers will liken the relationship to a marriage -- a lot of give and take is needed.

In May, Cup contender Denny Hamlin, the second driver to clinch a spot in the Chase this season behind Jeff Gordon, nearly divorced his crew.

Errors on pit road, Hamlin said, cost him wins earlier this season forced the team to make a major overhaul and staff change. And when Hamlin's frustration maxed out after the race in Darlington, S.C., the No. 11 Gibbs Racing driver thought to fire his entire crew.

Chip Ganassi Racing crew members said they are a close-nit group who don't foresee a situation escalating to that point.

However crew chief Steven "Bones" Lane on the No. 40 machine of David Stremme said when crews don't produce intended results, crew members can grate on one another's nerves.

So outings, such as their recent trip to Greenville, S.C., where the entire team loaded up in a Coors Light party bus and road tripped to the baseball park for the Greenville Drive game, is helpful.

And besides, lines of communication are always opened in long car rides or over frosty beverages.

"We need to see our crew for who they are outside the track," Lane said. "We don't spend enough time figuring out who we are outside the track or what we have going on in our lives. All we are worried about is racing and where we finish. This gives you a chance to get to know each other."

For engine specialist Tim Jones, the trip was refreshing.

NASCAR crew members, the No. 40 not excluded, are roommates from Thursday to Sunday and virtually eat every meal together. Getting along and learning the group dynamics is vital to success on the track.

And Jones said naturally you tend to take an extra step or go the extra mile for those you care about.

"We struggle sometimes and fight amongst ourselves but outsiders best not come in," said Jones as he watched his Stremme drive his car around the baseball field as part of promotion that evening.

"I hope he doesn't hit the wall," laughed Jones.

Stremme said there's a lot of fun to be had and the abuse goes both ways. But as long as you're willing to share blame and responsibility, the relationship functions well.

"I'm really close to my team -- we all live, eat, breath racing and need to go relax and watch a baseball game every once in a while," he said. "Anything we can do to get closer and understand each other better is good."