Rarely in NASCAR are driving coaches publicized -- the people who guide the stars along, tutor them and teach them techniques.

Mainly because most drivers learn from experience, seat time and testing. That doesn't mean, however, a driver can't benefit from a life coach.

“

He works hard at putting teams together who are willing to work together and give up their own individual goals for the sake of a team.

”

-- J.D. GIBBS

I'm talking about the kind of coaching going on at Joe Gibbs Racing, where two of the sport's top drivers have matured into championship contenders. They've done it under the watchful eyes and inspiration of Joe Gibbs, the team owner and longtime NFL coach who was more or less born to shape, train and produce elite competitors.

"My dad has a real gift," said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. "Part of it is a God-given talent. The other is the fact that he has worked his whole life coaching men in sports. He works hard at putting teams together who are willing to work together and give up their own individual goals for the sake of a team."

And though he is retired from coaching, now might be the perfect time to bring back his proverbial whistle.

Managing the delicate relationship, partnership and exchange of information between the No. 18 and 11 Cup teams will be crucial heading into the 10-race Chase.

Hamlin has really picked up the mile-and-a-half program this season more so than Busch, but Busch has picked up on the short tracks. The exchange back and forth has helped both teams immensely.

And while there is a publicized mutual respect between the two drivers, only one of the 12 Chase drivers can win the championship and it will be up to Gibbs and the crew surrounding each driver to ensure they don't get in each other's way.

Most of the time, Hamlin and Busch don't battle on the track as they have entirely different racing styles. The time they did reach an impasse, tempers soared and verbal jabs in the media spilled over for days. Recall this season's All-Star Race where Busch felt Hamlin raced him unfairly?

Gibbs was there to smooth out the wrinkles, and seemingly the drivers have aired their feelings enough that they can compete for a championship respectfully.

They're teammates, yes, but not exactly comrades. (Continued)