Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the continuous discussions about teamwork in NASCAR? Steve Letarte certainly has. The renowned NASCAR insider is tired of the ongoing debates regarding the conduct of non-playoff drivers toward championship contenders and the dynamics among owner-drivers like Denny Hamlin competing against their own teammates. Letarte firmly believes it’s time to shift the narrative around racing entirely.
Many fans enjoy the sportsmanship that occasionally makes headlines during events, but Letarte warns that there is a significant difference between showing respect and engaging in behavior that could be detrimental to your own success.
From Letarte’s perspective, the drivers should prioritize their own interests above all else. Regardless of the strong bonds formed within teams, the fundamental truth remains: each driver competes for their own glory, and that should be the guiding principle.
In a candid discussion on NASCAR’s "Inside the Race" podcast, he didn’t hold back. "I’m really tired of all the focus on team dynamics… Look, yes, teams exist, and they implement strategies, but we need drivers who are intensely focused on their own success. The competition is fierce enough that thinking you can carry someone else along with you is often unrealistic."
Reflecting on his experiences as a crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, Letarte recalled, "We would sit down in meetings, where they’d declare their commitment to teamwork, but they both had this unspoken agreement: if helping each other wasn’t feasible, they weren’t going to put themselves at risk. They were unapologetically selfish, and that’s precisely what contributed to their excellence."
At 46 years old, Letarte recognizes there may still be opportunities for teammates to assist one another during races, yet he strongly advocates for a more aggressive competitive spirit—even if it leads to some scuffs between teammates. To him, a fierce competitive drive is the essence of what makes racing so thrilling.
This opinion resonates with former driver Kyle Petty, who has consistently voiced a similar viewpoint. He argues that Denny Hamlin's unabashed self-interest, evidenced during his confrontation with Bubba Wallace at Kansas, is what enhances the excitement in NASCAR. Petty believes that without drivers willing to challenge their own teammates, the races would undoubtedly lose their allure. In his view, Hamlin's self-centered approach is exactly what fans desire to see.
Conversely, Dale Earnhardt Jr. acknowledges Hamlin's competitive spirit but suggests a more balanced approach should be taken when engaging with fellow teammates. Junior feels that Hamlin could have navigated his interactions with Wallace more thoughtfully, to ensure their rivalry didn’t unwittingly provide an advantage to competitors within the Chevrolet camp while their own team members faltered.
