10 NASCAR Champions Infamous for Being Bad Teammates

NASCAR Champions Infamous for Being Bad Teammates

Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick

10. Kurt Busch

Early in his career, Kurt Busch built a reputation for explosive radio rants and tension with his own teams. While incredibly talented, his attitude often created friction inside the garage.

9. Brad Keselowski

Keselowski never cared about “team orders.” His aggressive moves—especially with teammates like Joey Logano—made it clear: winning came before friendships.

8. Kyle Busch

Even within dominant teams like Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch often clashed with teammates. If you were in his way, you weren’t a teammate—you were competition.

7. Tony Stewart

Stewart’s fiery personality didn’t stop at rivals. His blunt, no-filter approach sometimes rubbed teammates the wrong way, especially during tense championship runs.

6. Kevin Harvick

Harvick demanded excellence—and didn’t hide his frustration. His leadership style at Stewart-Haas often came across as intimidating rather than supportive.

5. Dale Earnhardt

“The Intimidator” didn’t play favorites. Even teammates weren’t safe from his aggressive driving—he raced everyone the same, which didn’t always go over well internally.

4. Darrell Waltrip

Waltrip’s confidence often crossed into arrogance. His time with Junior Johnson’s team saw internal tension as he prioritized his own success over team harmony.

3. Jeff Gordon

Gordon wasn’t always the golden teammate fans remember. There were moments—especially in tight championship battles—where team dynamics took a backseat.

2. Richard Petty

Petty’s dominance meant teammates were often just supporting characters. In many cases, the team revolved entirely around him, limiting opportunities for others.

1. Jimmie Johnson

Seven titles came with controversy. Johnson’s success sometimes led to accusations of favoritism within Hendrick Motorsports, frustrating teammates who felt sidelined.