While there may not be perfect harmony between Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, their relationship is certainly much better than what's going on at Roush Fenway Racing.

Last week's dust-up between Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth after some on-track testiness at Martinsville was the latest example in a season of internal rumblings at the once-powerful operation.

Carl Edwards posted back-to-back victories at Atlanta in 2005. (Getty Images)

Edwards feels there is a lack of "team spirit" at Roush and pointed to the Hendrick stable as an example of how an organization and teammates should operate.

That view is not one Kenseth shares by any means.

"I think everything in the team is great," Kenseth said. "Honestly, I know there's some comments about team spirit and that kind of stuff, I think right now, obviously besides just the two of us for whatever reason. I think that team morale is maybe not at an all-time high, but it's pretty darn high and the team spirit is."

The controversy has thrown team owner Jack Roush into a role he's not accustomed to playing: mediator.

"I've been engaged all week trying to understand what the reasons were and what the frustration was behind the conflict between Carl and Matt, and I think we have the measure of it," Roush said Friday morning at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"Certainly, Carl realizes that he wasn't a friend to Matt, and Matt, I think, is anxious to have Carl get some relief from the dilemma he finds himself in."

"We're working our way through the aftermath of the conflict that was regrettable, and I think in the future, in a scenario where there will be conflict and differences of opinion, that we'll be able to avoid that confrontation."

There's no doubt some of the frustration Edwards feels is from the lack of success both he and the entire Roush stable have had this year. It was only a couple seasons ago that Roush had all five of its cars in the Chase and Edwards visited Victory Lane five times.

But while the Hendrick duo of Gordon and Johnson have dominated this season and the Chase, Edwards and Kenseth –- the only two Roush cars in this year's playoffs –- have struggled.

"No, things haven't gone the way we had hoped," said Edwards, who has won three times in 2007 but finds himself 285 points behind Gordon in the Chase.

Edwards could make a positive step this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he scored back-to-back victories in 2005.

He finished seventh in last spring's visit to the 1.5-mile track which has been one of his favorites since becoming a full-time Cup regular.

"Atlanta's a place that I just have always loved," Edwards said. "Let's hope I love it even more on Sunday."

But Edwards isn't the only one who has enjoyed much success at AMS. Gordon and Johnson have also put together a stellar record at the Georgia superspeedway.

The pair has combined to win six times during their Cup career, with Johnson coming into Sunday's Pep Boys 500 off his Atlanta win back in March.

"It's a place that's fast and one where we have been lucky enough to enjoy success over the years," Johnson said.

Gordon's career Atlanta numbers are equally eye-popping. In 30 starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Gordon has four wins, one pole, 12 top 5s and 18 top 10s.

I love racing at Atlanta because of the multiple grooves in the corner, and we had an awesome car here in the spring," said Gordon, who had a pit road miscue in March that foiled his chances to win.

Atlanta holds a special place in Gordon's memory as it was the site of his first career Cup start in 1992. To mark the occasion, Gordon has been named honorary starter and is excited about the opportunity.

"It's an honor to give the command to start engines prior to the race at a track where my Cup Series career began 15 years ago," said Gordon.

But Gordon is keeping his new role in perspective.

"For the first time, the entire crowd may actually cheer for something I did," he laughed.

"Or, then again, this may be the first time that the command is booed."